Why is Skinny/Spark not provisioning 5G on Pixel 5/5A?

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Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Why is Skinny/Spark not provisioning 5G on Pixel 5/5A?

consolation

104 posts

Master Geek

#306680 12-Aug-2023 20:13

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It's compatible with their network, 5G works fine with them around the globe - but it seems spark has decided to arbitrarily cut pixels off at 6. Are we doing forced obsolescence already, seems like jumping the gun a bit?

Has anyone found a way to apply the provisioning update for 6+ to pixel 5/a?

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Ruphus

465 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3115282 13-Aug-2023 14:38

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Isn't this the risk you take when you choose to import a phone that is not offically supported by a carrier in NZ? YMMV.

ShaneKNZ

28 posts

Geek

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Spark

#3115651 14-Aug-2023 12:21

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Hi Team. I understand OP has been in touch with Gajan to check our NW provisioning, but just adding some context for those interested.

Spark do not actively restrict which devices are allowed to use services like IMS and 5G. In fact it’s the opposite. We want our services to work with as many devices as possible. Devices sold by Spark are thoroughly tested to ensure maximum compatibility. For devices not sold through Spark - we take a pro-active approach in regards to sharing our network config with OEMs (handset manufacturers) to try and maximise compatibility with our services.

However, there are still 2 parts required for things like VoLTE and 5G to work. The service must be available and provisioned on the carrier side. And the handset must be configured to allow those services for that specific carrier.

Some handset makers use an open model, basically enabling services on carriers without any requirement for testing or checking that those features work correctly. Some handset makers take a more conservative approach - and only enable services after they have been successfully tested.

I can’t go into too much detail about Google or any other OEM process, but it is our understanding that they have only enabled IMS and 5G (for Spark and Skinny) for devices with Tensor chipsets, so Pixel 6/6A and newer. There is nothing more Spark can do on the network side to enable these services for older devices. If you want to try a work-around to enable it on the handset side, we are happy to provision VoLTE and 5G on your line.

Also just to clarify - while we can provision the network services. We cannot push provisioning profiles to devices.

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