topic Re: NETWORK BANDS in Mobile Network discussions

NETWORK BANDS

mE8419 — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 14:00:03 GMT

I am looking at purchasing a Chinese phone which states it's uses BAND n28a for 5g network yet on EE it states it uses BAND 28 for 5g does this mean I wouldn't get full access to 5g?

Would VoLTE still work?

Cheers

Re: NETWORK BANDS

Colstalex — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 14:32:50 GMT

I understand that n28a uses only a part of the n28 spectrum. Looks like EE's allocation of n28 overlaps by a small amount on n28a. What other frequencies does it support, EE also has n1, n3, n7, and n78. I wouldn't buy the Chinese phone if the only common band is n28/n28a.

Not sure about VOLTE/VONR.

Re: NETWORK BANDS

bristolian — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 15:13:57 GMT

EE deploy 5G on multiple frequency bands - 700Mhz (N28), 1800Mhz (N3/B3), 2100Mhz (N1/B1), 2600Mhz (N7/B7) & 3500Mhz (N78)

There is no single band that's "standard" as such, deployment does vary although lower bands are used for coverage & higher bands for capacity.

VoLTE = Voice over LTE = Voice over 4G

VoNR = Voice over New Radio = Voice over 5G. This requires 5G-Standalone support.

The simple answer to "will xyz work" with an independently sourced phone, especially from foreign markets, is to try it. Make sure you have alternative arrangements and/or a returns arrangement, in case of negative results.

Re: NETWORK BANDS

mE8419 — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 22:42:22 GMT

The device supports lots of 5g bands including N1, N3 and N78.

My question is will having N28a and not N28 cause any issues with 5g?

Re: NETWORK BANDS

mE8419 — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 22:46:10 GMT

I don't want to purchase something that may not work properly.

EE deploy 5G on multiple frequency bands - 700Mhz (N28), 1800Mhz (N3/B3), 2100Mhz (N1/B1), 2600Mhz (N7/B7) & 3500Mhz (N78).

The device uses all the above bands EXCEPT for N28 as it states N28A.

I can get a global version of the device which includes band N28 but it's nearly £300 more and every saving helps now days

Re: NETWORK BANDS

Colstalex — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 05:57:00 GMT

I do t see why it should cause issues, not supporting a band fully shouldn’t break anything. I suppose the bigger unknown is whether VOLTE works, without that you would stuck on 2G for calls, assuming it supports EE’s 2G frequencies.

Re: NETWORK BANDS

bristolian — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 08:00:57 GMT

@mE8419 wrote:
I don't want to purchase something that may not work properly.