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 NOT 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 5G enabled 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".
Sporadically missed texts/calls + "Not registered in network" + Terrible Support = Severe Problems
Problem My phone is sporadically unable to receive text messages and phone calls (appears out of network for the sender/caller) even in the areas with great signal reception. When the phone is in that state, I am also unable to text and make calls: a "Not registered in network" message appears.The internet connection does not disappear.I can even be watching a video in great quality using my mobile internet, while for someone who triestext/call me, I appear out-of-network. Restarting my phone,fully recovers the ability to call and text. I evenreceive SOME missed text messages that were sent to me while I appeared "offline" often in messed up order andminutes apart. However, some of the texts never reach me which makes things even more confusing. I can't tell for sure what triggers this state, however, I noticed that it happens more often when I drive around the city. The critical issue is that even when I hold my phone in my handactively using internet and watching videos, I haveabsolutely no indication that my phone is unreachable by people until I try to call or text. Since I don't frequently initiate calls and texts, I realized that I sometimesended up with days of a "disconnected" phone. While most of my communication goes through internet, those less frequent, butmost important new personal and professional connections happen via phone calls and texting. It's just recently I realized that over the course of several months if not years multiple miscommunication issues I had with important people were caused by this 'auto-ghosting feature' T-Mobile effectively enabled for me without asking or informing me. Please see "Problem Severity" below. I suspect that it might be related to the fact that my phone does not support 5G andto the Voice over LTE feature T-Mobile introduced some time ago. I do NOT need 5G at this point, the internet speed is satisfactory. My phone is a factory unlocked Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) SM-A530F/DS purchased from the Samsung store onAmazon in Sep 2018. T-Mobile Supportwas Terrible First, I brought my phone to several T-Mobile offices in Boston area. No 'expert' there was able to find the cause of the problem or fix it. Then I called the officialT-Mobile tech support phone number,took time to explain my problem, they said a more tech-savvy engineer will reach me out within 72h (!). And they simply haven't. Problem Severity Thisis a very serious problem. As I am discovering now, it has affected my personal and professional relationships over the course of months if not years. For people who tryto communicate with me, it appears as if I am ghosting them. From my side, it appears that people ghost me.: They try to call me and they know I am home, but I appear out of network as if I blocked them or turned off my phone They send a text message and it never reaches me. I expect a text message from them, never receive it, and forced to think negatively about the person At this point, given that my issuewas not even addressed by tech support,I am consideringlegal options to solve this problem.It's not that T-Mobile was just unable to deliver the service defined in thecontract, the service effectively imposed majordamages on me, including damages to and loss of professional, financial and personal relationship opportunities.I am in the processof collectingrecords andwitnesses to support my claims in case of apotential legal action.