US Mobile, via T-Mobile, won't support Pinephone Pro - SOLVED, SIMPLY
07-02-2023, 01:27 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-02-2023, 01:31 AM by rocket2nfinity.)
(07-01-2023, 01:39 AM)jovval Wrote:T-mobile (and US Mobile) usually do not ask, nor care about your imei as long as it's not black listed. So, you should get one of their trial sims and drive around with it, particularly to a populated area, and see if it works. It should. The modem is perfectly compatible, it just lacks a few bands such as band 71, that are necessary for rural areas.(06-30-2023, 09:00 PM)treebeard Wrote:(06-30-2023, 02:03 PM)jovval Wrote: ... because US Mobile requires a "phone modem" and the PPP has a "stand-alone modem", the PPP can not work with USM.
Did they provide any info on what they think the difference is or why they care? FWIW, Ting works fine on one of my Pinephones.
They did not. Pine64's Sales did, in a reply to my query, use the term "stand-alone modem". I have asked sales and will ask US Mobile.
Incidentally, I have posted my research on providers and included your comment about Ting here,
US Cell Phone Service Providers with prices and phone numbers - https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=18438
Oddly, the representatives identified themselves (at the number I found when searching for Ting) as being at BoostMobile. Any idea why a call to Ting gives me BoostMobile?
(07-01-2023, 12:38 AM)rocket2nfinity Wrote: Are you by chance in an area where T-mobile (via US Mobile) has limited service and relies on roaming and their less used bands? I use USMobile and have a PP and PPP one on the T-mobile sim and one on the Verizon sim. Both work for calls and data.
Did you get your PPP second hand? Someone may have wiped the modem and reset it up without the VoLTE part added. Otherwise it should just work out of the box - no need to mask by changing IMEI or anything.
Given the problems with call audio on the PPP of course. The OG PP calls are clear and good.
I may be in such an area. I will inquire with T-Mobile and, informed by your being on its network, US Mobile.
On a related subject I have posted my research on providers and noted your using US Mobile here,
US Cell Phone Service Providers with prices and phone numbers - https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=18438
As for Verizon, I have heard from multiple MVNOs that Verizon is not compatible with my phone. Something exceptional sounds to be happening with your service. If you have further details, please share them.
My PPP I purchased new. Support wants me to test the modem. I have my reasons for being skeptical and reluctant to do so.
1. Sales mentioned "stand-alone modem" as part of the PPP. US Mobile, as the problem.
2. Support does not yet understand the above issue.
I am grateful for your sharing your ongoing use of US Mobile's network. It vindicates my choice of the provider.
Do you know if you US Mobile sees your phone as having a phone modem? Or does USM see yours as having, like mine, a stand-alone modem?
The way to register your Pinephone on Verizon's network with US Mobile is to provide the imei of a Verizon compatible cellphone. A cheap flip phone will do. US Mobile controls their access list. So, they let you swap your sim with another phone (your pinephone). Verizon itself and most MVNOs won't allow that. There are quite a few of us on US Mobile for that reason. They usually know what a Pinephone is, and yes it shows up as a data device, not a cellphone.
And use Cellmapper or a similar service to determine the actual coverage of your area by a service provider. The cell companies will just go by their map which is not reliable. Cellmapper provides field data gathered by users. They have a webpage in addition to their android app.
