Librem 5 carrier compatibility thread

[zero]

I thought it might be helpful to have a single thread that detailed the compatibility of the current selection of modems. I have also added the BroadMobi BM818-T1 for reference which is now officially being offered. If there is any news about different modems being offered I’ll try to keep this up to date.

The charts are sorted top to bottom by the number of sites using the different bands, hopefully showing roughly the level of importance for coverage. The most important bands are likely the top few of each sub section (GSM, WCDMA, LTE).

In Australia the order is based on the numbers from oztowers.com.au. For all other countries the order is based on an estimate of the cellmapper.net maps because I haven’t found a list of the number of sites for each band. If I have been unable to find any data showing coverage (mostly for 3G), I have then ordered them starting with the lowest frequency at the top because they usually provide better coverage.

---

AUSTRALIA

Telstra

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1   No. Sites
WCDMA (3G)
  B5   850MHz *    [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]        [x]        7671
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        1518

LTE (4G)
  B28  700MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]        5041
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]        4295
  B7  2600MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        987
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        108
  B8   900MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        83
  B40 2300MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        3
  B42 3500MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        2

* mandatory band
[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

Optus

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1   No. Sites
WCDMA (3G)
  B8   900MHz *    [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        6555
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        5298

LTE (4G)
  B28  700MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]        5802
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]        4454
  B7  2600MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        3050
  B40 2300MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        3017
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        1510
  B8   900MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        59
  B42 3500MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        1

* mandatory band
[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

Vodafone

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1   No. Sites
WCDMA (3G)
  B8   900MHz *    [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        4638
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        4536
  B5   850MHz      [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]        [x]        202

LTE (4G)
  B5   850MHz      [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]        [x]        4553
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]        3696
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        2366
  B8   900MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        661
  B28  700MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]        4

* mandatory band
[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

---

CANADA

Thank you to @StaleDefectivePotato for the great chart you can find here.

---

FRANCE

Thank you to @Torrone for the great chart you can find here.

---

GERMANY

Vodafone

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
GSM (2G)
  EGSM 900MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  DCS 1800MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

WCDMA (3G)
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

LTE (4G)
  B20  800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [ ]
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B7  2600MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B28  700MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]
  B32 1500MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]
  B38 2600MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

O2

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
GSM (2G)
  EGSM 900MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  DCS 1800MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

WCDMA (3G)
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

LTE (4G)
  B20  800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [ ]
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B7  2600MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B28  700MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

Telekom

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
GSM (2G)
  EGSM 900MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

WCDMA (3G)
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

LTE (4G)
  B20  800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [ ]
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B8   900MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B7  2600MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B28  700MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]
  B32 1500MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

---

ITALY

Wind Tre

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
GSM (2G)
  EGSM 900MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  DCS 1800MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

WCDMA (3G)
  B8   900MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

LTE (4G)
  B20  800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [ ]
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B7  2600MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B38 2600MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

TIM

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
GSM (2G)
  EGSM 900MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  DCS 1800MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

WCDMA (3G)
  B8   900MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

LTE (4G)
  B20  800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [ ]
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B7  2600MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B32 1500MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

Vodafone

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
GSM (2G)
  EGSM 900MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  DCS 1800MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

WCDMA (3G)
  B8   900MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

LTE (4G)
  B20  800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [ ]
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B7  2600MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B32 1500MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

Iliad

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
WCDMA (3G)
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B8   900MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

LTE (4G)
  B8   900MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B7  2600MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

---

JAPAN

Thank you to @patrixl for the great charts you can find here.

---

NEW ZEALAND

Vodafone

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
GSM (2G)
  EGSM 900MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  DCS 1800MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

WCDMA (3G)
  B8   900MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

LTE (4G)
  B28  700MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B7  2600MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

Spark

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
WCDMA (3G)
  B5   850MHz      [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

LTE (4G)
  B28  700MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B7  2600MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B40 2300MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B5   850MHz      [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

2degrees

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
WCDMA (3G)
  B8   900MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

LTE (4G)
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B28  700MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]
  B8   900MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

---

SWITZERLAND

Swisscom

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
GSM (2G)
  EGSM 900MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  DCS 1800MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

WCDMA (3G)
  B8   900MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

LTE (4G)
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B20  800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [ ]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B7  2600MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

Sunrise

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
GSM (2G)
  EGSM 900MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  DCS 1800MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

WCDMA (3G)
  B8   900MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

LTE (4G)
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B20  800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [ ]
  B7  2600MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

Salt

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
GSM (2G)
  EGSM 900MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  DCS 1800MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

WCDMA (3G)
  B8   900MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

LTE (4G)
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B20  800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [ ]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B7  2600MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

---

UNITED KINGDOM

EE

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
GSM (2G)
  DCS 1800MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

WCDMA (3G)
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

LTE (4G)
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B20  800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [ ]
  B7  2600MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

O2

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
GSM (2G)
  EGSM 900MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

WCDMA (3G)
  B8   900MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

LTE (4G)
  B20  800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [ ]
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B40 2300MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B8   900MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

Vodafone

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
GSM (2G)
  EGSM 900MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  DCS 1800MHz      [x]        [x]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

WCDMA (3G)
  B8   900MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

LTE (4G)
  B20  800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [ ]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B7  2600MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B38 2600MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]
  B8   900MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

3 Three

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
WCDMA (3G)
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

LTE (4G)
  B3  1800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B20  800MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [ ]
  B1  2100MHz      [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

---

UNITED STATES

Verizon

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
CDMA
  BC0  800MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]
  BC1 1900MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]

LTE (4G)
  B13  700MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]
  B4  1700MHz      [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]
  B66 1700MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]        [x]
  B2  1900MHz      [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B5   850MHz      [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B26  850MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]
  B25 1900MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

AT&T

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
WCDMA (3G)
  B5   850MHz      [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B2  1900MHz      [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]        [x]

LTE (4G)
  B12  700MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]
  B2  1900MHz      [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B17  700MHz      [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]
  B4  1700MHz      [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]
  B5   850MHz      [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B30 2300MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]
  B66 1700MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]        [x]
  B14  700MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

T-Mobile

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
GSM (2G)
  PCS 1900MHz      [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]        [x]

WCDMA (3G)
  B4  1700MHz      [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]
  B2  1900MHz      [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]        [x]

LTE (4G)
  B12  700MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]
  B2  1900MHz      [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]        [x]
  B4  1700MHz      [ ]        [x]        [ ]        [x]        [x]
  B66 1700MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]        [x]
  B71  600MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]
  B5   850MHz      [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]        [x]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

Sprint

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
CDMA
  BC1 1900MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]
  BC10 800MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]

LTE (4G)
  B25 1900MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]
  B26  850MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]
  B41 2500MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

U.S. Cellular

                  PLS8-E    PLS8-US    BM818-E1   BM818-A1   BM818-T1
CDMA
  BC0  800MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]
  BC1 1900MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [ ]

LTE (4G)
  B12  700MHz      [ ]        [ ]        [ ]        [x]        [ ]
  B5   850MHz      [ ]        [x]        [x]        [x]        [x]

[x] indicates that the modem supports that band

---

The information in the charts is from these pages

https://puri.sm/faq/supported-networks/
https://www.frequencycheck.com/
https://www.cellmapper.net/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks_in_Europe

Australia
https://oztowers.com.au/Bands
https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/mobile_phone_frequencies

Germany
https://www.inside-digital.de/ratgeber/5g-lte-mobilfunk-frequenzen-deutschland-band-uebersicht

Italy
https://it.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/4G_in_Italia

New Zealand
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vodafone_New_Zealand
https://help.vodafone.co.nz/app/answers/detail/a_id/21804/~/vodafone-nz-mobile-network-frequencies
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spark_New_Zealand
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2degrees

United Kingdom
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EE_Limited
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O2_(UK)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vodafone_UK
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_(telecommunications)

United States
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verizon_Wireless
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT%26T_Mobility
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-Mobile_US
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprint_Corporation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Cellular

I’m intending this to be a thread to share information, so please contribute if you have any information on compatibility in your country. This is a work in progress so if you are aware of anything that needs correction I would really appreciate your help!

[kieran]

A post elsewhere in this forum says that those modems are not compatible at all with 3G in Australia (WCDMA v. GSM). I am not sufficiently expert to comment on that but if it were correct then your chart is not correct.

[zero]

I am not an expert either but I am not aware of any reason that would be the case. I have not seen that comment referring to 3G. If you can point me to it I will have a look.

Edit: I think I found the post, however I don’t think that is correct. Telstra NextG is a WCDMA network according to this.

[kieran]

according to this.

That forum post is a poor response though because instead of saying what Telstra requires and/or uses it only says that something from among those frequencies will work - without saying what. This could mean that one or other or both of the PLS8 modules will not work for 3G with Telstra. So … more information needed.

(edited to take account of following post)

[LunaticFringe]

Telstra was originally a CDMA network, but they shut down their CDMA network in 2008 and changed to GSM.

Their 3G bands (Band 1 & Band 5) are using UMTS. The Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is a third generation mobile cellular system for networks based on the GSM standard.

[kieran]

using UMTS

OK, so in your quoted post, you’ve said that “the modem” is doing W-CDMA. Why do you say that? (I’ve put “the modem” in quotes because there are so many modems flying about that we might not all be talking about the same modem.) Why do you think that Telstra is not doing W-CDMA?

At this stage I am thinking that both of the PLS8 modem variants and all three Australian carriers are doing W-CDMA. So 3G functionality should be OK.

If that is correct then I think the PLS8 variants would perform as follows on 3G.

PLS8-E: Optus - full coverage; Vodafone - full coverage; Telstra - city/town only (for all carriers with best available speeds)

PLS8-US: Optus - fail; Vodafone - fail; Telstra - full coverage (country speed only i.e. lower speed only)

So the best option would be PLS8-E on Optus or Vodafone (or a reseller like TPG who uses a combination of the Optus and Vodafone networks or other resellers of Optus or Vodafone) unless you really really need the slightly wider network coverage of Telstra and can tolerate the lower speeds.

But the 4G performance in Australia is still a problem with the PLS8 modems, and maybe a more important problem !

By contrast the Quectel EM06-E modem basically sews up all the required Australian 3G and 4G bands - so you can choose your carrier based on other factors (e.g. price, existing relationship, bundling, …).

[kieran]

As the information I have posted so far is specific to Australia, if no one posts any other information, I can change the title to reflect that.

I would change the title. I think it is going to get too confusing jumbling all the different countries together.

[LunaticFringe]

you’ve said that “the modem” is doing W-CDMA. Why do you say that?

The modem I referenced is the Gemalto PLS8. See Purism’s chart for the Gemalto PLS8. In the left hand column under the, “Standard” heading GSM is used for the 2G frequencies and WCDMA is used for the 3G frequencies.

I linked Telstra’s Wikipedia page for a reason - it spells out that Telstra is a GSM carrier. It was once a CDMA carrier, but not since 2008.

Enjoy your Aussie 2G! I’m done trying to help you people…

[kieran]

See Purism’s chart

Fair enough. I was going off the spec sheet from the manufacturer.

It was once a CDMA carrier

It is my belief, possibly erroneous, that CDMA and W-CDMA are different things (with confusingly similar names).

Enjoy your Aussie 2G

2G network was closed down.

[36w4r6]

2G network was closed down.

Don’t forget the rumour mill has Telstra shutting down the 3G network starting in 2020. As it is rumour don’t forget your grain of salt.

[zero]

That forum post is a poor response though because instead of saying what Telstra requires and/or uses it only says that something from among those frequencies will work - without saying what.

As I said in my post above, I was only pointing out that it was stated on the forum that it is a WCDMA network. I also saw a Telstra financial report that said the same but I thought the link I provided was quicker to see.

PLS8-E: Optus - full coverage; Vodafone - full coverage; Telstra - city/town only (for all carriers with best available speeds)

I referenced in my chart from here, also linked above, that:

Mandatory handset 3G band support

Telstra – 3G 850MHz (B5)
Optus – 3G 900MHz (B8)
Vodafone – 3G 900MHz (B8)

I presume that means the PLS8-E wouldn’t work for Telstra, at least with 3G. I haven’t tested this myself though.

I would change the title. I think it is going to get too confusing jumbling all the different countries together.

I was originally planning to update the post with more regions fairly soon after but then life got in the way. I’ll see what people think of the new layout first.

Don’t forget the rumour mill has Telstra shutting down the 3G network starting in 2020. As it is rumour don’t forget your grain of salt.

Well, I hope it doesn’t happen as soon as that…

[zero]

Does anyone know the post character limit? I’m wondering if I should delete this thread and start a new one where I can reserve the first few posts.

[Caliga]

My Librem 5 chronology did not hit a character limit yet and you can update it about 60 days.

[zero]

Thanks, that’s good to know. I didn’t realise it was that long! Oh is there a limit on how long you can update it? That’s unfortunate…

[joadri]

I think this is fine. I just came to the Sprint section which is what is relevant to me and I hope we can talk about it in the “Replay” tab.
This is what’s going on with me and I hope Purism read this: According to the sources you cite here, my option goes to BroadMobil 818-A1. Now… What worries me is that I asked a customer representative in my local Sprint store about the possibility of me using my Librem5 with them. The guy had no idea what Librem5 is or anything about Linux or a cellphone using something different than iOS or Android. His answer was to bring the phone to the store. Later on when I had the information about the modem (by that time it was only PLS8) I went back to the store and tried again, this time mentioning the modem I would be using. The answer was the same (from a different person not knowing anything about Linux, Linux phones or Librem5): “You have to bring the device for us to be able to tell if you could use it with Sprint”.
I don’t know how Purism is going to play it but I hope I can opt for the BM818-A1 BEFORE I get the phone. This is what I wanted to address here. I hope Purism plays it right and I don’t have to buy a second modem and deal with installation.

[zero]

According to the sources you cite here, my option goes to BroadMobil 818-A1.

Yes, that modem would give you full coverage for LTE. frequencycheck.com says that Sprint only accept approved devices. I have no idea if it is approved but I am sure Purism are well aware of that. If it isn’t, I’m sure they will be working on it.

I hope I can opt for the BM818-A1 BEFORE I get the phone.

I presumed they would ask before sending them out, but here is confirmation.

Shipping within the EU from Germany?

Before we roll out the phones we have to do a survey with all customers anyway concerning which modem type they want to have, eventual additional accessories etc.

[joadri]

I feel better now. Thanks. She probably meant to say “census” instead of “survey”.

[zero]

No problem. Glad I could help.

[nicole.faerber]

Just one more or less minor addition to that - we (as in Purism) currently have no plans to get additional carrier approvals. Getting carrier approvals is a PITA and in most cases bound to very high restrictions on the device and a very expensive qualification process. Especially the restrictions carriers in many cases impose on handsets and their features or access of the carrier onto the handset (for remote configuration etc.) are “features” we do not want to have on our device. We want the users to have the maximum freedom on their device and not being forced to have locked down parts.

So if Sprint is not supporting our modem, I am sorry, the Sprint is not an option. In the US I know that e.g. T-Mobile is very open, in Europe it is the law that carriers must accept all 3GPP compliant devices.

Cheers
nicole

[bed]

I’d like to know what US carriers support the Broadmobi modem. Looking on their website I’ve found no references to any carrier support information. Really hoping I ordered something that’s actually usable as a phone.