Handset will not connect to LTE in Petone, but everywhere else it does

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bazbear

13 posts

Geek

#237641 11-Jun-2018 11:43

so i have an odd issue.

My new Sony Xperia XA2 (H3123) will not connect to LTE in my home suburb of Petone, Lower Hutt. If I drive to Lower Hutt or back into Wellington, it will connect at LTE. My previous phone Nexus 5x did not have this issue.

2 other people in our house are on 2degrees and I am the only one having this issue.

Other point to add, the phone was bought in USA last month when my Nexus 5x ended up having the boot looping issue and i was forced to buy a new phone on the spot. The Xperia XA2 is compatible with networks in NZ and is unlocked.

Using the app "Network Cell Info", i can see the phone will not connect to the 3 closest cell sites to me. Also if i force my phone to use LTE (via the secret test menu), it will connect to a cell tower in Wellington CBD and then only give me 1 weak bar.

Any ideas? I have an issue logged with 2degrees.

If i insert a friends Spark SIM into my phone, the phone is fine. If i insert my SIM card into flat mates phone, no issue on their iPhone 10.

robjg63

4098 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#2033595 11-Jun-2018 12:01

Don't think it sounds like a 2 degrees problem.

You say its compatible with the NZ networks - but I found this:

https://www.phonemore.com/sony-xperia-xa2-h3123/specs/3881

It says LTE Cat13 700/850/1700/1900/2600 (Bands 2,4,5,7,12,13,17,28,29,66)

I think 2 degrees use band 3 - 1800 and band 28 - 700

Band 3/1800 is larger city centres and you dont seem to have that.

Are you sure you have all the appropriate bands? - Reckon its scary enough buying phones in NZ to work properly - nevermind what variants they make for other markets.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

techocrazy

23 posts

Geek

#2033601 11-Jun-2018 12:06

Hi there. A quick google search of your phone's model number suggests it might not support Band 3 or 1800Mhz. This a key NZ LTE frequency and it looks like this is all 2Degrees has deployed in your area. Your device does support Band 28 or 700Mhz. This would explain why you have coverage on Spark or some in Wellington where 2Degrees is using 700Mhz.

Unless 2Degrees deploys 700Mhz in your area, you are gonna need a new phone or to change providers to get LTE at home.

Hope that helps :)