vodafone network technology

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nathanbarlow

48 posts

Geek

#52701 6-Dec-2009 12:51

Hi guys,
Ive had a quick google and also searched this site, but dont really know what to call the thing I cam looking for.

BAsically, I want to buy a phone overseas, and come back to NZ and put a vodafone sim into it. I understnad the Vodafone NZ will not give me any support to get it working. But I need to know what technology the Vodafone netowrk uses, so that I can get a phone that has the required hardware.

I'm thinking of getting either an iPhone or (maybe) a Motorola Droid or HTC Hero in the States. The Droid is only on Verizon as far as I know, and it is expensive, being new and all, so might not be able to afford lol.

Any advice on what technology Vodafone NZ uses, would be appreciated. Same for Telecom, but I usderstand Telecom is harder to sort, being as they dont use physical sim cards, but rather a built in chip.

Cheers
Nathan

Damager

2125 posts

Uber Geek

#279722 6-Dec-2009 13:01

Vodafone's network is 2G GSM and 3G 900/2100.

The Droid is sold in Europe as the Milestone which is a 3G 900/2100 handset. This will be fine to work on Vodafone.

The HTC Hero is available also as a 3G 900/2100 handset so that works fine on Vodafone as well.

Telecom's new network XT is a 3G 850/2100. You'll need a handset that supports these 3G bands. More importantly, it must have 3G 850 as 2100 is available only in the main centres.

Hope this helps clarify what you're after?

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freitasm

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#279725 6-Dec-2009 13:14

Vodafone uses a mix of 2G 900/1800 MHz and 3G 900/2100 Nhz. Most European phones will work fine but not all support 900 MhZ 3G which may reduce coverage.

Most U.S. handsets use different bands for 3G so you have to check that they support these.

Do not buy any Sprint or Verizon handsets as they are CDMA and incompatible.

About Telecom you are thinking of their old network. The XT network is WCDMA 850MHz so any handset for Tesltra (AU) or some from AT&T will work fine. The XT network uses standard SIM cards.

The iPhone works better (coverage) on Telecom than Vodafone.

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nathanbarlow

48 posts

Geek

#279786 6-Dec-2009 19:59

thanks guys for that

the Droid in the states is a Verizon handset . . . even if you buy it off-contract (at say bestbuy for eg), it still has the verizon brand logo on the handset (not sure about software).

Does this mean I would have to get the European "Milestone" in order to get a NZ compatable Droid? If it is the same phone, shouldnt it be identical?

nzbnw

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#279792 6-Dec-2009 20:09

nathanbarlow: thanks guys for that

the Droid in the states is a Verizon handset . . . even if you buy it off-contract (at say bestbuy for eg), it still has the verizon brand logo on the handset (not sure about software).

Does this mean I would have to get the European "Milestone" in order to get a NZ compatable Droid? If it is the same phone, shouldnt it be identical?

If you buy a Verizon or Sprint handset, you will NOT be able to connect it to any carrier here as it is CDMA.

nzbnw

n4

959 posts

Ultimate Geek

#279860 7-Dec-2009 06:52

nathanbarlow: Does this mean I would have to get the European "Milestone" in order to get a NZ compatable Droid? If it is the same phone, shouldnt it be identical?

Yes; it has an equivalent form and feature set, but is built on different (ie NZ compatible) network technology.

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old3eyes

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#279878 7-Dec-2009 08:26

nzbnw:
nathanbarlow: thanks guys for that

the Droid in the states is a Verizon handset . . . even if you buy it off-contract (at say bestbuy for eg), it still has the verizon brand logo on the handset (not sure about software).

Does this mean I would have to get the European "Milestone" in order to get a NZ compatable Droid? If it is the same phone, shouldnt it be identical?

If you buy a Verizon or Sprint handset, you will NOT be able to connect it to any carrier here as it is CDMA.

nzbnw

You could connect it here but I doubt that Telecom would let you..

Regards,

Old3eyes

johnr

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#279881 7-Dec-2009 08:35

old3eyes:
nzbnw:
nathanbarlow: thanks guys for that

the Droid in the states is a Verizon handset . . . even if you buy it off-contract (at say bestbuy for eg), it still has the verizon brand logo on the handset (not sure about software).

Does this mean I would have to get the European "Milestone" in order to get a NZ compatable Droid? If it is the same phone, shouldnt it be identical?

If you buy a Verizon or Sprint handset, you will NOT be able to connect it to any carrier here as it is CDMA.?

nzbnw

You could connect it here but I doubt that Telecom would let you..

No they could not connect it to the CDMA network full stop

nathanbarlow

48 posts

Geek

#279934 7-Dec-2009 11:06

whoopidoo. so no Droid for me from the states (verizon only). MAybe i can get siblings to buy me a Milestone in Europe, or is it not out yet?

Damager

2125 posts

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#280101 7-Dec-2009 19:22

johnr:
old3eyes:
nzbnw:
nathanbarlow: thanks guys for that

the Droid in the states is a Verizon handset . . . even if you buy it off-contract (at say bestbuy for eg), it still has the verizon brand logo on the handset (not sure about software).

Does this mean I would have to get the European "Milestone" in order to get a NZ compatable Droid? If it is the same phone, shouldnt it be identical?

If you buy a Verizon or Sprint handset, you will NOT be able to connect it to any carrier here as it is CDMA.?

nzbnw

You could connect it here but I doubt that Telecom would let you..

No they could not connect it to the CDMA network full stop

JohnR is correct here. Telecom won't allow other carrier handsets to be connected to the CDMA network. If you reallywant the Droid, then the Milestone is what you're after and then connect it to Vodafone NZ.

Could be a while before an 850/2100 version is released.

nathanbarlow

48 posts

Geek

#280102 7-Dec-2009 19:25

that works for me as I'm already with vodafone, and 2degrees is the same tech, so being able to use 2/3 of the main players is good enough. Can choose either vodafone or 2degrees.

Now to actually get my mitts on a milestone (and find out how much the damage will be lol)

Nathan

harrylin

335 posts

Ultimate Geek

#282261 14-Dec-2009 13:00

lol. milestone were sold out from the expansys uk in just 2 hours. you wont be able to get one any time soon. get a htc hd2 will be good for you. or htc hero