Over the years there have been posts about cellular providers that will not provide (voice) service to Librem 5 because they don’t like the L6 modem. From time to time, I’ve considered getting a hotspot and using VOIP for voice service.
But why not get a data only SIM for the L5 and skip the dedicated hotspot? (Not counting codec problems, and assuming no MMS is OK.)
Has anyone tried a data only SIM on the L5? If so, how was the experience and which carrier? Are there any service providers that turn their nose up on the L5 for voice service but accept it with a data only SIM?
I am in the US, but would be interested about experiences elsewhere as well.
A data-only SIM works just fine for internet with the L5. I was using a Vegolink international data SIM card until this month (roaming on T-mobile or AT&T), when the Vegolink company apparently shut down without warning and without explanation. (Used exclusively inside my house, as I don’t carry the L5 around with me.)
In the U.S., as you probably know, the major carriers have often prevented use of their data-only SIMs, meant for tablets, in telephones on their networks. I imagine the situation hasn’t changed much over the years, although there might be a few MVNOs that don’t care, now that eSIMs are proliferating.
An international data sim, usually intended for travel, and which works in the U.S., definitely won’t be a problem. It only roams on our domestic networks (usually T-mobile or AT&T), without being subject to the carriers’ phone restrictions; after all, it doesn’t even provide calling ability.
In the past, I also had a VOIP account set up on the Librem 5, and had successful calling, while the internet connection was provided by whichever SIM I was using at the time, or by WiFi. I can also confirm that XMPP messaging, in my case JMP Chat, works with Chatty. I didn’t try to get JMP phone calls operational (via Dino, etc.). And I don’t currently have JMP set up on the L5, as of my last reflash.
So no, I think there’s no problem with what you describe. I definitely wouldn’t bother with a hotspot.
A hotspot might be useful for traveling abroad, though; if you don’t want to risk swapping out the L5’s modem, just connect it to a hotspot that can provide the internet connection for it. Assuming you have enough pockets, or will have a bag of some sort.
I should have been more explicit with my main point. There are multiple service providers that proclaim “We won’t provide voice service for your device because it’s not approved for our network.” because the modem is not a phone modem, implying that it is a data modem. Many also frown on phones being used as a hotspot for laptops, etc. And, as you write, some (all in US?) refuse to allow using their data only SIMs in a phone.
It seems to me that for those carriers, we might be able to register our L5’s as BYOD hotspots. (I know there are some few US carriers that will provide voice service to L5s as phones, so this doesn’t apply to them.) So my question boils down to has anyone tried registering a data only SIM on an L5 with a carrier that refuses voice service and what were the results?
By way, none of the 3 versions of ungoogled chromium that I tried can display the full width of
and they do not show a horizontal scroll bar. So if I search on something likely to be in the Provider column, I can not see the Notes column. And if I search on something likely to be in the Notes column, I can not see the Provider column. I know that no one in the community is to blame, but it is extremely frustrating and I had to vent. (I’m not particularly open at the moment to installing some other bloated browser with its own unacceptable idiosyncratic quirks and deficiencies.)
D’oh! That also works for me. I guess that since going full screen on a 40" monitor just gave me big honking margins it didn’t even occur to me to try arrow keys (after clicking). I really hate the steaming pile the “modern” web has become.
Walked into Vodafone Australia store (post 3G shudown) and got data plan for modems and tablets.
Said I have not much use for SMS or voice calls as contacts are on Signal, Delta Chat, Matrix, etc. so only need data.
They said show phone. Showed old “EoL” surveillance device, aka Google Pixel while beloved Librem 5 smirked in other pocket. Wasn’t a lie as they simply said we need to see your phone, not main phone or daily driver.
Got signed up. Was told you can still receive SMS, but if you send SMS or place/accept voice calls, you’ll be charged at such and such rate as it’s not included in plan.
Great results with no major issues. Using since January.