Add network type option for LTE/5G only

[gsture]

I would like to suggest an extra option for configuring network types. At the moment there are options for 4g only and 2g can be disabled but it is not possible to disable 3g. I think an option to only use 4g+5g would be useful to reduce attack surface but also leave 5g enabled instead of only using 4g.

[ZLima12]

I would suggest changing the title to something like: Add 'Preferred network type' option for LTE/5G only.

This is something that I've also wanted for a while, but you can actually already do this without going through the Settings app:

1. Open Dialer (Phone)
2. Dial *#*#4636#*#*
3. A view with the heading Testing should appear.
4. Open Phone information
5. Change the value of the Select phone index drop-down list (at the top of the page) as necessary. If you only have one SIM I believe it will already be on the correct value, but change it between the two options and look at the values to ensure you're on the right SIM.
6. Change the Preferred Network Type drop-down list (just above the toggle switches) to NR/LTE. (note: NR is the technical name for 5G)

When you do this, the Settings app displays the value inconsistently. From the main view for a SIM, the preview for the option shows 5G (recommended), but when you tap it, the LTE only option appears to be selected. If you exit the list without tapping anything, the option remains set to NR/LTE, but if you tap any of the options, it will be reset to the value that is actually displayed there.

Again, I would support adding this value to settings. 5G is already the default option, and isn't brand new anymore. The lack of this option likely dissuades a fair number of users from disabling pre-LTE connectivity, which is especially viable in the congested areas where 5G is becoming more and more necessary for usable speeds.

[thestinger]

@ZLima12 That debug menu is not the same thing and doesn't reliably enforce it at all. It's only for debugging.

[ZLima12]

@ZLima12 That debug menu is not the same thing and doesn't reliably enforce it at all. It's only for debugging.

When you say it doesn't enforce it, do you mean that the setting won't remain set to NR/LTE, or that even when it is set to it, other standards may be used? So long as I don't modify the value in Settings, I have never seen the value change from what I set it to in the debug menu.

[flawedworld]

So, a few thoughts from me.

I can see the attraction, but the reality is that the 5G implementation has still got much attack surface within it, in particular network slicing related code in the modem firmware. I think that this may well be desired if you just want to avoid pre-LTE networks.

Though, I expect LTE only mode to continue to be the least attack surface for many years, and unless Google begin making their own modems and firmware written in a safe language with actually meaningful exploit mitigations, this is not going to change.

[gsture]

So, a few thoughts from me.

I can see the attraction, but the reality is that the 5G implementation has still got much attack surface within it, in particular network slicing related code in the modem firmware. I think that this may well be desired if you just want to avoid pre-LTE networks.

Though, I expect LTE only mode to continue to be the least attack surface for many years, and unless Google begin making their own modems and firmware written in a safe language with actually meaningful exploit mitigations, this is not going to change.

I agree but it it does not matter for this request. Having 3g disabled is still better then having it enabled while not using it. For users that want to use 5g there is currently no seperate option to disable 3g. You have to activate both 5g and 3g or stick with 4g, that makes no sense.

[ZLima12]

So, a few thoughts from me.

I can see the attraction, but the reality is that the 5G implementation has still got much attack surface within it, in particular network slicing related code in the modem firmware. I think that this may well be desired if you just want to avoid pre-LTE networks.

Though, I expect LTE only mode to continue to be the least attack surface for many years, and unless Google begin making their own modems and firmware written in a safe language with actually meaningful exploit mitigations, this is not going to change.

I agree that LTE only will remain the best mode as far as attack surface goes, but the fact is that many users (primarily those in dense urban areas) are still going to want to use 5G. For these users, as @gsture mentioned, it is better for them to have the older modes disabled.

Perhaps a brief disclaimer can be included on the settings page, detailing the tradeoffs involved and the ideal setting for different types of users. I believe that the only significant place this is currently discussed is on the usage page.