Mobile Network unavailable

[christinand]

I have a really old samsung s2 2011 phone and i wonder if it is compatible with public mobile as public mobile isn't listed as a network. When i look at network mode it says gsm/hspa/lte. I don't know if that helps. It previously worked with bell. I thought it might be locked but i never received an unlock message when i put in the sim card. I checked and the sim card is in properly. It says public mobile on the home page.

[Luddite]

@christinand Just an addendum: Samsung is a little infamous for relocking to previous carriers. Fortunately they are willing to provide unlock services. 

[christinand]

Thanks everyone for their help though. I learned a lot.

[christinand]

Good news! Public mobile works on the other phone. I was pretty mad at rogers as the phone was locked and as it was an old work phone they wouldn't unlock it. I followed the trick i read of contacting samsung chat and they unlocked it. That s6 must have definitely been past 2017 so it shouldn't have been locked. In any event i'm not sure i want to go to the work of fixing the other phone. It is too bad as it had a good battery.

[Luddite]

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@christinand wrote:

I tried to put the sim card in another phone and i am getting the message invalid sim card network locked sim card inserted. Do i need to enter a network code for public mobile here?

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No. This message means this phone is still locked to another carrier. Only unlocked phones, or Koodo/Telus locked, will work on PM.

[christinand]

I tried to put the sim card in another phone and i am getting the message invalid sim card network locked sim card inserted. Do i need to enter a network code for public mobile here?

[Dunkman · Accepted solution]

@christinand 

Another thing to try would be to put your SIM card in another working phone.  Just to rule out a PM service issue.  If it works in another phone, then we know for certain that it is a hardware setup issue.  

[Different phone worked after unlocking ......... Luddite]

[darlicious]

@christinand 

If you gave determined its not a sim card issue you can run through these troubleshooting methods for your phone to see if one of them solves your issue

Such a problem is common in Samsung Galaxy S5. Sometimes the phone goes on silent Airplane mode which fails to show on the screen.

To solve this, enable the ‘Airplane Mode’, wait for a few seconds then disable it once again.

When you finish this step, your mobile phone should pick network connectivity, and you see updates and notifications streaming in.

If this did not solve the issue, there are more tips you can use below.

#5. Broadcasting Improper Radio Signals

Sometimes your Samsung Android device might be broadcasting improper radio signals hence causing mobile network not available error. To fix the issue, just follow these steps.

1. Dial *#*#4636#*#* from your Android phone.
2. A “Testing Menu” appears. Select “Phone Information” from the category.+
3. An option “Run Ping Test” appears. Tap on this option.
4. Scroll down to reveal a drop down menu. Tap on this menu to show its option. Click “GSM Auto(PRL)
5. Below the drop down menu is the option for “Turn Radio Off”. Click on it.
6. Reboot your phone and see if it successfully connects to the internet.
7. Choose Mobile Network Manually

Usually, the default setting for selecting cellular network in any phone is set to automatic. However, you can also choose it manually, and this method is applicable to any Android phone. Follow these steps to solve the mobile network not available problem.

1. Open Settings menu on your device
2. Tap on wireless networks
3. Tap on Mobile Networks
4. Select Network Operators. As you can see, it is on Automatic Mode by default.
5. Select your mobile network manually.
6. Restart your device to see if the error has been resolved.
7. Firmware Problem

Occasionally the mobile network not available error can be as a result of firmware issues which needs updating to fix them.

Since you do not have mobile network connectivity, you need to find Wi-Fi connectivity to access the Internet and make the updates.

Follow the below steps once you are connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot.

1. Go to Settings Menu on your Android device
2. Tap on “About Phone”, usually at the bottom of the menu.
3. Select Check for Updates
4. Install the Latest Update on your device.
5. After the install, your mobile phone should restart automatically.
6. Switch off the Wi-Fi and check if you can connect to the internet using your cellular network.
7. Signal Reception

This problem can be as a result of poor signal strength, cellular network coverage of your location.

To solve the problem, try moving around and see if you get a better signal and connect.

Otherwise try enabling roaming......if no go then it's factory reset time. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

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@christinand wrote:

I also checked the apn and its called telus apn sp.telus.com. The rest is the same as gblackma suggested.

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APN settings are just for cell data and MMS.

Start with getting your phone working for talk and text.

Can you change your network mode? Or what all options are under there?

[christinand]

I also checked the apn and its called telus apn sp.telus.com. The rest is the same as gblackma suggested.

[christinand]

Thanks. I'd still like to try and resolve without doing a factory reset if possible. It says mobile network state disconnected. Does that indicate something?

[gblackma]

@christinand  use these APN settings if upon restart your data doesn't work

APN settings:
Name: Mobile Internet
APN: sp.mb.com
Proxy: Not set
Port: Not set
Username: Not set
Password: Not set
Server: Not set
MMSC: http://aliasredirect.net/proxy/mb/mmsc
MMS proxy: 74.49.0.18
MMS port: 80
MCC: 302
MNC: 220
Authentication type: Not set
APN type: Not set      - or - default,mms,supl   ( if your mobile hotspot is spotty add "dun")
APN protocol: IPv4
APN roaming protocol: IPv4
APN enable/disable: APN enabled
Bearer: Unspecified
MVNO type: Not set
MVNO value: Not set

[gblackma]

@christinand  Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 - Reset Network Settings

1. From the Home screen, navigate: Apps  > Settings > Backup and reset.
2. Tap Reset network settings.
3. Tap RESET SETTINGS. If applicable, enter the PIN, password, fingerprint or pattern.
4. From the Warning prompt, tap RESET SETTINGS to confirm. A "Network settings have been reset" pop-up should briefly appear.

Restart your phone if it doesn't automatically.  Re-enter your wifi password if applicable. Enable sms and mms to send and receive from Android phones.  Enable data and Try sending an mms message. 

[gblackma]

@christinand a factory reset would work. Just back up your contacts first. Stay safe. 

[christinand]

I also notice telus is listed as an APN. I don't know if that helps.

[christinand]

Thanks. Good to know it should work. Might a factory reset work,? I am looking under backup and reset options and i don't see a network reset option.

[Dunkman]

@christinand 

It is a old phone, but looks like it has the 3G bands. Not compatible with LTE

https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_i9100_galaxy_s_ii-3621.php

3G bands

HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100

Talk and text should work.  

You might want to try to reboot phone.  Try a network reset.  

[gblackma]

@christinand according to this site, https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_i9100_galaxy_s_ii-3621.php it will work for talking and texting.  You should get data on a 3g network, but not on 4g. You will receive no emergency warnings. Welcome to PM. Stay safe.