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hojoonsung

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#107387 10-Aug-2012 16:14
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Hi,

Please help me! I'm going crazy over this matter :(

I'm currently considering buying a phone from South Korea to use in New Zealand on the Vodafone network.

The phone will not be locked and is not country-locked either so it will be able to be used worldwide (the site also says the phone will work overseas when inserted country usim card).

However, the problem is that the phone is a 4G LTE phone and obviously, NZ has no 4G LTE networks. Reading on the manufacturer's website, the phone is capable of HSUPA, HSDPA and HSPA+ / LTE.

Does that mean the phone cannot connect to Vodafone's 2G network? Does it mean it can only connect to Vodafone's 3G network? If it can only connect to the 3G network, the problem is there isn't 3G coverage EVERYWHERE is NZ.

Or can I assume that any mobile phone is capable of connecting to a GSM "2G" network?

I have found out that it uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 Dual Core Processor 1.5Ghz (Krait, ARMv7) and it says on Wikipedia that, that chipset wireless radio technology is BT 4.0, 802.11a/b/g/n (2.4/5 GHz), World Mode (LTE FDD/TDD CAT3, SVLTE-DB, TD-SCDMA, Rel9 DC-HSPA+, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, EGAL, 1x Adv., 1x EV-DO Rev. A/B)

I'm so confused :(

Thanks in advance. Any opinions / information will be greatly appreciated.

Daniel  :)



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sbiddle
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  #670645 10-Aug-2012 16:17
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Vodafone do have nationwide 3G coverage, and there are many areas with 3G only coverage that have no GSM coverage. There are however some areas that are GSM only. You'll want a phone that supports 900/1800 GSM and 900/2100 WCDMA.




ubergeeknz
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  #670647 10-Aug-2012 16:19
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What kind of phone is it?  Someone here may have the same model and be able to tell you if it works.  

I know the baseband I'm using on my GN is korean and it works fine, so chances are any phone will work here if it works there and it supports all the necessary frequencies...

hojoonsung

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  #670652 10-Aug-2012 16:23
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The phone is the Pantech SKY VegaS5. http://pocketnow.com/2012/07/02/pantech-vega-s5-combines-big-screen-tiny-bezel/

The phone has some amazing specs and looks really nice!

My friend is using a Samsung Galaxy S2 from Korea and everything works fine. I'm just afraid I'll buy the phone and it will only support 4G LTE....



johnr
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  #670659 10-Aug-2012 16:34
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This thread on the Vodafone NZ forum should help you

http://forum.vodafone.co.nz/topic/140-new-mobile-coverage/

John

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  #670662 10-Aug-2012 16:38
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The processor makes no difference. It's all on the radio. A quick search tells us it seems to be 900/2100 WCDMA which would suit Vodafone.

Obvious disclaimer: you have to make sure this is the case, because if it's not and the websites with those specs are wrong, well, don't blame us if you buy it and it doesn't work, etc, etc.




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  #670665 10-Aug-2012 16:39
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Also, looking around it seems it's only available in Korean - not sure if it's available in English... If you have no problems with this...




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hojoonsung

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  #670668 10-Aug-2012 16:42
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Yea, I'm korean so that won't be a problem. Thanks for your message. I really do hope it will work on Vodafone as well :)

 
 
 

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old3eyes
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  #670748 10-Aug-2012 19:15
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If it's the same one as shown here you may be a bit out of luck..

http://www.gsmarena.com/pantech_vega_racer_2_im_a830l-4738.php




Regards,

Old3eyes


hojoonsung

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  #670845 10-Aug-2012 23:38
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http://www.gsmchoice.com/en/catalogue/pantech/vegas5/Pantech-Vega-S5.html

It's this phone here, and if you click on the link, it tells you the available frequencies the phone can do! Please help :)

Thanks,

hamish225
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  #670847 11-Aug-2012 00:09
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hojoonsung: http://www.gsmchoice.com/en/catalogue/pantech/vegas5/Pantech-Vega-S5.html

It's this phone here, and if you click on the link, it tells you the available frequencies the phone can do! Please help :)

Thanks,


going by the specs on the page you linked, it will work on Vodafone and 2degrees, on 2G and 3G.

Vodafone have a nation wide 3G network but 2degrees have a smaller coverage area and roams to vodafone, but while you're on 2degrees' network, it's so much cheaper.




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Damager
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  #670853 11-Aug-2012 01:02
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