4G - is Vodafone technically differently ?

I have a ZTE MF93D which is a 4G portable router thing.
It works fine with an EE data sim, but the Vodafone data sim only gives 3G.
I've spent the last 2 afternoons in the Vodafone shop, and they reckon that my unit does not handle Vodafone.
Vodafone do a 4G device, the R216, but none of their shops within many miles have any.
So I went next door and bought a TPlink unit, the 4G LTE-Advanced Mobile Wi-Fi M7300.
Of course the Vodafone sim does not give 4G in that either.

Now I would blame coverage, but that is not the case, I've travelled miles testing in different places, even the airport, and even in the Vodafone shop (they have a booster apparently) it still only gives 3G.

So the question is - does anyone know whether there is some technical difference between the EE and Vodafone 4G services ?

Is it a 4G SIM? They are different.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Is it a 4G SIM? They are different.

Is it? I still have my old SIM, before the days of 4G.

It might not be a 4G plan, instead of a 4G "SIM".

Matt

You are probably right.

It seems the probable problem though.

Hi RobertoS
Yes, alledgedly.
Purchased on Saturday as a data sim, and I quote off the receipt : "UK 5GB 4G 90days"

Most networks milk 4G for all they can. I used to be on a 8 year old Vodafone tariff that was just unbeatable but I wanted 4G (and EuroTraveller) so had to give in - but it was just an upgrade on their system and then 4G access was allowed.

I think O2 still sell a SIM pack as "4G" and it has that written on the side of it. Probably to prevent a 4G plan being tied to a non-4G pack. Who knows.

Matt

Thanks Uno
I really need Vodafone for a particular job, which is why I need to pursue this line.
There's a Voda mast just outside the place, and mobile phones get like 20 Mbps on Voda.
I've spent a lot of time in the Voda shop, and spoken with various staff, so would assume all the right questions have been asked.
I even got a replacement sim yesterday - no difference.

Yes there are differences, Google for 'vodafone 4g frequency'.

Vodafone and EE use different bands

does you're portable hotspot support Vodafones bands?


Vodafone - 800 MHz & 2600Mhz (4G)

EE - 1800MHz & 2600MHz (4G)

Thanks Michael
That ties in with what one guy said. I'm googling now.