There are some challenges with swapping the modem:
First and foremost, be very careful when disconnecting the antennae. Several users have managed to break the connectors in some way when doing that. Theoretically there is a correct tool for prising the connector apart but even then … be very careful.
Secondly, it is unknown what software and config changes would be needed in order to use a random other modem or what to do if things don’t work out-of-the-box. Sure, you may get lucky. The modem itself is cheap so you may feel like just going for it.
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll try to be extra gentle. I’m a little surprised the connectors are so brittle. I use u.FL connectors for other things and have never had any issues.
I have swapped the WiFi cards before and I had trouble with the lengths, but hopefully the two cards are similar enough that it will work.
Yeah, the config changes are the hard part. I’m hoping it isn’t too hard as the modem should be similar to the one in the PinePhone which is generally well supported.
Realistically though, there isn’t much choice. We (as in Librem5 users) need to either find a VoLTE solution or we are limited to Vodafone only in Australia. Even then as more 3G networks worldwide get switched off this is only going to get worse and worse.
I was one of those that managed to pop off the u.fl on my modem when doing the procedure to replace the WiFi card. I looked at the modem afterwards and it really looked to me like a cold solder joint on the u.fl. I know they are only meant for around 10 cycles or so but not half a cycle. In hindsight maybe I should have applied the tip of my soldering iron to it before I removed the cable…lol.
Until recently, I was unable to get VoLTE going with the L5 on Optus in Australia. Optus advised that technically there was no reason from their end why it should not work, so I went back to Purism support, requested and received the instructions for updating the modem bm818 firmware, and since the update, VoLTE has worked just fine. Though I am getting a new behaviour: whilst the incoming voice is very clear, it occasionally cuts out and I lose a few words before it cuts back in. I don’t recall this happening before under 3G, but for the moment I am blaming this on the caller’s handset …
One of the Optus support pages indicated that Optus may need to enable VoLTE for your account. When I contacted them they indicated that it was already enabled (at their end) for mine. Just saying; in case the firmware update doesn’t work, check with Optus to see if the switch is off for your account. Optus were very professional and supportive at all points, and the phone (L5) and modem (BM818) being new to them was not an issue.
I’m not sure of the meaning of the ‘1CMD_B227’ -vs- ‘1ACD_B325’ difference, but these strings appear in other posts here so not a serial number, and didn’t change when I upgraded firmware so not firmware version. Maybe related to the modem variant (E1/A1/T1)? Mine is T1, what is yours, and are we still talking Australia here?
Sorry I’m in Canada, but my VoLTE isn’t working either so just trying to see if there is any commonality between our countries. When you make a call is it defaulting to HSPA?
When making calls the L5 used to drop from 4G to 3G and the BM818 tool would show HSPA. Once the call had ended, the indicator would return to 4G. Since the firmware update it stays on 4G and the tool shows either ‘FDD LTE’ or more commonly ‘TDD LTE’ during calls.
Hi @alistair23 Newbie here doing as much reading as I can before choosing my next phone. Am happy enough with Vodafone here in Perth. And interested how VoLTE experience is holding up? Is it stable enough for a daily driver?
FWIW, Telstra has delayed the 3G shutdown by 2 months (from June 30 to August 31). That is of course not motivated by the Librem 5 but the effect is that if you are using a Librem 5 on the Telstra network, you have an extra two months to get VoLTE sorted out.
My experience on the wholesale Telstra network (ALDI), when receiving calls the VoLTE calls work on the L5, but NOT when calling out from the L5. It reverts to 3G. As you say, we have nearly 4 months to figure this out.
An update on the L5 + 4G experience with Optus. Back in April 4G seemed to be working fine (after the modem firmware update). Voice was very clear, though there were occasional cutouts where words were missed, in both directions. I don’t recall having issues dialing out.
Things seem to have gone downhill in the last couple weeks. Incoming calls seem fine. Outgoing calls rarely connect, or ring once then cut out (voicemail always works though). So something has happened in the last couple weeks either with Optus or with the L5, and 4G is no longer functioning satisfactorily. I also note that I am getting occasional messages about missing VOIP account, and the network icon shows a red marker … this wasn’t happening back in April. Sigh.
I hope there is not going to be a run on 4G capable phones in Australia come September
For everyone who comes along on this. There is no VoLTE support on any Telstra based network.
This is not something that is going to be fixed, unless Broadmobi releases a firmware update that supports Telstra, which is very unlikely as the modem seems to be no longer updated. The only option is to switch networks or switch modems.
I think it’s more a case of that network not approving the device. I can’t get VoLTE to work here on the Rogers network in Canada and the reason is they will not allow it for the Broadmobi card. I think it’s capable, it’s just that they will not allow VoLTE calls.
My hope is that they change their minds at some point because once they turn of HSPA here there will be a ton of people with older devices, not to mention modems integrated into non-phone applications (security systems etc…) that will stop working, so I think they will have to make some concessions to us, at least that is my hope.
I’ve found that Optus4G works, mostly, with the new firmware. By mostly I mean that most calls I make go through on 4G and are very clear but about 20% of the time the number won’t connect (they get one ring then the line is lost) but setting back to allowing 3G puts the number through fine. Also, with 4G calls, I get these 1-2 second droouts while one of us is talking where the other side gets nothing. Lots of texts from Optus indicating that my device might not be supported after next month. I’ve had to put the L5 on the back burner for now.
