When buying a smartphone, brand, price, specs, value for money and resale price are only few of the criteria that go through the mind of a potential buyer. One troublesome omission from that list is frequency bands which, to be fair, traditionally weren’t an issue but have become one with the introduction of 3G and 4G in the country.
Why Frequency Band Really Matters?
Well, the selection of smartphones available at online stores has increased dramatically and many stores are offering imported handsets from foreign markets that offer better value for money. However, they are failing to mention their 3G/4G bands and are selling smartphones that don’t work in Pakistan.
In simpler words, there are bands (frequencies) for 3G and 4G technologies — just like radio frequencies — and operators in Pakistan operate their 3G networks in 2100Mhz band only. Now 3G smartphones that doesn’t offer 3G network compatibility in 2100 band will simply not work in Pakistan.
3G smartphones that don’t offer 3G network compatibility in 2100 band will simply not work in Pakistan.
Let’s use an example. The Redmi Note 4G is a smartphone that offers a 5.5 inch screen, 13MP camera, expandable storage and a Quad Core Snapdragon 400 processor. You can get this handset on online stores (we won’t name them for now) for roughly PKR 23,000. It has great specs and a great price point so buying it makes sense right? Not really.
There is one detail these online shopping portals fail to mention. The frequency bands for 3G and 4G supported by the Redmi Note 4G — or at least one version of this phone that is available in market — doesn’t support 3G or 4G networks in Pakistan!
Now we do not know whether this is deliberate misleading of customers or just sheer ineptitude but even when we contacted customer support of a major online store, they assured us that the Redmi Note 4G had LTE connectivity and would work in Pakistan.
It’s a shame that these stores don’t even bother to do research for the products they are offering and shift the responsibility on the customer instead. Just imagine getting your smartphone and finding out that you can’t access 3G or 4G on it. It is also entirely possible that many online stores would refuse refunds citing some bogus excuse like they sell the product as is and they aren’t responsible for ensuring compatibility.
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Update:
Please note that at least one variant of Redmi Note 4G doesn’t work in Pakistan. While there is a variant that works in Pakistan — as per few friends’ claims — the example we referred above was about an online store that was selling incompatible Redmi Note 4G in Pakistan.
Please note that our focus isn’t about Redmi Note 4G or any other particular handset, but about the fact that not all 3G and 4G phones are compatible with operators in Pakistan and you must do a check before making a purchase.
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Make sure that the 3G/4G smartphone you are buying are compatible with 2100Mhz for 3G and 1800Mhz for 4G networks
We want to call out these online stores to stop these shady practices and clearly state if a smartphone has different frequencies than the ones offered in Pakistan. Not doing so is misleading the customers and a poor way to run a business and we won’t hesitate to call them out publicly the next time it happens.
How to Findout the Frequency Bands of Smartphones:
As mentioned above, you should determine the frequency bands of smartphone before making the purchase. You can do this by looking at the specifications of phone given on the box, or by looking for the specs of the (phone that you are buying) on your favourite phone sepcs website, such as GSMArena.
As an example, check out the box of a phone below. It clearly displays the network bands that this particular phone supports. As mentioned above: 2100 for 3G means this phone is going to work in Pakistan.
In addition to this PSA, we have compiled a list of the frequency bands used by 3G and 4G services in Pakistan. Whenever you are buying a smartphone, please make sure that the 3G and 4G bands match the ones we have listed below. Otherwise, high speed internet simply won’t work.
Telco | Technology | Frequency Band |
Ufone | 3G | 2100MHz |
Mobilink | 3G | 2100MHz |
Telenor | 3G | 2100MHz |
Zong | 3G | 2100MHz |
Zong | 4G | 1800MHz |
Warid | 4G | 1800MHz |
Good & necessary article.
Great share indeed :-)
Thank you so much ProPK. I was searching for the same thing a few weeks back when I was looking for a new phone. I delayed the purchase till I could find the frequency bands and now I can shop in peace.
Writer failed to tell that we also need to see that the brand’s 3G/4G band is frequency division and not time division. In Pakistan only frequency division will work even if the phone is 2100Mhz and 1800Mhz supported for 3G and 4G respectively.
Except for this, it’s a great article and it was needed. Although it should have come earlier.
Thanks for sharing this useful information. Care must be taken while purchasing imported handsets. However getting a branded phone which is officially available in Pakistan won’t lead to these spectrum / band compatibility issues.
i have a LG handset, LGVS930, which have LTE but frequency doesn’t match even GSMarena mentioned only 1 frequency band, but when reached out to LG customer support online (before purchasing the set). they showed me the internal document of specification. where it shows that it work in Pakistan too. So even GSMarena doesn’t show correct details. Before doing high investment do research, I mean extensive research.
I have a Potato, and GSMArena mentioned that it’s not compatible with 3G/4G. But guess what, you’re right, I’m getting 5G on my Potato. I contacted the plant it came from and it showed me internal documentation for my specific Potato, it’s even compatible with 6G! How cool is that?
Jokes aside, GSMArena can’t possible update the specs for every obscure phone out there (there are literally tens of thousands of those). The specs they mention for flagship and popular phones are spot on though.
If you click on expand in the network category then you will be able to see the complete information. It does mention LGVS930 3g band 2100, which means that 3g is supported for this phone in pakistan
3G bands: CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
HSDPA 900 / 2100
It is CDMA mentioned there. Here in Pakistan we have WCDMA
Hi, Great informative article but there is an error. We sell Redmi Note 4G which is compatible with all Pakistani Bands. We all think ProPakistani as a genuine source of good information, please do your due research before posting such articles. We take great care in selecting the phones and never ever have we offered a phone to the customer which is not compatible in Pakistan. Redmi Note 4G comes in 2 variants (TDD-LTE) and (FDD-LTE). We only bring FDD LTE Version because it is compatible with Pakistani 2100Mhz / 1800 Mhz Frequency Bands. I believe an apology to All my Tech and correction in your article is warranted.
All my tech guy is correct there are two 4g versions of this phone – below is the information for Redmi Note 4G FDD-LTE from a Chinese retailer.
4G FDD-LTE (1800/2100MHz) & TDD-LTE (2600MHz)
3G: WCDMA 850/900/1900/ 2100MHz
Warid has 850 Mhz technology neutral licence.. is it true?
Waris has two slots.. 850 for 2G and 180 for 4G now…
This is due to TD “Time Division” standard that is only available in China, these devices are only made for chinese market.
well my friend has td-scdma version of xiaomi redme 1s and its 3g is working in pakistan.
For your peace of mind here’s a picture of Redmi Note 4G Box clearing showing the frequencies compatible in Pakistan. Again, please do not post articles without due diligence. This article has to be corrected and a formal apology on this article to All my Tech should be published.
I agree. Author should apologize as All My Tech has given proof.
busted hahaha check below
As i mentioned, there are two version for Redmi Note 4G.
If you want to investigate, just write down Redmi Note 4G FDD LTE on Google and see for yourself. GSM Arena is an authentic source but that doesn’t mean you just believe blindly what you see. Recommendation: Google a little more about Redmi Note 4G and you will concur with my point.
dude this 4G or 3G is for WCDMAs and not for GSM. bacho ko pagal nahi banao. and btw wcdma ka Pakistan may koi network nae
You just proved you don’t know what you’re talking about.
LOL
Wcdma is 3G and 4G my dear. Check before posting…
hahahahhahahah
U are making same mistake as the author did by just checking gsmarena :D
GSM Arena does not list all variants of every phone.
This is also true for variants of Samsung phones.
See GSm Arena disclaimer.
There is in china only 2 companies are working unicom & chinamobile , China mobile also working in Pakistan as zong
According to GSM Arena.. This is not supported.. I doubt about the box .. :P
The Box is Original and made by Xiaomi as we only sell Authentic Xiaomi Products. Again, don’t just blindly believe one website and do look at another website.
When this phone will be available as it’s on pre-order on your website. I’m interested to order and would confirm it’s authenticity, if it really works.
Please consult our website for this. I believe the stock is due till Saturday or Monday for Redmi Note.
So Xiaomi officially launched in Pakistan?
Not so fast…
Ab koi popat he hoga jise ye basic information malum nhn hogi about 3G frequency band in mobile phones, which is supported or not
q k specs nai otay GSM pe
thank you for this post @aamir7
LG G2 ls980 support 4g in pakistan ?
4G will not work however 3G will work fine
LG G2 D802 International model will be supported as I am using it on 4G :)
:'(
will this work in Pakistan Xiaomi Mi 4
3G NetworkTD-SCDMA 2010-2025 / 1880-1920 – 4G model HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 – Unicom 3G model, Telecom 3G model CDMA2000 1xEV-DO – Telecom 3G model4G NetworkTD-LTE 2570-2620 / 1880-1920 / 2300-2400 – 4G modelSIMMicro-SIM
TD-SCDMA version won’t work.
Get the FD-CDMA version. My wife has Mi4 working here with Telenor 3G.
Also be careful – mostly phones are locked on specific network for 3G-4G Network
like my phone – I can’t use 3G-4G Services on my phone –
HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 & HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 – for T-Mobile
Which phone is it ?
HTC One S – T Mobile
it has GSM/WCDMA
Your phone has HSDPA 2100MHz band.
Get it unlocked, and it will work with all 3G networks in Pakistan.
However, this phone does not have 4G.
how to unlock ? it get stuck on when I change the network mode from GSM to WCDMA. and on GSM Arena – it is mentioned that
“HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 – for T-Mobile”
this means only HSDPA will work with for T-Mobile Network.
please guide me.
thanks
What do you mean by get stuck ?
Which mobile network SIM have you got in it ?
if I installed the Custom Rom ? like CyngenMod ? is it work ?
STuck means – Signal Drops.
before this – I was on Mobilink, and now in warid ,
but also tried Ufone for this but all in vain.
Try Telenor 3G. But you have to be in their 3G coverage area first. HSDPA at 2100MHz should work.
The problem might be that T-mobile ROM is locked on to T-mobile APN, which is the network setting in your phone for connecting to operator data services. Flashing a custom ROM can solve that issue.
Another question is, what options does your phone display for network mode ?
GSM ?
GSM/WCDMA ?
WCDMA only ?
Yes You are right – my phone is locked on T-Mobile Network, that’s why it drop signal when I select only WCDMA and works on GSM/WCDMA & GSM, and Stuck means ; it remains on 2G.
Thanks for your reply.
Keep you phone on GSM/WCDMA, so that it has a fallback to GSM when WCDMA not available.
WCDMA will work only when you are in 3G coverage area, otherwise, signal drop.
let me share an experience with you.
my brother has LG Phone and on his cell phone was showing H* on its phone. at that moment; I insert his ufone sim card in my phone just to verify this but all in vain. Results were “on WCDMA Only”, signal drops
on GSM/WCDMA it stuck on 2G. and the same sim card works perfectly on his phone with 3G Network. :(
I see. So the most likely problem is that data services are locked to T-mobile.
So, the solution I would do is flash a custom ROM.
Which Custom ROM you would suggest ?
How to flash a custom ROM ?
I have the same issue with my Samsung S4.
The signals droped on WCDMS Only..
How to unlock it?
Options for Network Modes are
WCDMA
GSM
GSM/WCDMA.
I have LG G3 D850 AT&T. I can select Zong-LTE using Network search but If I turned data connection On it only show Edge as internet connectivity and no H++. How to get 3G & 4G internet on LG G3 D850 then?
Dear I have LG G3 D850 AT&T. I can select Zong-LTE using Network search but If I turned data connection On it only show Edge as internet connectivity and no H++. How to get 3G & 4G internet on LG G3 D850 then?
Just to alleviate all confusion, I have a Xiaomi Mi4 working in my home with Telenor 3G, and a Redmi Note working in the hands of my friend, tested with Telenor 3G.
The box spec of Redmi Note 4G posted by AllmyTech is correct, and it will work will 3G and 4G networks in Pakistan.
Thanks Umair
great article.
I am novice. More so in using smart Samsung. It is SM-
This means my Nexus 5 (US version) will not work on 4G :-(
3G Network
HSDPA 800 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 / 900 – North American version
4G Network
LTE 700 / 800 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 / 2600 – North American version
Can you post the exact model number here?
Get that from the settings->about page.
No, the US version (D820) will not work on 4G.
aoa bro.what abou this 3G band= CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
is this work in Pakistan
PTCL Evo network is working on EV-DO, but sadly (read Idiotically) they do not support unlocked devices.
samsung HTC Nokia brands will definitely work in Pakistan
Just wanted to share this peice of information with everyone.
If you own an Android device having a Qualcom chip that doesn’t have a particular band enabled for LTE, there is a way to do so.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5/general/how-to-add-rf-lte-frequency-bands-to-t2886059
when are you going to publicly mention these online stores so we can avoid buying from them.
Good info.
Check it just for chinese brands but samsung & htc have all the frequencies
Well…. i would like to thanks pro Pakistan for once more again, for such a nice informative article, which will definitely help millions of smartphones users.
#Mushahid Hussain how enabled for LTE?
you can’t enable a device without 4G to work with 4G.
This is only for devices that already have a 4G radio chip inside.
i have LG G2 ls980
A very informative post !!
great
Hi…iam getting 3g on my lg optimus f 180l…can you tell me if i could get 4g on my phone
nope
u+ 100% no
other 2 maybe have to check througly.
thumbs up for the post, also it confirms what i was telling few that my and 10 other people i know who uses G2 non 802 doesnt work on 4g networks…
i have personaly checked D800, it works on 3g not 4g.
Siasat.pk copied ur full article :-/
Before buying, the best way, is to check with ur Telecom operator for Compatible 3G/4G mobile phone sets, Zong has a drop down list of compatible 3G/4G sets on their website
salam, very good sharing, thnak you bro. but i think we discuss about this mater with PTA because no any mobile manufacture company in PAKISTAN.
and gsm arena is not telling about all because when i checked about
Huawei Honor 4 Play then website not mention any frequency just showing 3G Network
HSDPA
4G Network
LTE
and one think i want to know about you that G Five G6 support 3G but mostly peoples saying G6 3G not support able in PAKISTAN.
I personally use Motorola Electrify 2, for call and SMS it works fine with UFone and Telenor but with Mobilink it works for SMS. Call (send/receive) is simply failed. Can you specify the Call and SMS bands of telcos?
I bought Nokia 920 after research that it is a 4G enabled phone. But when I plugged in the SIM it did not work for 4G. It turned out that the phone has the hardware available but you need a separate firmware (software) to enable it to work as a 4G phone. this firmware has to come from the operator for whom getting software from Nokia may not be a priority :(
report to admin immediately.
very god & informative articel, realyy opened our eyes, never thought on this aspect while purchasing smart phone, only see whether it has 3g or not.
To the author:
The real factor which many of us neglect i presume including yourself is the speed of the 3g modem it comes in different variants 7mbps to 42mbps.
This is the main reason for cheap 3g phones cheap 3g modems period.
So next u invest in somethin make sure it is worth it like those cheap phones which cost around 5k and offer 3g connectivity.
Galaxy S4 mini I9195 4G for sale neat and clean full accss only without box white colour final 20000/- Lahore 0322-8001816
@Aamir Bhai do you or any other know the app which can check the handest supported frequencies. It would be easy to check the handset frequencies of gsm/wcdma ot 4g/lte
would appreciate if any one suggest for all of us
app ke malomat k lye k 1900Mhz band b 3G pr chalta hai pakistan mein, tu please ak dfa apna article again sa check kr lye
Thanks Talal. I was mislead while buying g9 president. The Govt has offered only 1800mhz frequency band in Pakistan so the writer is correct. don’t be fooled by the online stores saying that the article is wrong
Fruitful article.Excellent information provided at a time when data revolution through 3G/4G is imminent.
Thank you SYED TALAL
FDD version of Redmi Note 4G supports Pakistan Telecom Brands 3G and 4G.
Here is the proof
Now I understand why Redmi Note 3g dual sim is more expensive that the Redmi Note 4G single sim although it has much better SoC and other stuff on-board :-(
Shame to large online brands!
#WeNeedMoreBands >>> PTA
AoA.i have htc one s tmobile 4g lte ,so need to know does it work on zong 4g lte network?
Hello
I have one Honor H 60-L03
Unfortunately its TDS CDMA
3 G not working
How can i get it into WCDMA
Kindly reply
nice article
kindly brief about WCDA and HSDPA bands?
Nice Article, gives the much required insight into the really overlooked issue…
What do you think, will this mobile work in Pakistan?
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Original-Lenovo-A808-Phone-5-5-1920-1080-IPS-Android-4-4-MTK6595-Octa-Core-Cell/1709090_32277036751.html
I am using redmi note 4G and LTE is working like charm, no problem, i import this phone from china.
Can any body tell me that samsung galaxy 3 N9006 will work in pakistan or not? its made in china…
thanks for sharing good Info
well you have mixed up china’s 3g standard tdcdma with wcdma. tdcdma or tdd lte wont work in Pakistan at all. only wcdma fdd lte works!
At the time of article it seems only Warid & Zong were offering 4G speed. Is it still the case or have other networks started offering 4G as well?
GUYS i actually wanna know why warid 4g lte doesnt work on my Samsung Galaxy S4 Model SGH_m919 ?
Technology
WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM
Band
WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Mobile Broadband Generation
4G
Data Transmission
EDGE, GPRS, HSDPA, HSPA+, HSUPA, LTE
LTE Band
LTE Band 1, LTE Band 17, LTE Band 2, LTE Band 4, LTE Band 5, LTE Band 7
Data Transmission Operating Frequency
LTE 700/850/1700/1900/2100/2600
does warid lte work on it or not?
Thanks a lot! So much valuable information!
What about Samsung Galaxy s4 Verizon model sch-i545? As II am using it but only mobilink Sim is working and opening pages and all….
I have Redmi HM 1w model which is working fine on Ufone 3G.
will this phone work with zong 4G please do reply
https://support.t-mobile.com/community/phones-tablets-devices/android/one-touch-fierce#id_616404
I have a redmi note 4g and 3g works pretty fine on it. Plus wcdma is not some alien network. 3g is wcdma tech and gsm works with 2g and wcdma works with 3g. Plz don’t confuse cdma with wcdma.
Though I have one issue. Telenor and mobilink networks work with 3g connectivity on my , however ufone never goes beyond edge. Never. Not even once in the past one year. Any idea why that is??
I am using lg g2 d802 but not getting 3g even if i am in 3g zone some one said its a common problem that can be solved by roting and installing a custom rom? Any geek who can confirm?
Thanks. Can we check bandwidth thru settings?
Hello, whats the setting for lg g2 vs980 for zong 3g? or it doesn’t work with 3g?
plz update the table, now telenor is offering FDD-LTE 4G service at band 5 with 850 Mhz. info source is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_network_operators_in_Pakistan
this article is very good but one thing is missing, most phones dont show frequency but bands … in Pakistan we need Band3 supported phone for 4G networks …
I have bought a brand new samsung galaxy tab E 8.0 sm-377p which only works at LTE 4G bands of 1900/850/2500..its not accepting any sim from zong and ufone…can anybody tell me any possible way out of this?
thank u very much.
tnx Amir Attaa
Excellent and useful information. I have to send mobile phone as gift to Paksitan, so searching for the information for the compatibility whether they will work in Pakistan and found this article that helped me a lot as I have had a bad experience in the past long time ago when mobile phone came, someone sent me gift from USA and it was not compatible to work with Pakistani networks. I appreciate the writer. Thank you.
Plz UPDATE list of the frequency bands used by 3G and 4G services in Pakistan.