![\"Vodacom](\"http:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Vodacom-4G-billboard-close-to-Cell-C-office.jpg\")
<\/a>Vodacom 4G billboard close to Cell C office<\/p><\/div>\n
What is 4G, and why is it an issue in South Africa?<\/h3>\n
In 2010, Vodacom and MTN attacked Cell C<\/strong><\/a> for describing its new 21Mbps HSPA+ network as 4G, and lodged complaints with the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa.<\/p>\n At the time, Cell C marketed its mobile broadband network and services as \u201c4Gs\u201d, which the company explained stood for \u201c4 Great Service\u201d and \u201c4 Great Speed\u201d.<\/p>\n Vodacom and MTN argued that Cell C was misleading consumers with its\u00a0claims of having built a 4G network.<\/p>\n Vodacom used the International Telecommunication Union\u2019s (ITU\u2019s) definition<\/strong> <\/a>of 4G to substantiate its argument.<\/p>\n Cell C argued that many operators and other companies described their HSPA+ and LTE networks as 4G.<\/p>\n It said\u00a0that using the term 4G would help consumers understand it was offering faster broadband services.<\/p>\n Even the ITU recognised<\/strong><\/a> that the term 4G is often used by companies to describe technologies like LTE, WiMax, and HSPA+.<\/p>\n Vodacom dismissed this justification, saying that Cell C must abide by the ITU\u2019s definition of 4G – which excludes HSPA+ and LTE.<\/p>\n Fast forward five years, and Vodacom is now flouting the ITU\u2019s definition by calling its LTE network 4G in its marketing campaigns.<\/p>\n While Vodacom has been using the term 4G in its press statements and interviews for a while, this is the first time it has used it in its marketing material.<\/p>\n The photos below\u00a0show the 4G logo, with a description of Vodacom’s 2G, 3G, and LTE network.<\/p>\n Vodacom billboard<\/p><\/div>\n Vodacom 4G claim<\/p><\/div>\n Vodacom said that while LTE is not technically 4G, it has become an industry norm to refer to all versions of LTE as 4G.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is especially driven by the various manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung that label their LTE-capable devices as 4G,\u201d said Vodacom.<\/p>\n \u201cThe use of LTE therefore creates a discordance for subscribers who\u00a0are primarily exposed to these 4G messages.\u201d<\/p>\n Vodacom said it recently started to deploy “proper” 4G \u2013 LTE-A using carrier aggregation – in its production network.<\/p>\n \u201cThese sites satisfy both the technical and common use of the term 4G.”<\/p>\n Cell C faces off with Vodacom, MTN over 4G network claims<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nVodacom now doing the same<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/a>Vodacom explains<\/h3>\n
More on\u00a04G<\/h3>\n