14 DAY TRIAL // A new iOS software update is on its way from Cupertino, targeting users of the latest iPhone model on China Mobile’s network. The confirmation reportedly comes from China Mobile itself which, on March 1st, acknowledged a signal flaw stemming from the handset’s GSM chips.
The English version of China’s People’s Daily Online cites a "technology expert" as saying that the signal problems were caused by iPhone 4S’s GSM radio, “which only supports the P frequency band (885-915MHZ), but does not support the E frequency band (880-890MHz).”
The report explains that iPhone 4S handsets will lose signal or become unable to make calls despite showing all five signal bars when covered by the E frequency band.
When the phone reverts to the P frequency band, which is meant for outdoor use, the signal becomes accurate and strong again. The P band is the most commonly used standard in all cellular phones.
The website initially appears to speculate that a software update “may” arrive this Month for the Chinese mainland to resolve the signal problems.
However, it adds that China Mobile itself had confirmed (emphasis ours) 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 country’s wireless services provider will reportedly notify all iPhone 4S owners that a new software update is available to them, at the time of release.
For the past couple of months, Apple has been rumored to plan rolling out an incremental iOS 5.0.2 software update for all iDevice owners. The new iOS version was said to be mostly focused on bug fixes.
However, the Cupertino, California tech giant also has its iPad 3 event this week, and there’s a solid chance the company will release the final version of iOS 5.1 to the public as early as Wednesday. If that’s the case, iOS 5.1 should include the GSM patch as well.