iPhone 5 LTE unlikely to work in SA at launch

Restrictions from Apple means that the iPhone 5 is unlikely to support LTE when it is launched in South Africa

Rudolph Muller

October 30, 2012

The iPhone 5 is unlikely to have active LTE support when it is launched in South Africa towards the end of the year.

This is according to a well-placed source who explained that Apple has disabled LTE on the iPhone 5 devices which are set to be launched in the country.

For the iPhone 5, iPad 4 and iPad Mini to be supported on a local LTE network, Apple and mobile operators must first reach an agreement, after which Apple will release the config files and enable LTE support on those networks.

According to the source, who asked not to be named, Apple’s approval process to enable LTE can take 8 weeks or more, after the device is launched in South Africa.

Another well-placed industry source, who also asked not to be named, said further that LTE will only be activated on the South African iPhone 5 with the release of iOS 6.0.1, which is expected in early 2013.

Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and other local operators are therefore at Apple’s mercy when it comes to the iPhone 5’s LTE activation in South Africa.

Current indications suggest that the iPhone 5 will be launched in South Africa in mid-November, but it should be noted that the initial planned launch date of mid-October has gradually been pushed back.