Apparently missed this thread last month, tossing in a couple bits all the same where still valuable and relevant.
AirVoice is another MVNO of AT&T. As an iPhone user there's one interesting bug - iPhone users don't always receive text messages sent from Android users. It's a bug AirVoice knows about, but haven't been able to fix for whatever reason. If you're in the Android ecosystem, this isn't a problem... unless you have friends/relatives with iPhones. I tell my friends and family try email if I don't respond to texts.
It's not an Airvoice thing, it's an Apple thing. iPhone on an AT&T MVNO is gonna be a bad time. We've talked in the past, so I suspect you probably already know how SIM cards work and how SIM locks work in software/firmware by checking against SIM IMSI, so this is more for other's benefits to better explain what's going on.
The
IMSI on SIM cards are like
credit card numbers. The first digit(s) indicate which network, and what bank the card belongs to. Like, Visa always starts with 4, Mastercard 5, Discover 6. This is why when phones are SIM locked to one mobile network operator (MNO), sticking SIM cards from another network in won't work. This is also why SIM cards from MVNOs on the same MNO the phone is locked to
will work.
So needless to say, the phone's firmware can detect who the SIM card belongs to and alter or lock down parts of the firmware and user interface accordingly. Enter obligatory, "This is Apple's fault, not _________..."
Apple locks down internet and MMS APN settings in iOS when SIM cards assigned to the AT&T network are inserted, likely due to an agreement between Apple and AT&T that goes back to them being the initial exclusive host network for the iPhone here in the USA all those many moons ago - though I've never gotten proof of this, even if similar behaviors have been noted in other countries and carriers. You toss in a T-Mobile SIM card in an unlocked iPhone, you get APN settings in the settings app (or at least you used to), but AT&T SIM cards will lock you out of those settings. Although the iPhone has a way to push internet APN settings irregardless of SIM card, the internet APN is not the MMS APN, and that is the one that is locked down. This is why any SMS messages longer than 155 characters or with media from other phones won't go through. Further,
Apple has a "blessed" carrier list as "compatible" with iPhones. This means Apple has the ability to even detect which MVNO your SIM card belongs to, and automatically set the APN settings on the phone for those AT&T MVNOs... however, they choose not to. This means, as far as I can tell, Airvoice can't do crap about it.
This freezes out most AT&T MVNOs outside of the 800lb gorilla of Tracfone/StraightTalk's AT&T based SIM cards, postpaid MVNO's like Consumer Cellular, and AT&T's in-house prepaid division and phone MVNO boutique brand Cricket. Basically, every other AT&T MVNO is frozen out. You might notice Red Pocket on the "blessed" carrier list, but RedPocket's AT&T SIM cards don't support MMS on iPhone last I checked, but their T-Mo and Verizon SIM cards do.
Puretalk USA isn't on the list, however, they do claim that they're one of the few AT&T MVNOs actually able to support MMS on iPhone, and I want to say a couple old timers on the forums here have had success as such, and I've seen others around the interbutts claim likewise. I don't know what ring they kissed to make it happen, because for the longest time they were just like everyone else, and then one day, "we finally support MMS on iPhone!" Of course, YMMV. There'll be permafrost in Bogota before I'll volunteer to own an iPhone, so I can't give a first hand account.
This is basically Apple telling the customer to get stuffed, and they're dictating what networks and providers you can use and what services they'll even permit on said networks... even if the MVNO has VoLTE, or VVM, or MMS support... NOPE! Apple holds the keys, and they dictate whether you get access or not. Just like every other part of their walled garden ecosystem experience. It's galling to drop that kind of cash and be told you still aren't allowed to use it however you like.
Thank you, no. This is why no matter how much I dislike Google and Android, I won't buy an iPhone. But I've digressed, heavily...
tl;dr: Lay the blame where it belongs, Apple and AT&T, not Airvoice. However, if you would like MMS back, look into switching to Puretalk USA. You should (in theory) be able to get basic MMS functionality back again while still using an affordable AT&T MVNO.
Red Pocket has some good prices, but just had to wait 25 minutes for a customer service rep or chat! Just to get some basic info. And customer service was offshore and not that great That is worrisome.
For what it's worth, I've been with RedPocket now for nearly two years now. Once everything was set up, no problems at all, and the few times I needed to talk with someone didn't take too long. I suspect the pandemic's taxing their support department, and theirs isn't the only one. Influx of new customers who need cheaper phone service while cutting their budgets to the bone combined with the need to shut down centralized call centers. Don't take it as their default mode. I've had better support from other MVNOs in the past, but I've also see far, far worse from far, far bigger...
Why did I wait so long! That is the problem when you get busy....I sat there way too long paying $70/mo on regular tmobile for unlimited data. And I don't need it!
You also kinda over-complicated it initially. Elaine Amj basically reiterated what I've been saying for nearly a decade now. Start with who your current carrier is (or if you want to leave, the best carrier for your region), and knowing what you actually need per month, and shop from there. That makes the entire process about 90% easier than most people think it is, and how it's always presented... because you know what network already works for coverage and with your phone, and you know how much call time/text messages/data you actually need before even looking at carriers. Then it's just pricing packages that give you what you need from a carrier you can use, and having a support experience with the two or three MVNOs that best fit.
Everyone shops by price trying to get the biggest and mostest package for the money, and most guides sell it the same way. Top down shopping quickly leads to complicating the shopping experience with overwhelming options and frequently bad experiences with the new provider. If you go bottom up, and naturally limit yourself to the network you're already on and know what size mobile package you need, you've already eliminated most of the distractions and lined yourself up for an easy and successful win. And looking at who you landed with and the plan you're using speaks toward that simplicity to approach. Enjoy the savings.
