Difference between revisions of "PinePhone Carrier Support"

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{{warning|1= MMS doesn't currently work in any Dsitribution on the PinePhone without a script! This means images and group chats will not work in text messages.}}
{{warning|1= Call audio is currently bad quality as there is a clock mismatch from the modem to the mainboard. Using Megi's 5.9 kernel should solve this.}}
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.
For more general information, see [[PinePhone#Modem_and_carrier_support|Modem and carrier support]]. For the APN settings see [[PinePhone APN Settings]].
For more general information, see [[PinePhone#Modem_and_carrier_support|Modem and carrier support]]. For the APN settings see [[PinePhone APN Settings]].


= Carriers=  
= Check compatibility =
To check if the PinePhone is supported on your carrier:
 
Search for your carrier on [https://www.frequencycheck.com/ frequencycheck.com] and compare the carrier's LTE/GSM/WCDMA frequencies to the PinePhone's supported frequencies (listed under the [[#Specifications|specifications]] section).
 
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.
 
= Carriers =
{{hint|This list is incomplete, you're welcome to improve it.}}
 
== 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.


== T-Mobile ==
=== 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],
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 primary frequency band for the United States is 12 (700ac MHz).
Line 12: Line 35:
[https://www.frequencycheck.com/carriers/t-mobile-united-states this page].
[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), 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 VoLTE support. This means that when T-Mobile depreciates 3G voice calls in January 2021, users will no long able to place calls unless VoLTE is working by then. LTE and SMS should still work however.
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 ==


=== Verizon ===
According to [https://ltefix.com/wp-content/uploads/USA-Major-Carriers-Bands-Frequencies-CA.pdf this page],
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 primary frequency band for the United States is 13 (700 MHz).
Line 21: Line 43:
Verizon's bands and protocols are summarized on
Verizon's bands and protocols are summarized on
[https://www.frequencycheck.com/carriers/verizon-wireless-united-states this page].
[https://www.frequencycheck.com/carriers/verizon-wireless-united-states this page].
However, it also says:
Verizon officially says:


<blockquote>
<blockquote>
Line 30: Line 52:
</blockquote>
</blockquote>


According to a "Verizon Agent" on a chat session:
But the truth is that with any Verizon-Approved burner phone, you can activate a Verizon SIM and swap it into your PinePhone.
 
Verizon does not care about what IMEI your phone has at all once the SIM itself is activated. [https://community.verizonwireless.com/t5/iPhone-X-Xr-Xs/Swapping-SIM-Cards/td-p/1129291][https://community.verizonwireless.com/t5/Prepaid-Plans/swapping-sim-card-to-another-device/td-p/1001334][https://community.verizonwireless.com/t5/My-Verizon/Swapping-Sim-Card-to-different-Device/td-p/1157544]
<blockquote>
We are the network operator and we will check whether the device will be compatible.
For that, we need to have the device's ID (IMEI number).
This will be on the device's purchase box; the device ID can also be found under device settings.
</blockquote>


= Issues =
= Issues =
 
Known issues:
The [https://www.frequencycheck.com/models FrequencyCheck model page]
* The [https://www.frequencycheck.com/models FrequencyCheck model page] does not list either Pine64 or the PinePhone.
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 distro 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].


= Resources =
= Resources =
* IMEI - [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Mobile_Equipment_Identity International Mobile Equipment Identity]


* IMEI - [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Mobile_Equipment_Identity International Mobile Equipment Identity]
[[Category:PinePhone]]

Revision as of 15:07, 11 October 2020

Warning: MMS doesn't currently work in any Dsitribution on the PinePhone without a script! This means images and group chats will not work in text messages.
Warning: Call audio is currently bad quality as there is a clock mismatch from the modem to the mainboard. Using Megi's 5.9 kernel should solve this.

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 under the specifications section).

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.

Carriers

This list is incomplete, you're welcome to improve it.

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. 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 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. Verizon officially says:

This carrier only accepts approved devices on its network. Even if a device supports some or all of the required frequencies for this carrier, it will not be able to connect unless the device is approved for this network. Check with the network operator to confirm whether a device is approved or not.

But the truth is that with any Verizon-Approved burner phone, you can activate a Verizon SIM and swap it into your PinePhone. Verizon does not care about what IMEI your phone has at all once the SIM itself is activated. [1][2][3]

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 distro 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.

Resources