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lionbrown

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#150747 1-Aug-2014 20:00
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This will probably come off as a bit of a dumb question, but I'm now stumped and I just want to get 4G working. Fairly confident that my APN settings are correct, I copied them from a workmate who has exactly the same phone as me (except I'm not sure what carrier mine was brought through). Samsung S5, SM-G900F. This is a work phone, but I provide the mobile plan.

When I bought this phone, I was just about to swap over to 2D but I used my Vodafone SIM. That gave me a 4G connection. With a 2Degrees SIM, I only get H+ as my best connection, despite someone with the same phone as me on 2Degrees having a 4G connection. 

Here's what my phone shows when I try to select the network mode: 


There isn't even an option there for LTE, which makes me think it could possibly be a firmware issue. Just to double check, though, I did copy down the APN settings my friend was using to see if that made any difference:




I installed Kies 3 to make sure there wasn't a version I was missing, and this came up:



VNZ makes me think that this is the Vodafone version of the firmware - so I guess I need the 2D version? Does anyone know where I can grab this from? I saw this link when I was searching these forums, but I couldn't see any indication that this is actually the version I need to flash. Here's a screenshot of my settings page (I think I might have accidentally enabled a security policy when I first set up the phone, but I removed that account because I didn't need it hooked up to the phone).



I hope I've been as thorough as possible, it's just getting a little bit frustrating that I can't get this to work (I was kind of looking forward to 4G and was planning on buying one of those $99 data packs so I can download a little bit more than my $39 Freedom Term plan allows for). The box that the phone comes in doesn't have the current 2Degrees 'Scratch and Win' stickers on it, but there's also no other markings to indicate any other carrier (though the lack of stickers might mean it's VF).

I'm not worried about the idea of reflashing the phone to get it working with 4G, I'd just rather not jump ship back to VF unless they offer me a considerably better deal. I live and work in the city anyway, so coverage isn't so much of a worry for me.

Cheers.

EDIT: Here's what I get if I use *#1234#...:


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mrgsm021
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  #1100320 1-Aug-2014 21:59
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Sounds like you need to wait for the necessary 2D firmware upgrade to enable the 4G option in the menu.

As an example, the HTC One M8, even though 4G compatible is also waiting for 4G firmware upgrade, therefore it is not being advertised on the 2D website as 4G enabled.



n4

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  #1100329 1-Aug-2014 22:17
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Does look like a phone sourced from VNZ, in which case you will need to wait for the VF firmware upgrade to enable 4g while on 2degrees. Should be coming very soon.




Samsung Note20 Ultra, on 2degrees


Spong
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  #1100361 1-Aug-2014 23:24
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For what it's worth, my 2D sourced S4 got the 4G update OTA several weeks ago.

Until then, 4G wasn't an option in the Network mode screen but it is now.

I'm surprised VF don't seem to have released their 4G update for the S4 yet. Surely it wouldn't be because you're using a 2D SIM?




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n4

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  #1100502 2-Aug-2014 10:22
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From the 2degrees website, it does matter which network you got the phone from, and the update is specific to 4g on 2degrees:

If you have a 4G phone supplied by 2degrees or one of our resellers then it will receive an update soon to enable 4G. You'll need to accept this update.

If you have a 4G phone that you purchased from another mobile network in New Zealand then it will either already work on 2degrees 4G, or you will receive an update soon. You'll need to accept this update.

If you have bought your 4G phone from a Parallel Importer or brought it back from overseas and it doesn't already work on 2degrees 4G, then unfortunately they may require the handset manufacturer to push out an update but we can't say how long this will take or whether it will happen at all.




Samsung Note20 Ultra, on 2degrees


lionbrown

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  #1100652 2-Aug-2014 14:21
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Is there any way to reflash the phone so that it thinks that it's 2Degrees? From what I gather, changing the CSC from VNZ to NZC or something along the lines of that would make the phone think that it's 2Degrees? I keep seeing deleted posts about how to install correct carrier pages (using the search tool and things).

Batman
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  #1100667 2-Aug-2014 15:25
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why would VF push an update that is from 2D?

n4

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  #1100780 2-Aug-2014 18:30
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Samsung will push an update for Vodafone devices to enable 4G when on 2degrees.




Samsung Note20 Ultra, on 2degrees


 
 
 

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Batman
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  #1100847 2-Aug-2014 20:23
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lionbrown: Is there any way to reflash the phone so that it thinks that it's 2Degrees? From what I gather, changing the CSC from VNZ to NZC or something along the lines of that would make the phone think that it's 2Degrees? I keep seeing deleted posts about how to install correct carrier pages (using the search tool and things).


yes.

1) install Samsung kies
2) download latest odin 3.0x
3) register at sammobile.com then search for and download the 2degrees firmware
4) flash with USB cable

if you're up to it then we can all help expand on exactly how

Batman
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  #1100849 2-Aug-2014 20:24
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n4: Samsung will push an update for Vodafone devices to enable 4G when on 2degrees.


wow the s5 must be special I've never had something like that happen when telecom 4g wouldn't work on a non telecom ROM on my s4!

kiwijunglist
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  #1113629 22-Aug-2014 18:28
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Which local variant of the s5 would you guys recommend? (900I vs 900F)

I posted the question here - http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=97&topicid=151359




HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.


lionbrown

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  #1113663 22-Aug-2014 19:13
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Just posting a quick update, Vodafone pushed out the update for 4G on 2Degrees yesterday. About 170mb in size, connected to 4G immediately after resetting. Problem solved! Ultimately never bothered with the reflash, my home internet speeds were too slow.

ALTRON
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  #1113933 23-Aug-2014 10:42
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900i would be the one to get as it has band28 lte. For when networks start using it.

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