topic Re: 5G connectivity with new phone and old SIM in Get Support

5G connectivity with new phone and old SIM

StanLee — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 04:01:20 GMT

Hello everybody,

I've been a PM customer since November 2016, and I still have that original SIM card, and everything worked perfectly fine with my previous phones Xiaomi Mi5, and Xiaomi Mi8 - 4G worked fine.

I recently got a new phone Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+, China version, which should, by all specs, work with PM on 5G band n78 (3500) and 4G band B5 (850). I also switched from my grandfathered 3G plan to a new 5G plan with PM. However, 5G connection is non-existent on the phone, and 4G is extremely limited. Most of the time I am on 3G, which is stable, according to "Network Cell Info" app. Calls and texts work perfectly fine, the signal is always there, and calls don't drop, it's the data transfer speeds that I am concerned about (3G speeds with rare switches to 4G), and the complete lack of 5G.

"Preferred Network Type" in phone settings display 5G, LTE, 3G and 3G with 5G selected, so the phone supports it. However, when I go to "Select mobile network", and deselect "auto", I get a list of PM, Bell, Rogers, Freedom - all of them with 3G/4G options. None of them have 5G, although all of them should support n78 band (except for Freedom).

Is it possible that I need to get a new SIM card? I read that it shouldn't matter, but maybe 2016 cards are outdated and don't support 5G?

Is it also possible that I simply won't get a 5G signal because of the area I reside in? However, by looking at the coverage map https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/on/coverage I am located right in the middle of 5G zone (just a little north of North York in GTA, Ontario). So I am a little puzzled here.

Unfortunately, I don't have access to another 5G-enabled phone, to switch SIM cards and test. What else can I try to troubleshoot? Except for buying a new phone ))

Thank you in advance!

Re: 5G connectivity with new phone and old SIM

Handy1 — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 04:06:07 GMT

@StanLee no you don’t need a new SIM card that won’t make a difference . I’m guessing it’s like the Samsung s20 5G phone and gets the option with Telus sim but with PM there’s no 5G option . But note even being in 5G plan with phone set to 4G/LTE it’s still possible to get up to 250mbs

Re: 5G connectivity with new phone and old SIM

BKNS27 — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 04:38:13 GMT

@StanLee

No, the SIM has nothing to do with the 5G connection.
But it is strange because there are the Chinese version of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ covers 3 out of the 5 possible 5G signal in Canada.

https://www.kimovil.com/en/frequency-checker/CA/xiaomi-redmi-note-13-pro-plus

The 4G is limited to 1 out of the 5 4G.

Did you try resetting the Network setting?

Re: 5G connectivity with new phone and old SIM

Korth_ — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 11:33:51 GMT

@StanLee

Replacing a working SIM card with a new working SIM card won't make any difference in performance. It's your network key. It's like the ignition key for your car - getting a new ignition key isn't going to make the car drive any faster. (You can order a new SIM if you like, but it won't change anything.)

Check the specs for that device again. The China version is not compatible with the Telus network - and it is not compatible with the Bell or Rogers or Freedom networks - it is basically useless in Canada. The Global/International version is compatible with Canadian networks.

I believe your best choice is to return that device to the vendor and (if your heart is set on this brand and model) buy the International version instead.

https://www.kimovil.com/en/frequency-checker/CA/xiaomi-redmi-note-13-pro-plus

https://www.mi.com/global/product/redmi-note-13-pro-plus-5g/specs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telus_Mobility#Radio_frequency_summary