Is Band 1 4G Only Available On 4G+ Capable Phones?

3Gbusters · ‎11-14-2024

Bit of a technical post here

I've noticed that my Samsung A05s only accepts B3,20 and 28 4G, it has never showed B1.

My last Samsung A54 does receive B1 on 4G but then I realised that it has only ever showed B1 4G on 4G+ when CA with other bands.

Is it that 3 only allows B1 4G on 4G+ devices or is my phone (not 4G+ capable just basic 4G) faulty?

Also another off topic question for the moderators to answer: Is it true that 3 are/have switching off 3G-only masts off in areas without a 4G upgrade meaning that they have completely decommissioned those masts?

I have heard of those ones that had a recent 4G upgrade or just left switched on but also heard about 3 switching off some 3G-only sites forever with no plans to upgrade the coverage.

jr0 · ‎11-15-2024

I thought that too and I understood.

So I was thinking and pasting Samsung A05s specs from samsung page:

4G FDD LTE B1(2100), B3(1800), B5(850), B7(2600), B8(900), B20(800), B28(700)

so being B1 and B7 the highest freqs and requiring more power(?) I was wondering if samsung opts to use a lower freq if available (because is more energy efficient?)

View solution in conversation

3Gbusters · ‎11-15-2024

I have just recieved B1 4G now

jr0 · ‎11-15-2024

Picture doesn't display on my phone but nice to hear, it's not faulty after all.

I think masts or towers can transmit in several bands, so operators choose from 1 band to a few for each mast, depending on purpose they want to achieve and assigned spectrum. And then I think it's again down to the handset to manage the available bands.

I was looking at the A54 specs and it supports a mother lode of bands...