Forum Discussion
WHY is 5G connectivity so (Trash) unreliable on the T-Mobile network including their MVNO’s?!
I was making some updates to my device layouts and when testing the PTN associated with my tablet from another number, I noticed the text did not arrive. I double checked the number. I remembered then that I had 5G enabled on the device since it is primarily used for data only and tried an additional text. Still not delivered. The device had been "idle" on Wi-Fi, so the connection essentially "timed out" unbeknownst to me. I restarted the tablet, and the texts sent several minutes before came right through. I bust out laughing in frustration…
Note: After X amount of time if your “data connection”(uplink to network) is not “refreshed”(Restart device, Toggle Airplane Mode, Place a Call, Use data on your end) then that communication sent to your device (voice/SMS/MMS/voicemail/data) will NO be delivered to your device. I sent texts and left voicemails that never made there way to my device. Do I need to spell out the disaster this is - and the sad part is most people are not tech savvy, corporate shills, and/or iPhone users and have no idea this is happening.
(The audacity to try and raise prices…)
This issue has persisted for several years at this point; I first noticed the problems around the ~ S20 FE. Since this time a plethora of videos and posts both knowingly and unknowingly have been shared regarding the matter.
The Issue: If you have Habilitado para 5G on any device you will intermittently loose connection with the network/tower by way of transmission with voice/SMS/MMS/voicemail/data not being delivered to your device; often times unbeknownst to you(signal will show connected – other times SOS emergency calls only may appear).
*This is not attributed to known technical limitations that have existed since cellular technology was introduced(signal interference, building materials, congestion, location, time of year, phone case, user error, device software/hardware(known bugs), etcetera)
*These issues NEVER happened with prior generations of cellular technology. I never had to guess whether or not my device was connected, the signal software could be trusted, moreover, I never had to worry about the receipt of voice/SMS/MMS/Voicemail being delivered to my device, even when "off network"(roaming) a voicemail still would delver once the device reconnected to the network.
*iPhone users mostly communicate with other iPhone users(blue bubble). iMessage works on a data connection (Wi-Fi or Mobile data). iPhone is not using SMS/MMS the same way Android users do. Cellphone users spend less time talking (voice) and more time texting(iMessage/Facetime; SMS/MMS; Other apps).
“I called you” “I texted you” “911” “I called to offer you the job” “The hospital called so and so has been hurt” “I left you a voicemail before I took my last breath” just a few scenarios you won't even know took place because A) it never made it to your device B) people will assume you didn't answer/respond. Ignoring them, etcetera.
I saw similar complaints on other carriers, so I don't believe it to be specific to T-Mobile's network, however, I haven't researched enough to know if it's a technology issue with 5G in general or specific to Magenta. Point being, it should not be happening.
The current fix I have found for reliable voice/SMS/MMS/voicemail is to disable 5G on my cellular phones, and only use 5G on my data specific devices since getting SMS/MMS on them isn't my main use for them. I just thought it was funny to see the issue is STILL present. I've ran tests in multiple locations over different time periods. This isn't a SIM card issue. Unsure if it is hardware related at the SOC level/5G but again, the same SOC does not have these issues with 5G turned off.
Somehow the devices are losing connection/timing out/idle when 5G is enabled causing the lack of transmission of voice/SMS/MMS/voicemails and needs to "reconnects" before these transmissions are delivered to your device. The issue is if you are unaware of this, you don't know it is happening. Don't let people gaslight you. I raised this issue internally directly as an internal customer, and externally as an external customer - Management is aware. Engineers are aware. I'm sure there are more technical jargon to explain why the packets are not being sent to the device and why it only sends with a connection "reboot".
The other day, I was waiting at the auto mechanic and overheard a conversation where the customer stated they did not receive notification their vehicle was ready the previous day(somewhat upset). The advisor stated they called them twice and left two voicemails - both parties proceeded to show each other's phones to indicate what they stated was true. I know one had an iPhone and I couldn't tell the other, it had a case so I wasn't sure.
The advisor says something, something always has an issue with our phones blasé blah, T-Mobile, something something.
I thought about intervening, and ultimately deciding not to. Millions of people use their cellphones everyday. I don't even know where to begin, the extent of this issue is crazy and the fact most people are not even aware is how they are getting away with it. What if that was a call/voicemail/sms from the hospital about a loved one. The severity of this matter seems to go over people's heads and anytime someone brings this up - the way some people dismiss it is ridiculous. Never had these issues on older cellular tech - 5G is just not reliable for communication - these missed communications can be ruining people's lives and they dont even know it is happening smh....
On my business device with dual SIM (primary SIM 5G on data preferred, second SIM 5G off voice sms preferred) - I got an OTP from bank, it did not come, I wait, nothing, I go into settings - disable 5G, the text came through instantly.
Unacceptable.
syaoran wrote:
I'm guessing you have never heard of RCS. Apple will finally be catching up with this by it finally being added to iMessage. Have you thought that it might be the device you are using? I easily pull 300Mbit down and 150Mbit up in and around Hampton Roads and heading north, like Gloucester, has speeds upwards of 1Gbps down and 300Mbit up. In Charlotte, speeds are always well over 300Mbits down and 100Mbits up. Philadelphia has always had exceptional service in and around the airport with speeds over 500Mbps down and 100Mbit up. I am using an s23 Ultra and have been since it was available to order.
iPhone’s older than the 15 primarily use Intel models, which are not great for reception in areas where you might not be close to a tower or in very dense concrete jungles like New York City or Los Angelas.
Have you considered replacing your SIM to rule that out? Have you performed a network reset on your device after having Support perform one on their side?
"I'm guessing you have never heard of RCS. Apple will finally be catching up with this by it finally being added to iMessage." - you can’t make this up if you tried….I KNOW you are not tech savvy and have no idea what you are talking about...I don’t even like Apple iPhone but iMessage is superior to SMS/MMS/RCS - RCS is a JOKE - any sane tech person would know this….
“Have you thought that it might be the device you are using?” Have you thought about actually reading more than a title, actually comprehending before deciding if you have anything of value to say….(rhetorical)
“ I easily pull 300Mbit down and 150Mbit up in and around Hampton Roads and heading north, like Gloucester, has speeds upwards of 1Gbps down and 300Mbit up. In Charlotte, speeds are always well over 300Mbits down and 100Mbits up. Philadelphia has always had exceptional service in and around the airport with speeds over 500Mbps down and 100Mbit up. I am using an s23 Ultra and have been since it was available to order. " This is so irrelevant, off-topic, subjective, anecdotal, and nonsensical. How odd...again...why….why is reading comprehension so poor on this planet….yikes.
“iPhone’s older than the 15 primarily use Intel models, which are not great for reception in areas where you might not be close to a tower or in very dense concrete jungles like New York City or Los Angelas. " There were reports about Intel vs. Qualcomm modems in iPhones, reports were mainly about battery life, I vaguely remember because this was around the iPhone 11 - and I'm not an iPhone user - and this had NOTHING to do with my post….
"Have you considered replacing your SIM to rule that out? Have you performed a network reset on your device after having Support perform one on their side?' LOL! Oh my - this is sad.A SIM card is a token - it works or it doesn't. Unless your DEVICE is saying it is having difficulty reading the SIM card "no SIM card" and you physically know it is there, this could be the device SIM card reader or the physical SIM is wearing - which only occurs in extreme cases of heat, moisture exposer, and is rare. Any "troublehshooting" involving replacing the SIM card, and the person thinking that resolved their issues did not comprehend their root issue and are experiecning a placebo effect - it is what occurs around the replacement of a SIM card (soft reset-power off device, restart - assign new ICCID/MSID/MSN to the IMEI - provision device - aka reboot the connection - aka toggle airplane mode on and off or restart your phone achieves the same thing….though the issue I explained is not going to be fixed with a SIM card….also most people use eSIM, lots, so now what will YOU tell them to do ? LOL AHHAHA -
Wait...Not they said “reset network settings” that hasn’t been relevant since what the iPhone 6 or 7 and even then, see previous, it did not address the ROOT issue(most of the time). PLACEBO - reset network settings in modern times is a WASTE of time LOL - you CLEARLY don’t know what that “ts” step entails….a sound engineer experienced rep won’t use that step….even when it was a thing, it was rarely used by my team...“Syaoran - I am not a T-Mobile Employee but I could use a new job!” - if you were one of my subbordantes, I would have you termed as you are not a good fit for this line of work. We need critical thinkers, people who have deductive reasoning skills. people with above average intelligence, people who read above a 3rd grade level, respectfully.
syaoran wrote:
I'm guessing you have never heard of RCS. Apple will finally be catching up with this by it finally being added to iMessage. Have you thought that it might be the device you are using? I easily pull 300Mbit down and 150Mbit up in and around Hampton Roads and heading north, like Gloucester, has speeds upwards of 1Gbps down and 300Mbit up. In Charlotte, speeds are always well over 300Mbits down and 100Mbits up. Philadelphia has always had exceptional service in and around the airport with speeds over 500Mbps down and 100Mbit up. I am using an s23 Ultra and have been since it was available to order.
iPhone’s older than the 15 primarily use Intel models, which are not great for reception in areas where you might not be close to a tower or in very dense concrete jungles like New York City or Los Angelas.
Have you considered replacing your SIM to rule that out? Have you performed a network reset on your device after having Support perform one on their side?
LMAO! Why is reading comprehension so poor in this country….hopefully my initiall response is posted..
I'm guessing you have never heard of RCS. Apple will finally be catching up with this by it finally being added to iMessage. Have you thought that it might be the device you are using? I easily pull 300Mbit down and 150Mbit up in and around Hampton Roads and heading north, like Gloucester, has speeds upwards of 1Gbps down and 300Mbit up. In Charlotte, speeds are always well over 300Mbits down and 100Mbits up. Philadelphia has always had exceptional service in and around the airport with speeds over 500Mbps down and 100Mbit up. I am using an s23 Ultra and have been since it was available to order.
iPhone’s older than the 15 primarily use Intel models, which are not great for reception in areas where you might not be close to a tower or in very dense concrete jungles like New York City or Los Angelas.
Have you considered replacing your SIM to rule that out? Have you performed a network reset on your device after having Support perform one on their side?
