iPhone 4S signal problems resolved

Edited and translated by People's Daily Online

On March 1, China Mobile announced a solution to the signal problems plaguing many iPhone 4S owners.

Previously, many iPhone 4S owners using China Mobile’s network found that they cannot activate their SIM cards, and sometimes were unable to make phone calls with a full signal.

A telecom technology expert explained that technically, the signal problems were caused by iPhone 4S handsets’ GSM chips, which only supports the P frequency band (885-915MHZ), but does not support the E frequency band (880-890MHz).

As China Mobile’s GSM network supports both the P and E frequency bands, iPhone 4S handsets will lose signal or cannot make calls despite having a full signal when they are only covered by the E frequency band which is mainly for indoor use. The phones will regain signal when covered by the P frequency band, which is mainly for outdoor use and the most commonly used band under the standards of the International Telecommunication Union.

Apple Inc. may release an IOS update specifically for the Chinese mainland in early March to resolve the signal problems plaguing iPhone 4S owners using China Mobile’s network.

China Mobile said that Apple had updated the system of all iPhone 4S handsets manufactured after Feb. 8, 2012 to fully support its network, and will offer a software update for previously manufactured iPhone 4S handsets in early March.

The operator will notify iPhone 4S owners of the update as soon as it is rolled out.