Strange Cell C 4G coverage problems on Samsung smartphones solved
A Cell C user has detailed unusual problems when connecting to the company’s LTE-A network in Centurion, Midrand, and Fourways using a Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
Tests conducted by a MyBroadband forum member using three Galaxy S8 devices in the areas suggest that they can’t connect to Cell C’s 4G network.
There is also anecdotal evidence suggesting the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge had the same problem, while the Huawei Mate 9 does not.
According to the user, Cell C customer support originally said it was a coverage issue and that the tower near him doesn’t support LTE-A.
After explaining that he had tested most of Centurion, the Cell C agent said it was a configuration issue with the devices.
Extensive testing
The forum member said he tested from Pierre van Ryneveld to Centurion Mall, including Die Hoewes.
He also tested on the N1 south to Midrand, from Mall of Africa to Montecasino in Fourways, and on to Johannesburg South to Gold Reef City.
All of these areas are shown on Cell C’s coverage map as having LTE-A support.
His tests used a Cell C data contract SIM, a prepaid SIM, and a voice contract SIM.
When an MTN, Telkom, or Vodacom SIM was installed, it would immediately connect to their respective LTE-A networks.
The spec sheets of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S6 Edge show they support LTE band 1 (2,100MHz), band 2 (1,900MHz), and band 3 (1,800MHz), where Cell C has deployed its network.
Vodacom and MTN also use band 3, while Telkom uses band 40 (2,300MHz).
The Galaxy S8 supports Category 16 LTE-A in these bands, while the Galaxy S6 Edge supports Category 6 LTE-A.
Connecting to LTE-A
After investigating the complaint, Cell C told MyBroadband the subscriber was connecting to its LTE-A network – even if the device wasn’t indicating it.
Samsung told MyBroadband that by default, its devices will only show they are connected to a 4G+ network if:
- The network supports Cat. 6 LTE.
- If the total combined bandwidth exceeds 20MHz.
Network operators may apply to have these parameters adjusted, and Samsung confirmed that a South African network has requested the minimum bandwidth required be reduced to 15MHz.
The change has been approved and will be rolled out in a firmware update to non-Vodacom devices, as Vodacom has its own firmware.
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