Glo, MTN, and Etisalat recently launched their 4G LTE service in Nigeria. Of course, this isn’t the first time GLO announced a 4G LTE service, but certainly the first time we got to see it active in Nigeria.
With the inception of 4G LTE connectivity being the norm lately, it’s only ideal to use devices that supports the network 4G LTE bands.
Unfortunately, while most smartphones comes equipped with 4G LTE bands, some of these GSM network operator supports different bands. Bands that your rather sophisticated smartphone may not support.
Hence, we are breaking down the 4G LTE carrier bands for each of the telecommunication company operating in Nigeria. Specifically Glo, MTN, Etisalat and nTel.
GLO, MTN, Etisalat and nTel 4G LTE Bands
| Carrier | 4G LTE Bands | Frequencies |
|---|---|---|
| MTN | 7, 20 | 2600MHz, 800MHz |
| GLO | 28 | 700MHz |
| Etisalat | 3 | 1800MHz |
| nTel | 3, 8 | 1800MHz, 900MHz |
Glo 4G LTE Band
As earlier stated, this isn’t the first time GLO announced a 4G LTE network connectivity. The first time was actually in 2011 but that never came to limelight. At least, not until recently.
Globacom currently offers the cheapest data plans compared to other GSM operators. Not only on it’s regular 2G/3G network mode, but also on it’s 4G network mode.
However, GLO only supports a 4G band that’s not so common on smartphones currently in the market. Most of the recently launched sophisticated Android smartphones do not support the band 28 (700MHz). Which in my opinion, is a bit of a turn off.
How to use GLO 4G LTE connectivity
To use the GLO 4G LTE network connectivity, you will need to swap your SIM card for a 4G positioned SIM. What this means is, your rather existing glo SIM cannot connect to the network’s 4G mode except you use a 4G ready SIM.
And in other to get the SIM, you need to visit any GLO outlet. Thereafter, you can subscribe to any of the network 4G data plans by dialing *777# and following the onscreen instructions.
MTN 4G LTE Bands
Compared to other GSM operators in the country, MTN was the first to officially rolled out 4G LTE connectivity. Of course, this was months after the service was launched in Cameroon amongst other countries.
Thankfully, MTN 4G supports band 20 (800MHz) and Band 7 (2600MHz). Most sophisticated Android phones supports any of those bands. Remember, I used the word ‘most‘. Even the iPhone 6 from 2014 can utilize MTN’s 4G network.
The telecommunication company also made it easy for existing 4G smartphone users to confirm if their smartphone can actually work with the network’s 4G mode.
How To use MTN 4G LTE connectivity network
Just before anything else, you should confirm if your current 4G supported phone supports MTN 4G network. In other to do this, simply send 4G to 131 and a confirmation will be sent to you.
If your phone is supported, you would need to visit an MTN outlet and thereafter, swap your current existing SIM for a 4G LTE supported SIM.
Etisalat 4G LTE bands
Etisalat is the latest GSM operator to join the 4G LTE revolution in Nigeria. Of course, the telecom’s 4G network has been existing in a few other country.
Etisalat 4G LTE supports band 3 (1800MHz) and most smartphones, including the Tecno Camon C9, support band 3. Therefore, if you own the tecno camon c9, you should be able to use Etisalat 4G LTE service on your smartphone. Of course, that is if you are within the supported region.
How to use Etisalat 4G LTE network
Compared to other GSM operators in Nigeria, using Etisalat 4G LTE is quite easy. You don’t necessarily need to swap your current SIM for a 4G position one.
Simply get a phone that supports 4G band 3, be in a supported location, subscribe to a 4G data plan, and you are good to go.
So, there you have it. Above are the 4G bands MTN, GLO, etisalat and nTel currently support. Hence, if you are looking forward to buying a 4G phone, you should look out for the supported 4G bands.
If you currently own a phone that supports 4G connectivity and you are not sure which bands it support, this tutorial should guild you through.
