Sim card problems - no 4g only 3g

[majoosta]

I have a Nexus 9 LTE tablet which I have put my 4G sim in but am getting increasingly frustrated at not getting 4G. I had an iPad air which I couldn't get on with so went back to good old Android but am totally at a loss as to why I cannot ever get 4G?

I have looked at the settings and they seem okay, however, when I select 'mobile plan' in settings I get the message 'Vodafone UK has no known provisioning website' (?)

After a little research I have come across sim cards suddenly not being provisioned. Could this be the case? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[majoosta]

Hi KillerDr3w,

So what you're basically saying is is that my device is 4G, can receive a UK 4G signal and is obviously working fine but not on Vodafone's 'UK' network? If so, then all I can conclude is that it's a major fail on Vodafone's part. If this is the case, I'll be migrating my phone contract elsewhere this spring and my tablet one also.

[KillerDr3w]

@majoosta

I was on the phone to Vodafone support last night.  Basically the Nexus 9 is registering on the network for GSM, but not 4G.  This can be seen on Vodafone's system.  The SIM never updates itself on the 4G network, hence never getting a 4G signal.

It might be worth contacting them during the day and trying to see if you can get someone further down the tech line.  I can't today as I don't have the tablet with me.

Vodafone are just giving me the line "its not our device contact Google".  I'm thinking of cancelling my 4 business lines and moving to EE where I know the tablet does work.

[hrym]

Because this isn't a Vodafone-supplied or supported device, they have no control over what it may or may not do.   Honestly, I'd still suggest contacting HTC (who make it, and in preference to Google) and see what they have to say.   It's possible it needs a firmware update.

[majoosta]

It's an UNLOCKED 4G device compatible with UK networks. As usual, the problem IS being on a network that isn't capable of having a 4G service that caters for all UK devices and sim free ones. Vodafone, take a look at EE etc.😬

[hrym]

It still sounds like a device issue and I still think a query with HTC would be the way to go.

Edited to add: as far as I can see, the Nexus should connect to Vodafone on Band 20 (800 mhz), so the question is whether this is working correctly.

[KillerDr3w]

Band 20 (800MHz) is working on these devices because they can connect to EE, who also use Band 20 (800MHz).

[majoosta]

Exactly. The devices 4G capabilities MUST be okay as with either an EE sim or using my Vodafone 4G sim at Black friars I GET 4G. Now try convincing me again that it's my device and not a network issue, Vodafone!

Pointless contacting HTC as the device works on 4G, just not on Vodafone's crappy network.😬

[drey_p]

Have you tried the SIM in another device like a handset ?

[KillerDr3w]

@Simon I went into a store and was given a new nano SIM.  I then phoned the business support line and got the SIM provisioned on my account to replace an existing data sharing SIM that I already had.  If I put this SIM in my Nexus 6, I get 4G (but no voice as its a data sharing SIM), if I put this SIM in my Nexus 9 I only ever get 3G, no H, H+ or 4G.

The SIM from my Nexus 6 that is provisioned for voice and 4G data and gets 4G on the Nexus 6 only gives 3G on the Nexus 9, never H, H+ or 4G.

This is on two different Nexus 9 LTE's (I still have the two, but one will be sent back this week, so if you want me to test anything, ask quick!).  The devices are set up correctly and obtain LTE no problems on EE - I don't have any other SIM's to check with.

Could this be raise internally at Vodafone somehow?  There's an issue here for sure!  It would be nice to get it resolved before it hits The Register

[Retired-Rodney]

Hi everyone,

@majoosta - If you're still having network issues, please follow our troubleshooting guide. 

@KillerDr3w - Please try a different Vodafone SIM and let us know if this makes a difference.

Thanks,

Rodney