Vodafone New Zealand and parallel imported Handsets

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freitasm

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#9334 9-Sep-2006 09:58

This is an important link for all of you using parallel imported handsets with Vodafone New Zealand. Please read it if you are having problems with your handset:

Vodafone NZ: Having trouble with your parallel imported or internationally purchased mobile?

Parallel imports can be a great way to save money. And it makes perfect sense to bring your overseas mobile with you to New Zealand. But unfortunately, it may not be completely compatible with our network.

Some overseas-sourced mobiles have problems on the Vodafone New Zealand network, like:
Dropped calls
Missed calls
Calls that fail to connect
Delayed TXT messages
Weird voice call quality
Problems with SIM2 services
Problems with PXT
Problems with vlive!

Lipex666

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#45695 9-Sep-2006 12:23

Double standards by Vodafone.

Compare what Vodafone have in this country to say Vodafone Australia (online shop) and other Vodafone Opco's and those phones are Vodafone appoved.

So what is Vodafone NZ really saying here.

1. We got these phones at a good price and have a good markup so you can only get support for these models that we say are appoved by us.
2. We have network that is not world class and only these appoved phones work here in NZ.
3. We dont care about what our customers want for a handset like or lump it this is it.
5. Our network can only handle a few models.

Load of bollocks any GSM phone that works on a another Vodafone GSM Network - Australia - UK for example will work here. Example how does roaming work then those phones work here!

I am all for parrell importers as long as they stand by warranties and the Consumer Guarantees Act.

Give us choice as a consumer is what I say.

We all know Vodafone Live prob wont work - but do we care about Vodafone Live? Hell No!

All this smacks on is having only one GSM Network in NZ (monolopy) - like overseas more choice of phones and services.

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sbiddle

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#45698 9-Sep-2006 12:42

We all know GSM = GSM but I think Vodafone are simply trying to get across the message in simple terms that a non Vodafone branded phone will not offer the same experience as a NZ purchased Vodafone branded mobile.

Lots of people don't care about Live! but lots of people buying phones overseas or imported models are unaware of the differences so I think it's a long overdue move from Vodafone to actually put something like this on their website. From what I've been told Vodafone deal with 1000's of calls per week with people complaining about their imported phones not working. Should Vodafone really be responsible for helping these customers? I don't think so.

The fact Vodafone charge like wounded bulls for phones in NZ is a completely different issue!

johnr

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#45700 9-Sep-2006 12:44

lipex666 you are so incorrect

Handsets that are approved in other countys may not pass network approval here other carriers find different faults with different handsets on there network.

Not all networks are same just cause its GSM this is not the case. Different WAP gateways and many other reasons

Different handset have different RF performance and may work better in countys with flat land and not hilly places like New Zealand.

I suggest before you start bagging a company you get your facts straight

freitasm

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#45701 9-Sep-2006 12:51

Lipex666, GSM = GSM, but that's is not all. Vodafone's 3G services run on WCDMA, not GSM. These are completely different networks.

Also is not only Vodafone live!. There are other features that are not available to imported handsets. Take music downloads. This is not available mainly due to differences in rights management, but people don't know about this.

I think it's a great move from Vodafone to make it a notice in their website that public should be aware of this.

Lipex666

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#45706 9-Sep-2006 13:05

Lot of rubbish.

Johnr explain why a roaming GSM mobile or a 3G mobile if Vodafone has a roaming aggrement works in NZ????

This Vodafone appoved handset is a gimmick as do Nokia for example make a different phone for everyone else compared to Vodafone NZ??? NO

Befor you shoot me all they do is customise the phone with Vodafone Live and stick a Vodafone label on it.

Is the phone different in side electronically / mechanically NO may have different features for different markets globally thoe.

What is different is the software on the phone that is tweaked for different networks.

As we all know changing reflashing the phone works both ways to remove the Vodafone Live and to add the local firware version.

This can be done from the web as a download or from the local repair place.

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freitasm

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#45708 9-Sep-2006 13:30

Lipex666: Johnr explain why a roaming GSM mobile or a 3G mobile if Vodafone has a roaming aggrement works in NZ????

It works for voice calls and SMS. It may not work for other services, and will certainly not work for mobile download of protected content.

I think Vodafone is correct in warning users, and it's correct in not offering support for imported phones. Otherwise they would have to be able to test and know the configuration menus of each existing phone model in the world, which is not possible, don't you agree?

sbiddle

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#45709 9-Sep-2006 13:41

Lipex666: Lot of rubbish.

Johnr explain why a roaming GSM mobile or a 3G mobile if Vodafone has a roaming aggrement works in NZ????

The fact a handset will work doesn't mean it will work as well. Phones are very much configured at software level and there can be significant differences in firmware between different regions of the world. If you've ever flashed your own phones there are a large number of different firmware versions available for different handsets. GSM is a standard but that doesn't mean everything is compatible, in the early BellSouth days Ericsson phones were crap in NZ because BellSouth's Nokia based network just didn't like some of the phones.

Lipex666:
This Vodafone appoved handset is a gimmick as do Nokia for example make a different phone for everyone else compared to Vodafone NZ??? NO

Befor you shoot me all they do is customise the phone with Vodafone Live and stick a Vodafone label on it.

And? This is exactly what Vodafone's website is telling you - that purchasing a non Vodafone branded phone will not be 100% compatible with their network.

Lipex666:
What is different is the software on the phone that is tweaked for different networks.

As we all know changing reflashing the phone works both ways to remove the Vodafone Live and to add the local firware version.

This can be done from the web as a download or from the local repair place.

In many phones this will work - which is exactly what Vodafone are explaining this on their website. There are large numbers of GSM and 3G handsets that don't have Live! firmware available so will not be compatible with all the services available on Vodafone.

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philip79

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#45904 12-Sep-2006 15:09

freitasm and johnr spieling rubbish once again to the NZ public, and sbiddle doesn't know who said what. Nothing has changed here.

johnr

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#45905 12-Sep-2006 15:12

Phillip79 you sound like you know alot

I can tell by your informed answer

I wonder if this person deals in import handsets??

nzbnw

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#45906 12-Sep-2006 15:12

philip79: freitasm and johnr spieling rubbish once again to the NZ public, and sbiddle doesn't know who said what. Nothing has changed here.

You're asking for trouble here. I agree with what they have to say.

bradstewart

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#45908 12-Sep-2006 15:20

philip79: freitasm and johnr spieling rubbish once again to the NZ public, and sbiddle doesn't know who said what. Nothing has changed here.

Mauricio is king here and John is one of the more informed members. Unlike you they know what they are talking about and are never going to mislead people.

I'm giving you a chance to retract and apologise.... Or you will be banned. Personal attacks are not tolerated here.

freitasm

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#45923 12-Sep-2006 16:59

I don't get it. I posted a link to the Vodafone website, and made this post sticky so people with problems on their parallel imported handsets could easily find the official word from Vodafone.

Then comes Phillip79, who obviously did not read, or did not understand the purpose of the thread, and posts this complete non-sense.

JAMMAN2110

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#45925 12-Sep-2006 17:01

freitasm: I don't get it. I posted a link to the Vodafone website, and made this post sticky so people with problems on their parallel imported handsets could easily find the official word from Vodafone.

Then comes Phillip79, who obviously did not read, or did not understand the purpose of the thread, and posts this complete non-sense.

As previously mentioned... IQ test before registration ;)