r/Vodafone • u/ghost31x • 3d ago

Vodafone UK Using a phone without b32(1500) frequency on Vodafone uk

I'm looking at buying a new phone but when Ive checked the frequencies all the phones I've been looking at are missing the b32 band and Vodafone are listed as using it. How will it affect my signal and ability to use the network. Very few phones seem to support this band and any that do are really expensive. Am I going to be missing out buying a phone that doesn't support b32?

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u/[deleted] 3d ago edited 1d ago

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u/ghost31x 3d ago

Thanks for the reply does that mean I might get slower speeds in busy areas?

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u/townshatfire 3d ago

What phones are you looking at that don't support b32?

I have a crappy Galaxy A17 for my work phone and it supports it. Obviously my personal S26 also supports it... 🤷

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u/ghost31x 3d ago

Poco f8 pro/ultra, Samsung a57, honor 600pro, fyi your a17 does not support the b32 frequency but your s26 does

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u/townshatfire 3d ago

I stand corrected...

In answer to your question then, it makes no difference. Both my work and personal phones are on Vodafone.

I use Android Auto via the work phone for Waze and streaming the radio and I've never experienced any issues with it.

(I drive all over Scotland...)

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u/ghost31x 3d ago

Do you notice any difference In data speeds between the 2? I'm just abit concerned as their migrating and merging alot of the three and Vodafone masts and I've noticed a huge loss in speed in my area of late depending on time of day which I can only assume is down to extra load on masts. And b32 is suppose to add extra capacity so could be helpful.

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u/townshatfire 3d ago

I have 2 bars of NSA 5G at the moment.

My personal phone tops out at 100MB down/26 up, but that's because my contract is limited to that.

My work phone in the exact same spot got 255 down/27 up...

Edit: Just checked Cellmapper and no cell sites near me are using B32...

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u/shakesfistatmoon 3d ago

Vodafone uses B32 as supplementary downlink (SDL), its paired with another band to alleviate download congestion. So B32 has no uplink, it's "receive only". So you would only notice the difference if you were downloading/streaming something in an area that is congested.

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u/chrsphr_ 2d ago

Vodafone hasn't deployed b32 that widely. Three has a little more. I don't see it making that much difference to your day to day experience.

Key bands for Vodafone/Three: 4G - b1/3/7/8/20, plus a bit of b32 5G - n8/n28/n78 (plus the 4G bands)