My S23 Ultra Network Connection Issue

[JSweetS23]

My S23 will not connect to my service provider's network - Telstra via eSim. I have 40 gigabytes of data available at this time. 

I am in Northcliffe which is regional WA. Telstra covers the area as seen via their coverage map (the tower is literally next door to me). I am using my partner's Hotspot in order to connect to the internet to write this. She is also with Telstra but is using an iPhone 13 without issue and able to connect to 4G whilst I am unable to... My device connects to the 5G network when in metro areas, but outside of that I can not connect to the 4G or LTE network. There are no current network or service interruptions. I've had this issue consistently whilst being in Australia, but I've always been in a metro area until now due to work. 

I bought this S23 device in Canada in 2023, so the device is just over a year old and in superb condition. No drops, faults, scratches, physical alterations, etc. It still has manufacturing plastic adhered to the body. I have attached a screen saver and a case to the device. 

Here are my device's current software details and settings:

OneUI version 6.1 (recently updated Dec. 10)

Android version 14

My device's network mode is set to 5G/LTE/WCDMA/GSM. 

All 5 Access Point Names are listed:

Telstra Internet

HOS

IMS

Telstra Broadband

Telstra MMS 

Data roaming and VoLTE calls are enabled. 

40G of data available on the account. 

No physical SIM card in the device. Using an eSIM provided by Telstra.

I have attempted the following trouble shooting processes: 

Restarted device twice

Powered off device for 2 minutes and then I powered on the device 

Turned Airplane Mode on for more than 30 seconds then turned Airplane Mode off 

Ran device diagnostics with no reported issues.

Ran device optimization software with no reported issues and it reported great optimization in effect.

I am unsure what else to do besides factory resetting my device and unsure if that would even resolve this issue. 

Please advise...

[Troubadour]

Devices from different countries have different frequencies installed. You may be lucky to have any access at all following the closure of 3G and a draconian government decision not to support phones without access to screen dial emergency services. On top of that Australia, lacking commonsense, adopted a non-standard 5G option.

It is pleasing that you can get some access, I mean that, but the question is how much.

Search Google with your phone model and gsmarena. If you expand the first line, Network, you can identify what frequencies different models were designed to cover. Compare the two lists noting whether the frequency is listed against 3G, 4G, and 5G. But some bad news, the 3G frequencies 750 and +/- 850 have been closed and converted to 5G so the 3G 750/850 frequencies are no longer available even if 3G was working any more, which it it isn't.

It is more complicated than that but let's try to keep it
"simple".

5G uses some frequencies which are very high, e.g.2000+ for main use, sometimes combining a lower frequency to work in a pair process.

So your phone is always likely to be patchy in terms as to what frequencies are available to you.

Can this be improved? Next comment as sometimes I lose all the stuff I have written.

[Troubadour]

Next. Any cell tower can have dishes for an isp which are limited to four or 5 frequencies, Different frequencies for each oh Telstra, Optus, etc.The same isp may use different frequencies on neighbouring towers. So, the trick is to find if a frequency you need frequently is available via your ISP.

To do this load an app called Aus Phone Tower. Using the left hidden menu set the app for various scenarios like Telstra vs Optus, etc then 4G, 5G, etc.Click on the coloured dot in the map in slightly different areas. In one area you will find a table listing that ISPs frequencies. The other click will show you coverage in map form. If you look close to the edge of the coverage you will find in small letters the frequency relating to that coverage.

So, can you make slight improvements? Yes, look at each ISPs freqencies to determine which is using frequencies which match your phone's frequencie and switch to that ISP.

So by now you have probably given up. Your accesz to the overall network will always be patchy. But feel free to ask amateur level questions (because of my limted expertise) and I will try to help further.

[JSweetS23]

I appreciate the detailed response.

I'm unsure if any of this information helps you to help me, but this is data pulled from the Network Cell Info App... It listed Telstra 4g area coverage, but did not list any frequencies used by Telstra. There are no other ISP providers in this location.

MCC: 505
MNC: 1
Network: Telstra
CID: 151307264
LAC/TAC/NID: 21584
Samples: 183
Distance: 845.2
Latitude: -34.62422
Longitude: 116.119544

This was the info. that was given to me by the app.

I also was unable to download the specified app as my Google account attached to my device is a North American account, so the Aus Phone Tower app. can not appear due to regional localisation. I could use a VPN if required...?

My partner's iPhone was purchased in Canada as well and has no issue, so I'm assuming it's either the device or associated software causing the issue. Although I know Samsung is sold, supported, and loved in Australia. Perhaps a trip to the new NSW customer service store is in order?

[Dolgogi]

Have you checked the APN settings?

Might be worthwhile doing a network reset as well.
Do be aware this will also wipe Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections.

To reset network, General Management-> Reset-> Reset Mobile Network Settings.

[JSweetS23]

I have checked the APN settings. They're all enabled, and I believe they are in order.

I would do a network reset, but I use a medical device that is connected via Bluetooth, so I am cautious of that as it may disrupt the device.

[fhxg]

Check if it's Sim locked, had the Same issue myself

[Troubadour]

Regarding your partner's iPhone, it is likely that it is designed to be world-wide coverage or at least North America and Oceana if there is more than one area specific model. Since it is working it is not an issue but Googling her model and gsmarena will show this. There is a Mac version of Aus Phone Towers which you/she can download and do the searches I suggested. A vpn is one option but authorising your phone to accept non-standard apps and searching for the android version on Google would probably work. A vpn would temporarily give you access to the Canadian version of Play Store which has different software. Ignoring the last comment, useful as wherever you are you can search for what frequencies are available against each ISP. As you have dual sim capacity you could have a cheap 365 day plan phone only on its own sim. Until recently I had an Amaysim (Optus) phone only plan for only $15 per year. However if you find yourself having to use it immediately and I mean immediately top it up as call costs will use that $15 to be used up very, very quickly. To my great surprise I did have to use it on the Hume Highway when my son hit a kangaroo and Telstra coverage wasn't available. By the way with your model you can have several esim profiles in the background and swap between them but only one active at a time. I think not particularly useful if stuck on a bush track as you may have to have web access to switch. Possibly not as all the settings are in the phone itself.

Samsung Australia doesn't support phones bought elsewhere or not bought from one of their authorised resellers. The moment they realise help stops. But the Members' forum does help! If useful using a VPN to access the Canadian Samsung service can be used.

Now, something helpful, if you haven't got this turned on already. Google "Telstra wi-fi calling" this allows you to make and receive calls and messages (no data) provided you are logged into a wi-fi network and stay within wi-fi range in Telstra's case probably international calls, charged back to your account depending on your plan details. Whilst writing this it may be possible to buy a Telstra dongle on a cheap plan and creating a wi-fi network for your phone. This might allow wi-fi calling without using the dongle data.

Stopping for now to work on a humungous Christmas dishwashing job, luckily with dishwasher.

[JSweetS23]

That makes sense. It's most likely designed for worldwide coverage. It's definitely frustrating that Samsung doesn't design for worldwide coverage with region specific phones. Her Apple store is NA region locked as well. Attempted to download the Mac version, but it says the app is not available in our region/country... I'll look into authorizing my phone to accept non-standard regional apps, if possible. I may look into the option of using an Australian Samsung phone as I do not make any international calls back to Canada due to having WhatsApp for contact with my remaining family there. The data and the ability to send sms and mms would be the only thing I need to use... Yikes, kangaroos are like jacked deer that went to prison. Luckily, it's not an elk or moose, but it's still something you don't want to make contact with in a vehicle, especially on a freeway... I've had several eSim profiles going at a time in the past and I honestly should have swapped phone numbers for my new Telstra service so I could use the data and services I paid for with Telsim, but I opted to keep the same number unfortunately.

Ah, good to know then since that'll save me the trip. That may be helpful as Canadian Samsung users can relate more and may have had the same issues as I.

The compounding issue at my location is I don't have access to wi-fi at all as my employer doesn't have a public wi-fi network. They only have their business wi-fi and haven't given me permission to use it. I just started my first day of work for them today, so maybe in time, that may change with trust, but who knows!

Thanks for the helpful insight and extra workaround tips!

Issue is still ongoing. I've reached out to Telstra and have an ongoing fault ticket with them, but I got nowhere with them on Christmas day, and my ticket is currently forwarded to another specialist... I doubt they'll be able to assist me further, so I think I'm just deviceless whilst working and enjoying my time here in regional Southwestern Australia! Could use some disconnection anyway.

[Troubadour]

Another option. If you really, really like your phone why not do what you are currently doing with your partner's phone, buy a cheap Samsung phone, explanation why Samsung below,making sure it supports hot spot/tethering and transfer your sim card into it, then connect your Samsung to it. Samsung because you can do phone calls by a sharing software. Example I have a Samsung S23 FE phone and a S6 Lite wireless only tablet which allows me to make calls which go via my phone.

Something to look at, probably doesn't work. Samsung has an app called Samsung Band Selection, in Play Store
It no longer works as explained in the app but the app author refers to a workaround. If the workaround works you can add most, if not all, of the missing bands to your phone and, bingo, you have a working phone.