How to activate LTE on your NetOne line, its type and why they use USIM over SIM cards now

Yesterday, TechZim was able to spend the day with a member of NetOne‘s Network Optimization team and an Engineer from Huawei Zimbabwe (NetOne’s network infrastructure vendors) to test mobile internet speeds around Harare.

Apart from the speed test, we were able to ask a few questions on NetOnes elusive LTE connection shedding light on a few issues we and other subscribers were facing with their network, the issues included:

How to get NetOne LTE?

If you are a new NetOne subscriber: 

1. Visit a NetOne shop and ask to purchase an LTE USIM card for $1
2. BUT before you leave, have your LTE USIM card ACTIVATED for an LTE connection.
3. Make sure you are able to get LTE connection before you leave the NetOne shop, if possible run a quick speed test to see if you are achieving LTE speeds.

If you have a NetOne LTE USIM but not getting LTE:

1. Visit a NetOne shop and have your LTE USIM activated
2. Or, call NetOne customer support on 123 and request your LTE USIM activated for LTE,
3. Or, send NetOne a message on either Netone Facebook page or via NetOne Twitter request to have your LTE USIM activated
4. Word of advice, have your cell phone number in hand before yo make the call.

If you are currently a NetOne subscriber with an old sim card:

1. Visit a NetOne shop and replace your current SIM with an LTE USIM for free
2. BUT before you leave, have your LTE USIM card ACTIVATED for an LTE connection.
3. Make sure you are able to get LTE connection before you leave the NetOne shop, and if possible run a quick speed test.

What type of LTE do they have?

NetOne currently uses Category 4 LTE Band 3 @1800MHz FDD (frequency division duplexing).

Category 4 implies the LTE class, at Category 4, NetOnes LTE has peak download of 150 Mbps and upload of 50 Mbps.

FDD Band 3 has an uplink of 1710 – 1785 Mhz and a downlink of 1805 -1880 MHz. Basically, FDD means you’re using a slightly different frequency for uploading and downloading. The benefit of this method is less possible interference and better reception.

However, certain types of phones may not be compatible with NetOnes LTE, check your device compatibility either here or here.

What is a USIM and why is NetOne not using a regular SIM card?

SIM cards (Subscriber Identity Module) are used to communicate on GSM networks and with the introduction of 3G, it’s highly recommended to use a USIM card to access 3G networks and above. Although it is possible to access 3G and LTE with a simple SIM card, according to justaskgemalto.com USIMs has the following advantages as compared to the SIM:

• A USIM is a tiny computer which is able to handle several mini applications,
• A 3G (UMTS) handset equipped with a USIM card can be used to make video calls, assuming the calling area is covered by a 3G network;
• Regarding security, a new algorithm is integrated (it’s derived from recent researchers in cryptology). It allows to protect you from unauthorized access to your phone line,
• Your calls and data exchanges are encrypted using keys computed by the USIM, and these keys are stronger than those provided by SIMs.
• The phonebook is much bigger on the USIM, allowing thousands of contacts (instead of a maximum of 255 in a SIM). Each USIM contact is also richer, for instance, it can contain email addresses, a second or third phone number, etc;
• Contacts in the USIM are stored much more securely on the USIM as compared to using the phone memory.

NetOne should consider pre-activating all their LTE USIM cards pre-sales. Since the LTE cards are already branded LTE subscribers expect LTE connection, having to activate it is an unnecessary step and burden to the subscribers.

The NetOne sales team is also partly to blame for this confusion,  they are the initial point of contact with the public. When a customer purchases an LTE card they should immediately be offered the activation, evidently, this is not happening.

Lastly, NetOne should communicate with its subscribers. If they have a new LTE sim card existing subscribers should be made aware of it and how to get it.

Also, the process of activating LTE should be communicated, they are aware of the LTE cards in circulation and it shouldn’t be difficult to send an SMS with the steps to activate LTE.

The more NetOne stays mum about its LTE the more the public gets sceptical of its existence, it is up to the MNO to clarify and fix thes issues, but the clock is ticking.