Will the Pixel 5a work in Ireland?

Toeuptony

Hi all, has anyone managed to get their hands on a Pixel 5a and if so, can you confirm if it works in Ireland?

My brother is due back home from the US before Christmas and I am considering asking him to pick up a 5a, as they are not available here. However, I am wondering if there may be issues getting it working on an Irish network or charging the device here, seeing as they are not being sold in Ireland or the UK.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Clareman

Can't see why now, the day of the GSM networks not being compatable with each other are long gone, about 10 years ago I brought home an iPhone from the States no problem and have never heard of anyone having a problem with smartphones

Toeuptony

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117956044#Comment_117956044

Thanks very much for the reply Clareman.

I thought that there shouldn't be any issues and some online research has suggested that would be the case, but I was ideally looking for some first-hand info to confirm.

The Cush

Does it include the European specific Band 20 (800 MHz) for 4g, I see it can be missing from some phones?

Clareman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117957851#Comment_117957851

It does, I haven't seen it missing from any of big phone makers for a long time, so much so I haven't bothered looking to be honest, I think some smaller operators might cut down the banks they get on their devices in order to reduce cost, for example if a company only ever plans to sell their phone in County X and that country only has band 12 they'll only get than band to reduce costs, when it's a flagship phone from a large company however this doesn't happen because they are already paying for the technology, in fact I'd imagine it could cost them more to remove it from some lines.

Full spec for the 5a here Google Pixel 5a 5G - Full phone specifications (gsmarena.com)

babelfish1990

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058211020/will-the-pixel-5a-work-in-ireland

Nobody appears to have got WiFi calling working properly in Ireland using a Pixel. WiFi Calling requires Carrier-specific configurations in the firmware. Eir is the only operator in Ireland that fully supports WiFi Calling, including SMS & Roaming. (Vodafone have a limited version without SMS & Roaming). Eir do not offer the Pixel, and it looks like Google haven't included the Eir configs in their firmware. WiFi calling is becoming increasingly important as the nation's housing stock gets upgraded to improved BER ratings, as the insulation that keeps heat in often keeps mobile signals out. WiFi calling also allows free calls when roaming, which is useful when outside the EU, but might become even more important if the Irish operators introduce UK roaming charges (now that the UK operators have introduced EU roaming charges again).

[Deleted User]

Insulation does not keep mobile signals out. We don't live in Faraday cages.

I live in an A rated home, I have full 5G signal inside my house and can connect perfectly fine to the WiFi from the garden.

Del2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117958117#Comment_117958117

Depends on the insulation used. Foil backed will block signals as plenty of people have found out.

[Deleted User]

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117958148#Comment_117958148

Houses have windows and doors which are not foil backed, ergo, not a Faraday cage.