PREAMBLE:
ISSUE- Sending pics with text stopped. Sending text only still worked.
Attempted fix was flash phone. There are/were links and @amarok kindly created a text version of David Hammer video version with suggested edits by for flashing the L5. However, this err’ed too. Corrected by installing “uuu” and “git”. Still didn’t work.
WHY?
After several attempts to flash, it was realized that both the host (PureOS) and victim (L5) were both Amber.
Correcting both to Byzantium and switched to Ubuntu (with all updates) nixed the errors, but did not enable pics with text messages.
I used another Step-x-Step flash guide (by @FranklyFlawless) and coupled with @irvinewade’s, this went faster because I didn’t have to do several extra steps. Still no pics with texts. But then…
The Not-Thought-Of Was Realized:
Again, I contacted my carrier (Koodo.Com - sub off of Telus) and this time I reached their support (not the Forum) human via a phone call (using land line).
The tech quickly checked my file, my issue, and phone and noted that the seller of the plan (London Drugs had sold me a plan and the plan name was “3G Speed Per 30 Days” THREE G!!!
Tech also said that ‘support for 3G was discontinued on Nov. 17 last year’. (paraphrased) And that’s when my problem with the pics came into play.
Koodo tech changed my plan to 4G, took $1.00 off per month and said that if that didn’t fix the MMS issue, to take it up with the phone manufacturer.
SUMMARY:
After waiting 24 hours for 4G plan to fully kick in, I sent a plain text, then a text with a 158k pic. Text works, pics don’t. Still no where with this.
A major issue is phone keeps getting copies of copied copies. Ergo, I go over my limit very fast. I post a separate issue regarding this.
SUGGESTION For Canadians:
Before purchase, find someone with a L5 phone in Canada and check if their L5 will work with the carrier and use that carrier. Most carriers will tell you they do not support the Librem/Purism(?) L5. They want sell you their stalker-phones with their plan of course.
SUGGESTION For Librem/Purism:
When you’re building software to run phone, consider including countries you sell the phone to. According to tech, in Canada since 2012, all digital phones should be able to move from one carrier to another with out the grief.
i.e. Shouldn’t matter what the phone is, the phone has to be compatible with all carriers in Canada.
Now I know why I may no longer text with data.
Caveat emptor^10
Edited to correct a link, add another link, correct typo, and added adjuncts…
~s
p.s. None of what is enclosed with this post is carved in stone. It’s gathered from techs, web sites, and my own experiences.