Just a notice for anyone who is buying a 4G capable phone. If you phone is an iPhone 5 please make sure that its the European model (look on the back, the model should be A1429 NOT A1428, A1428 is the USA/Canada model and will not work on the 4G network that will be rolling out hopefully in April). If you are getting a phone other than the iPhone 5, make sure that the 4G/LTE band that the phone supports is Band 3 at frequency 1800 Mhz.
The reason for this is that Apple discovered that 4G networks are not created equally, in the sense that a 4G network must run on a reserved frequency (which costs money obviously to reserve it), so what Apple did is create 2 iPhone 5 models: A1428 and A1429. Model A1428 will work with 4G/LTE networks on band 4 and band 17 and model A1429 will work with 4G/LTE networks on bands 1,3,5,13, and 25. For anyone doubting my claim, please refer to this link from apple: http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/
Now that you know which model supports which bands, please direct your attention to this link which shows that Lebanon’s 4G/LTE network will use band 3: http://stateofmind13.com/2012/11/17/telecom-mobile-tv-and-lte-4g-in-lebanon/
Don’t believe retailers who tell you that this is just a ploy and that it is not true. I highly doubt that the minister would tweet what he tweeted (check picture) if it were not in fact true.
Moreover, iPhone 5 retailers have been claiming that the new iOS 6.0.2 firmware targeted especially for iPhone 5 fixes this 4G/LTE support issue. This is another hoax for two reasons. First reason is that this update is not just for iPhone 5, it is also for iPad mini, and not just for the 4G model, even the Wifi model, so one would ask why woul a 4G/LTE patch be released for a device that doesn’t even support cellular communication. Second reason is that if you would go to apple’s website and check the changelog for iOS 6.0.2 (a changelog is a file that tells users what is different in this new firmware), you would find that iOS 6.0.2 addresses a potential Wifi issue (a glitch actually that would cause iPhone 5 and iPad mini to disconnect from a Wifi network even when they are in range and already connected to that network).
Sorry for the long post, but I’ve had enough to retailers trying to cheat customers.
Finally, for all who already have an iPhone 5 with model number A1428, it is not the end of the world. The only implication is that you will not be able to connect to 4G networks except in USA and Canada, and that you will be restricted to the 3G networks (which should operate better and faster when 4G rolls out since some users who have a supported 4G/LTE capable phone will move over to 4G lessening the traffic on 3G networks :D)
For more information, please direct your questions towards JoeSolutions and/or Nicolas Sehnaoui
JoeSolutions 
I have an iphone 5 model A1428 what i get here that i will not be capable of connecting to the 4G network when its available so is there any fix from the software versions or it cannot be fixed at all plz reply
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Sorry mohamad software cannot fix this. This is a hardware issue, meaning that the A1428 and A1429 have different modules on board which allow them to connect to 4G networks and software cannot address this issue.
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I live in New Jersey and I was wondering if it would be okay if I buy the Verizon iPhone 5 which is an A1429 CDMA Model according to Apple http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/ Now Verizon Wireless primarily runs on CDMA and not GSM, but I don’t think this should be an issue because I believe that the Verizon iPhone 5 indeed has a nano SIM card slot and is GSM capable. However just to be sure, do you concur ?
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Just to add, I was wondering if the phone would work if I bring it with me for Summer 2013/2014, and of course it will be unlocked.
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I concur. Moreover cdma iphone 5s happen to be gsm unlocked 😀 so you can use it on any gsm network in the world, including AT&T
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Sweet! Thank you very much 😀
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Can you please tell me if you know, the stores that have the A1429 GSM module. I visited 4 stores and they are telling they do not have and like you’ve said in the post, that the 4g won’t be in Lebanon. I want it the 1429, but till now I can’t find any decent store.
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Unfortunately ive been having trouble myself locating such a store because before, shop owners were not aware of this issue so their shipments would randomly have the A1429 model. However now that they know, they might be in the process of getting them. I will let you know if i discover any.
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thank you, It’s been stressing since I feel that the owners are not saying the truth maybe they want to finish the shipments, but they are also saying that the Ios on the phone is not good and such stuff that I’m having hard time believing them. It’s not logical that there isn’t any A1429 model 😦 please if you find a store, tell me, thank you again.
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iphone 5 model A1429 is CDM and the A1428 is GSM, just to make it clear apple also designed A1429 model for both CDMA and GSM .
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Yep
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As iphone 5 owners , Shouldn’t we get a solution to the 3G connectivity problem before worrying about the 4g issue. I am an Alfa user and they never were able to even give a decent advice . The 3G suddenly drops and vanish , I have to restart the phone to get it working again . Any information regarding that issue ? Thanks
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This seems to be a software problem. Are you ios 6.1? If not id suggest you update as soon as possible because the new firmware addresses wifi and cellular issues in iphone 5 and ipad mini. Moreover، 4g and 3g are two very different technologies and with thr introduction of 4g in April, alongside it will come something called deep room for 3g which will enhance 3g performance all over lebanon.
And finally this piece was written just to alert potential buyers of issues they might face when buying a 4g capable phone as well as inform them of the deceptive tricks sellers are attempting just to sell their stock.
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Pingback: IMPORTANT Post from JoeSolutions.net About What Devices to Buy to Use 4G/LTE in Lebanon – Gino's Blog
hi i bought a1429 and still have in settings enable 3 g???
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Yes, the LTE switch will replace the 3G switch when LTE becomes available.
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I have an iPhone 5, I got a carrier update(it replace the 3G into LTE in Cellular) , I changed my SIM into 4G after I received that update but the cellular logo still 3G.
My line is Touch, and the model is 1428.
Plz anyone tell me whats happen??
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1428 does not support Lebanon’s LTE
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Hello! Does the motorola moto X verizon cdma work in Lebanon ??
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Unfortunately it seems this phone supports 800/1900 MHz and Lebanon’s 4G network runs on 1800 MHz
so it seems that it won’t work.
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okay but can i unlocked the phone ? and thx alot 🙂
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http://www.cellunlocker.net/motorola-unlock.php 😀
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Hehe, Thx again 🙂
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