Proactive Action - Xiaomi (& Other Chinese Brands / Import) Phone Owners Affected by 3G Shutdown (Now Due to Be Network Blocked)

Tuukmaak on 24/10/2024 - 13:56
Last edited 01/11/2024 - 18:13 by 1 other user

UPDATE 1/11/24 - Response from grey import seller after I contacted them regarding a Redmi Note 12 that is no longer working. (Of course I know it is not their fault, but this is a good way to get more pressure on Xiaomi to do an update, and to put pressure on the government to whitelist"
"We have investigate the issue comprehensively and follow up instantly with distributor and ask them to push Xiaomi to resolve the issue. After our best endeavor, as of 31 OCT, Xiaomi confirm that their device is actually capable of emergency calls over 4G or 5G. This is an compatible device. However, the disconnection results from new ACMA regulations effective October 28, 2024, requiring carriers to restrict devices that can’t support 000 emergency calls over 4G or 5G from accessing their networks. It is out of our control. It is a government, manufacturer and network provider level. They recklessly blocking usable phone regardless of compatibility. They block for most phones that not purchase from them or from their partners and force you to buy a new one from them.
Meanwhile, we are pushing our distributor to communicate with manufacturer for updating the list and there are news that a firmware update will soon launch from Xiaomi."

UPDATE 1/11/24
Statement from Xiaomitech Australia (related to those who purchased in Australia through authorized channels)
https://shorturl.at/pAyfu

UPDATE 30/10/24 - Please also email
support.global@support.mi.com as we now have some traction

  • After multiple emails I finally got a NON-standard response! Hope is on the horizon! If this ends up working, you all can shout me a beer (or preferably a non-alcoholic and refreshing beverage)!

"Hello, Greetings from Xiaomi Customer Support! This is Eric.
Thank you for your feedback. We have noticed this situation, and concerned team are working on it. Please wait for the system update.
We would like to know if your device is only unable to use the emergency call function normally, but is able to use other functions normally, or if it has no signal/service at all. Once we have your feedback, we will get back to you with proper handling.
Best Regards
Xiaomi Global Email Service"

SUMMARY

  • Certain 4G and 5G phones currently working on VoLTE may be actively blocked through a government directive after 28th October
  • These are usually grey import phones that revert to 3G for 000 emergency calls
  • There are a lot of people ignoring the annoying text and voice messages on their phones, thinking "My phone IS 4G/5G, I am not affected"
  • Come October 28, there is going to be a tsunami of shock and anger

Oct 24 last minute legislation to block 4G and 5G phones that revert to 3G for 000 calls
https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2024L01353/asmade/downloads

Banana3's Summary (READ THIS FIRST to understand what the issue actually IS, instead of spouting "3G shutdown has been announced for years…")
"Again, the issue is not whether 3G should be shut down or not. I think most people in this discussion agree that it needs to be shut down. The issue is that a few years ago the communication was: as long as your phone supports 4g, then you should be fine. Then earlier this year: No, 4g alone is not going to cut it, you need to have a phone that supports VoLTE. Then: Wait, actually, not just any VoLTE, only those that the network allows your phone to use (yes, Vodafone told me that when my perfectly working VoLTE phone stopped working after they shut down 3g). Then on the last minute: Oh wait, actually, not just that, your phone also needs to be able to call 000 on 4g by default. None of these have been properly planned, or thought of, or mitigated. It's all just a big mess. If anyone is confused, it's not their fault."

What to do?

Useful information:
The Little Known Problems with VoLTE Emergency Calling - https://medium.com/@jamesdwho/the-little-known-problems-with…

Mobile 3G Mobile Phone Xiaomi

Comments

    • Iggemo on 01/11/2024 - 22:35

      Can we check that before buying?

      Is the TAC just the first 8 digits of the IMEI?

      • snirodha on 01/11/2024 - 22:44
        +1

        You can ask the seller. Seller will let you know

      • snirodha on 01/11/2024 - 22:44
        +1

        Yes. TAC is first 8 digit

  • timhn on 02/11/2024 - 09:09

    Wondering if the 000 switchboard got flooded with phantom calls in last few days.

  • dandrew on 02/11/2024 - 11:17
    +5

    The issue now is the telcos control the list and even if a new phone comes out and you want to buy it, you'll need to check it with their list. Most importantly telcos now have the power to band it as they see fit. All they have to say is your phone is not 000 compatible. This is sad.

  • dandrew on 02/11/2024 - 11:20

    This is Telstra's 3G Network Closure: Blocked Devices Checker: https://www.telstrawholesale.com.au/3G-Network-Closure-Block…
    My Mi 10 is blocked according to this checker.

  • Zackeroo on 02/11/2024 - 13:43

    Lots of talk about Xiaomis being unbanned, any changes to OnePlus devices?

    • ninohax on 02/11/2024 - 15:29
      +1

      That is because people have been pressurizing Xiaomi left and right and Xiaomi likely believes that it will hurt their image so bad and considering the global ambitions they have they want to maintain a good image of their brand. Do you own a Oneplus device? If yes have you pressurized Oneplus on this matter?

      • Zackeroo on 02/11/2024 - 15:51
        +1

        It's quite a well-known fact that OnePlus doesn't know Australia exists :)

  • cornucopia on 02/11/2024 - 14:05

    If you're buying a gray phone ask the vendor to check the IMEI against the Telstra White List before despatch. Will save you buying a dud. Applies to all gray phones, not just Xiaomi.
    Assumes Telstra is your carrier.
    https://www.telstrawholesale.com.au/3G-Network-Closure-Block…

    • HomeAlone on 02/11/2024 - 15:53
      +4

      I don't think that tool is accurate.

      Says my phone is ok, but still got blocked.

  • cornucopia on 02/11/2024 - 14:32

    So Telstra are vetting all mobiles against a reference list of IMEI eight digit roots that allegedly pass the 4G Volte 000 test. Applies to ALL makes. Fail and you're out! Where did that list come from .. 🤔 ??

      • cornucopia on 02/11/2024 - 15:43

        Yes I understand all thaf …but where was the TAC list of qualifying IMEI roots (4G Volte 000) sourced?? This is the 'do or die list'.

          • cappie on 02/11/2024 - 16:47
            +1

            @xwx: I need a lie down after reading that….thanks for the info tho xwx

              • cappie on 02/11/2024 - 17:00
                +1

                @xwx: I'm just glad that this whole saga doesnt affect me. I have an iPhone SE 2022. I'm only interested because my mate has just received a new Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro last week and was worried that the phone would not be compliant and consequently not work. There was a list provided earlier of Xiaomi IMEI's (first 8 digits) which includes my mates IMEI, so he is relieved that it should function.
                The lie down comment was my attempt at being witty ;-)

  • 88mph on 03/11/2024 - 08:34
    +11

    ABC article today morning:

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-03/brand-new-phones-unab…

    If a dupe share, apologies - a mod may delete my post

    • Iggemo on 03/11/2024 - 08:39
      +1

      It's definitely not a dupe. Thanks for sharing. Interesting he has a Redmi Note 13 which is what we have been discussing, and i have said in several comments in this thread, what i hate about this is buying the phone from Ali it'll likely be blocked and yet JB is selling the exact same phone for double the price and that one will work.

      That's just evidence they are using this to force us to buy it from local retailers to boost their sales. Hoping that Xaomi can sort it out as that is the exact type of phone i am looking to get to replace my now dead Redmi Note 9 and i am not at all keen on paying $600-700 to get from JB what i can for $300-400 from Ali.

      • snirodha on 03/11/2024 - 10:37
        +1

        Before buying from ali check TAC. If it is whitelisted you are good.

        • ozperson on 03/11/2024 - 13:28
          +2

          No guarantee until you put in the SIM card

          My Poco F3 TAC 86485605 is whitelisted by Telstra but now has no signal with Telstra SIM. Used to work back on 31st Oct

          • snirodha on 03/11/2024 - 15:05

            @ozperson: Your TAC is not part of xiaomitech TAC white list.

            • ozperson on 03/11/2024 - 16:01

              @snirodha: And that is the really confusing thing. Xiaomitech says it is not but

              Telstra says it is Good [Telstra check] (https://www.telstrawholesale.com.au/3G-Network-Closure-Block…)

              Who do you trust?

              • Iggemo on 03/11/2024 - 16:14

                @ozperson: I guess Xiaomi is more reliable than Telstra about what works on the Telstra network lmao

              • snirodha on 03/11/2024 - 17:20

                @ozperson: Probably best to follow xiaomitech since they allready guaranteed whitelisted TACs will work.

              • ShowTekk on 04/11/2024 - 08:49

                @ozperson: I've got the same TAC and mines still working through Kogan (Vodafone). No warnings either

                • snirodha on 04/11/2024 - 20:44

                  @ShowTekk: My old redmi note 10 pro blocked by optus and telstra still work in voda. Seems safest bet is to migrate to voda or voda reseller.

          • Kelpei on 08/11/2024 - 01:34
            +1

            @ozperson: My Poco F3 TAC is 86917205 - Global version purchased from bangood in 2022. I thought it would be the same as yours.

      • zy45 on 03/11/2024 - 11:03
        +3

        Yes, China shutdown 3G in most areas in 2023, so most Chinese phones are able to make emergency calls through 4G but they are blocked. E000 is not a good excuse for the government and telcos.

    • ninohax on 03/11/2024 - 11:33
      +2

      Finally some news time. Can we all email the media house and in the process help them wake up from the slumber and actually talk about an issue that affects 200,000+ capable 4G and 5G phones that have been all of a sudden rendered dead because of the unfathomable mess of a implementation of the 3G shutdown.

  • HolyFosh on 03/11/2024 - 12:18
    +2

    My Mi9T is still working with Telstra and today I tried the SMS check again got a different response saying it would work as normal.

  • Tuukmaak on 03/11/2024 - 12:57
    +2

    https://amp.abc.net.au/article/104541440

    Finally hit the news.

  • cornucopia on 03/11/2024 - 14:12
    +3

    If you're struggling to understand what's going on….

    Ok, so a play by play recap of the game so far…

    So the country is moving on from 3G and reusing the spectrum. When that happens phones will need to be technically configured to call 000 on 4G Volte. This has been known for years.

    Many gray phones don't conform because they weren't specifically manufactured for the Australian market. So after 3G closes they won't be able to call 000. In the lead up to 3G closure people were warned of this but at no stage was anyone told that those non complying phones would be tossed off the networks.

    Then on October 24 out of the blue the government introduced legislation to do just that…to toss non-compliant phones off the networks after 3G closes… and directed the carriers to implement that limitation. At whose prompting one might ask!

    Caught short, on October 30 Telstra and other carriers started ejecting phones from the networks on their TAC EMEI root assessment, on fragmentary evidence of just which phones didn't comply. Many compliant phones were ejected as collateral damage!

    Quite rightly, tens of thousands of people who were affected, had their phones ejected and are now being asked to shell out for a new phone, were affronted.

    A large majority of the affected phones are from Xiaomi. Xiaomi, in response to an avalanche of complaints, are 'looking in to a technical solution'. They have also been caught short.

    Watch this space.

  • Jason Todd on 03/11/2024 - 14:53
    +1

    My wife who owns a Poco X3 Pro which is a Global ROM has been completely blocked from SpinTel who uses Optus. Her phone is able to make 000 calls without a SIM. As for my phone, it is a Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G with the Chinese ROM and I am also with SpinTel. However my phone hasn't been blocked by them and I'm glad it isn't blocked but it doesn't make sense at all why they have blocked my wife's phone when it's compatible.

    Even if a phone isn't able to make 000 phone calls, why block the phone completely when they can still make an emergency phone call to a loved one. No logic at all.

    • RiseAndRuin on 03/11/2024 - 15:05

      No logic at all.

      The Telcos have the opportunity to force you to buy a new phone through them, if you want to be reasonably sure it won't be blocked. On top of that, complying with the Minister's requirements and actually going through the proper process of checking if phones are compatible before blocking them, would have been a cost to them that they completely avoided. It seems very logical to me.

      FWIW I now have 2 blocked phones that can still make 000 calls, with or without a sim, but ironically nothing else.

    • timhn on 03/11/2024 - 15:39
      +2

      Her phone is able to make 000 calls without a SIM.

      May be it switched to a 3g tower that still active.

  • Jason Todd on 03/11/2024 - 16:52
    +1

    The place we recently moved to doesn't work with 3G. We tested it weeks back by switching it to 3G and there was no connection. Switching it back to 4G always works.

    Ultimately the Poco X3 Pro she has comes with the Global ROM with all the required supported bands for Australia with VoLTE. So shouldn't it be compatible?

    Referring to Mi's website, it states this:

    "9.Q: Does POCO X3 Pro support VoLTE?
    A: POCO X3 Pro supports VoLTE (HD voice and video calling).Use this feature to make the call faster, better call quality. It needs SIM card operator to support, and the region has VoLTE network signal"

    • Duff5000 on 03/11/2024 - 23:53
      +2

      Again, the ability to use VoLTE isn't the only issue. Its weather the phone can call 000 via VoLTE. The ability to to the former doesnt mean the latter will also work, they are different things.

      And more than that, even if it can…. its if the telco believes that it can.

  • Jshy on 03/11/2024 - 17:22

    I noticed a lot of these affected devices are grey phones, however I have a Xiaomi Mi 9T bought in 2019 from officeworks that has been blocked too. Its a pretty "old" phone but mechanically works fine. Is there anything I can do since it was bought in Australia? Or does it have the same fate as the grey imports?

    • djoz on 03/11/2024 - 23:45
      +2

      Xiaomi Phones compatibility maybe checked at their official notice at this link:
      https://xiaomitech.com.au/blogs/news/notice-on-3g-shutdown-a…

      Check if your Phone TAC is listed on this link (TAC = first 8 digits of your IMEI).
      If yes, then your phone is deemed to be compatible and should get unblocked soon.

      • Jshy on 03/11/2024 - 23:55

        I saw that a while ago and noticed my TAC was not on there, is there any hope left? I emailed xiaomi support and they said I had to "wait for an update." Not sure if this is a generic response or not. I specifically told them my phone model and IMEI number.

        • JH100 on 04/11/2024 - 08:47
          +1

          That's what I got - "wait for an update." after they asked me for my phones details. So it seems reasonable to expect there will be an update.

          • Jshy on 06/11/2024 - 14:45
            +1

            @JH100: Sent a follow up email confirming if my phone will get an update and they said they "currently have no relevant information". Safe to assume that's just an automatic response. I doubt they would push an update on my 5 year old phone anyway…

      • Potsie on 10/11/2024 - 21:51

        yeah .. but if you click that link to xiaomitech.com.au today - you get a big message on your screen that Telstra has blocked their website !! (I have a copy of what is said though - should anyone need it)

    • Duff5000 on 03/11/2024 - 23:55
      +1

      You can hope Xiaomi update it so it is compatible with emergency calls over Volte. At 5 years old though i highly doubt they will.

    • WatchNerd on 07/11/2024 - 08:51

      My Mi 9T still works on Vodafone.

      • Jshy on 07/11/2024 - 10:03

        Got an Australian bought Mi 9T as well but on Optus (blocked). Is it worth the switch to Voda or are they also at risk of blocking the phone?

        • WatchNerd on 07/11/2024 - 10:18
          +2

          Not sure what's going to happen in the future but currently mine is working with Vodafone.

  • ajutrecht on 04/11/2024 - 11:29
    +2

    I am a tourist travelling in Australia and I am following this discussion with some worries. My Oneplus Nord 3 with a Boost simcard still works fine and my backup phone, a Oneplus Nord 1, with a redteago esim still connects on 3G on the Optus network. Fingers crossed that I will continue to get service.

    • Dacs on 04/11/2024 - 11:46
      +4

      Yes, one of the unintended consequences of the late change I think.

      I've travelled in many countries where I've bought a local SIM to use while travelling and never had a problem.

      The mobile phone industry has done a good job of making phone systems compatible worldwide (with perhaps the exception of North America), but this Australian law goes and breaks it.

    • [Deactivated] on 04/11/2024 - 22:02
      +1

      My Oneplus Nord 3 with a Boost simcard still works fine…

      Will continue to be fine as long as you stay with a provider on the Telstra network

      …my backup phone, a Oneplus Nord 1, with a redteago esim still connects on 3G on the Optus network.

      Depending on your plan, RedteaGO is either Optus 4G exclusive or roaming across Optus 4G and Telstra 5G

      If you are currently only getting 3G, you will have issues if the areas you are travelling through are where Optus and/or Telstra have switched off their 3G towers

  • Jimbuscus on 04/11/2024 - 20:48
    +1

    My Poco F3 from UK worked up until today, Telstra had already confirmed it supported VoLTE via their standard, have lodged a case with the TIO and currently only have WiFi & RCS.

    Looking at more expensive phones, I'd be spending more for weaker phones, this part with the blacklisting capable phones that don't fallback to 3G is a massive disgusting rort.

    • 3d3e3fae on 04/11/2024 - 21:26
      +1

      My grey imported Poco F3 (possibility sourced from Hong Kong, global version) still works with Boost (Telstra) as of now, however amaysim (Optus) blocked it a few days ago.

      • ninohax on 04/11/2024 - 22:36
        +1

        Did your phone pass the Telstra whitelist check?

        https://www.telstrawholesale.com.au/3G-Network-Closure-Block…

        • 3d3e3fae on 06/11/2024 - 09:20

          It passed

          • ninohax on 06/11/2024 - 11:18
            +1

            @3d3e3fae: Then it should work with Telstra and most likely Vodafone as well. Optus is just plain crazy and blocking as many devices as they can and also they seem to hold a particular grudge against Xiaomi phones

            • Kelpei on 07/11/2024 - 23:23

              @ninohax: Wow. My F3 has been blocked by Optus but entering the IMEI into the Telstra whitelist checker, it tells me it won't be affected by the 3G shutdown. Interestingly the ATMA website says it will… Not sure who to believe now

              • chrisie on 07/11/2024 - 23:33

                @Kelpei: I would not believe any of the them they don't know what their doing at this stage.
                My F3 has been blocked by Telstra.

              • ninohax on 07/11/2024 - 23:36

                @Kelpei: AMTA website doesn't tell you explicitly if your device would be affected by the 3G shutdown. The AMTA check that you did would have returned a 'CHECK' status which basically means your device won't work with all three telecom operators. It might work with either of the three but you have to check with them independently and see if they would block you. Optus does not have their own portal to check this neither does Vodafone. Telstra has one though and that is what you checked. So to summarize your device should work fine with Telstra and ideally Vodafone as well because that's been what has been observed as in if it works with Telstra it will most likely work with Vodafone as well.

    • johnjones8 on 04/11/2024 - 21:35
      +1

      Telstra had already confirmed it supported VoLTE via their standard

      Their website checker still shows it as compatible just now lol. Someone else on whirlpool also mentioned theirs losing Telstra service.

    • Duff5000 on 04/11/2024 - 22:07

      Telstra had already confirmed it supported VoLTE via their standard

      Does it do emergency calls via VoLTE though? Older xiaomi phones often do not.

      Not surprised the f3 was blocked VoLTE was always problematic (i have one) https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/9qr1zvmm Which is a shame as i was planning on either selling it or giving it to the kids.

      • ShowTekk on 05/11/2024 - 05:34

        Yeah I had to install a custom ROM to be able to even activate VoLTE and VoWiFi on my F3

      • vawiyoci on 05/11/2024 - 12:03
        +1

        Which is a shame as i was planning on either selling it or giving it to the kids.

        I had the opposite sentiment, was planning on using this for a few more years yet or at least until the battery gave up the ghost. Never had issues with VOLTE and runs well with a custom ROM.

      • DollarHunter on 06/11/2024 - 08:53
        +1

        I can confirm, my Poco F3 has VoLTE icon on top right hand corner and was able to dial 000 on the 04/11/2024 and got through to them. It was an emergency because I needed to confirm my phone was working.

        • chrisie on 06/11/2024 - 09:16

          As far as I'm aware 3g 000 calling has not been disabled as yet so possibly you reached 000 using 3g not 4g VoLTE

        • Duff5000 on 06/11/2024 - 09:21

          my Poco F3 has VoLTE icon on top right hand corner

          Yep so you have VoLTE working.

          and was able to dial 000 on the 04/11/2024

          Yep but did it show the VoLTE icon while on that call? As far as i am aware we do not know when the 3g network will stock accepting emergency calls, it is still running. If your phone drops back to 3g on 000 it will still be able to do that.

          User above checked their logs to verify the 000 call was via VoLTE https://i.imgur.com/6cKZjan.jpeg

          • DollarHunter on 06/11/2024 - 09:22
            +2

            @Duff5000: Yes it is via voLTE and my test Telstra SIM card work on the Poco F3. However, Amaysim (Optus) sim card still blocked and not working. The Amaysim card works on my old iphone so it's still active and working. Just not on my Poco F3

            • Duff5000 on 06/11/2024 - 10:41

              @DollarHunter: I'm not sure we will see much change unless Xiaomi come to the party and update older phones.

              These dont typically work unless you fiddle with the settings, good to see they apparently can work. AFAIK they carriers cant tell if people have manually fixed it or not

              Xiaomi releasing an update would make a good case for all f3's to be unblocked.

              Edit: then again, an f3 that doesn't have VoLTE is unlikely to be used because regular calling wont work. Any that are being used then obvoiusly have VoLTE has been set. Hopefully they add it to the whitelist.

    • DollarHunter on 06/11/2024 - 08:50

      On the same boat, works on Telstra but not on Amaysim (optus). Was able to call 000 using my Poco F3 as well on Telstra network. Tested this on the 4/11/2024 after the 3G shutdown. So a perfectly working 4G/5G phone that can make emergency calls blocked by Amaysim / Optus.

      • Jimbuscus on 06/11/2024 - 08:53

        My Poco F3 has also been blocked by Telstra, it connects and then gets kicked.

        • DollarHunter on 06/11/2024 - 09:20

          Telstra works on my Poco F3. I'm on 5G Telstra direct (Not via other Telstra providers). Try only Telstra Sim card plugging into SIM 1 slot only. Disconnect any other SIM cards you might have on slot 2.

  • tooblue on 06/11/2024 - 00:20
    +3

    My phone is fully working with Telstra network and passed Telstra checker: https://www.telstrawholesale.com.au/3G-Network-Closure-Block…. But Optus network already blacklisted it. What are the chances that they whitelist some phones that proved to be working (capable to call 000 over VoLTE)?

    What annoys me is on the AMTA https://amta.org.au/3g-closure-old/check-my-device/, the T&C clearly states the list is not accurate. Yet they are using this inaccurate list to block all the fully working phones.

    • DollarHunter on 06/11/2024 - 10:27

      I suggest flooding AMTA with complaint emails and hopefully they will fix this checker or remove it entirely because the list is so wrong.

  • USER DC on 06/11/2024 - 00:36

    ** last minute legislation **

    100% true given how they say to block access to mobile phones only Yet carrier's are blocking other Non-mobile phone 4G devices too FFS. Why ??

    government so stupid they cannot add normal australians to exception list s71 ? that like if the user wants to make carrier allow access to their service on a device that carrier cannot ensure emergency call is available on then they may do so by signing of a waiver to XXX from that device XXX ??

    Is it that hard? you Australian government legislator twats ??

    • DollarHunter on 06/11/2024 - 08:47

      Send your complaints to the ACMA as they legislated this without thinking over it properly. Obviously these guys drafting the law had no technical knowledge.

  • Graybags on 06/11/2024 - 10:55
    +1

    Your device (Xiaomi Poco F3) uses CSFB (Circuit Switched Fallback), meaning it normally falls back to the 3G network to complete calls, including emergency calls. After the 3G shutdown, this fallback will no longer work, and your device may not be able to make emergency calls. We recommend upgrading to a compatible device that fully supports VoLTE emergency calling.

    No help from Coles helpdesk to get it reinstated. I wish there was a way to confirm it doesn't work instead of banning it. The phone still works with an ALDI SIM

    • vawiyoci on 06/11/2024 - 11:54

      No help from Coles helpdesk to get it reinstated

      What sort of plan are you on with them? Have you tried asking for a pro rata refund etc before porting out?

    • ShowTekk on 06/11/2024 - 12:19
      +1

      Yup, Coles use optus and Optus have been on a banning spree. My Poco F3 on Vodafone is fine

    • djoz on 06/11/2024 - 13:08

      Where did you get this messaging/notice from?

  • Graybags on 06/11/2024 - 12:03

    3 months into $150 180GB COLES MOBILE PLAN 365 DAYS EXPIRY

    I think I'm going to bite the bullet and get POCO X6 from the Xiaomi Amazon AU store.

    • ninohax on 06/11/2024 - 13:01
      +1

      Be careful Optus has been nasty with Xiaomi Phones. Telstra and Vodafone should be safe though.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/11/2024 - 14:08

    Based on the legislation, if a carrier bans a phone, they are obligated to share the details of that banning with the other 2 carriers

    There will eventually be a single shared ban list rather than the 3 separate lists that AMTA currently combines and allows you to query:

    3 carriers approved = "OK"
    1 or 2 carriers not approved = "CHECK"
    3 carriers non approved = "NO"

    However, in typical SingTel fashion, Optus are pretending to be the overpowering server admin and banning legit devices left right and centre

    Telstra and/or TPG/Vodafone will eventually accept the Optus bans because it makes no commercial or technical sense to reject them

    TLDR:

    1. If you are on a Optus provider and need to change to a new phone, use an iPhone, Samsung or other AU approved device from an AU retailer
    2. If you want to use grey phones, you are better off with a provider on the Telstra or TPG/Vodafone networks
    • RiseAndRuin on 06/11/2024 - 18:29
      +2

      Or like me, you can at least make it as painful as possible for them. I made an urgent complaint to Coles mobile (Optus) on Sunday, and today I escalated it to the TIO, where I'm challenging a bunch of false claims they're making to intimidate and bully people, plus I'm asking for a substantial refund.

      • [Deactivated] on 06/11/2024 - 21:43

        If you were an actual Optus customer on an Optus plan, you would have much more leverage

        With the TIO complaint, Coles are shielding Optus because network and device wise, Coles does what they are told by Optus

        So your best case scenario is getting reimbursed over and above the new Moto you bought, with Coles taking the financial hit and Optus continuing to ban legit phones because no one one wants to ask the Optus NOC how these bans are being decided

    • Namidairo on 06/11/2024 - 21:51

      However, in typical SingTel fashion

      For an international perspective on this…

      Singtel's 3G shutdown (ie. Singapore) was also on the 1st November, but over there they're not requiring any IMEI blocks, just a text message and a warning that you may not have the ability to call their emergency number. Obviously with the differences in population density, it's probably a calculated risk there, but likely to be deadly here.

      You can make calls via 4G or 5G. However, you may not be able to call '999'. Please upgrade your phone to be able to enjoy full connectivity.

      That said, they also are maintaining a verified working list as well. Which just happens to include… a few of the Xiaomi models that are blocked here.

      At this rate I might just start thinking that a large part of the issue might have just been Telstra's insistence on their far from default carrier config. (The IMS user agent is prepended with Telstra for example, among other things.)

      • RiseAndRuin on 06/11/2024 - 21:54
        +2

        FWIW my Poco M4 Pro 5G passes the IMEI check and is whitelisted on Telstra's network, but Optus blocked it anyway (without ever sending me any text or email for that phone), although the phone is fully compliant.

        • Dacs on 09/11/2024 - 03:38

          Same story with my Poco F3. No text or email from Optus. It passes the Telstra IMEI check, and I've tried a Telstra SIM in it and it works fine

          • chrisie on 09/11/2024 - 08:24
            +1

            @Dacs: Your just lucky my F3 using an Aldi Sim has been blacklisted and blocked

      • [Deactivated] on 07/11/2024 - 07:24
        +1

        This is not a country issue, it's an Optus issue - check this doc:

        TRANSPORT OF SESSION INITIATION PROTOCOL (SIP) INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH MOBILE ORIGINATED EMERGENCY CALLS

        Page 32 - Working Committee Participants
        Telstra has 5, TPG/Vodafone have 4 and Optus have… 2

        If you search for the Optus voting member, you get someone from IT:

        "Principle Architect at Optus" with 29 years tenure
        “Mr X and I worked in a big IMS rollout program in Optus, where he was an end to end solution architect."

        Compared to:

        Telstra voting member = specific emergency services manager, tied into Telstra's Universal Service Obligation
        TPG/Vodafone voting member = head of regulation

      • [Deactivated] on 07/11/2024 - 07:53
        +1

        At this rate I might just start thinking that a large part of the issue might have just been Telstra's insistence on their far from default carrier config. (The IMS user agent is prepended with Telstra for example, among other things.)

        If that was the case, the guys trying to spoof IMS user agents should still be fine:

        https://github.com/kyujin-cho/pixel-volte-patch/discussions/…

        Someone on Telstra spoofed their Sony device as a Samsung and stopped receiving the upgrade warnings

  • Tiredman on 07/11/2024 - 12:46

    My Note 11 Pro 5G is still working well with Amaysim, how on earth do i check if i can call 000 without actually doing it?

  • LePhasme on 07/11/2024 - 15:50

    So after receiving the notifications my phone (oneplus 8T) would be disconnected etc, it's still working (emergency calls too), and after checking with Telstra they told me everything is fine and my plan won't be terminated.
    The only weird thing is that since the 29th of October, once a day my phone lose connections to both sim cards, but if I turn the airplane mode on and off then it comes back.

  • RiseAndRuin on 07/11/2024 - 19:29
    +3

    Well it seems the xiaomitech.com.au domain no longer exists, I guess Xiaomi had enough…

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