Looking at moving to Vodafone

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kawaii

336 posts

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Topic # 107004 4-Aug-2012 17:08
Hi, Currently a customer with Telecom XT Network but tempted away by the recent prepay smart packages. I have an iPhone 4 which is compatible with Vodafone but I'm wondering whether anyone here has used it in the Hutt Valley? what is the signal/reliability like? Based on the coverage map it should be, at least in theory, work perfectly fine but I'm wondering regarding real world experience - anyone provide feedback regarding that? Many thanks in advance to any feedback provided. MacBook Pro 13.3" Mid-2012; iMac 3.4Ghz 27-inch (BTO) Late-2012; iPhone 5 64GB; Airport Extreme Base Station

sbiddle

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Reply # 667706 5-Aug-2012 10:23
Mobile coverage is good throghout the entire Hutt Valley on all 3 networks. Vodafone have significantly more cellsites than XT (probably 2 to 1 ratio) but that's what you get when you're comparing 2100MHz with 850MHz. If you live in Maungaraki 2degrees is the best option, they're the only network who have chosen to put a site up there. *Need help configuring your Linksys ATA or IP Phones for New Zealand? Check my blog post

quickymart

975 posts

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Reply # 667863 5-Aug-2012 17:46
Maungaraki wouldn't be the easiest place to get any cellphone coverage to cover the entire area...the terrain works against you :(

kawaii

336 posts

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Reply # 668048 6-Aug-2012 01:58
sbiddle: Mobile coverage is good throghout the entire Hutt Valley on all 3 networks. Vodafone have significantly more cellsites than XT (probably 2 to 1 ratio) but that's what you get when you're comparing 2100MHz with 850MHz. If you live in Maungaraki 2degrees is the best option, they're the only network who have chosen to put a site up there. True but I've been having some issues though with the Upper Hutt tower being clogged in some cases where data capabilities die in the backside for some reason (tried rebooting the phone etc) but then suddenly start working again. quickymart: Maungaraki wouldn't be the easiest place to get any cellphone coverage to cover the entire area...the terrain works against you :( It's all good since the most north I'll go is up to Upper Hutt where I work where most of my 'play' occurring Lower Hutt and Wellington. MacBook Pro 13.3" Mid-2012; iMac 3.4Ghz 27-inch (BTO) Late-2012; iPhone 5 64GB; Airport Extreme Base Station

riahon

770 posts

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Reply # 668049 6-Aug-2012 04:18
Wouldn't it be easier to first buy a VF prepay sim and try it yourself so you know you have coverage in the places you go to. If it works then you will be confident about porting.

sbiddle

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Reply # 668056 6-Aug-2012 07:23
kawaii: True but I've been having some issues though with the Upper Hutt tower being clogged in some cases where data capabilities die in the backside for some reason (tried rebooting the phone etc) but then suddenly start working again. Vodafone have around a dozen sites from Silverstream up to Birchville, many of which are dual carrier. Speeds are all good in the area. *Need help configuring your Linksys ATA or IP Phones for New Zealand? Check my blog post

eXDee

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Reply # 668128 6-Aug-2012 10:34
sbiddle: Mobile coverage is good throghout the entire Hutt Valley on all 3 networks. Vodafone have significantly more cellsites than XT (probably 2 to 1 ratio) but that's what you get when you're comparing 2100MHz with 850MHz. If you live in Maungaraki 2degrees is the best option, they're the only network who have chosen to put a site up there. Do they not use 3G 900mhz in these areas?

sbiddle

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Reply # 668134 6-Aug-2012 10:42
eXDee: sbiddle: Mobile coverage is good throghout the entire Hutt Valley on all 3 networks. Vodafone have significantly more cellsites than XT (probably 2 to 1 ratio) but that's what you get when you're comparing 2100MHz with 850MHz. If you live in Maungaraki 2degrees is the best option, they're the only network who have chosen to put a site up there. Do they not use 3G 900mhz in these areas? 900 3G isn't typically used in metropolitan areas and there are only a small number of areas where 2100 and 900 3G overlaps. The closest 900 3G site to Upper Hutt in Pukuratahi which is North of Upper Hutt and covers the Rimutaka Hill Rd. *Need help configuring your Linksys ATA or IP Phones for New Zealand? Check my blog post

kawaii

336 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 668667 7-Aug-2012 01:50
riahon: Wouldn't it be easier to first buy a VF prepay sim and try it yourself so you know you have coverage in the places you go to. If it works then you will be confident about porting. I'm pretty happy with the wireless broadband I'm using right now with an ageing K3565-Z USB Vodem. sbiddle: kawaii: True but I've been having some issues though with the Upper Hutt tower being clogged in some cases where data capabilities die in the backside for some reason (tried rebooting the phone etc) but then suddenly start working again. Vodafone have around a dozen sites from Silverstream up to Birchville, many of which are dual carrier. Speeds are all good in the area. True - I'm getting good speeds even at three bars on the 'Vodafone Mobile Broadband' application (I'm on a Mac). When it comes to my phone the speed is pretty much secondary to reliability - if it falls back to 2G then I'm not particularly fussed. MacBook Pro 13.3" Mid-2012; iMac 3.4Ghz 27-inch (BTO) Late-2012; iPhone 5 64GB; Airport Extreme Base Station