Cell site upgrade to 3GSM questions

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andrewcnz

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Topic # 3649 13-Mar-2005 19:16

I live in Mount Maunganui and the three nearest cell site’s have had half there GSM panels replaced with UTMS panels. So on each of the three arms of the mast there is one GSM and one UTMS panel. Would this effect existing GSM coverage and capacity? Was in Auckland the other week and some sites had a new inner ring fitted to mount the new panels, while the existing panels were left intact. I hope vodafone don’t screw too much with there existing coverage to fit UTMS equipment. I also assume that areas that already have poor GSM coverage will have even worse UTMS coverage! I would expect more micro cells to be installed in built up areas as UTMS has a shorter range than GSM. And the bigger existing sites are not located to suit UTMS? What do you guys think? Andrew

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Reply # 13538 13-Mar-2005 19:19

In my experience "poor GSM coverage = poor GPRS speed (or none whatsoever)". Don't expect 3G where GSM is not strong. Also, I have the impression 3G will be only available in the main centres, with GPRS in the rest.

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andrewcnz

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Reply # 13541 13-Mar-2005 20:57

The replaced panels do look like 3gsm ones i saw in Auckland.But was not able to detect a 3g signal like i did in Auckland.They only went up in the last week or so,perhaps the associated electronics has not been installed or turned on. Andrew

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sbiddle

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Reply # 13543 13-Mar-2005 21:25

All Vodafone have done is replace the 2 panels (1rx and 1tx) with a single 900 GSM panel. This has no effect on capacity or coverage unless they're using a new antenna with different gain. Virtually all sites are now built with a single panel for each sector anyway. On many of the standalone masts there is no easy way to add the 3GSM panel so it's the easist thing to do. I also believe that on some standalone masts this was done to simplify issues with the resource management act where size restrictions prohibited changes to the mast without reapplying for consent.

I've just put a couple of pictures on local sites on my website, www.insane.co.nz/seaviewvoda.jpg
www.insane.co.nz/naenaevoda.jpg

shows Naenae site which has a 900GSM and 3GSM panel and the Seaview site which has 2 x 900 GSM panels and a 3GSM panel in the middle. Vodafone have also deployed 2 new sites in the Hutt which are 3GSM only. I think they may well launch with a significantly larger coverage area for their 3GSM network than originally planned.

andrewcnz

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Reply # 13548 13-Mar-2005 22:01

Thanks sbiddle. Only one tower had the existing GSM panels replaced. That site was an early one from Bellsouth days. The other two sites are one and three years old. Will eyeball some other sites around the area and see if there are any other changes on the go.

jcr976

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Reply # 13552 13-Mar-2005 22:43

Seagull looks quite happy sitting up there and Tauranga is kind of a main centre, All the sites around me have being upgraded on the Shore and west Auckland, I have seen plenty around even out of Auckland that are going 3GSM.

andrewcnz

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Reply # 13554 13-Mar-2005 22:57

Yeah We have traffic jams just like Auckland!

jcr976

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Reply # 13555 13-Mar-2005 23:02

You can have some of our traffic and there are bound to be 3GSM sites going up in Tauranga, Andrew what amkes you think UMTS do not offer good coverage.

cokemaster

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Reply # 13557 13-Mar-2005 23:35

" I also assume that areas that already have poor GSM coverage will have even worse UTMS coverage!"

I hope they won't do that. I just brought a new phone too (edge gprs / gsm) and don't want to land in that situation.

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freitasm

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Reply # 13558 13-Mar-2005 23:39

You know EDGE will not work here, right ?

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jcr976

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Reply # 13559 13-Mar-2005 23:51

GSM coverage will not be affected in anyway

cokemaster

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Reply # 13560 13-Mar-2005 23:52

@ freitasm:
Yes, I know. I was going to buy the phone anyway (SE p910) and it had EDGE.

Edit 2: When do I stop being a junior member :P

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freitasm

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Reply # 13584 14-Mar-2005 18:20

cokemaster: Yes, I know. I was going to buy the phone anyway (SE p910) and it had EDGE.

I've checked the product page, and I'm afraid the P910 doesn not have EDGE.

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freitasm

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Reply # 13585 14-Mar-2005 18:25

cokemaster: Edit 2: When do I stop being a junior member :P

With more than 50 posts...

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cokemaster

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Reply # 13587 14-Mar-2005 18:32

"I've checked the product page , and I'm afraid the P910 doesn not have EDGE. "

Strange. I could have sworn the packaging had it on when I brought it in China. Looked up the p910c (http://www.sonyericsson.com/spg.jsp?cc=global&lc=en&ver=4001&template=ps1_1_2_3&zone=ps&lm=ps1_1&pid=10184) and sure enough it doesn't.

My mistake.

I guess I will get 50 posts sooner or later... good things take time.

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