Gadgets8.01.2013

Promising news for iPhone 5 LTE support in SA

iPhone 5

South African iPhone 5 owners may be able to use LTE on their device as soon as the end of January 2013, depending on an Apple iOS update and network testing.

Apple’s iPhone 5 supports LTE in the 1,800MHz range (used by Vodacom and MTN), and 2,100MHz range (used by Cell C), but this functionality has not been enabled by Apple.

For an Apple device’s LTE functionality to be supported on a cellular network, Apple and the operator must typically first reach an agreement and the service has to be tested by both parties.

After the process has been completed successfully and Apple is happy with the outcome, the company will release the config files and enable LTE support on that network.

To date this has not happened for the iPhone 5 in South Africa, but it may change with the release of iOS 6.1.

Speculation is rife that iOS 6.1 will be released by the end of January, and this release is likely to include an expanded list of LTE approved carriers. Vodacom and MTN may well be included in this list.

If this turns out to be correct, local iPhone 5 users in the major cities will be able to experience higher speeds on their smartphone through South African LTE networks.

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