[Work in Progress] Trying to Unlock Bands (Including B20) - Xiaomi Mi 5 Guides, News, & Discussion

[Work in Progress] Trying to Unlock Bands (Including B20)​
Conclusion
Changing the NVRAM values, may be the first step in the right direction, but it's not the end. It needs more than this to enable B20 and more.
Introduction
This topic is work in Progress; I edited some NVRAM values in hopes to unlock more bands for the Xiaomi Mi5. Have a look at the following topics.
I've tested it and by the result is that the NVRAM values alone are not enough to enable more bands. In the next paragraph I will shortly explain the test setup and test results.
About the test
Test-Setup: Xiaomi Mi5, In Norway where carriers use Band: 3, 7, 20; Band 20 is for rural areas; Band 3 and 7 are for crowded places
How did I test the NVRAM values: All but Band 20 were disabled, and I drove out to the countryside (rural area)
Result: No Band 20!
Conclusion: The NVRAM values are a good start, but not enough to enable more LTE operating frequencies.
Short Documentation: A short documentation of the performed test.
Original Bands
4G FDD-LTE bands 1 / 3 / 7
4G TDD-LTE bands 38 / 39 / 40 / 41
Related Articles:
Topic 1: How to unlock LTE frequency bands for the Mi Note Pro
Topic 2: Qualcomm NVRAM Settings & 2G/3G/4G LTE Band Config
Topic 3: Xiaomi Mi5 Qualcomm Diagnostic Drivers (Xiaomi Diag Drivers)
Topic 1: How to unlock LTE frequency bands for the Mi Note Pro
Read this article; download the Qualcomm Tools; Get information on how to use these tools.
Topic 2: Qualcomm NVRAM Settings & 2G/3G/4G LTE Band Config
This guide is based on information from this article. I highly suggest you read this. Values are copied from this topic.
Topic 3: Xiaomi Mi5 Qualcomm Diagnostic Drivers (Xiaomi Diag Drivers)
Windows 10 64Bit drivers for the Qualcomm diagnostic stuff.
The Important Line
Code:
ID Desc Original Value Modified Value
06828 lte_bc_config 2061584302149 2061719111903
What will happen next?
4G works on Band: 3, 7 and 20 in Norway. Usually, Band 20 is used in rural areas, and Band 3,7 are in use for more populated areas. As I live in Tromsø, I had 4G out of the box.
So I will have to go out of the city, to test if Band 20 is active, after changing the NVRAM values, on my Xiaomi Mi 5.
Why post this now and not wait a bit?
Maybe there's a mistake in here, and someone has the time to find it.

---

Why have this value?​​
If you look at it in binary, each 1 represents an active 4G band. So by changing values from 0 to 1, in theory, additional frequencies are enabled. (Only if the hardware allows it.)
Code:
lte_bc_config (64-bit, of which 44 bits relevant): Bands Active:
2061584302149 00011110000000000000000000000000000001000101 1.3...7. 38-41
2061584892127 00011110000000000000000010010000000011011111 12345.78 17 20 38-41
How can you help?
Double check the numbers and share your knowledge, pretty please. If something looks fishy to you, ask a question.
MTK has an engineering mode where it's easy to see what bands are enabled. Is there something similar to the MTK engineering mode for Qualcomm SoC's? Is there an easy way to test enabled bands?
What hardware is inside of the phone?
(Just another wild guess, be careful)
I googled a bit, instead of learning Norwegian and found the following. Link: Intrinsyc Introduces Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 Cortex-A72-Class Development Board, SoM and MDPs
How did I stumble upon this, I read on en.miui.com that the SD 820 has Qualcomm WCD9335 audio codec, and so found that link.
In the link a as connectivity the following hardware is stated: Qualcomm IZat Gen 8C GPS (WGR7640); and googling for this brought up that the same chip (WGR7640) is used in the SD 410.
One phone that has the SD 410 is the MOTO G (2015); so that allows us the very wild guess that the SD 820 will support at least all the bands of the SD 410.
Please share your opinion on this matter.
Awesome Information by @fredda88:angel:
Inside the Mi5 you will also find the skyworks 77646 power amplifier module and listed under it's 4G features is: LTE supports output power bandwidth bands 1, 25, 3, 4, 39, 26, 8, 20, 12, 17 (and sub-bands 9, 10, 18, 19)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank him for this information, pretty please, do it here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=65999912&postcount=39
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

---

Dude, this is a awesome idea.
I will receive my mi5 soon, and will follow this topic for sure !
Big UP for you. I need band 20 too on the FDD-LTE. (FRANCE).

---

HI can try this guide on Moto G 3rd 2015 XT1541?
I need to unlock or add the band 4 (1700/2100)
Any information is appreciated

---

TheUltrametricSpace said:
MTK has an engineering mode where it's easy to see what bands are enabled. Is there something similar to the MTK engineering mode for Qualcomm SoC's? Is there an easy way to test enabled bands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try with "lte discovery" app.
On Samsung phones you can use *#0011# code to check it, but I'm not sure wheter it does work or not for other phones.

---

I have the MI5 and I'm in your same Situation, ist not really needet to unlock B20..... but I can try.
I'm not expert, but I have a Problem to see on what Band I am.
I tryed a lot of apps..... discovery lte say me "lte band unknow".....
so if I make changes I can't see if they works..........

---

idranoel said:
I have the MI5 and I'm in your same Situation, ist not really needet to unlock B20..... but I can try.
I'm not expert, but I have a Problem to see on what Band I am.
I tryed a lot of apps..... discovery lte say me "lte band unknow".....
so if I make changes I can't see if they works..........
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't work for me either, tested with LTE-Discovery in Version 4.4 and MIUI 7.2.6
Screenshot:

---

TheUltrametricSpace said:
Doesn't work for me either, tested with LTE-Discovery in Version 4.4 and MIUI 7.2.6
Screenshot:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends on your carrier, so no way with this app

---

anybody know an app that give the used Band ?
@ TheUltrametricSpace : your mi5 is unlocked? rooted?...... I was thinking that because my is locked unrooted that I can't see the lte band.

---

idranoel said:
anybody know an app that give the used Band ?
@ TheUltrametricSpace : your mi5 is unlocked? rooted?...... I was thinking that because my is locked unrooted that I can't see the lte band.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone is unlocked but not rooted.
I would assume that the app states somewhere "I want root", so don't think it's needed. But I don't know.

---

I tryed to send an email at the "lte discovery" so know what's the Problem....

---

I guess that root privileges are necessary. We would have to analyze what scripts this software uses to state it with certainty but it would be better to have it rooted before trying.
Btw, guys you are amazing! Thank you!

---

TheUltrametricSpace said:
My phone is unlocked but not rooted.
I would assume that the app states somewhere "I want root", so don't think it's needed. But I don't know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's written in the app description -> "Identifies EARFCN and Band for any country/provider when using a Qualcomm processor and ROOTED"
I just use it on my phone, it ask for root access with a pop up.
Anyway, thanks for what you're trying to do here.

---

If I have to root the phone, I have to wait to unlock it first (I've read).......

---

St3pH56 said:
It's written in the app description -> "Identifies EARFCN and Band for any country/provider when using a Qualcomm processor and ROOTED"
I just use it on my phone, it ask for root access with a pop up.
Anyway, thanks for what you're trying to do here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the information!

---

Would it not be simple to disable, first, all LTE bands. Then ensure you don't get a signal. Then enable just the LTE band you want to test (20 in this case) and see?

---

duraaraa said:
Would it not be simple to disable, first, all LTE bands. Then ensure you don't get a signal. Then enable just the LTE band you want to test (20 in this case) and see?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's more work than just rooting the phone and using LTE Discovery.
At least, I don't have the time disable all bands but B20... drive to (and find) an area where B20 is active, test it out .... go back home and start all over again.

---

I think could be a good idea to enable only the B20, I don't know exactly how my carrier send the 3 bands in my Zone. If they send all 3 bands 3-7-20 in the City.
The Problem is to know where can I find a covery area for the B20, than your idea will be good.
First I have to be sure that if something happen at the phone, I can reinstall it. I read that with Mi PC Suite is possible but now is not supportet the mi5 on this tool

---

TheUltrametricSpace said:
That's more work than just rooting the phone and using LTE Discovery.
At least, I don't have the time disable all bands but B20... drive to (and find) an area where B20 is active, test it out .... go back home and start all over again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could always take a laptop with you :silly:
Seriously though as long as LTE Discovery is doing its' job though you wouldn't need to disable the other bands.
Keeping a close eye on this thread

---

kylemd said:
Could always take a laptop with you :silly:
Seriously though as long as LTE Discovery is doing its' job though you wouldn't need to disable the other bands.
Keeping a close eye on this thread
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, yes I have a notebook, and will bring it to the cabin next weekend. (Where there should be B20) ... if I didn't root the phone by then, I will go for your suggestion
But I was hoping to root it, and try it when I'm out skiing somewhere on a hill. (That will happen before the easter weekend)