Can we discuss Band 28?

MasterScythe on 19/07/2016 - 16:59
Last edited 19/07/2016 - 17:00

So you'd notice this kind of links into my other thread (ordering a Redmi Note 3), however I felt this discussion as a whole required its own thread.

HOW IMPORTANT IS BAND 28? (700mhz)

I travel a lot, so I've been looking into where does and doesn't use it, it seems very under-utilized, and often as a load balance more than a 'new frequency'.

It occurred to me that this frequency didnt even EXIST, well into 4G times, until "Analogue TV" was literally switched off for good.

It then occurred to me, to check my last 3 phones; and they all supported 700mhz, so I "don't know what im giving up" having never gone without (since its inception).

  • I'd like to hear from those who understand more about wireless LTE tech than I do.~
  • I'd like to hear from owners of phones who cover every band /EXCEPT/ B28.~
  • I'd like to hear any first hand examples of people moving from a non, to a supported B28 handset (in the same location).~

TO make this a 'little' bit about me, I just did a chart for the Redmi Note 3: (some data stolen from scrimshaws wiki)
[code]
[/]1(2100) B1 2100 MHz FDD [Telstra, Optus Tasmania, Vodafone]
[/]5 (850) B5 850 MHz FDD [Vodafone only, Rolled out in capital cities and regional Queensland]
[/]3(1800) B3 1800 MHz FDD [Telstra, Optus, Vodafone]
[/]7(2600) B7 2600 MHz FDD [Telstra, Optus, TPG]
[/]8(900) B8 900 MHz FDD [Telstra only]
[X]……. B28 700 MHz FDD [Telstra Cat6, Optus]
[/]40(2300) B40 2300 MHz TDD [only used for the NBN wireless broadband]

"Extra" non AU LTE bands: 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 38(2600), 39(1900), 41(2500)
[/code]

Am I going to miss this frequency?
Do YOU miss this frequency?
How much does it REALLY help?
Has it REALLY provided more rural coverage?

Mobile

Comments

  • fruit on 19/07/2016 - 17:12
    -3

    TL;DR

  • Brianqpr on 19/07/2016 - 17:14
    +3

    From what I have heard its more relevant in rural areas and for indoor coverage.

    I have owned a redmi note 3 for around 6 months and am in Sydney. I have not noticed any issues through not having band 28. In fact, the phone has better reception than my former HTC M7 which I assume would have had the coveted band.

    Seems to depend on where you are based, but in major centres is probably pretty much irrelevant.

    • MasterScythe on 19/07/2016 - 18:02

      Thanks for this.

      So are the 'discussions' true?
      You will easily make a whole day with one of those, even with heavy use?

      Curiously are you a PokeGO player at all?

      And yes, I've considered the fact that these chinese phones often have better antennas (due to caring a little less about size) so the one missing band may easily be made up for by stronger reception of the others.

      • Brianqpr on 19/07/2016 - 20:53

        The battery is very good and lasts very well. Not into the Pokemon craze so can't comment on that!

      • IJustKnowStuff on 20/07/2016 - 10:52
        +1

        If you're wondering if Pokemon Go works well on the Redmi Note 3 (I have the pro) then yes. Yes it does work well.

      • ESEMCE on 21/07/2016 - 16:32

        Better antennas wont supersede the inherent benefits of lower frequency transmission range.

        If you need good 4G coverage, then you should specify 700MHz Band 28.
        If you can live with 3G speeds from the existing 900 (Optus/Vodafone) and 850MHz (Telstra) 3G networks then, Band 28 isn't so important.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2017 - 12:35

      HTC M7 which I assume would have had the coveted band.

      No. It only had 1800 (B3) and 2600 (B7)… considering the phone came out in early 2013 it's the norm at that time. In 2013, Telstra and Optus were both mainly using 1800Mhz and Voda didn't even have 4G switched on until June.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/07/2016 - 18:20
    +1

    If you have good 3g frequency coverage in places you go, I wouldn't be concerned at all missing b28.

  • shaybisc on 19/07/2016 - 20:20

    I've got a phone that supposedly has B3 1800mhz but not B28 700mhz and where I live on the NSW mid north coast I've never got 4G.

    So assuming my phone really does have 4G and you want 4G, then B28 is important here. But from what I gather 4G is only important if you want big fast downloads.

  • Brianqpr on 20/07/2016 - 09:04

    I find it interesting that, every time a deal on a Chinese phone is mentioned on here, there are many comments about not having band 28 being a deal breaker. Yet this topic/thread has drawn very little response so far.

    • MasterScythe on 20/07/2016 - 09:50

      That's why I was curious.

      SO I locked my phone to 3G last night and 'lived with it'.
      It was actually perfectly fine.
      Yeah webpages loaded more slowly, but perfectly reliably.

      I guess I needed to remember that Band28 doesnt mean "internet or not" it means 4G or not.
      and HSDPA+ is more than fast enough, considering most people ARE on 4G, so that frequency is rather un-crowded.

      • shaybisc on 20/07/2016 - 11:30
        +2

        Band 28 means 4G or not, if you don't live in the city. I don't think B28 means anything if you do.

        • ESEMCE on 21/07/2016 - 16:23

          Band 28 is used as infill in Metro areas.

          And will be more commonly used ongoing. Cause it means fewer towers will be required (better range, better building penetration inherent in the lower frequency)

  • ESEMCE on 21/07/2016 - 16:29
    +1

    You're right that it wasn't used before the Analog TV switchoff, but it is and will continue to be the most prevalent band used ongoing.
    It's not the deal breaker that many deem it to be, but it's important to consider if you need 4G data speeds and travel in regional areas.
    Carriers are also starting to trial Voice over LTE which will mean that it'll improve your voice coverage (assuming the handset supports Voice over LTE) in the near future as well.

  • MadMaxBargainRoad on 21/07/2016 - 17:11
    -1

    B28 has become a blanket statement these days and some people are willing to pay double the price for it. People's stupidity is the biggest hurdle not the 4g coverage.

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/3775199/redir

  • The Finn on 21/07/2016 - 17:21
    +1

    I live about 7 k from Bris City CBD. I travel to work on the outskirts of Brisbane about 20k away. In the past year I have used Galaxy note 4 from Aus supplier, Redmi note 3 (mtk version) and Ulefone Power. When it comes to signal and speed I don't notice any difference between the 3. Considering I can get a Ulefone power for $200 AUS I really cant justify the cost of a AUS B28 handset right now. The main difference comes from selecting the right carrier that has good support for the places you go. ATM Vodafone is better for me than Telstra, and Optus was very low signal at home and work. In future we may see more support in the imported phones. I hope so because the quality vs price is amazing. They all support B3 1800 4G which is plenty fast enough for everything I do.

  • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2017 - 07:43

    Generally, your handset can connect to towers on multiple bands, or on slower 3G if unable to connect on 4G.
    However, without band 28 on Optus or Telstra, you are only accessing a smaller subset of the network infrastructure that would be otherwise at your service.
    Have a look at https://oztowers.com.au/ for an idea on rollouts of new towers and the number of 700MHz towers installed by Optus and Telstra over the last 12 months.
    Whilst in built up areas with a strong 4G signal at higher frequencies may not show noticable degradation compared with B28, you may find improvement if you had been getting sketchy or no reception on the other bands.
    700MHz for Optus and Telstra provide improved building penetration and range from those towers, which you would not have got without band 28 (or 850MHz with Voda).
    With Telstra or Optus, having a handset without Band 28, means you cannot connect to that portion of the telco network service, and this is a growing portion moving forward.
    I get the argument of cheap powerful Chinese handsets without B28 if they work for you, others may find they get improved service with B28, or maybe get a B28 handset on special like the Huawei Y6.
    Additionally, I think Telstra are now adding 900MHz as well - so that means another band to discuss in the future….

  • DeWalt on 17/05/2017 - 08:13

    Talking about being late to the party! I've read this thread a few times and each time I walk away saying that it told me nothing useful!

    Here's the no bull answer. Band 28 (or B28 or 700mhz) is important for at least Telstra. Why?
    To summarise, there are several bands that are used by 4G. The number of towers for each band is the kicker!!

    700Mhz has 2012 locations
    900mhz has 61 locations
    1800mhz has 3729 locations
    2100mhz has 60 locations
    2600mhz has 178 locations
    Data courtesy of oztowers.com
    Obtained from here https://crowdsupport.telstra.com.au/t5/Coverage-Network/Tels…

    So, not only do many of the locations get nobbled, but, you lose out of different frequency (and different frequencies can impact the signals you receive depending on obstacles (eg walls) around you). What does this mean in the real world? You will experience more dropouts on 4G without band 28. However, you will likely fall back to 3G seamlessly and have slightly slower downloads.

    Is band 28 essential? That's up to you to decide.

    I'm posting this because I couldn't find any decent data to quantify an answer. While this data doesn't give an absolute answer, it's enough to know that losing band 28 for Telstra users will be missing a lot of potential performance for data downloads. There may also be some dropouts.

    Hope it helps.

  • whosyourbuddha on 17/01/2020 - 13:04

    I dont need it city never noticed calls data all ok!! using telstra

  • Wootwootwoot on 12/07/2020 - 13:22

    My iphone falls back on 3G every time im in Sydney center

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