LTE not available on LTE enabled network in Belgium (Belgacom)

Is there anyone who owns an iPad 4 Wi-Fi + Cellular (Model A1460) and already tried it with an LTE-enabled Proximus subscription (within an LTE coverage area)? This would be interesting to know, because Proximus is officially listed as carrier on the product page of the iPad: http://store.apple.com/be-nl/buy/home/shop_ipad/family/ipad

LTE support is stated if you click on "Technische specificaties", but then again at the bottom of the page, there is this sentence in very small letters: "Neem voor meer informatie over LTE-ondersteuning contact op met je provider en kijk op www.apple.com/nl/ipad/LTE.", and if you click on that link, Proximus isn't listed of course...

I find this on the apple website:

Een niet-vergrendelde iPhone 5 biedt mogelijk geen ondersteuning voor LTE-netwerken in alle andere landen. Neem voor meer informatie contact op met de betreffende netwerkaanbieders.

http://store.apple.com/be-nl/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone5

So I think that we can nothing do about this

The article described tests that are not statistically valid. I made no allegations regarding any testing done by Apple.

As for your questions as to Apple's policies, such discussions are forbidden by the terms of service here.

If you wish to make allegations of fraud against Apple, I suggest you consult an attorney. Such discussions are also prohibited here by the terms of service.

Nowhere does Apple claim that the iPhone will function in ANY way on a carrier that is not supported. It may, however, if it does not, it's between you and the carrier you have chosen to use. They have detailed quite clearly which carriers have supported LTE networks. http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1937

If the carrier you choose to use is not on that list, then your complaint is with them, not with Apple. Apple has provided a path for carriers to become supported. If you work for such a carrier, then I suggest you take it up with your superiors if you're not happy about it.

https://discussions.apple.com/static/apple/tutorial/tou.html

Section 2.1.1

2. Submissions

1. Stay on topic. Apple Support Communities is here to help people use Apple products and technologies more effectively. Unless otherwise noted, do not add Submissions about nontechnical topics, including:

1. Speculations or rumors about unannounced products.

=============================================================

There has been no announcement or public statement made by Apple regarding any unreleased version(s) of iOS.

Good catch. In fact, for those who haven't gone to look, the translation for the relevant section reads:

iPhone 5 supports more networks worldwide. That means advanced networks as HSPA, HSPA + and DC-HSDPA, so incredibly fast browsing, downloading and streaming. Dual-band 802.11n connectivity also puts your Wi-Fi experience into high gear - up to 150 Mbps.

There is no mention of LTE at all.

On the specifications page, LTE is mentioned, but with the following footnote:

** Please contact your service provider and check http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE more about LTE support.

What is really disgraceful, is the fact that Proximus is now on the list of supported LTE carriers for the iPad, but not for the iPhone. This is strong evidence that Apple is playing a malicious game together with their Belgian iPhone partner Mobistar, to get customers switching from Proximus to Mobistar as soon as Mobistar launches its LTE network (however, I think most people won't be stupid enough to switch to the rubbish network of Mobistar anyway). What about fair competition (antitrust), Apple?

Your opinion of who is or is not "in the wrong" is completely irrelevent. It has absolutely NO bearing on the technical realities. Call a lawyer if you think you've been wronged. And try reading this: https://discussions.apple.com/___sbsstatic___/apple/tutorial/tou.html

KiltedTim wrote:

Your opinion of who is or is not "in the wrong" is completely irrelevent. It has absolutely NO bearing on the technical realities. Call a lawyer if you think you've been wronged. And try reading this: https://discussions.apple.com/___sbsstatic___/apple/tutorial/tou.html

If this whole 33 page thread wasn't allowed, it would have been removed a long time ago. By the Hosts.

Also, IF they remove it, I will gladly send a news item to well known tech sites. They will LOVE the fact the Oh So Consumer Friendly Apple shut down a 33 page thread on their forums discussing a situation that has recently gotten into the news (on tech sites).

We may discuss all we want in this thread.

Those rumours don't come from Apple they come from here on the forum. "Negotiating" doesn't mean someone has to pay. There is totally no mention of what has to be negotated. Negotiating can mean anything like how the update will be distributed.

• That Apple decides what goes on the iPhone is a security measure and if you don'gt want this you can jaiblreak it. Same goes for android where the manufacturer decides what you can do with your phone and decides for you if you are entitled for an update.
• Apple products are designed to be compatible with products from other manufacturers out of the box. Apple provides services for their products that can't be matched by other companies.
• My iPhone 4's battery life was still very good after more than 24 months
• Apple uses it's own connectors because the standards don't match the criteria needed to have the perfect experience. At least iDevices have accesories from third parties something you will hardly find for android phones.
• Comparison charts don't say anything about what is the best phone. Only user experience can tell you.

KiltedTim wrote:

What is it with you people? Are you that dense? READ THE TOS.

1. Be polite. Everyone should feel comfortable reading Submissions and participating in discussions. Apple will not tolerate flames or other inappropriate statements, material, or links. Most often, a "flame" is simply a statement that is taunting and thus arbitrarily inflammatory. However, this also includes those which are libelous, defamatory, indecent, harmful, harassing, intimidating, threatening, hateful, objectionable, discriminatory, abusive, vulgar, obscene, pornographic, sexually explicit, or offensive in a sexual, racial, cultural, or ethnic context.
2. Post constructive comments and questions. Unless otherwise noted, your Submission should either be a technical support question or a technical support answer. Constructive feedback about product features is welcome as well. If your Submission contains the phrase "I'm sorry for the rant, but…" you are likely in violation of this policy.

I have read the policy and Apple doesn't disallow these kinds of discussions.

The only person that is not abiding the terms of service are you, kind sir. 😍

Submissions

Stay on topic. Apple Support Communities is here to help people use Apple products and technologies more effectively. Unless otherwise noted, do not add Submissions about nontechnical topics, including:

1. Speculations or rumors about unannounced products.
2. Discussions of Apple policies or procedures or speculation on Apple decisions.

It's part of the Terms of Use document that you agreed to when you signed up for the Apple Support Community and as such compliance to it is required by by users. Non compliance may be delt with by the Moderators as follows:

Breach of the Agreement

1. If you fail to abide by these terms Apple may remove your submission. Apple may also send an email that informs you that your Submission has been deleted or edited. Repeated inappropriate Submissions may result in your relevant account or accounts being placed into temporary or permanent suspension of your ability to participate in any or all of the areas on the Site.
2. If you post or send offensive or inappropriate content anywhere on or to the Site or otherwise engage in any disruptive behavior which Apple considers to be serious and/or repeated, Apple may use all available information about you to stop any further infringements. This may include informing relevant third parties such as your employer, school, Internet service provider, or law enforcement authorities of the infringement.
3. Apple reserves the right to delete any Submission, or take action against any account, at any time, for any reason.

OT

I also have an iPhone5 and I am also on the Proximus/Belgacom network.

I don't understand why 4G is not transparent like 3G is.

I bought my iPhone5 SIM-lock-free in the official Apple Store for 900 euros so it would work with the carrier of my choice.

So come on Apple, release the carrier-update. If I didn't want 4G I would have stuck with my 4S.

If this is Apple's policy of treating their clients, in the long run, they will only punish themselves.

I live in Belgium too. It's a real shame... I don't understand why Apple descides to disable the LTE-chip for certain countries/carriers?

The iPhone 5 is 100% compatible with Belgacom's new LTE network. Apple just needs to push an update to the OS or carrier settings to enable the hardware/chip inside the phone. (as they did in the latest iOS 6.1 beta for Denmark).

Belgacom publicly stated they tried to contact Apple for this but got no response.

Apple did not disable anything for anyone.

As for:

Belgacom publicly stated they tried to contact Apple for this but got no response

Of course they didn't. They are NOT A SUPPORTED CARRIER. They have NO business relationship with Apple. They are not an Apple authorized carrier. Apple does not support the use of the iPhone on their network.

How many different ways does this need to be said to make it clear?

If you want a guarantee of full functionality, use a supported carrier.