Difference between revisions of "PinePhone Carrier Support"

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{{under construction}}
{{under construction}}


{{warning|1= MMS currently doesn't work in any distribution on the PinePhone without a script! This means images and group chats will not work in text messages.}}
{{hint|MMS currently doesn't work in any distribution on the PinePhone without a [[PinePhone_Carrier_Support#MMS_workarounds|script]]! This means images and group chats will not work in text messages.}}


This page contains hints on setting up cellular network connectivity for specific carriers.
This page contains hints on setting up cellular network connectivity for specific carriers.
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It is likely that there will be a few frequencies that your carrier uses which are not supported by the PinePhone. Not all of the carrier's frequencies need to be supported by the PinePhone for it to work - as long as ''most'' of them are supported, you will still get good coverage.
It is likely that there will be a few frequencies that your carrier uses which are not supported by the PinePhone. Not all of the carrier's frequencies need to be supported by the PinePhone for it to work - as long as ''most'' of them are supported, you will still get good coverage.
= Special carrier notes =
Some carriers might support only certain frequencies or might require certain settings in Ofono or ModemManager. The following is a list of collected notes for carriers regarding special settings, hints or information:
== USA ==
=== AT&T ===
According to [https://ltefix.com/wp-content/uploads/USA-Major-Carriers-Bands-Frequencies-CA.pdf this page], AT&T's primary bands are 12 and 17 - 700ac and 700 MHz respectively. The PinePhone seems to work out-of-the-box with AT&T. Activating a SIM works. Calls and SMS messages work. VoLTE is as yet untested.
=== Cricket Wireless ===
Cricket wireless is a MVNO that uses AT&T's network. VoLTE is fully supported and the PinePhone is considered a compatible device in the US by the carrier.
=== SimpleMobile ===
SimpleMobile is a T-Mobile prepaid MVNO operating in the United States. 4G LTE, VoLTE, data, and SMS all work on the PinePhone after activation. Activation can be done online without extra software or assistance, go to https://www.simplemobile.com/activation/byopcollectsim and make sure you have your SIM card and IMEI ready.
=== Sprint ===
Sprint is currently not supported due to unknown reasons. Any input regarding this issue is highly appreciated.
=== T-Mobile ===
According to [https://ltefix.com/wp-content/uploads/USA-Major-Carriers-Bands-Frequencies-CA.pdf this page],
T-Mobile's primary frequency band for the United States is 12 (700ac MHz).
T-Mobile's bands and protocols are summarized on
[https://www.frequencycheck.com/carriers/t-mobile-united-states this page].
While the PinePhone's modem does support all LTE bands that T-Mobile uses in the US (And is one of the best choices for band support with the PinePhone's modem in the US), VoLTE is still listed as "Under development" by the modem manufacturer. T-Mobile's system also does not list the PinePhone as a compatible device due to this lack of official VoLTE support. The modem is capable of working on T-Mobile with VoLTE support enabled.
=== Verizon ===
According to [https://ltefix.com/wp-content/uploads/USA-Major-Carriers-Bands-Frequencies-CA.pdf this page],
Verizon's primary frequency band for the United States is 13 (700 MHz). Verizon's bands and protocols are summarized on
[https://www.frequencycheck.com/carriers/verizon-wireless-united-states this page]. According to the same page, Verizon might restrict their network to only approved devices.
Some users reported that they were able to activate their Verizon SIM by using an Verizon-approved burner phone and then inserting the SIM into the PinePhone.
=== Red Pocket ===
Red Pocket works with the pinephone. Calls and sms are working. Data not tested yet.
== Australia ==
=== Telstra ===
According to [https://www.frequencycheck.com/carriers/telstra-australia this page], Telstra uses the LTE B1, B3 and B28 variants, which are all supported by the EG25-G modem.
= Known issues =
Known issues:
* The [https://www.frequencycheck.com/models FrequencyCheck model page] does not list either Pine64 or the PinePhone.
* T-Mobile's system does not list the PinePhone as a compatible device due to the lack of official VoLTE support from the manufacturer, despite the fact that it does work.
* MMS doesn't currently work in any distribution on the PinePhone by default. This means images and group chats will not work in text messages.
* Some providers may allow only certain known devices identified by their [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_Allocation_Code Type Allocation Code].


= Tested and working carriers =
= Tested and working carriers =
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== Asia ==
== Asia ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Country || Carrier name || SMS/Email || MMS || Calls || Data || Ofono or ModemManager || Tested OS with version
!Country || Carrier name || SMS working || MMS working || Calls working || Data working || Tested OS (with version) and UI
|-
| Japan || SoftBank || Not tested || Unsupported by carrier || No || No || Mobian Phosh, December 2020
|-
|-
| Japan || SoftBank || Not tested || Unsupported by carrier || No || No || ModemManager || Mobian December 2020
| Japan || Rakuten Mobile || Unsupported by carrier || Unsupported by carrier || Yes || Yes || Mobian Phosh, January 2020
|-
|-
| Japan || Rakuten Mobile || Unsupported by carrier || Unsupported by carrier || Yes || Yes || ModemManager || Mobian January 2020
| Japan || Rakuten Mobile || Unsupported by carrier || Unsupported by carrier || Yes || No || Manjaro Plasma Mobile February 2021
|-
|-
| Japan || Rakuten Mobile || Unsupported by carrier || Unsupported by carrier || Yes || No || Ofono || Manjaro Plasma Mobile February 2021
| Japan || Docomo || Yes || Not tested || Yes || Yes || Mobian Phosh, February 2021
|-
|-
| India || Vodafone / Vi India || Yes || Not tested || Yes || Yes || DanctNIX (Arch Linux ARM) with Phosh, March 2021
|}
|}


== Africa ==
== Africa ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Country || Carrier name || SMS || MMS || Calls || Data || Ofono or ModemManager || Tested OS with version
!Country || Carrier name || SMS working || MMS working || Calls working || Data working || Tested OS (with version) and UI
|-
|-
| Test || Test || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || ModemManager || TestOS 20201129
|-
| Test || Test || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || TestOS with Phosh, 20201129
|-
|-
|}
|}
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== Europe ==
== Europe ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Country || Carrier name || SMS || MMS || Calls || Data || Ofono or ModemManager || Tested OS with version
!Country || Carrier name || SMS working || MMS working || Calls working || Data working || Tested OS (with version) and UI
|-
|-
| Sweden || Telenor SE || Not tested || Not tested || Yes || Not tested || Manjaro Plasma Mobile beta2
|-
| UK    || Three || Yes || Not tested || Yes || Yes || Manjaro Plasma Mobile beta2
|-
| UK    || Vodafone || Yes || Not tested || Yes || Yes || ALARM & pmOS (Phosh?), modem FW latest - 26 Feb 21
|-
|-
| Sweden || Telenor SE || Not tested || Not tested || Yes || Not tested || ModemManager || Manjaro Plasma Mobile beta2
| France    || Orange || Yes || Not tested || Yes || Yes || Manjaro Phosh Beta6 and later - 9 march 2021
|-
|-
| UK     || Vodafone || Yes || Not tested || Yes || Yes || ModemManager || ALARM & pmOS, modem FW latest - 26 Feb 21
| France     || SFR || Yes || Not tested || Yes || Yes || Manjaro Phosh Beta6 and later - 9 march 2021
|-
|-
|}
|}
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== North America ==
== North America ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Country || Carrier name || SMS || MMS || Calls || Data || Ofono or ModemManager || Tested OS with version
!Country || Carrier name || SMS working || MMS working || Calls working || Data working || Tested OS (with version) and UI
|-
|-
| USA || T-Mobile || Yes || No || Yes || Yes || Arch Linux Arm 2020/11/29, Mobian Phosh, Manjaro KDE Plasma Mobile
|-
| USA || MetroPCS (T-Mobile) || Yes || No || Yes || Yes || Arch Linux Arm (Phosh,SXMO) 2021/04/29, Manjaro Arm Phosh 2021/04/29, Mobian Phosh, 2021/3/20
|-
| USA || T-Mobile || Yes - buggy || No || Yes - buggy || Yes - buggy || Manjaro Plasma Dev 2020/11/21 & Ubuntu Touch 2020/11/26 & KDE NEON 2020/11/02
|-
| USA || Mint Mobile (T-Mobile) || Yes || Not tested || Yes || Yes || Mobian Phosh, 2021/3/14
|-
| USA || Verizon || Yes || Not tested || Yes || Yes || Mobian Phosh, 2021/3/1
|-
|-
| USA || T-Mobile || Yes || No || Yes || Yes || ModemManager || Arch Linux Alarm 2020/11/29
| USA || Verizon || Not tested || Not tested || Yes || Not via gui || Manjaro KDE Plasma Mobile 2021/5/10
|-
|-
| USA || T-Mobile || Yes - buggy || No || Yes - buggy || Yes - buggy || Ofono || Manjaro Plasma Dev 2020/11/21 & Ubuntu Touch 2020/11/26 & KDE NEON 2020/11/02
| Canada || Freedom || Yes || Not tested || Yes || Yes || Arch Pinephone Phosh (APN: internet.windmobile.ca), 2021/4/25
|-
|-
| USA || Red Pocket || Yes || Not tested || Yes || Not tested || ModemManager || mobian-pinephone-phosh-2020/12/15
| USA || FaithWireless (AT&T) || Yes || No || Yes || Yes || Arch Linux Arm 2021/04/29 with Phosh 0.10.1-1, see the [[PinePhone_Carrier_Support#AT.26T|AT&T issues]] below.
|-
|-
|}
|}
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== South America ==
== South America ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Country || Carrier name || SMS || MMS || Calls || Data || Ofono or ModemManager || Tested OS with version
!Country || Carrier name || SMS working || MMS working || Calls working || Data working || Tested OS (with version) and UI
|-
|-
|-
| Test || Test || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || ModemManager || TestOS 20201129
| Test || Test || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || TestOS with Phosh, 20201129
|-
|-
|}
|}
Line 115: Line 92:
== Australia / Oceania ==
== Australia / Oceania ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Country || Carrier name || SMS || MMS || Calls || Data || Ofono or ModemManager || Tested OS with version
!Country || Carrier name || SMS working || MMS working || Calls working || Data working || Tested OS (with version) and UI
|-
|-
| Test || Test || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || ModemManager || TestOS 20201129
|-
| Test || Test || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || TestOS with Phosh, 20201129
|-
|-
|}
|}
= Special carrier notes =
{{Warning|This section contains providers which do not work or require special settings or actions to work.}}
Some carriers might support only certain frequencies or might require certain settings in Ofono or ModemManager. The following is a list of collected notes for carriers regarding special settings, hints or information:
== USA ==
=== AT&T ===
According to [https://ltefix.com/wp-content/uploads/USA-Major-Carriers-Bands-Frequencies-CA.pdf this page], AT&T's primary bands are 12 and 17 - 700ac and 700 MHz respectively. The PinePhone seems to work out-of-the-box with AT&T. If you transfer a SIM card from another phone you were using with AT&T, you need to activate the PinePhone through [https://www.att.com/buy/wireless/byod/byod AT&T's website]. Calls and SMS messages work. VoLTE is as yet untested.
However, it is likely AT&T will drop support with their network upgrade in the near future like their child company Cricket Wireless already has. [https://www.att.com/ecms/dam/att/consumer/help/pdf/Devices-Working-on-ATT-Network.pdf This page] lists their supported devices for their new network.
=== Cricket Wireless ===
Cricket wireless is a MVNO that uses AT&T's network. VoLTE was fully supported, but the PinePhone is no longer considered a compatible device in the US by the carrier (as of March 2021).
=== SimpleMobile ===
SimpleMobile is a T-Mobile prepaid MVNO operating in the United States. 4G LTE, VoLTE, data, and SMS all work on the PinePhone after activation. Activation can be done online without extra software or assistance, go to https://www.simplemobile.com/activation/byopcollectsim and make sure you have your SIM card and IMEI ready.
=== Sprint ===
Sprint is currently not supported due to unknown reasons. Any input regarding this issue is highly appreciated.
=== T-Mobile ===
According to [https://ltefix.com/wp-content/uploads/USA-Major-Carriers-Bands-Frequencies-CA.pdf this page],
T-Mobile's primary frequency band for the United States is 12 (700ac MHz).
T-Mobile's bands and protocols are summarized on
[https://www.frequencycheck.com/carriers/t-mobile-united-states this page].
While the PinePhone's modem does support all LTE bands that T-Mobile uses in the US (And is one of the best choices for band support with the PinePhone's modem in the US), VoLTE is still listed as "Under development" by the modem manufacturer. T-Mobile's system also does not list the PinePhone as a compatible device due to this lack of official VoLTE support. The modem is capable of working on T-Mobile with VoLTE support enabled.
=== Verizon ===
According to [https://ltefix.com/wp-content/uploads/USA-Major-Carriers-Bands-Frequencies-CA.pdf this page],
Verizon's primary frequency band for the United States is 13 (700 MHz). Verizon's bands and protocols are summarized on
[https://www.frequencycheck.com/carriers/verizon-wireless-united-states this page]. According to the same page, Verizon might restrict their network to only approved devices.
Some users reported that they were able to activate their Verizon SIM by using an Verizon-approved burner phone and then inserting the SIM into the PinePhone.
= Known issues =
Known issues:
* The [https://www.frequencycheck.com/models FrequencyCheck model page] does not list either Pine64 or the PinePhone.
* T-Mobile's system does not list the PinePhone as a compatible device due to the lack of official VoLTE support from the manufacturer, despite the fact that it does work.
* MMS doesn't currently work in any distribution on the PinePhone by default. This means images and group chats will not work in text messages.
* Some providers may allow only certain known devices identified by their [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_Allocation_Code Type Allocation Code].
= MMS workarounds =
These scripts allow partial MMS support on a [[PinePhone]]:
* JMMS: [https://git.sr.ht/~amindfv/jmms]
* silvermms: [https://gitlab.com/5ilver/silvermms]
* MMS via Matrix with mmmpuppet: [[PinePhone MMS with Matrix]]
There is a Haskel MMS client. MMS can also be manually composed with mmsd on the command line.


= Resources =
= Resources =

Revision as of 21:04, 10 May 2021

This page or section is under construction

Please help to review and edit this page or section. Information are subject to change.

MMS currently doesn't work in any distribution on the PinePhone without a script! This means images and group chats will not work in text messages.

This page contains hints on setting up cellular network connectivity for specific carriers. For more general information, see Modem and carrier support. For the APN settings see PinePhone APN Settings.

Check compatibility

To check if the PinePhone is supported on your carrier:

Search for your carrier on frequencycheck.com and compare the carrier's LTE/GSM/WCDMA frequencies to the PinePhone's supported frequencies (listed in the modem specification sheet).

It is likely that there will be a few frequencies that your carrier uses which are not supported by the PinePhone. Not all of the carrier's frequencies need to be supported by the PinePhone for it to work - as long as most of them are supported, you will still get good coverage.

Tested and working carriers

The following is a list of carriers which has been tested by users and confirmed to be working (excerpt):

Asia

Country Carrier name SMS working MMS working Calls working Data working Tested OS (with version) and UI
Japan SoftBank Not tested Unsupported by carrier No No Mobian Phosh, December 2020
Japan Rakuten Mobile Unsupported by carrier Unsupported by carrier Yes Yes Mobian Phosh, January 2020
Japan Rakuten Mobile Unsupported by carrier Unsupported by carrier Yes No Manjaro Plasma Mobile February 2021
Japan Docomo Yes Not tested Yes Yes Mobian Phosh, February 2021
India Vodafone / Vi India Yes Not tested Yes Yes DanctNIX (Arch Linux ARM) with Phosh, March 2021

Africa

Country Carrier name SMS working MMS working Calls working Data working Tested OS (with version) and UI
Test Test Yes Yes Yes Yes TestOS with Phosh, 20201129

Europe

Country Carrier name SMS working MMS working Calls working Data working Tested OS (with version) and UI
Sweden Telenor SE Not tested Not tested Yes Not tested Manjaro Plasma Mobile beta2
UK Three Yes Not tested Yes Yes Manjaro Plasma Mobile beta2
UK Vodafone Yes Not tested Yes Yes ALARM & pmOS (Phosh?), modem FW latest - 26 Feb 21
France Orange Yes Not tested Yes Yes Manjaro Phosh Beta6 and later - 9 march 2021
France SFR Yes Not tested Yes Yes Manjaro Phosh Beta6 and later - 9 march 2021

North America

Country Carrier name SMS working MMS working Calls working Data working Tested OS (with version) and UI
USA T-Mobile Yes No Yes Yes Arch Linux Arm 2020/11/29, Mobian Phosh, Manjaro KDE Plasma Mobile
USA MetroPCS (T-Mobile) Yes No Yes Yes Arch Linux Arm (Phosh,SXMO) 2021/04/29, Manjaro Arm Phosh 2021/04/29, Mobian Phosh, 2021/3/20
USA T-Mobile Yes - buggy No Yes - buggy Yes - buggy Manjaro Plasma Dev 2020/11/21 & Ubuntu Touch 2020/11/26 & KDE NEON 2020/11/02
USA Mint Mobile (T-Mobile) Yes Not tested Yes Yes Mobian Phosh, 2021/3/14
USA Verizon Yes Not tested Yes Yes Mobian Phosh, 2021/3/1
USA Verizon Not tested Not tested Yes Not via gui Manjaro KDE Plasma Mobile 2021/5/10
Canada Freedom Yes Not tested Yes Yes Arch Pinephone Phosh (APN: internet.windmobile.ca), 2021/4/25
USA FaithWireless (AT&T) Yes No Yes Yes Arch Linux Arm 2021/04/29 with Phosh 0.10.1-1, see the AT&T issues below.

South America

Country Carrier name SMS working MMS working Calls working Data working Tested OS (with version) and UI
Test Test Yes Yes Yes Yes TestOS with Phosh, 20201129

Australia / Oceania

Country Carrier name SMS working MMS working Calls working Data working Tested OS (with version) and UI
Test Test Yes Yes Yes Yes TestOS with Phosh, 20201129

Special carrier notes

Warning: This section contains providers which do not work or require special settings or actions to work.

Some carriers might support only certain frequencies or might require certain settings in Ofono or ModemManager. The following is a list of collected notes for carriers regarding special settings, hints or information:

USA

AT&T

According to this page, AT&T's primary bands are 12 and 17 - 700ac and 700 MHz respectively. The PinePhone seems to work out-of-the-box with AT&T. If you transfer a SIM card from another phone you were using with AT&T, you need to activate the PinePhone through AT&T's website. Calls and SMS messages work. VoLTE is as yet untested.

However, it is likely AT&T will drop support with their network upgrade in the near future like their child company Cricket Wireless already has. This page lists their supported devices for their new network.

Cricket Wireless

Cricket wireless is a MVNO that uses AT&T's network. VoLTE was fully supported, but the PinePhone is no longer considered a compatible device in the US by the carrier (as of March 2021).

SimpleMobile

SimpleMobile is a T-Mobile prepaid MVNO operating in the United States. 4G LTE, VoLTE, data, and SMS all work on the PinePhone after activation. Activation can be done online without extra software or assistance, go to https://www.simplemobile.com/activation/byopcollectsim and make sure you have your SIM card and IMEI ready.

Sprint

Sprint is currently not supported due to unknown reasons. Any input regarding this issue is highly appreciated.

T-Mobile

According to this page, T-Mobile's primary frequency band for the United States is 12 (700ac MHz).

T-Mobile's bands and protocols are summarized on this page.

While the PinePhone's modem does support all LTE bands that T-Mobile uses in the US (And is one of the best choices for band support with the PinePhone's modem in the US), VoLTE is still listed as "Under development" by the modem manufacturer. T-Mobile's system also does not list the PinePhone as a compatible device due to this lack of official VoLTE support. The modem is capable of working on T-Mobile with VoLTE support enabled.

Verizon

According to this page, Verizon's primary frequency band for the United States is 13 (700 MHz). Verizon's bands and protocols are summarized on this page. According to the same page, Verizon might restrict their network to only approved devices.

Some users reported that they were able to activate their Verizon SIM by using an Verizon-approved burner phone and then inserting the SIM into the PinePhone.

Known issues

Known issues:

  • The FrequencyCheck model page does not list either Pine64 or the PinePhone.
  • T-Mobile's system does not list the PinePhone as a compatible device due to the lack of official VoLTE support from the manufacturer, despite the fact that it does work.
  • MMS doesn't currently work in any distribution on the PinePhone by default. This means images and group chats will not work in text messages.
  • Some providers may allow only certain known devices identified by their Type Allocation Code.

MMS workarounds

These scripts allow partial MMS support on a PinePhone:

There is a Haskel MMS client. MMS can also be manually composed with mmsd on the command line.

Resources