Vodafone has been given extended spectrum, an additional 5MHz on top of its current 10MHz in 4G. This brings it to a total of 15MHz. These are 1.5x the airwaves that may carry 4G, leading to a maximum speed of 112.5Mbps (14062.5KB/s) in common user equipment, compared to its previous maximum speed of 75Mbps (9375KB/s). Not only the max speed shall be taken into account, 4G has more resources overall, leading to a ~1.5x increase in speed wherever.
Refarm
Image showing the refarmed channel. 3043 is used in multiple locations, rather than picking a random channel in the spectrum.
Vodafone has been refarming long-range 2G (900MHz, PGSM, band 8) to 3G in more locations. This refers to 2G being replaced with 3G while losing some 2G, leaving 3/8 long-range 2G remaining. It is normally done on a case-by-case basis.
The upsides are that:
-There is 1.3̅x more 3G spectrum available.
-3G is commonly more spectrally efficient, leading to extended capacity.
-3G is commonly faster.
-3G gains long-range spectrum.
-3G supports video calls.
-More 3G can be used by a mobile phone at a time, compared to 2G.
The downsides are that:
-2G is more likely to overlap with itself, this effect is worsened by it being long range spectrum. There are now 15/~2 long-range 2Gs available rather than 40/~2.
-2G is now more likely to be congested (unless enough mobile devices switch to 3G).
Spectrum
All spectrum is not always used on every tower. Spectrum allocation is up to the NCA (National Communications Authority).
Example
A speed test from speedtest.net displays 45.4Mbps.
The speed being off 112.5Mbps can be attributed to:
-Having an above average signal, not a perfect signal
-Sharing resources with other subscribers in the same coverage
A good change from the ~30Mbps it would be, and the tower's connection to the network is very likely sufficient enough.
The signal shall be considered above average, even though an RSRP (4G/LTE signal strength) of -73 and 4 bars might be considered "excellent". A RSSI of -41 might be considered "excellent" but it collects more signal in 4G and shall not be compared to 2G RSSI (2G signal strength).
The signal is 'attacked' by another Vodafone 4G cell tower which can be seen in the "SINR", and is somewhat visible in the "RSRQ" and "RSSI". This is an unavoidable property of an electromagnetic wave, and can only be prevented by reducing coverage of other areas unfortunately.
"RSRQ" and "RSSI" additionally show that the coverage is in use by others (not during a speed test).
This image is a simple depiction of 2 cell towers, though quite accurate. Notice that the tower overlaps with itself.
The cell tower may adapt towards low signal:
-Tower 'talks' quickly.
-Mobile: What did you say?
-Tower 'talks' quickly.
-No reply from the mobile phone.
-Tower 'talks' 2x slower.
-Mobile phone: OK.
The tower would spend 2x more time 'talking' to the mobile phone, leading to a speed of 112.5/2 = 56.25Mbps. If 2 mobile phones operating at half the speed were taking a speed test, it would be split between them: 56.25/2= 28.125Mbps. A mobile phone is expected to reply OK 90% of the time, else the 'talking speed' will be lowered.
Before taking a speed test to give it a try, consider minimizing testing due to congestion.
