Unofficial info about the new Vodafone Ghana 4G/LTE

To celebrate the launch of Vodafone Ghana 4G, here's an UNOFFICIAL 'frequently asked questions'.

Updated for 2020 - 07

Is a SIM swap required to use 4G?
No, if you are using a USIM. If you are using a regular SIM, do so.

Device requirements?
Any device with Band 20. LTE features across devices that are used by this network are very unlikely to be missing.

Do devices that connect to MTN 4G (another Band 20) work?
Most devices
*Note that it could have been using the Band 7 of MTN;
*It might be sim-locked(device only one mobile network operator, it is not PIN/PUK).

Does the signal of MTN 4G Band 20 interfere with Vodafone 4G Band 20?
No, it is a different frequency diameter.

Why does the phone display No Service/Emergency Calls Only/EMM Cause 19 ESM Failure ESM Cause 29 user authentication failed on 4G/LTE?
This is due to a lack of bundle or credit. 2G and 3G will keep it on after a SM reject, but 4G is data only and relies on a default connection.

Why is the phone connected to band 3/7/38/40/41, not 20?
Lack of bundle or credit, no antenna aimed at your device, too many antennas aimed at your device, device doesn't support band 20. Note that the 'gravity' of the signal could have been adjusted, it might still not operate optimally for your device even with it aimed.

Why is the phone connected to Band 8/Band 1?
It is very likely to be using 2G/3G.

Why does my phone not switch to 4G/LTE even though it's the only network selected?
This is due to a lack of USIM, please check *700*6*1# > SIM Compatibility.

NAT type?
Symmetric (Strict), may vary with other subscriptions.

What's the max speed?
At the time of launch, 37.5Mbps (4637.5kB/s downloading). See https://usingacustomdomain.blogspot.com/2020/04/vodafone-ghana-spectrum-extension-review.html for updated information.

How do I know if I'll get 4G signal?
Give it a try on a device that supports Band 20 and a USIM inserted. *700*6*2# is an option but is not reliable.

APN Settings?
"internet", "browse", anything as the network will automatically connect you; IPv4; proxy off.

Why are these displayed on my phone: No Service/Emergency Calls Only/EMM Cause 19 ESM Failure ESM Cause 33 requested service option not subscribed on 4G/LTE?
Set APN profile to IPv4, not IPv6.

Why are these displayed on my phone: No Service/Emergency Calls Only/EMM Cause 15 No suitable cells in tracking area on 4G/LTE?
Check your credit - otherwise it is not currently available in your area, wait.

Why is data working in 4G/LTE; not working in 3G, 2G?
Check if your APN profile is set to only be used on 4G/LTE, in which case you should enable other technologies. Move the phone so that the signal quality improves; else, it's the network.

3G vs 4G/LTE?
Higher speeds, stability, lower latency, range from a tower, ease on the battery is more likely on 4G, and the 50% 4G bonus on bundle purchases.

2G/GSM/G/E/O vs 3G/H/U/H+/W?
Only use of the former is for calls where 3G quality is low, 3G uses all of its channels (not exactly) on every antenna while 2G uses a different channel per antenna(not exactly), though 2G has less space per channel, so with many users on one antenna, calls are estimated.

My phone only supports 3G, how does it benefit me?
You benefit with less users being on 3G. Speed, battery life, etc.

Does SMS work on 4G/LTE(SMS over NAS)?
Should work.

Do calls work on 4G/LTE(VoLTE)? Does VoWiFi work? Does ViLTE work? Does RCS work?
Not at the moment (the configuration at the device's software and network must match). WhatsApp, Skype, Discord, etc should work but not with direct routing.

Does 4G+/LTE+ work?
4G+ combines 2 separate "4Gs", the part of Band 20 4G that is available is 1 "4G".

What's 620 02 on the network list?
It's Vodafone. Anything else is not.

Why is it slow with full bars?
The criteria required to show full bars might not be strict/on your phone it's an indicator of only signal strength, not quality/too many users on the antenna(there isn't much space owned by the network unfortunately)/the 'Internet' the tower's connected to isn't enough or has many users somewhere in its path.

Why is it slow with one bar?
Likely low signal strength.

Why is the signal strength low near/under a tower?
*It is not Vodafone;
*or the signal is flying over you.

Why is the speed low near/under a tower, signal strength is good?
The phone can only connect to one antenna at once, and is trying to remove the signal from the other 2 antennas, check the signal quality.

Why does my phone switch to 2G or 3G while a call is being made or received?
Circuit switched fall back. Calls can't be done on 4G at the moment.

Why does my phone switch to 2G or 3G while a call is NOT being made or received?
Signal is below the network-provided criteria; out of credit.

Why is my phone hot?
The network did not give you a virus, the phone is either doing something (updating,processing) or the signal strength/quality is low: from the tower to the phone or vice versa.

Why does the battery drain quickly?
The phone is either doing something (updating,processing) or the signal strength/quality is low: from the tower to the phone or vice versa.

What's signal quality?
Multiple 4G antennas aimed to the same position lowers the signal quality, even more when the non-connected antenna is in use by others. However, more are needed for signal strength (also brings quality up) and capacity. Some echoes of the signal are also considered invalid.

What's the code for bundles?
*700# or the My Vodafone app.

USSD or shortcodes or 'MMI codes' don't work?
Check the settings of your phone! Select:
Auto (LTE/WCDMA/GSM) (4G/3G/2G) (LTE/UMTS/GSM) Automatic etc; or 2G/3G. It will not work with 4G LTE only.