How it works
Learn how to check whether your phone is compatible with your carrier's 4G and 5G: frequency bands, VoLTE and pitfalls to avoid.
Next-generation network delivering very high speeds and low latency.
The standard for high-speed mobile internet, essential for everyday use.
First-generation mobile internet, gradually being shut down by carriers.
Legacy network for calls and texts, still used as a fallback in some areas.
What is a frequency band?
A frequency band is a portion of the radio spectrum (measured in MHz or GHz) that a carrier uses to carry 4G or 5G. Each band has a number: B20, B3, B7 on 4G/LTE, or n78, n28 on 5G. A carrier only uses a subset of these bands, specific to its country and its licences.
Why do bands matter?
To pick up a network, your phone must support the same bands as the carrier. If a band the carrier uses isn't supported by your device, you lose the coverage or speed tied to that frequency — or all signal if no band is shared. That's exactly what phones.band checks: the intersection between your model's bands and the carrier's.
Low or high bands: what's the difference?
Low bands (700–900 MHz) travel far and penetrate buildings well: ideal for rural and indoor coverage. High bands (2600 MHz, n78 at 3.5 GHz) carry far more throughput but over a shorter range: they add capacity in cities. A good phone covers both ends of the carrier's spectrum.