Apple has been slow to support the myriad of LTE networks used by cell carriers around the globe. The company only supported Verizon and AT&T in the U.S., and several Canadian carriers when the LTE iPad launched earlier this year, leading to complaints over Apple's marketing of the device in a number of countries.

NewImage
Today, during the announcement of the fourth-generation iPad, Apple briefly displayed the above slide showcasing a number of domestic and international carriers that should eventually support LTE data on the new iPad and the iPad mini, and potentially the iPhone 5 as well.

Currently, the iPhone 5 supports LTE networks on 17 carriers in 9 countries. For U.S. consumers, the new iPad and the mini will now support Sprint's LTE network. Additionally, Apple has posted a new page showing the 19 carriers in 9 countries that the iPad mini and 4th-gen iPad will support at launch.

Top Rated Comments

Geckotek Avatar
166 months ago
Based on the experiences of friends who have tried international roaming with Verizon (wasn't pretty) I'm holding off until Apple unifies the LTE capability into a single model. I've done international roaming with both T-Mobile and AT&T with zero issue, and the last thing I need is having to trade off customer service (not exactly Verizon's forte from what I see in reviews) to get the overseas coverage.

The entire point is to use a local SIM and not roam.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mikey7c8 Avatar
166 months ago
To be fair, LTE is bit of a mess and its going to be a few years before devices are available to cover all the frequency ranges and flavours of LTE that will ultimately appear. If you can, I would hold off on the 5 and go for the 5s which is more likely to have models supporting your required frequency ranges.

Even so, you should only expect LTE support if the phone or device supports the LTE bands in use by your carrier today.

Anything else is just educated guessing. :)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
robanga Avatar
166 months ago
The chipsets that support all these bands are almost as impressive as the fine tuning of the antenna design that must go into every product.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
retroneo Avatar
166 months ago
If I buy an iPhone 5 and LTE isn't available yet where I live (or it's a different type), will that mean it'll never be compatible?
Or should I just wait and see if they ever release a compatible version of the iPhone?
In Chile, the networks are rolling out 2.6GHz LTE now for launching mid 2013. In 2017, networks will roll out 700MHz using the APAC Band 28.

Neither is supported in 2012 Apple devices.

There is also almost no likelihood that a Chilean carrier would re-use "refarm" some of their existing 2G or 3G (850MHz or 1900MHz) spectrum. These frequencies are supported by today's Apple devices.

I would expect 2600MHz support in 2013 Apple devices. 2600MHz has been auctioned off in many countries and some networks are already deployed using it.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Geckotek Avatar
166 months ago
So it looks like buying the Verizon model gets you the most bang for your buck re: international coverage. Or in my case, I would want one to work in South Korea so I'd need to get the Verizon model.

Sound about right?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple Watch Ultra Night Mode Screen

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Launching Later This Year With Two Key Upgrades

Wednesday July 2, 2025 1:13 pm PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 appears to be nearly over, and it is rumored to feature both satellite connectivity and 5G support. Apple Watch Ultra's existing Night Mode In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on track to launch this year with "significant" new features, including satellite connectivity, which would let you...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Max Battery Capacity Leaked

Thursday July 3, 2025 5:40 am PDT by
The iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature the biggest ever battery in an iPhone, according to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital." In a new post, the leaker listed the battery capacities of the iPhone 11 Pro Max through to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and added that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a battery capacity of 5,000mAh: iPhone 11 Pro Max: 3,969mAh iPhone 12 Pro Max: 3,687mAh...
airpods pro 2

AirPods Pro 3 to Help Maintain Apple's Place in Earbud Market Amid Increasing Low-Cost Competition

Thursday July 3, 2025 7:25 am PDT by
Apple's position as the dominant force in the global true wireless stereo (TWS) earbud market is expected to continue through 2025, according to Counterpoint Research. The forecast outlines a 3% year-over-year increase in global TWS unit shipments for 2025, signaling a transition from rapid growth to a more mature phase for the category. While Apple is set to remain the leading brand by...
apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple m5

Apple's Upcoming Macs Listed in New Report

Thursday July 3, 2025 9:09 am PDT by
AppleInsider's Marko Zivkovic today shared a list of alleged identifiers for future Mac models, which should roll out over the next year or so. The report does not reveal anything too surprising, but it does serve as further evidence that Apple is seemingly working on new models of every Mac, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. Apple is...
iPhone 17 Pro Lower Logo Magsafe

iPhone 17 Pro's New MagSafe Design Revealed in Leaked Photo

Wednesday July 2, 2025 8:37 am PDT by
The upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are rumored to have a slightly different MagSafe magnet layout compared to existing iPhone models, and a leaked photo has offered a closer look at the supposed new design. The leaker Majin Bu today shared a photo of alleged MagSafe magnet arrays for third-party iPhone 17 Pro cases. On existing iPhone models with MagSafe, the magnets form a...