Looking for any experience and/or guidance for setting up a new 5G plan with a physical SIM.
The (3) options I am currently evaluating are:
1 - Using the physical SIM on my current device for the new line. Since the physical and eSIM have unique IMEIs, I assume this is not an issue. But with the amount of information tied to IMEIs, has anyone experienced problems with carriers when both are using data (say, eSIM for the phone and physical SIM for a separate modem)?
2 - Using an older device that isn’t 5g capable. Does the information tied to the IMEI allow carriers to tailor the bands allowed to be used by the device/SIM?
3 - Procuring a second-hand 5g capable device.
TIA! Please remove if not allowed, or relocate to a more appropriate category if deemed necessary.
1: I acually haven’t tried this, but if it uses two distinct IMEIs, in effect to the carrier it’s two devices. Should work.
2: Depends on the carrier. Verizon and AT&T do filter capability by device. If the device IMEI isn’t 5G you don’t automatically get provisioned to use 5G bands.
3: Always a good idea to own the stuff you use IDs from.
My main goal with using a 5g phone was to utilize a true unlimited (no caps, no throttling) from AT&T (i.e. Unlimited Premium PL). Based on your feedback I might give my dual sim a try before going the second hand device route.
Ultimately this is meant to be a fail over WAN source, but with my available ISPs (and their shoddy reviews) it might be my primary. Fortunately pricing is on my side with the number of active lines associated with my account.
