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
[email protected] 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 20/11/2024 - 04:58

      No you definitely can't assume that, especially if it's getting those messages. It will prolly be blocked sometime soon - although tbh you cant assume anything right now.

      I notice spectronic posted this (basically piggybacking on xiaomitech):

      https://spectronic.com.au/3g-shutdown-update-for-xiaomi-user…

      • Tiredman on 20/11/2024 - 19:32

        Thanks. Dang my phone's IMEI is not on the list.

    • Chas k on 23/11/2024 - 04:21

      Don't assume,my Redmi note 9 worked up until two days ago on Optus, now it's blocked.

      • Tiredman on 25/11/2024 - 13:38

        Thanks for sharing.

  • Iggemo on 20/11/2024 - 05:18

    This isnt new but i hadn't come across this story either, second one in the ABC about this whole shemozzle. They are the only ones to have reported on it whatsoever, i believe:

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-04/australian-4g-5g-user…

  • HarryG on 20/11/2024 - 20:41

    I have a Xiaomi 13 ultra global version with one Telstra sim and one Optus. Optus says my phone is fine while Telstra keeps annoying me saying my phone is not compatible 🤷‍♂️

  • drguild on 21/11/2024 - 13:23
    +2

    My Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus Global is working again on Optus as I thought I'd try the sim again out of interest.
    Mby a temporary block or something or someone with power complained about this model.
    Showing VoLTE Wifi now I don't think that was there before.

    • vawiyoci on 21/11/2024 - 13:37
      +1

      Yeah also experienced the same with a F3. I had my SIM in a different working phone though so not sure if it just takes them a while to refresh the IMEI and block me again in a day or something. When the block wave started happening I remember seeing comments on reddit about people getting it working again by taking out then reinserting their SIM though I could never replicate it nor the airplane mode VoWIFI method.

      • drguild on 21/11/2024 - 14:32

        Was swapping between devices and no change.
        Even tried my Redmi Note 9 Pro EU LTE phone not connected on sim for a week and that didn't even connect so strange.

        So this refresh IMEI leads to more thoughts like how many devices they log on your account over 24/48 hours, the drop off when they get removed.
        How quickly a device send the IMEI after connecting (I would have thought as soon as it connects it verifies)

    • Look Up on 21/11/2024 - 15:19

      My Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus Global is working again on Optus as I thought I'd try the sim again out of interest.

      What are the first 8 digits of your IMEI number?

      • drguild on 21/11/2024 - 15:30
        +2

        That was my bad.
        It was using my home internet to connect.
        Once I walked from home just how it dropped off once I was away from my wifi.

        My IMEI is above and again 86730207

  • Iggemo on 22/11/2024 - 15:10
    +1

    Looks like JB is selling bricked Redmis out of the box, just saw this review from within the last day:

    Not suitable for AMAYSIM customers
    20 hours ago
    I'm completely frustrated with the product without network coverage with AMAYSIM. Contacted Xiaomi global services several times, getting not a positive response to replace mobile phone

    No, I do not recommend this product.

    • drguild on 22/11/2024 - 16:51
      +1

      Wouldn't surprise me as I didn't check JB for the Redmi 13 Pro Plus tac codes on the version of my phone they were selling, but feel they may be the same as I think they have the EU model, I have Global model.

      I went and got a Samsung A55 slightly more expensive unless you for your Redmi at JB then that's slightly higher, has a couple less features camera 50 instead of 200 (more pixels don't suddenly make a camera better), slightly lower screen resolution, Only 128gb instead of 512 GB but main thing is it works as is the equivalent model ballpark so to say.

      • Iggemo on 22/11/2024 - 16:57

        yeah i was looking at that same phone just a few minutes ago at Amaysim haha.. i think im in the same kinda budget and phone range as you, thankfully i can wait a while and see what happens when the dust settles; i would like Xiaomi to have their phones unblocked but it's looking like a bit of a pipe dream atm.. unfortunately this may be the end of them in Aus, which is a shame cos i've had (and got for my family members) Redmis for a long time cos they have always been such good performance for price.

        • samehada on 22/11/2024 - 19:25
          +1

          Once the dust settles I don't think telco will bother to block new phones. In a year time no one will even talk about the 3g shutdown anymore. I won't be buying any new phone until 2026 to be safe.

          • Ozykins on 23/11/2024 - 06:08
            +1

            @samehada: I'm not so certain. Australia appears to be unique in it's standard for emergency calls. There's no local manufacturer and a huge volume of gray imports. Expect continuing pain.

  • The Value on 22/11/2024 - 22:56
    +1

    My Redmi 12 from JB Hifi doesn't work on Optus!

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