Sunday, March 18, 2012

Japanese mobile frequency bands

Posted by SBS

UMTS

This is "3G," though most carriers are employing enhanced protocols such as dual-channels, and/or high-speed packet access. While DCM does operate in Band 9, don't expect interoperability with Emobile. SBM is using Band 11 for it's "ultraspeed" DC-HSDPA mobile routers. Via wikipedia, and yeah, I know there is more to North America than the US.

Carrier W-CDMA UMTS Bands
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21
NTT Docomo ○ ○ ○ ○
Softbank Mobile ○ P ○
Eaccess (emobile) ○
US AT&T ○ ○
US T-Mobile ○
EU/AU/NZ etc ○ ○

FDD-LTE

This is currently 3.9G but is often referred to simply as "4G." From what I understand about future LTE plans, SBM is likely to use it's new 900 MHz allocation for FDD-LTE. Didn't happen, 900 MHz is being used for regular 3G.

Carrier FDD-LTE Band
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21
NTT Docomo ○ P

○
○
KDDI (AU) ○
○
 ○
Softbank Mobile ○ P △ ○
Eaccess (emobile) ○
US AT&T ○ P ○

TD-LTE

This is currently 3.9G, but is often referred to simply as "4G."

Carrier TD-LTE Band
33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43
NTT Docomo


KDDI (AU)

Softbank Mobile
○
Eaccess (emobile)

Frequencies

Here are the frequencies that correspond to each band. Unfortunately, many makers don't specifically list which bands are supported, leading to ambiguity.

Band Uplink
（MHz）		 Downlink
（MHz）		 FDD/TDD
1 2100 1920-1980 2110-2170 FDD
2 1900 1850-1910 1930-1990 FDD
3 1800 1710-1785 1805-1880 FDD
4 1700/2100
（1721）		 1710-1755 2110-2155 FDD
5 850 824-849 869-894 FDD
6 800 830-840 875-885 FDD
7 2600 2500-2570 2620-2690 FDD
8 900 880-915 925-960 FDD
9 1700 1749.9-1784.9 1844.9-1879.9 FDD
10 1700/2100
（1721）		 1710-1770 2110-2170 FDD
11 1500 1427.9-1447.9 1475.9-1495.9 FDD
12 700 699-716 729-746 FDD
13 700 777-787 746-756 FDD
14 700 788-798 758-768 FDD
15 Reserved
16 Reserved
17 700 704-716 734-746 FDD
18 800 815-830 860-875 FDD
19 800 830-845 875-890 FDD
20 800 832-862 791-821 FDD
21 1500 1447.9-1462.9 1495.9-1510.9 FDD
22 3410-3490 3510-3590 FDD
23 2000-2020 2180-2200 FDD
24 1626.5-1660.5 1525-1559 FDD
25 1900 1850-1915 1930-1995 FDD
...
33 1900-1920 1900-1920 TDD
34 2010-2025 2010-2025 TDD
35 1850-1910 1850-1910 TDD
36 1930-1990 1930-1990 TDD
37 1910-1930 1910-1930 TDD
38 2570-2620 2570-2620 TDD
39 1880-1920 1880-1920 TDD
40 2300-2400 2300-2400 TDD
41 2496-2690 2496-2690 TDD
42 3400-3600 3400-3600 TDD
43 3600-3800 3600-3800 TDD
at 10:52 AM
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33 comments:

  1. Anonymous PosterMarch 18, 2012 at 5:28 PM

    Hey, I'm sorry if this is the wrong place to ask you a question, but I couldn't determine which post might be the best one to attach this comment to.
    I'm considering rooting my Galaxy S2, which I have with Docomo. Mainly because I thought it might be possible to use it portable hotspot for my Galaxy Tab 10.1 (wifi only, bought in the states, not with Docomo).
    Can a rooted Docomo phone provide tethered/hotspot access without incurring their regular (ripoff) tethering charges? Or will Docomo be able to tell that's what I'm doing and block me or charge me anyway?
    Thanks for any answer. You seem to be the go-to guy for this kind of thing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. SBSdroidMarch 18, 2012 at 7:37 PM

    http://softbanksucks.blogspot.jp/search/label/Galaxy%20S2
    http://softbanksucks.blogspot.jp/search/label/tethering
    How about asking on one of these?

    ReplyDelete
  3. OlivierMarch 26, 2012 at 3:36 AM

    Hi,

    Is it possible to enable UMTS900 on SC-04D (via service mode of Galaxy S2)?

    Because i bought it to use in Europe and 3G are on UMTS900/2100.

    Thx.

    ReplyDelete
  4. jenOctober 20, 2012 at 3:55 AM

    hi can anyoNe tell me if ntt docomo REGZA pHone T-O2D can be openline here in philippines?tnX muCh gb

    ReplyDelete
  5. David Van CleefOctober 20, 2012 at 8:46 AM

    Not to my knowledge, however Docomo will do it in Japan (as with any of their handsets with a "C" or later suffix) for a JPY3150 charge.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ascanio1December 9, 2012 at 7:39 AM

    Can anyone, please, tell me which frequencies the NTT DoCoMo Samsung Note II LTE can use (i want to check if it will work in Europe - I know that it won't in the US)?
    Thanks in advance for any help!

    ReplyDelete
  7. SBSdroidDecember 9, 2012 at 7:45 AM

    If it supports UMTS on Docomo, it'll work in Europe and because all Xi (LTE) phones currently, do, the Galaxy Note II will work.

    http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=specs&id=3920&c=samsung_sgh-n025_galaxy_note_ii_sc-02e_samsung_sailor

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ascanio1December 9, 2012 at 9:21 PM

    Thanks! That's great news!
    Is its radio also compatible with SB's LTE?
    Any idea?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ascanio1December 9, 2012 at 10:50 PM

    I replied to your post but my answer disappeared so I'll post my 2 questions again - the Samsung Note II LTE line up is confusing!

    A)
    Do the following 2 units function on both DoCoMo & SB LTE networks? According to the above tables they don't share any frequency bands but but their radios can both operate in the 2100MHs wavelength where both carriers deploy their LTE:
    SGH-N025 (DoCoMo) and SGH-T889V (sim free for Jap mkt).

    B)
    Are any of these models compatible with the Softbank LTE network?
    Are any of these models compatible with the Softbank LTE network AND the European LTE network std?
    1. Model SGH-N025 - LTE2100 (B1) and LTE1500 (B21);
    2. Model GT-N7105 (sim free) - LTE800 (B20), 1800(B3) and LTE2600 (B7);
    3. Model GT-N7105T (sim free) - 1800(B3) and LTE2600 (B7);
    4. Model SGH-T889V - LTE 700 (B17), 1700/2100 (B4)
    5. Model SCH-i605 - weird US frequencies + LTE 700 (B13)



    I really appreciate the wealth of info which you expose for our benefit! Thanks! I really appreciate your help!

    ReplyDelete
  10. SBSdroidDecember 10, 2012 at 11:17 AM

    It's really difficult to comment on compatibility between LTE networks. Both SBM and DCM have deployed Band 1 FDD-LTE networks (2100 MHz), so anything supporting that should work with both. The only model of those five that lists band 1 is is SGH-N025. Band 4 is distinctly different and incompatible, so based only on the above list of 5 models, that is only one with the potential to work with LTE in Japan.

    ReplyDelete
  11. James CoffeyDecember 24, 2012 at 10:53 PM

    Telstra in Australia use band 5 - so Telstra phones work on AT&T and FOMA on the better 850MHz freqs

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ascanio1February 19, 2013 at 9:34 PM

    Hi SB Droid,

    Just an update FYI: I got a free GT-N7150 Note2 LTE with my Vodafone Italy new contract (1800, 2600, & 800 frequencies or B3, B7 & B20 bands).

    In Japan I tried to insert my SB hTC DesireHD SIM but it was too big. I cut it and everything (tethering, streaming) worked fine except LTE.

    Also my wife's iPhone 5 nanoSIM (w/ adapter) works perfectly in my Note 2: streams and tethers, but no LTE.


    Maybe an original SB microSIM would do the trick? I asked SB to replace my "damaged" hTC DesireHD SIM card with a new microSIM size. A helpful store manager tried but the system blocked him: "SIM not compatible with IMEI"!

    So I tried with my Note 2 LTE IMEI but this time: "IMEI not SB"! I then resorted tocopying an IMEI number from one of SB's own working sample microSIM phones and went to another store.


    I pretended to have left my phone at home and this time the system, finally, recognized the IMEI as Softbank AND compatible for a microSIM.


    I modified the APN on my Note2 and now I can stream movies and tether and my monthly bill is normal.

    But LTE still won't work! Any ideas? It should work on band 41 (2600)? No?

    ReplyDelete
  13. SBSdroidFebruary 20, 2013 at 11:29 AM

    Band 1, not band 41. FDLTE and TDLTE.


    Docomo glues the backs onto the phones so that you can't see the IMEI numbers.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Darren GubbinsMarch 26, 2013 at 7:20 PM

    Hi there,

    I'm thinking about bringing over a US Nexus 4 to use on the B-Mobile network. Wikipedia has the following info about the Nexus 4:

    Compatible networks
    GSM/EDGE/GPRS (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)[1]
    3G UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSPA+(850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz)
    HSDPA 42 Mbps
    LTE band 4[2] (unofficially)



    Assuming I don't take the phone out into do-inaka, will I have any trouble using it in Japan?

    ReplyDelete
  15. SBSdroidMarch 27, 2013 at 11:11 AM

    People here using N4 no problems. It won't work well in the "Foma Plus" area (800 MHz), and LTE won't work.

    In the main coverage areas, should be no problems because it supports 3G UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSPA+ 2100 MHz.

    ReplyDelete
  16. tkob13March 29, 2013 at 2:17 PM

    Tmobile iphone 5 is coming soon. A1428 with AWS.
    Can tmobile iphone 5 be used in Japan( either KDDI or softbank)?

    ReplyDelete
  17. VincentAugust 8, 2013 at 2:02 PM

    Hi, is there anyone here who is using the international version of the Galaxy S4 (i9505) with B-Mobile (4G Smartphone SIM) here in Japan? I can't seem to get fast LTE speeds. It connects to the network alright. It shows an LTE icon as well. But the download speeds are abysmal. In fact, they are worse than HSDPA+ with my old Simcard (B-Mobile 3G Smartphone SIM). The S4 is a hexaband LTE phone and supports the frequencies 800/850/900/1800/2100/2600. So if Docomo operates on 2100, this should in theory be able to get full LTE speed. In reality the speed is at about 6 Kb/s, so about 48 Kbit/s. Ridiculous.

    I have tried several roms, including the Samsung stock rom, but I am currently on an Android 4.3 Google Edition rom. Everything else is just flawless.

    Any advice?

    ReplyDelete
  18. JakeSeptember 14, 2013 at 5:43 PM

    I experienced the same as you - b-mobile and i9505 - slow LTE. But not quite as slow as you - around 1-2Mbit/s, compared to my iPhone 5 on Softbank in the same area getting >10MBit/s on LTE...
    Don't know if it's a hardware issue or a throttling issue on b-mobile side.

    ReplyDelete
  19. KTSeptember 15, 2013 at 10:50 AM

    I had fine speeds with the Chameleon LTE Sim with my HTC One, but I can't seem to get the regular Smartphone Voice Sim(FOMA 3G) to work. I thought it would be fine because the Chameleon sim worked great. Anyone have any ideas?

    ReplyDelete
  20. meSeptember 28, 2013 at 9:36 AM

    Will a sony xperia z ultra C6802 work on japanese networks domocomo or soft bank GSM 850/900/1800/1900, UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 data GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+

    ReplyDelete
  21. SBSdroidSeptember 28, 2013 at 4:16 PM

    UMTS2100. Yes. It won't work well in the mountains because it doesn't have 800 MHz.

    ReplyDelete
  22. heart1January 4, 2014 at 4:46 PM

    Heard about these 'tethering' charges.. ALL I CAN SAY IS WTF - yeah thanks Japan for yet ANOTHER ripoff! In my country such a thing is unheard of. Like seriously is there any depth that these Japanese mobile carriers won't sink too to screw the general population? SHAME SHAME AND MORE SHAME. And shame on the Japanese people for always keeping quiet and letting themselves get ripped off so bad!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Tommaso SantojanniJanuary 8, 2014 at 11:37 AM

    Happy New year to everyone who hates Softbank!
    @ SBSdroid,

    Can you update the frequencies chart? For LTE Softbank is using 2100 (band 1) and 1700. I'm not clear which Band is Softabank using for this frequency.

    BTW, too bad that you changed the name of your blog! That change marked the end of an epic, "pioneer" era (if there can be any such thing for mobile phones) in the Japanese mobile phone community! It was the coolest thing on the web about Japan. I remember friends from Italy laughing their heads off about it. You even had a clone in Italy with TIM

    ReplyDelete
  24. Tommaso SantojanniJanuary 8, 2014 at 7:24 PM

    Softbank LTE
    1) For LTE, SB uses:
    2100MHz (band 1) for its LTE

    ReplyDelete
  25. David Van CleefJanuary 9, 2014 at 10:16 AM

    Band 4 has never been used outside of North America.

    ReplyDelete
  26. SvenJanuary 9, 2014 at 5:26 PM

    Softbank 1700MHz (actually E-Mobile 1700MHz) is neither Band 4 nor 9. It is Band 3.
    Source: I've been using it since September.

    ReplyDelete
  27. SvenJanuary 9, 2014 at 5:31 PM

    The chart is already correct, as it shows that E-Mobile is using Band 3.

    https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/1800MHz%E5%B8%AF:

    日本(総務省)では、1.7GHz帯と呼ばれており、ソフトバンクモバイルのダブルLTEサービスではこの名称を用いている（NTTドコモやイー・アクセスでは、UMTS用途での帯域としては1.7GHz帯と称していたが、LTEの帯域としては1800MHz帯としている）。

    ReplyDelete
  28. Tommaso SantojanniJanuary 9, 2014 at 6:39 PM

    Thanks Sven, can I ask you what phone you use?
    Wikipedia contains
    mistakes in the carrier's LTe list: it showed 1500MHz (11) for Softbank
    but I called customer support and after 3 days of backwards and forth I
    was told, officially, that they do not use 1500MHz for LTE but only 1700
    and 2100. The operator would not disclose the band.
    On wikipedia band 3 is called 1800 (typical of Softbank to give it another name just to confuse everyone).
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-UTRA#Frequency_bands_and_channel_bandwidths
    I preferred this blog when it was called Softbank Sucks!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Tommaso SantojanniJanuary 9, 2014 at 6:40 PM

    Thanks helping me to sort out the bands.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Tommaso SantojanniJanuary 9, 2014 at 6:43 PM

    It's in Japanese.
    Wikipedia in english had it wrong. It reported Softbank using 1500MHz (11). I corrected it to 1700MHz.
    But if you are right and it is band 3, then it is called 1800 and it is only Softbank that uses 1700MHz to complicare matters. Maybe I should re-correct my correction in wikipedia and write 1800MHz band 3.
    Are you positive about band 3?

    ReplyDelete
  31. Tommaso SantojanniJanuary 13, 2014 at 11:55 AM

    Softbank /GB data cap


    - As of new year there are no more unlimited data plans (5430yen/month) on offer. All "unlimited" data plans are capped at 7GB.

    - All "old/real" unlimited data plans are automatically converted
    to the "new" unlimited and capped plan when: a) you buy a new phone b)
    modify the contract in any way. If you value your "real" unlimited data plan DO NOT upgrade your phone or modify your contract.

    The "real/old" unlimited data plan does not allow you to tether (android phones with rooot etc) but, in
    fact, you can do it and, so far, I have never incurred in any costs at
    all: I watch FullHD movies on my laptop screen. The "new" unlimited does allow you to tether but you will get throttled after 7GB.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Tommaso SantojanniJanuary 13, 2014 at 12:50 PM

    Softbank LTE Frequencies - beware of their lies.

    Softbank continues to mislead its customers. Technical support and Customer support (157) will tell you that Softbank uses 2100MHz and 1700MHz frequencies. This is a lie.

    Softbank does not use the 1700Mhz (band 4? band 9?) frequency but uses instead the 1800Mhz (band 3). This misleading information is given to users to stop them from using non Softbank handsets on their network.

    The Wikiepdia community discovered the real network frequencies and recently modified the wikipedia pages to reflect the correct frequencies:
    http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&rurl=translate.google.com&sandbox=0&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/SoftBank_4G_LTE&usg=ALkJrhj0FNVSPlAEq3L0MlLrcsg2MsdWoQ

    "However,
    since the Android device SoftBank 4G also supports using the SoftBank
    4G LTE plan, network service[s other than the corresponding In] SoftBank
    4G LTE and SoftBank 4G is basically the same."

    Please note that other wikipedia pages may contain errors: Softbank no longer uses the 1500MHz (11) and never used the 1700 (4) frequencies.

    ReplyDelete
  33. TriApril 17, 2014 at 10:22 AM

    I'm sorry to ask this but I'm really looking for answers. I bought an unlocked A1533 in the states. I want to use it on Docomo. I know I can't get LTE but I can get 3G/4G? But will I be able to get voice calls?

    ReplyDelete

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