XT rural reception worse than CDMA, even non-existant

Forums › Telecom New Zealand, XT Network, Yahoo!Xtra › XT rural reception worse than CDMA, even non-existant

wally22

56 posts

Master Geek

Subscriber

Topic # 108214 26-Aug-2012 23:06
Hi, Wanting to put this out there as we are having issues getting a solution that is workable and hope you can come up with new ideas. On the old CDMA network, our sales rep got good coverage at home, reasonable signal at work and patches of signal as he moved throughout the countryside. With XT the signal at work is better, but there is nothing at home and the travelling signal is extremely patchy. Leading Edge has suggested an amplified mast for home which loses him mobility at home (phone has to be tethered), or move to Vodafone. VF has good signal at work and home and reasonable patches while travelling, but the auto call-out from the office to the mobile would put the bill through the roof (LL with Telecom) Rep currently calls out about 7-800 minutes per month. Not sure what is forwarded from office to mobile. Hasn't been an issue before as they are currently free. Waitomo/King Country area Will check back in in the evenings.

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247 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 677334 26-Aug-2012 23:18
If there isnt any developments happening in that area, then I would probably suggest moving to Vodafone. I am telecom would love to have you on their network, but if you are not getting good reception then I would suggest switching. iPhone 5 Nexus 4 Macbook Pro Retina ADSL @ 20mbps sync

quickymart

984 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 677335 26-Aug-2012 23:27
Have you tried a different handset? Telecom sell a few that can get usable coverage from a weak signal.

eXDee

2987 posts

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Reply # 677348 27-Aug-2012 00:30
I've found coverage varies significantly when it comes to GSM and 3G handsets. My HTC Desire has terrible signal, which is probably why telecom never launched it here. In comparison the motorola defy has very good signal. The best is the R90. Samung 5521 flip is apparently a good choice too. The iPhone4s is known to be fairly decent but anecdotal evidence seems to vary a bit more. Source is consumer magazine.

sbiddle

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Biddle Corp

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Reply # 677365 27-Aug-2012 06:19
If you wanted a quick fix it would be to move to Vodafone for mobile and landline. I'm not aware of VF (or Telecom for that matter) including call forward in any flat rate calling plans though. There are bound to be Telecom people who will see this on here and can lodge a coverage issue assuning Leading Edge haven't already done this. *Need help configuring your Linksys ATA or IP Phones for New Zealand? Check my blog post

keewee01

IT Professional
1218 posts

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Reply # 677375 27-Aug-2012 07:15
Have you actually spoken to Telecom about this? They wanted to hear from people where there was a change in reception as there was the possibility they might tweak reception in areas. I'd try this and hassle them about it, if you've not already.

johnr

13478 posts

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Vodafone NZ

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Reply # 677386 27-Aug-2012 08:11
Vodafone offer GN on mobile on many plans Systems Engineer Vodafone NZ https://community.vodafone.co.nz/

akia

483 posts

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Reply # 677392 27-Aug-2012 08:29
I'd suggest giving the Telecom helpdesk a call. They can grab details and if it needs be can log it as a coverage issue.

wally22

56 posts

Master Geek

Subscriber

Reply # 677399 27-Aug-2012 08:45
Thanks for all the helpful replies. I am now trying to get hold of our corporate account manager but apparently she "has not subscribed to the voicemail service" so I can't even leave a message when I telephone the number supplied to me by the nice people at Geni.! And this is a major telecommunications company? Anyone got any hotline numbers that get through to someone that counts at Telecom?

coffeebaron

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Reply # 677406 27-Aug-2012 09:00
wally22: but the auto call-out from the office to the mobile would put the bill through the roof (LL with Telecom) Rep currently calls out about 7-800 minutes per month. Cellular gateway with best mate? Chorus has spent $1.4 billion on making their ADSL broadband network faster. Why not spend a couple of hundred to make sure you are getting the most out of your connection? Geekzone special price: $150* for master splitter install, normally $200+ through your ISP. Auckland and Waikato areas. *Travel charges may apply. Additional costs may apply for complex installs. I install - Naked DSL, DSL Master Splitters, VoIP, RBI Rural Broadband. Also a dealer for WorldxChange. Need help in Auckland or Waikato? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com

plambrechtsen

960 posts

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Telecom NZ

Reply # 677425 27-Aug-2012 09:29
Just wondering if you have logged a call directly via the Mobile Support Helpdesk? They will add a pin to the area you're receiving bad coverage in with the notes related to the issue. Like others have suggested it may be worth trying different handsets as not all radio's in mobile phones were created equal. I know others have had success with a Telecom R54 and an externally direct connected antenna. Not that I am endorsing any of the below companies, but they may be worth talking to. http://www.pccard.co.nz/ - Advanced Portable Technologies aka APT http://www.itiq.co.nz/antenna/ http://cellutronics.co.nz/Telecom_phones.php http://www.tennatron.co.nz/cellphone/ I've personally dealt with the guys from APT before I started with Telecom and they have been in the business for years and great to deal with. However I suspect you will find all the other companies equally as good to deal with. Again this is no recommendation from Telecom just my own views. If you're still having issues and don't get any joy feel free to email me pl at telecom dot co dot nz and I can forward you through to the appropriate team. I work for Telecom, but as always my views are my own.

Zeon

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Reply # 677431 27-Aug-2012 09:38
Some providers have really cheap calling to mobiles. Isn't 2talk like $0.15 or something like that? Considering how cheap it is compared to a POTS line you could call out like 600 minutes at that rate and it would still be cheaper?

tritex

149 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 677840 27-Aug-2012 21:46
Possibly irrelevant but Telecom might need to review their coverage with regards to VF building new RBI sites. Vodafone looks set to provide NZ's best rural mobile coverage if Telecom does not upgrade their network or co-locate on these new rural towers.

johnr

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Vodafone NZ

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Reply # 677846 27-Aug-2012 21:51
Any provider can co-locate on the RBI sites mobile or wireless Systems Engineer Vodafone NZ https://community.vodafone.co.nz/

keewee01

IT Professional
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Reply # 678105 28-Aug-2012 12:08
Have you talked to Telecom yet? How'd you get on?

raytaylor

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Reply # 678207 28-Aug-2012 14:41
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/business/7133764/Switch-to-XT-may-leave-coverage-gaps Ray Taylor Napier, NZ www.taylorcommunications.co.nz

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