Phones Incompatible with MVNOs?

MrMcHairyHead on 22/04/2025 - 08:30

Hi, so I was just trying to find a cheap 5G phone and came across the TCL 30 5G at JB Hifi:

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/tcl-30-5g-128gb-dreamy-bl…

On the right there's a box that says:

"This handset is ONLY compatible with Telstra, Optus and Vodafone networks.
It will not operate on Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) such as Amaysim or Boost Mobile."

What's up with this? I've never seen it before. How long has this been a thing? Is it common? Anyone know the reason? Is there some weird technical reason this phone is incompatible or is this just anticompetitive behaviour? Who's to blame here?

I'm aware some phones don't have every band but this can't be just that.

It seems extra strange to me considering people looking for a budget phone would almost always be using an MVNO since they're cheaper, and companies almost always use iPhones, so it seems to me the audience for this phone is basically nobody.

Mobile Mobile Phone TCL Android

Comments

  • FrogSoup on 22/04/2025 - 08:43

    If the phone is not network locked why wouldn't it work with a MVNO? Especially Boost Mobile that operates on the full Telstra network.

    • MrMcHairyHead on 22/04/2025 - 08:53
      +1

      Exactly. I can't think of any reasonable explanation here. It's not a network lock if it works on the big 3. It's not a band issue because then you'd just be missing some bands. It's not a 5G/4G compatibility issue because that wouldn't explain it either. It makes no sense.

      • shadyscab on 22/04/2025 - 19:23

        Something to do with 3G shutdown and emergency calling VOLTE.

        • MrMcHairyHead on 23/04/2025 - 09:59

          Huh okay I don't know if it's right but that sounds like the most plausible explanation so far

  • bargaino on 22/04/2025 - 08:55
    +1

    There is a simple explanation. JB are clueless, and don't care about accurate information. Somebody ticked the 3 boxes for compatibility/lock. Obviously to anyone with a clue it is absurd.

    Other explanations, such as the phone being 5G-only, are less plausible.

  • WatchNerd on 22/04/2025 - 09:37

    Seems pretty dumb. Like imagine if this was actually a thing and something we had to consider when buying an unlocked phone outright. It would be chaos.

    On another note, I would suggest reading the reviews before buying.

  • GordonD on 22/04/2025 - 12:20

    I got a cheap phone at Woolworths that I knew was locked to Telstra, and found it wouldn't work with any of the MNVOs that use the Telstra network.

    But it doesn't make any sort of sense for a phone to be locked to Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, and not work on any of them's MNVOs. That surely is a mistake and misunderstanding on the part of someone at the retailer.

    • snappy1234 on 22/04/2025 - 13:25

      Imagine it works ok on boost.

      Needs unlocking to work with other providers.

      ( replying to Gordon D)

  • shxhshzhz on 22/04/2025 - 13:54
    +2

    It can't be locked from MVNOs only. If you want this phone, it's much cheaper at Mobileciti.
    $208.05 delivered using code MTD5

  • Colin2905 on 22/04/2025 - 14:08
    +1

    What's up with this? I've never seen it before. How long has this been a thing? Is it common? Anyone know the reason? Is there some weird technical reason this phone is incompatible or is this just anticompetitive behaviour? Who's to blame here?

    It's a different TCL model, but it might go some way towards answering some of your questions…..
    https://whrl.pl/RgMAAH

    I suspect that it'll work with some MVNO's, but not others, and they've just taken the easy way out with their labelling.

  • CodeXD on 22/04/2025 - 14:44

    I reckon someone must have complained that the phone didn't work with MVNOs and JB had to refund them. So to cover themselves they've added that in case someone else tries the same thing.

  • Ice Cold on 22/04/2025 - 15:27
    +1

    This is probably similar to one of the old phones I tested during the 3G shutdown.

    Kogan Agora will work on voLTE but only on the Telstra, Optus and the Vodafone (+MVNO) network, not on Boost or Amaysim. I have not done extensive testing as most people do not have those other random sims just lying around. (Not discounted, no reason to have them. lol.)

    I suspect other Telstra/Optus MVNOs will probably not work on the phone either.

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