Express Card option for Telecom NZ (CDMA)

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Express Card option for Telecom NZ (CDMA)

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tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
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#52922 18-Nov-2006 11:00

nzbnw:
tonyhughes: if they dont know about the gtran, tell them to do a search on "The Hub"

Just did a confirmation search and "The Hub" does not contain any information on the GTRAN data card.

hmm... i havent been on the hub since January, (but got a login for it yesterday, just havent used it yet).

Im sure APT would sell direct. Then take the ESN to a dealer and ask for connection...

caldazar

459 posts

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#53052 20-Nov-2006 17:21

Thanks for the replies and info.

I've been investigating and can source a GTRAN card thanks to some help from APT.

I haven't yet bought the GTRAN card as $652 + GST is quite pricey... especially as the card doesn't actually fit in my laptop, so I'm forced to used the USB connection interface.

I can get one of the Vodafone Express Cards for $200 if I sign up for a 24 month contract (not an issue).

My only worry is that the performance will not be as good as the Telecom Card... especially in areas where 3G is not available.

caldazar

459 posts

Ultimate Geek

#53258 22-Nov-2006 17:37

Well, not sure if anyone wants to know the outcome... but I'll post the rest, just in case.

I decided the GTRAN would be ok, so I rang the contact I was given at Orb. They quoted me $840 for the GTRAN. I was a bit confused as the GTRAN says $652+GST on the APT website.

So, I decided I'd look into the Minimax.

I must have spoken to almost every Telecom rep in Auckland... finally I got someone who was clued up (Leading Edge store) and actually willing to sell me a Minimax for $599+GST. Awesome - I thought my problems would be solved.

But no.... it seems that even though I was willing to purchase the Minimax outright with no subsidies - there was still a problem.

I signed up for my Sierra Aircard on a 24 month term and I'm 6 months into the contract. I was advised that at the current point in time, the only way I can get signed on with the Minimax, is to break my 24 month term - pay the penalty fees of $500, then purchase the minimax for $599+GST. WTF?

C'mon Telecom, I was trying not to break the contract. I tried to just upgrade to a new piece of equipment, so that I could actually use the contract I signed up for !!

After 2 weeks of back and forth I have lost my patience - I went to my nearest Vodafone store and signed up for an Express Card. The rep was kind enough to give me the Express Card for free after hearing my bad experience with Telecom.

All I can say is big thanks to Vodafone for listening to the customer!

johnr

19282 posts

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#53267 22-Nov-2006 19:10

If you have a Xtra Email address don't forget to request secure remote email so you can check your xtra email from the vodafone data network

grant_k

3539 posts

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#53271 22-Nov-2006 19:30

caldazar: Well, not sure if anyone wants to know the outcome... but I'll post the rest, just in case.

This is certainly an interesting outcome, not what I expected a few days ago when Mauricio had this to say:

freitasm: Ok, ok... Calm down folks. Johnr, I know you want to get campers on the Vodafone side of the fence...

With totally inept sales people like Caldazar has described in the various Telecom-franchised dealerships, Johnr needn't have worried about trying to pave the way for a move to Vodafone.

freitasm: ...the OP asked about an Express Card for CDMA and if one was coming. I think the answer is "if you can't find the information you need from a Telecom dealer, contact the guys at APT. If you can't find anything there (I doubt it), then you should think about alternative network operators".

That's pretty much exactly the path that has been taken due to the policy of:

"Penalty fees of $500, then purchase the minimax for $599+GST."

Considering that Caldazar wanted to spend MORE money with the dealership, this is a terrible way to try and retain customers!

nzbnw

2374 posts

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Spark NZ

#53272 22-Nov-2006 19:33

caldazar: I was advised that at the current point in time, the only way I can get signed on with the Minimax, is to break my 24 month term - pay the penalty fees of $500, then purchase the minimax for $599+GST. WTF

This is not the case, you shouldnt have to pay this. I'm sorry to hear you you have had this experiance.

nzbnw

bbman

646 posts

Ultimate Geek

#53438 23-Nov-2006 22:36

There are some really stupid people representing Telecom, all you do is get RT wireless to reprogramm the minimax to your number and do an esn change $599+ GST thanks very much. No need to cancel contract. It's simple

Note the Gtran 6210 is available in all dealers, just most have little understanding of the products availabe.

also NEWS FLASH

The Gtran is available on the same price points as the Sierra wireless aircard 580, $199 + GST on 1gb plus and $299 + GST on 200mb plus. note there is 24 mth and open term pricing, these prices are for 24 month,

I can help but i am unsure wether i can give u my email address on here.

Also the 7.2mbps Johnr talks about, fantastic, but only problem is Vodafone don't yet have the backhaul to support 3.6 and the foot print is [expletive] compared to rev0 evdo. Great in cities and metros but once your out of there EVDO eats the current system for dust. Note wait to they start signing up the stupid and unknowing on their broadband plans, watch the speeds go down and voice service plummet also, of course this is the same with EVDO but there are already good numbers on EVDO/1xRTT and the network supports that and has the backhaul already for the next leap.

VNZ is not much good for mobile workers if they get great speed in the centre of town or in built up areas but as soon as they are out of the city they go to GPRS, big freakin let down.

Rev a will really be a big step up again, maybe when 900mhz WCDMA The VNZ offering might be worth looking at,

[Moderator (MF): expletive removed]

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caldazar

459 posts

Ultimate Geek

#53487 24-Nov-2006 12:43

Thanks mjsit&t,

But I've switched to vodafone now... the free ExpressCard was a nice incentive.

I'm generally in the city when I'm working so I think the coverage will be ok. The speeds so far on Vodafone are fine. The response time is a little slow (the T3G card felt snappier) but I can deal with that.

Considering the amount of Telecom staff I talked to - with very poor knowledge of their own products - it didn't give me confidence to continue. The T3G service is a great service... it is just a shame that the sales people (in general) are not able to back that up. I mean, you can have the best product in the world, but if I have to jump through so many hoops to purchase it, I might as well look at the alternatives.

I am happier making the switch to Vodafone.

bbman

646 posts

Ultimate Geek

#53509 24-Nov-2006 14:45

thats cool, dissapoints me that no one could help you.

Exactly the reason why i am thinking of setting up a mobile data solutions business, already under way with planning, probably want to offer both networks for mobile data gear, there are good and bad in both networks

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grant_k

3539 posts

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#53518 24-Nov-2006 15:22

mjsit&t:
Exactly the reason why i am thinking of setting up a mobile data solutions business, already under way with planning, probably want to offer both networks for mobile data gear, there are good and bad in both networks

Excellent idea! We need more professionals in this business who know what they are doing.

Post the details on GZ when you have it up and running

bbman

646 posts

Ultimate Geek

#53522 24-Nov-2006 15:30

yeah its a growing market and with so many opportunties to provide the gear its got to be a winner.

I think we would look to market Mobile data from TNZ and VNZ plus other wireless techs/ISP's, wifi gear and have tech people to set up broadband and wireless services to home, small and medium business. Really push the skype / Voip etc thing as well.

I have been in the mobile game to long and really want to continue in my area of interest, mobility and connectivity! Cellphones are boring.

www.ultimatebroadband.co.nz
Delivering better broadband services

UFB fibre, Rural fibre on EA networks, RBI wireless, Ruralnet & Ultra wireless, wireless networks

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