Vodem vs Telecom USB Modem

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eltrab

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Topic # 14712 17-Jul-2007 10:56

Hi there,

I am tossing up between the Vodafone Vodem and the Telecom USB Modem (Sierra Wireless Aircard 595U).
My understanding is that speeds will be similar but Telecom have better high-speed coverage.
Is that correct, and is anything expected to change dramatically within the 24 month contract period?

Thanks for your time!

Cheers,
Andrew

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Reply # 78426 17-Jul-2007 11:30

eltrab: Hi there,

I am tossing up between the Vodafone Vodem and the Telecom USB Modem (Sierra Wireless Aircard 595U).
My understanding is that speeds will be similar but Telecom have better high-speed coverage.
Is that correct, and is anything expected to change dramatically within the 24 month contract period?

Thanks for your time!

Cheers,
Andrew

24 months anything could change

eltrab

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Reply # 78427 17-Jul-2007 11:35

Heh, yes that is very true. I guess I just meant any announced plans that I may have missed.

sbiddle

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Reply # 78432 17-Jul-2007 11:41

Well within 24 months Vodafone will probably have nationwide 900MHz WCDMA coverage.. But your Vodem would need to be replaced to use it.

johnr

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Reply # 78433 17-Jul-2007 11:42

Both networks have big plans

A) Vodafone going 900umts 3gig plan coming out next week
b) Telecom have EV-DO Rev A (great coverage and speed)

Both have advantages

nzbnw

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Reply # 78437 17-Jul-2007 12:16

The Sierra 595U is a great device and EVDO coverage in NZ is really good, far better than 2100 WCDMA offered by Vodafone. As for the Vodem, I dont very often hear good things about it, and falling back to GPRS speeds makes it almost un-usable IMHO.

Telecom has EVDO coverage in every major town and city in New Zealand, or approx 72% of the mobile network.

As for the 3GB plan, I'm sure Telecome will not be left behind. If you want to roam overseas (but very expensive) then the Vodem will be an option.

nzbnw

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Reply # 78440 17-Jul-2007 12:45

Yup - like NZBNW said. If you are living in the here and now go for the Sierra Wireless, the Vodem is rubbish.

tonyhughes

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Reply # 78449 17-Jul-2007 13:53

This little Telecom troll also recommends the Sierra.

Buy outright if you are worried about future trends....

eltrab

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Reply # 78457 17-Jul-2007 14:28

Thanks. I'm sure there are advocates for both sides but it sounds like I won't be disappointed selecting Telecom for now.

Tuikapo

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Reply # 79454 24-Jul-2007 16:12

Vodafone will be expanding speeds considerably, 10mbps by the end of the year. Telecom currently can't do this until the new GSM Network is built.

freitasm

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Reply # 79457 24-Jul-2007 16:42

Tuikapo: Vodafone will be expanding speeds considerably, 10mbps by the end of the year. Telecom currently can't do this until the new GSM Network is built.

But in any case you won't be able to do it with the vodem - or any of the current cards actually.

By the way, interesting you posted this now, I've just posted about a tip here.

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bbman

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Reply # 81361 6-Aug-2007 21:37

based on the numbers of vodems i have seen swapped for the Aircard 595u the Vodem is not a good buy, if you can go PCMCIA and really need to be on VNZ go with there data cards, Other wise TNZ have a huge coverage area, 72% does not actually reflect the real world experience but it is safer to say less than to over promise like VNZ did with their 3g network.

The 595 u is the first data device that actually has coverage like a handset, we have them 15-20 km out of a an EVDO area getting an EVDO signal, with a high gain 30-40 km so they work a treat and Rev A makes them even better.,

Note that 10mbps connection speeds are possible on VNZ's upgraded network but the back haul issuses and there poor foot print now and the issues they will have in the intermediate term with the Ginny pig 900mhz network, see Aussie issues with 850mhz and 900mhz GSM, this will make there nationwide option a non option for some time yet. Telecom may also roll out EVDO Rev A to all sites to off set VNZ's 900mhz network in the next 12 months and when GSM 850 and WCDMA is rolled out we will see what happens then.

I know i am biased by EVDO, but come on logically speaking EVDO will have a major edge for some time yet here in NZ because of the end user experience and history the network has on it's side so far & the naturally larger foot print EVDO has. VNZ may smoke and mirror this one when 900mhz goes live but from past experiences they will rue the day that they over promote and under deliver on another network upgrade.

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mobygeek

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Reply # 84271 29-Aug-2007 13:49

If you are going to roam overseas with the vodem, do check their roaming prices for the country you are going to. The prices are on their website for all to see, and can be very expensive.

mimi087

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Reply # 87646 22-Sep-2007 10:46

I have been in NZ for 4 years now and was used to good broadband in Canada. Here I tried the Telecom Wireless....which did not go faster than a 56k Modem..and did not connect most of the time in Albany..I was told that it was because I was too far from their tower....??? well cancelled that.,.. Now I moved to Avondale and decided to try Vodafone Vodem because it is wireless and I do not have a land line in my flat and because it seemed to be great!.,,Well, I am amazed at how vodafone can claim to give a wireless broadband @ 3,5 mb with a median of 1,5 and only give you most of the time a max connection of 600 kb for download and most of the time I connect with a 56k or less speed ....Not to mention the speed is so volatile that I can't use Skype anymore and I m often disconnected ..it is so low! Howcome they can claim to give you something they obviously cannot deliver and not be regulated by some consumer body? Maybe someone can tell me where I should complain? and I am locked in for 24 months!

The only good thing about this product is the wireless part of it! I love it for that!
Also, the lite version does not work,,,,you must have the FUll software version installed instead,,much better and most franchises don't know what you are talking about if you mention that!

Also, it is very sensitive...to connect with Vista you must use a MO with the laptop and if you don't you get the Blue Screen!

Arkwell! It can only get better!

freitasm

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Reply # 87648 22-Sep-2007 10:50

mimi087: I have been in NZ for 4 years now and was used to good broadband in Canada. Here I tried the Telecom Wireless....which did not go faster than a 56k Modem..and did not connect most of the time in Albany

Are you sure you had a CDMA EVDO device? This kind of speed is strange, and sounds like CDMA 1xRTT instead. I get consistently over 1 Mbps with my Telecom cards, and about 800 Kbps with my Vodafone cards (when the Vodafone cards connect to HSDPA)...

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chakkaradeep

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Reply # 87676 22-Sep-2007 17:54

I am using Vodem and recently I was travelling from Dunedin<->Christchurch<->Wellington and I was online becoz of Vodem :)

The reception was good :)

Regards,
Chaks

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