Free Mobile is now rolling out in a new frequency band for 4G. In doing so, the flow rates may increase by 25% in some cases.
Things are moving on the Free Mobile 4G network. The mobile telephone operator has launched projects to significantly improve the quality of its service. It is therefore planned to deploy VoLTE technology, which consists of passing telephone calls directly to 4G, in order to improve their audio quality. Thus, Free Mobile will align itself with Orange, Bouygues Telecom and SFR, which have already adopted VoLTE.
At the same time, the company is deploying on a new frequency band devoted to 4G: the 2100 MHz (or 2.1 GHz) band. The Free 1337 account on Twitter, which belongs to the group, made the announcement September 21. Until today, Free Mobile used three bands, which can be combined with smartphones capable of handling them: 700 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2.6 GHz.
A 25% increase in flow rates in some cases
The switchover of Free Mobile to the 2100 MHz band is not entirely a surprise: it had been announced a few days earlier by Thomas Reynaud, CEO of Free. Concretely, indicates Free 1337, these frequencies could make it possible, in certain cases, to improve the 4G + speeds of the customers by 25%. This, on condition of being covered by 2100 MHz antennas and of having a compatible mobile.
The National Frequency Agency (ANFR), which monitors the deployment of telecom networks on a monthly basis, indicated that on September 1, 2021, Free Mobile had obtained authorization for 4,726 sites in 2100 MHz, but that none was then in service. It was a milestone several weeks ago. On September 21, Free 1337 ensures that the group has ” started deployment “.
Regarding the other frequencies used by Free Mobile, the situation is as follows: the group has 20,065 active sites in 700 MHz, but also 17,232 sites in 1800 MHz and 18,399 sites in 2600 MHz operational. Several hundred others are authorized by the ANFR and are awaiting activation. Overall, Free Mobile has a fleet as extensive as that of its competitors.
Sure: you are paying too much for your 4G plan