Unlocked unbranded Samsung on Firstnet

I am pretty sure you wont get VoLTE and Wifi calling with that phone..  The phones have to be ATT branded.  That is a 975u1 and you must use a 975U.  You can pop your sim card in the phone to see if it works with VoLTE and Wifi Calling. 

Here is the supported list of phones and the 975u1 is not on it..  https://www.nist.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2019/05/06/nist_list_of_certified_devices.pdf

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@ufdbc3 wrote:

Thanks, as of right now I don't have WiFi calling, they are still working on that.

 

Can you explain the VoLTE for me?   VoLTE is voice over LTE, or HD voice.  As 3g shuts down, you are required to have a phone capable of VoLTE or you cannot use voice services.  

I haven't been on the forums in years and am behind on the latest spec's. Would it mean I wouldn't be able to make calls when say the 700 bands is needed to call on the 14 band?  No calls period.  

I know bands 2 and 12 are primary used here in most of NJ, and I have occasionally seen band 5 used. Would all calls go through GSM bands only even though some are LTE?   There is no more GSM (2g) network. It was shut down on 1/1/17.  3g (WCDMA/HSPA) will follow in couple  years at most.  

 

Sorry I want to know more on this project to making a decision, thanks.

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First net relies on LTE bands 14 and 29 if I recall correctly.  I have read complaints about poor service, I assume because those bands are not deployed where the user is.  The solution is to switch to an AT&T SIM card for full spectrum of AT&T. 

Thanks, as of right now I don't have WiFi calling, they are still working on that.

Can you explain the VoLTE for me? I haven't been on the forums in years and am behind on the latest spec's. Would it mean I wouldn't be able to make calls when say the 700 bands is needed to call on the 14 band? I know bands 2 and 12 are primary used here in most of NJ, and I have occasionally seen band 5 used. Would all calls go through GSM bands only even though some are LTE?

Sorry I want to know more on this project to making a decision, thanks.

Thank you Lizdance40 for the answers, I forgot 2g was shut down, but now remember. (Tough getting old lol). So basically without VoLTE once 3g is shut down, wouldn't they have to allow all non-branded phone to work on it? Since that's the only way to make calls. Yes I know they can black list IMEI numbers, but then if you called them they can white list it?

As for the Firstnet bands, I know bands 14 is dedicated to it, and I haven't seen it around here or in parts of PA yet, but my service had been great and no different than when I was using the AT&T SIM vs the Firstnet one.

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@ufdbc3 wrote:

Thank you Lizdance40 for the answers, I forgot 2g was shut down, but now remember. (Tough getting old lol). So basically without VoLTE once 3g is shut down, wouldn't they have to allow all non-branded phone to work on it? Since that's the only way to make calls. Yes I know they can black list IMEI numbers, but then if you called them they can white list it?

 

As for the Firstnet bands, I know bands 14 is dedicated to it, and I haven't seen it around here or in parts of PA yet, but my service had been great and no different than when I was using the AT&T SIM vs the Firstnet one.

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As of right now ATT does not allow most non branded android devices to get VoLTE.  Its not as much blacklisting it is not getting the IMEI numbers from the OEM making the devices.  The pixel 3a last weekend would not get VoLTE or wifi calling but it now works this week.  Google gave ATT the database of IMEI numbers.

Thanks glimmerman, so if you called AT&T with the IMEI number would they then allow it to use the network with WiFi and VoLTE calling?

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@ufdbc3 wrote:

Thanks glimmerman, so if you called AT&T with the IMEI number would they then allow it to use the network with WiFi and VoLTE calling?

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Nope does not work like that.  They want to sell you a 975u not allow a 975u1...  The phone does not have the CSC file required for firstnet or ATT.

Than I think Samsung and Best Buy need to change their spec's, since it says the unlocked will work with at&t and supports VoLTE. Thanks again to both for your help

I can confirm that the unlocked version of the S23 does not support WiFi calling on FirstNet.   I called Samsung Support prior to purchase and they assured me that the S23 was, ". . .compatible with all US carriers, including FirstNet."    Well, they were wrong.   Though some good did come out of this:

During my trouble-shooting process I discovered that ATT has offered 5G service in my area for 2 years but FirstNet does not support 5G in my area (I only get LTE on my 5G capable S22).    FirstNet and ATT never gave me anything but a headache anyway, so now I'm a former customer with an unlocked S23 sporting 5G coverage on my phone and paying less that I was with FirstNet.   Sometimes things just work out!    

4yo thread.  Closed.