Have we beep Ripped off - Telecom phone

Forums › Mobile handsets › Have we beep Ripped off - Telecom phone - Vodafone network

steve74

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Topic # 55232 26-Dec-2009 01:22

Hey Guys, im new here, ive been searching the net tonight looking for some answers and here seems to be as good a place as any!!.

I received as a christmas present today a new mobile phone. My current phone was a Vodafone but was getting a bit ratty and unreliable. A friend had a Sony Ericson w995a on the telecom network, which i liked the look and features of. The missis made some enquires and was told by the helpful sales guy at Noel Leeming that that particular phone was on special and is not a locked network phone and can be used on the Telecom, Vodafone and 2 degrees network. The phone came with a free Telecom sim which we were told we didnt have to use. To make a long story short, my Vodafone card works in the phone but I cant use the Email facilities or send/recieve mms messages.

Is there a way to apply Vodafone settings to the phone? im thinking of taking it back to the retailer.

I Downloaded Opera browser to the phone to try access the net via the wifi function, it works but i cant help but feeling im somehow on the telecom network being charged heaps for the connection with a Vodafone sim??

thoughts anyone??

Steve

riahon

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Reply # 285208 26-Dec-2009 07:18

If you are connected via wifi then you aren't being charged. If your sim worked in the phone then technically that proves the phone is unlocked as per the salesperson - however if you buy a phone that is branded to a particular company then chances are you will have to go in and change some settings. Have a search for Vodafone APN settings here on geekzone then enter those into your phone which should solve the problem.

sbiddle

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Reply # 285217 26-Dec-2009 08:16

Go to http://wireless.vodafone.co.nz and you'll be able to download the correct settings to your phone. You will then need to configure applications to use these Access Points rather than the Telecom ones.

Just be aware the phone will not deliver the best performance on Vodafone as it lacks 900 3G because it's a XT handset and not fully compatible with the frequencies Vodafone one. This means you miss out on nationwide 3G coverage and only get 3G in the major cities.

steve74

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Reply # 285234 26-Dec-2009 10:13

Cheers sbiddle , that sorted out the MMS messaging, all good now. I live on the west coast and the XT coverage is pathetic. my work phone is on xt and its nowhere near as good as telecoms old network. to say XT is crap on the west coast is an understatement. Does this mean that even though im using a vodafone sim that my coverage will be at the XT quality? if thats the case, its going back!!

cheers, steve

grant_k

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Reply # 285238 26-Dec-2009 10:44

steve74: Does this mean that even though im using a vodafone sim that my coverage will be at the XT quality? if thats the case, its going back!!

Only so far as 3G data is concerned. If you are just making voice calls and sending TXTs then the phone will operate in GSM mode if it can't get 3G coverage. Which should be perfectly fine unless you want to access the internet. If that is a frequent requirement, you really would be better off with a fully Vodafone-compatible phone i.e. one that supports 900MHz WCDMA.

sbiddle

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Reply # 285245 26-Dec-2009 12:14

Vodafone have a 2100Mhz 3G network in the major cities and 900MHz 3G everywhere else in the country. In the West Coast you will be using GSM on that handset for Vodafone coverage, if you had a handset that supported 900Mhz 3G you would be able to use the 3G service.

Vodafone are already deploying some sites that are 900MHz 3G only and have no GSM, in places like this you will get no coverage.

grant_k

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Reply # 285253 26-Dec-2009 13:15

sbiddle: Vodafone are already deploying some sites that are 900MHz 3G only and have no GSM, in places like this you will get no coverage.

Which areas are these sites likely to be Steve? Urban or Rural?

This is of direct relevance to me as I am considering which handset to buy my wife at present.

Lipex666

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Reply # 285278 26-Dec-2009 17:21

see http://www.vodafone.co.nz/coverage/

And to put into Vodafone speak

2G & 2.5G = GSM
3G Broadband = 2100MHz
3G Broadband Extended = 900MHz

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freitasm

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Reply # 285291 26-Dec-2009 19:26

steve74: Does this mean that even though im using a vodafone sim that my coverage will be at the XT quality? if thats the case, its going back!!

If you are using a Vodafone SIM then you have Vodafone coverage, nothing to do with XT.

However... This phone is 850/2100 MHz 3G, while Vodafone run as 3G network that is mainly 2100 MHz in the large centres and 900 MHz outside the main areas.

This means your phone will most likely be operating in 2G most of the time. That's all.

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mckenndk

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Reply # 285313 26-Dec-2009 21:27

If your not planning on leaving the coast (which there is only 2100mhz coverage at punakaiki with vodafone) I would take it back to future proof it and be able to ge the full use of vodafones features as well.

Dion

steve74: Does this mean that even though im using a vodafone sim that my coverage will be at the XT quality? if thats the case, its going back!!

steve74

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Reply # 285395 27-Dec-2009 11:27

Hey Dion, I dont see myself leaving the coast any time soon. I do travel (weekly) anywhere from franz josef to westport. both telecom and vodafone are limited along this streatch anyway. are you saying that with the Vodafone sim in the telecom handset that i will have nothing at punakiki? That small section of coverage is great as it means you are only out of reception for around half hour at the most when travelling between greymouth and westport. I wouldnt want to loose that advantage.

I have also read on the net about Debranding or Flashing the phone, there is Firmware available to do this but im not sure its going to help if the handset is manufactured to opperate at the telecom frequency.

its just a good featured phone, I dont see a Vodafone handset with as many features for the $449 i paid for this one. And it would be just my luck that telecom will come out with some unbeatable plan as soon as i take it back. Still its not so much the plans but the coverage that has kept me with Vodafone.

mckenndk

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Reply # 285417 27-Dec-2009 13:04

Punakiki is the only place your phone can get 3G on the coast (this is where the phone will work at it's best with a vodafone sim in it) all other coverage you will get is GSM.

Debranding the phone won't help as its a hardware issue.

The best place I can find to get a vodafone version is Parallel Imported in AKL http://www.parallelimported.co.nz/mobile-phones/vodafone-mobile-phones/sony-ericsson-mobile-phones/sony-ericsson-w995-black-mobile-phone.html
I bought my Nokia N86 from them and it works fine.

So your options are.
Grin and bear that you are only going to e able to get GSM 2g over most of the coast.
Will you use the 3G features (e.g mobile internet, maps for travel, email) if not you might not worry about the 3G as GSM is slow for downloads etc, but saying that mobile data could be cheap one day and thne you would not be able to get the full use of it.

Take it back and exchange it for a vodafone one or get a refund and find a place that does a vodafone version.

port your number over to Telecom XT and use their 850 3G network

Dion

nzbnw

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Reply # 285427 27-Dec-2009 13:54

steve74:

I have also read on the net about Debranding or Flashing the phone, there is Firmware available to do this but im not sure its going to help if the handset is manufactured to opperate at the telecom frequency.

No need really, Telecom do not brand their handsets like VF do, except for the T-World button (hardly worth worrying about). Not sure about SE phones, but this may be possible to change via the phone's UI.

Also different phones have different RF properties, it may be worth a go to see how the supplied prepaid SIM from Telecom actually performs for you in your area as it could be different to your work phone.

nzbnw

manhinli

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Reply # 285431 27-Dec-2009 14:04

Basically you're not limited in coverage by the company that you've bought the phone from, it's just the physical limitations of the phone itself.

Here are the options you have:

Keep your phone and use Vodafone SIM/services.
You will get 2G in places Vodafone coverage is available and limited 3G (2100MHz 3G, red coverage area)

Keep your phone and use XT SIM/services.
You will only get 3G coverage where XT is available.

Get another phone with Vodafone 3G Extended coverage and use Vodafone SIM/services.
You will get roughly the same 3G coverage (both 2100MHz 3G and 900MHz 3G, both red and yellow coverage areas) as 2G coverage.

So it all depends on whether you want 3G and how/where you use your phone.

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steve74

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Reply # 285461 27-Dec-2009 17:25

Hey thanks guys for all your help. At the end of the day i wont be using the 3G functions much anyway. As long as the gsm Vodafone network exists i will be fine. I have learned a heap about our mobile networks though. If the XT network improves then maybe a change to telecom is on the cards. At least with this handset i have that option. If i had the opposite scenario then a telecom card wont work full stop in a Vodafone handset.

Steve

steve74

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Reply # 285462 27-Dec-2009 17:28

that Tworld button is a bit of a bugger, the telecom and XT startup logo's and sound files are locked and cant be deleted either.