4G was launched on 19 February, 2018 in Bangladesh. But there's no support for LTE by Apple in Bangladesh. Currently there are more than 1.5 million iPhone users in Bangladesh. So I would like to request for a LTE support software update for Bangladesh as soon as possible. The carriers providing 4G/LTE are Grameenphone, Airtel, Robi and Banglalink.
iPhone 7, iOS 11.2.6
Apple doesn't control this; the carriers do. They need to create a carrier update to be installed on the phone. To check for a carrier update go to Settings/General/About on the phone and tap on the carrier name. If the carrier has issued a carrier data update you will be prompted to install it. If they haven't you need to contact them to find out when they plan to.
You also need to make sure that the phones you have support the LTE bands available in Bangladesh. You can check the bands here: http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/.
Also, just because the feature has been announced it does not mean that all towers have been upgraded to LTE yet, so coverage may be spotty or non-existent in some (or many) areas.
Sorry for the late reply gentlemen, but I've looked at your screengrabs that you provided and compared them to what's on my phone. These were all taken from my iPhone 8 Plus.
Riazhosain:
Check the attached screenshots out from my phone:
If your carrier was supported, you would see this screen in your Settings Menu. The setting "Calls on Other Devices" appears because I also have a 6S Plus as well (that I retain and just updated, this phone gets updated once every 2-3 weeks, in reference to the 6S Plus, the 8 Plus gets updates as needed which is everyday). If you do not have multiple devices on you Apple ID account you will not see this option.
This screen here, is in reference to your 2nd and 3rd screenshots. If your carrier was supported, you would not be seeing the second and third screenshots. All the APN information (including MMS, LTE and of the like) are automatically put in for you. You cannot edit this out. From what you provided to me, and the forum, it's more than likely your carrier has to be certified for LTE from Apple. I would say 98%. That's why you see the pop up message on your iPhone with the second screenshot. That would be the main clue.
Before my carrier was certified, I would get the same screens you did, but once IMT-E came online (Band 7 LTE), I would still be able to edit out the APN settings, but still access LTE (in other words I wasn't blocked from accessing it on a 6S Plus). But as mentioned before once Freedom gained the ability to sell the iPhone (which means the network got certified by Apple), 4 days before the iPhone went live for preorders and Freedom Mobile locations, the iPhones registered with the network got a Carrier Update. This removed the ability to manually edit out the APN settings. This would be another clue that your provider has not been certified by Apple. But Freedom didn't block the iPhones on the network before they were approved by Apple.
By default, if the phone is set to LTE, it will default to 3G for a number of reasons. I've had that happen with my phone. If VoLTE is not active on the provider you are on, it'll drop to 3G for the phone call. It does this with my device, because Freedom is implementing VoLTE (Possibly on Band 13) and VoWiFi (which eliminates pretty much everything in the book in regards to reception with the exception of a few things). This is not cause for alarm however.
You have a 4G SIM. That is good.
Crimsonvspurple:
"And the operators are saying it is not working because there is a block from Apple's side on using LTE in Bangladesh".
Which still gets me, but from the second screenshot that riazhosain posted, it's more than likely that to be the case. Apple is brutal about LTE requirements.
"I tested things by literally standing in front of GP's head office as have some other people. All works except iphone".
Which is what I wanted you to do. Freedom's head offices are in Toronto, Ontario, about 30 minutes away from where I live. If LTE didn't work on my phone when they rolled out LTE I'd be doing the exact same thing for (insert word here) and giggles.
"GP's 4G coverage is limited at this moment even though they are the largest operator. But other carrier has almost 100% coverage (by population; not by ground-area). Other carriers are not far behind".
The 3 major cellphone providers here (Canada) are Rogers, Telus and Bell. Freedom Mobile is only in parts of Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. Roaming is covered by those three and AT&T in the USA. Smaller providers include BellMTS, SaskTel, Videotron and Eastlink. All of them are certified by Apple for LTE. But as I said before I believe that the technology will mature with time, and it will. Freedom Mobile's coverage is limited, and so are the 4 smaller providers, but they are still certified by Apple for LTE.
I hope this clears things up for you. I still have no quarrel with both of you.
Apple cannot issue a patch for a device that was designed to be used in a different region of the world. These are the kinds of things that happen when you purchase phones in a country you have no intention of using them in. Not only do they not support the correct cellular bands, but the warranty is only valid in the country of purchase. It would be quite a disruption if you had to travel back to the United States to have warranty work done on the phone, right? And Apple does not accept international shipments for repair.
That is excellent news. Yes, Apple approves what network is capable of supporting iPhone properly without issues like 4G coverage, speeds & device battery life. They test it , and after the independent test , they work with the carriers to release an update, to open the iPhone bands. This is because iPhones are global phones.
One other thing and it might sound crazy:
Does your provider use the Bands listed in this table since your phone is from the States:
Carrier is aware of the "issue": https://bdnews24.com/technology/2018/02/17/iphone-users-in-bangladesh-unlikely-t o-access-4g-network-now-over-software-is…
Where I purchased should not matter as long as the bands are supported since it is fully unlocked. Anyways, mine is purchased from US.
Even the iPhoneX sold by the carrier itself doesn't have LTE because of some "software issue" on Apple's side.
No idea why Apple even blocks things like this in unlocked phones where phones like Galaxy S8 *just work*.
Apparently people from Apple are here to test LTE and will require about 40 more days to complete the whole process -_-
Yes it is working finally.
Device: iPhone X (A1865)
iOS version: 11.4 beta 4
Carrier: Grameenphone 32.2
Location: Gulshan
Guys on the official Apple list , Bangladesh has LTE support now.
Like I said, and Chris has said:
Yell at your provider, not Apple. But I was able to access LTE before Apple approved the network (provider) I'm on.
880 blocked for LTE? Hard to believe if Androids are accessing LTE. An unlocked iPhone should work, but where you buy the phone, for LTE purposes will matter. Different bands. This has been covered before. But no sense beating the dead horse.
Since it's all of them and it's not listed on the page Mr. Finch gave the link to, then you'll have to wait. Adding Bands to the phone, after it's manufactured, definitely is not possible. That idea was recently floated around on here.
Was this auction for LTE recently?
Let's see. I have to correct some things that I posted. The spectrum swap (Bands 7 and 13) from Videotron to Shaw (Freedom) was approved by the Government of Canada in July of 2017. I remember this because I switched out my SIM Card right after that was announced (Profile 5 to Profile 6). Band 7 LTE in an unofficial capacity was picked up on my 6S Plus (which I still have) in the middle part of November of that year, unrestricted, which came as a shock to me, because on Freedom's website, it said the Spring of 2018. It was announced in late November that Shaw stuck a deal with Apple to offer the iPhone in it's stores. 4 days before the iPhone went live for preorders and those that bought one outright from Freedom themselves (Band 66 devices), the iPhones on the network already (legacy devices, that is pre Band 66) got a Carrier Update. The people that purchased an iPhone 8 series or X from Apple were always on LTE, because of Band 66.
Based on this, and no disrepect, you're looking at maybe 5-6 months ballparking it. It might be sooner, but since none of the carriers are approved by Apple in Bangladesh, it will not take 50-60 days for this. Apple is very brutal about it's LTE requirements.
At this point, ballparking it, 4 to 5 months. Not 60 days. But it all depends on when they entered negotiations with Apple to be certified. Apple is very brutal about it's LTE requirements. If you can find out this information (which you can't and actually have to rely on "word of mouth", and that too is different when you ask multiple people the same question), work from that date.
If it happens in 60 days then that's good, but providers could be subject to a non-disclosure clause in the agreement where no one can talk about the negotiations.
Yeah I guess this is the problem we are facing you’ve just mentioned. I bought my iPhone SE from Florida (Sim-Free version) and started using it here in Bangladesh. I talked to the support team of Grameenphone. They told me they are aware of this issue and they are talking with Apple about this. I hope Apple gives a patch for these devices too as they gave 32.1 Carrier patch recently.
Make sure you have updated your carrier file, and if necessary, contact your cellular provider.
Guys Grameenphone just released a 32.2 carrier update . Can you check in if this gives your devices 4G . Please post device name , and location.
And you have checked with the carrier and they say that the iPhone model that you have is the one that supports their LTE bands? Where did you purchase the device? Just because a band is listed for the phone, does not mean that it would be used. Did the carrier also tell you about their carrier settings?
4G LTE in Bangladesh
