Sim card not connecting (Lebara in Denmark)

Claus

I'm on a brand new install of GOS on Pixel 8, and my sim card won't connect or give very poor and unstable connection. Applies to both telephony, SMS and data.

I use a physical sim card - Lebara Denmark. When I swap with another sim card from another provider, everything works on my Pixel 8, and my Lebara sim card works on the other phone (Samsung).

Lebara has no explanation and doesn't know the Pixel 8 and certainly not the GOS, and can't help. Does anyone have an idea for what settings I can try to adjust?

Best regards, Claus

de0u

Claus Are you in Denmark, or roaming somewhere else?

Grapi

Claus

Try setting the SIM card to ‘Up to 4G (LTE)’ instead of 5G in the SIM card settings. You won’t experience any disadvantages - only benefits like improved stability and better battery life.

Claus

de0u Yes I am located in Denmark

Claus

Grapi
I have chosen Preferred network type 4G. Up to 4G is not an option.
Lebara also does not offer the option of 5G, so it makes good sense to choose 4G.
But unfortunately it does not solve my problems.

Johnnyloans

With the troublesome sim installed in your GOS device,

swttings > system > reset > reset mobile

Check the APN info with your carrier
settings > network > sims > [your faulty sim] > access point names

Claus

Claus
I have performed a full reset.

APN shows Telenor, and it is correct - Lebara writes in their guide:
As a Lebara customer, you must be connected to the network Telenor DK. Most phones automatically join the network via automatic network selection.

If you experience problems, Lebara recommends that you turn off automatic selection of network, and search manually and choose Telenor DK - and this is where I have a problem - when I try this, I cannot connect to Telenor DK. Telenor DK is displayed but cannot connect.

Any ideas?

Grapi

Claus

Did it work with Pixel OS, before you installed GOS ?

Claus

Grapi
Unfortunately, I didn't try that.

But the device with GOS works fine with other sim card with other provider (tre.dk).

truebreaker

Claus

In person go to the carrier store and ask them to set up the APN.

Grapi

Claus

Lebara is a virtual provider with its own very specific network configuration, which can differ noticeably from other MVNOs.

To narrow down the issue, try switching your device to 2G or 3G and check whether voice calls and SMS work normally. After changing the network mode, restart the phone to ensure the settings are applied correctly.

It’s possible that the problem is related to a codec or modem behavior specific to the Pixel.

You should also test the phone in a different geographic location. The Pixel might be struggling only in that particular area due to modem–base station compatibility issues such as handshake, handover, or general signal negotiation. In my experience, Samsung devices tend to have broader network compatibility.

Finally, make sure that GOS is updated to the latest version so that your modem firmware is fully up to date.

Claus

Thank you for your input.

The last few days I have been to different places in the country, and where the coverage is better, the phone works fine both telephony, text and data with 4G.
Where the coverage is poorer, I can in some cases get telephony and SMS to work by choosing 3G.

I have worked with APN according to Lebara's guidance, and it is apparently as it should be.

I just don't understand the phone has such a hard time getting signal. My Iphone 15 never has problems with similar sim cards in the same locations.

The phone is updated with the latest GOS and I have had it reset without it changing anything.
The next step will probably be to return to stock Google and see if it makes a difference.

Johnnyloans

Claus

Fwiw, my pixel 6 gets 1-3 bars everywhere. 3 is rare.
Other people with Samsung on the same carrier and plan get full bars everywhere in the city.

My cell data is far slower than theirs.

Grapi

Claus

Sorry to hear about your experience, but the reality is that iPhones still offer the most reliable modems and overall connection stability. Pixel devices, especially those using Exynos-based modems, tend to have more issues in that area. I own a Pixel 8a myself and I’m generally happy with it, but the only real reason to choose a Pixel has always been GrapheneOS.

So it really comes down to two choices:

Great hardware (iPhone, Samsung S‑series, etc.) but no GrapheneOS, or
Pixel devices with a few minor quirks, but GrapheneOS and the best privacy/security setup available.

Maybe the Pixel 9 or 10 generation will improve modem performance.

In your situation, Wi‑Fi Calling might help - if Lebara supports it. It can bridge areas with weak mobile coverage as long as you have Wi‑Fi available. You just need to enable the option; there are no extra settings to configure.

And looking ahead: Motorola has announced plans for a phone that will be fully compatible with GrapheneOS next year. That could become a strong alternative to the Pixel lineup.

Claus

Hi again

I reinstalled stock Google just to try what it did to the mobile connection. And it improved nothing, so I've returned to GOS which I really like. Then I have to live with the slightly deficient mobile connection until something better appears.

And Wi-Fi Calling as suggested, works fine :-)

I still use my iPhone as my primary phone, so it's not a big problem right now.

Thank you for all your help :-)