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Jnow

I am completely exasperated with trying to solve this issue. I purchased a Z2, model 6503 only a year after purchasing a Z1, which I was very happy with. I purchased the Z2 solely because it is 4G LTE, which my Z1 was not. I signed up on Walmart's Family Mobile plan, which operates on T-Mobile's network. Come to find out, the Family Mobile plans were only 3G plans. Well, they recently added 4G to their plans and I quickly changed my plan. Very excited for the day to come when my plan would officially switch over to the 4G plan, I was very disappointed to still not be able to register on the 4G network. Every time I go to Mobile Networks, search, choose 4G Family Mobile, I get a could not register notice and the phone goes right back to the 3G network. I called Family Mobile and they said that the Sony phones have a different "signal" for their 4G LTE and it won't register on their 4G LTE network. They could have told me that before I switched, right? I went over to Metro Mobile to see about their plans and the guy there said that my phone is operating on 4G, even though I still only see an H in the notification area. He stated that HSPA IS 4G. Others all over the internet state it is not 4G. So, which is it and if it is 4G, why doesn't my phone show 4G? Lastly, if I go to T-Mobile and get on their "official" plan, which is $20 more than Family Mobile or Metro PCS, will I finally operate on 4G LTE? Please help before I destroy my phone with hard resets, software repairs, PC Companion as well as drive myself crazy being so obsessive about this!

Hampus

Hi,

If your phone is connected to 4G, it should say 4G or LTE. In order for 4G to work, the network provider you are using needs to use one or more of the frequency bands that the phone supports. If you are using the D6503 model of Xperia Z2, it supports the following bands:
LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20)
You should be able to get more information from your network provider about which bands they use.

The SIM-card also needs to be prepared for 4G, so you might need to order a new one for this. Also make sure that the network mode on your phone is set to 4G (preferred)/3G/GSM via Settings > More > Mobile networks > Network type.

jmaxim917

You probably have an international model Z2 which will only display H and H+ instead of 4G. You will probably have to flash your phone with a US firmware to get
LTE. I don't believe it will ever say 4G.

Hampus

@jmaxim917 The D6503 is the model that is adapted to the european market. This model will show 4G or LTE (depending on customization and/or software) if it have a connection to the 4G network.

RuneJ

I have the D6503 and here in Norway you need like Hampus is saying; a 4G ready SIM-card to get on the 4G network.

If not 4G SIM, the phone will only display H+.

With a 4G SIM, it displays 4G.

jmaxim917

@RuneJ @Hampus @Jnow You guys realize that his experience is totally contrary to your comments. I also have the Z2 6503 international variant. When I purchased it about 10 months ago it only showed H and H+ with my AT&T sim. Note that the same sim was used in my AT&T branded Blackberry that always showed 4G or LTE. I did some research and was pointed to installing a US firmware. I did and now it shows H, H+ or LTE depending on signal strength or if I'm on a call. Have never seen 4G on my Z2 phone. There is no 4G option in the Mobile Network settings menu. The option I select is LTE(preferred)/WDCMA/GSM. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, however, I believe @Jnow and myself have the same issue. I also suspect that the GSM networks in the US are not compatible with each other (AT&T and T-Mobile, etc.) and much less international networks. I could be wrong. If there is a way to get 4G I would really like to know.

RuneJ

@jmaxim917: On my phone I have 4G(Preferred)/3G/GSM option weere on yours the same selection is called LTE(Preferred)/WDCMA/GSM.

In essence, they most likely show the same. (if not providers have "cheated")

4G and 3G is the often referred to as non-technical name for the different network types. The networktype-names displayed in the phone probably comes from customization done by operators. -Like I'm using the Nordic-variant of the Android-release, and it seems like this version likes to use the user-friendly term 3G and 4G instead of LTE, HDSPA/HDSPA+, WDCMA, etc, etc.

AT&T branded phones have their own customization, hence they can display whatever they want.

Of course there is a possibility for a carrier to let the phone show "LTE" but in real life it is still on a 3G/3G+ or less powwerfull technology.

In any case, without a 4G Sim, I get only H+.

Btw; When I'm in the US with my Z2, I can switch seemless/ad-hoc between many different providers/networks, that is impossible for the co-workers that have a phone "branded"/plan to for example AT&T, etc.:smileysmileywink:

jmaxim917

@Rune I took note of your comment and installed the unbranded Nordic firmware and now the signal indicates 4G but no LTE. Also when I'm on a voice call it switches from 4G to H+ or H. The options in the Mobile Network settings menu are still the same (I believe it's hard coded), LTE(preferred)/WDCMA/GSM which is what I've selected. I suspect we have different model phones. Mine is Global LTE and I suspect yours is Global 4G? I also think that Europe interchanges 4G and LTE while in the US 4G and 4G/LTE also referred to as LTE are different, 4G/LTE or LTE being an improvement over 4G.
I suspect when you're in the US your phone does not say LTE while your US colleagues who are locked to a network such as AT&T will say 4G and LTE. Sometimes having a branded phone isn't so bad, it avoids the headache that @Jnow and myself will go through. I will do some more research, maybe there is a firmware that will provide both 4G and LTE if not I'll revert to the US firmware. Hope I don't brick my phone in the process.
John

Uliwooly

@jmaxim917 @Jnow

Were you able to solve your issue or do you need more help, I'm in the US with AT&T

jmaxim917

Hey @uliwooly
I'm not really having a problem with AT&T. I get LTE service, however, when I'm on a voice call it goes from LTE to H+ or H unlike my AT&T bought Blackberry which goes from LTE to 4G while on a voice call.