So I had my French friend bring a Fairphone from Europe to South Korea so I could have change in my hands.
But I can’t change my phone yet as the it won’t stay connected!
I’m experiencing significant connectivity problems with my new Fairphone 5. The issues include:
Intermittent 5G and cellular connectivity
Sudden loss of data transfer capabilities
Inability to make or receive phone calls
SMS functionality failing unexpectedly
Initially, the phone worked fine for about 5 days after SIM transfer. Then, it abruptly lost the ability to make/receive calls and SMS, though 4G data continued to function. 5G has never worked consistently.
Troubleshooting Attempts
Visited local telecom office for assistance
Tried both physical SIM and eSIM solutions
Temporary fixes worked briefly but issues quickly resurfaced
Request for Assistance
I’m seeking guidance on further troubleshooting steps. Specifically:
Are there known software issues with the Fairphone 5 causing these connectivity problems?
Could this be a hardware defect, particularly with the antenna or modem?
Are there any specific settings or configurations I should check?
Is there a way to diagnose if the problem is with the phone or the network?
Additional Information
Phone Model: Fairphone 5
Current OS Version: Android 14
Network Provider: Korea Telecom (KT)
Region: South Korea
Any insights or suggestions from the community would be greatly appreciated. I’m particularly interested in hearing from other Fairphone 5 users who may have experienced similar issues and found resolutions.
I spent an hour or so sitting down with a tech support person and they couldn’t get it working. She really tried.
Sometimes the 3G would work with the cell connection still working, but everything seemed temporary. I thought we were there and even left the store once but as soon as I got outside I couldn’t make a call. Went back in and we tried the eSIM and that still didn’t work.
Hence, I’m reaching out here to see if there’s something she missed. Maybe you all know more about the issues that can arise than she did.
Hi, as you were asking generally if somebody faces problems with connectivity.
I am in Germany and do not have this problems.
I can receive phone calls and emails and sms and use the internet with 5G no problem.
I think it has something to do with localisation l. May be somebody from your area has the same phone and write something that really helps out.
The problem may be caused by the right “profile” isn’t in the modem because all the Korean Cell Providers using TTA-VoLTE as a VoLTE communication “standard” (GSMA IR.92, 94 subset) (well, it’s the standard actually only for South Korea, tho).
At least it seems like to me on the bare surface, though. Well, although to be done, the real diagnose needs to borrow the device (from you or someone else in South Korea who has the fairphone) and connect with QPST to see the EFS on the modem that the fairphone has.
I am experiencing exactly the same issues as described by our Korean fellow.
I live in Brussels, Belgium. So I assume, network access is not a problem.
Quiet annoying to have a brand new smartphone not capable of giving/receiving calls.
I’m keeping my old phone running and I use that for calls, texts and WhatsApp.
I used the phone in Taiwan last month and it worked fine all month.
I’m going to Vietnam at the end of November and while I’m there I’m planning on getting a SIM as soon as I arrive and putting that in my phone. If it works fine during my 1-week trip there, then I will assume it’s a Korean network / current provider issue.