[OSGeo Africa] UTM latitude bands

[Hanlie Pretorius]

Hi,

I've noticed that GIS packages such as QGIS and libraries such as
PROJ4 (which QGIS uses, I think) don't use the latitude bands in the
UTM grid.

Does anyone know why the full UTM grid with latitude bands is not
implemented? Does it result in any additional distortions as one moves
away from the equator?

I have Googled about this and have not been able to find the answer.

Thanks
Hanlie