https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/7710-changing-imei/8

A phone doesnt need a sim to connect to the network towers. Sim is only for billing. The network can see your imei and triangulate your location as long as your radio is on.

I have read this on https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/7710-changing-imei/8, but I’m bit confused. Does this mean our IMEI is identified by cell tower as long as the airplane mode is off? What exact setting is “Radio” referring to?

thanks a lot

thanks @rowinxavier@lemmy.world and @9tr6gyp3@lemmy.world

Short answer: Yes The network can see your IMEI and triangulate your location even though no SIM is installed. and theoretically with airplane mode off no radio is on

  • ms.lane@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    3 days ago

    What the hell is that device doing when in the US?

    Having to run the radio at a higher power due to the much lower density of cell towers. Australia suffers the same issue, Europe has towers everywhere and typically uses higher bands so they can pack more towers in.

    Germany for example uses 3.5-3.6GHz for 5G, Australia is using 700MHz and will eventually be using ~550-700MHz. Longer wavelength travels longer in big open country, small wavelength travels shorter distance allowing you to pack more towers and capacity in.