There is a lot of talk about town, on whether it is possible to have a 4G Internet connectivity across every point of the country, whether it is supposed to be as fast as we all wish, and if it is possible to get it at the cheapest cost.
The ideal answer is yes, given the countrywide presence of MTN, Airtel, Africell, and Smile Communications. But the reality spells a lot of requirements for the ideal speeds to be met.
When Airtel announced that it is now 100% 4G with complete access to fast Internet speeds across the country, many revellers disapproved this – of course with personal reasons to back their arguments.
But there are some points we need to note, and all agree upon, before we can start questioning the presence of absence of a 4G network in our localities.
4G network requires a 4G enabled Sim card
If you still have a 3G SIM card, if you have not yet upgraded to a 4G one, it will give you access to the 3G and 2G spectrum available in your network, but not to the 4G. You will need to upgrade to a higher capacity 128kB 4G SIM to access 4G data speeds on your device.
In the near future, owning a 4G LTE SIM could become mandatory if you want to access internet, so you better upgrade your card before the pressure drains down on you.
You need to own a 4G capable smartphone
You also need to have a 4G capable phone if you are to surf on 4G data speeds. You cant have a 2010 engine model and expect it to run on a 1970 car model.
A 4G Internet connection should be enhanced and fastened by the ability for your device to communicate with the quickly quickly and efficiently. This can’t be done on an incapable smartphone.
Additionaly, a 4G device doesn’t struggle to send data to or receive it from nearby towers. It does so in super fast time.
You should be in a 4G enabled zone
If you have a 4G enabled SIM card, and a 4G capable phone, then you should also be in a 4G enabled zone.
The question that you may ask would be – How do I know that my area is a 4G zone? The telcos provide mapping on which areas have the super fast 4G and which areas don’t.
Airtel says the 4G network can be accessed anywhere in Uganda, MTN Uganda states that the network is available in all major towns.
Africell says it has 4G available in Kampala, Entebbe, Gulu, Jinja town, Mbarara town, Arua town, Mbale town, Fortportal town and some surrounding areas; just as Smile Communications.
If you fall outside the brackets of locations and can’t access the network, it does not mean that you are left out, it is just the nearest 4G site that is far away from you.
Have enough data bundles on your mobile
Lastly, with all the other factors in place and intact, you need to have enough data on your mobile. If you wish to stream a video on 4G datat speeds, do not expect it to consume your data the way a 3G internet connection does.
That said, enjoy the speeds. They are good enough to sail us through to 5G.
