The XT Network FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

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#212728 5-May-2009 23:51

I'm curious as to why they call it a WCDMA network and not a UMTS

Regs

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#212730 6-May-2009 00:48

Doctor: I'm curious as to why they call it a WCDMA network and not a UMTS

marketing perhaps? i think the terms gsm, 3g and cdma are reasonable well widely used here whereas UMTS is perhaps less so (well, here in NZ anyway). Or perhaps WCDMA sounds more like an upgrade from CDMA than a complete network rebuild and is less therefore scary for existing customers migrating?

or looking at it from a purely techincal aspect: it is a w-cdma network which runs UMTS applications on top.... kind of like tcp/ip running on top of ethernet

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#212759 6-May-2009 08:09

My understanding is that UMTS is the overarching technology and WCDMA is the more specific technology - if that makes sense.

Neals blog post here is quite good at explaining it.

TinyTim

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#212932 6-May-2009 19:56

The difference between UMTS and WCDMA is UMTS is the overarching network technology (for the whole network), and WCDMA is the air interface technology, which allows communication between the base station and the handset.

In addition to the (WCDMA) air interface, there are a whole bunch of other interfaces, such the one between the NodeB (base station) and the RNC (radio network controller), the RNC and SGSN, etc etc.

Doesn't answer the question as to why they use one term over the other.

Marmion

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Master Geek

#214462 12-May-2009 20:05

I'm confused... My C905 according to the SE website does GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS /HSDPA 2100.
I understand it that I therefore can't use the XT network...
BUT...
If I use the select network on my phone, I can see the following networks:
"Vodafone NZ" (ie GSM)
"Vodafone NZ" (ie the 3G/HSDPA network)
"NZ Comms" (ie 2degrees) with a circle and a cross as the symbol
"Telecom NZ" with a 3G symbol and a circle with a cross in the lower right of the symbol.

If I connect to Telecom NZ it says emergency calls only, which is fairly expected since I don't have the XT sim and then it goes back to Vodafone, but, if I did have an XT sim, would it be compatable? It seems odd being able to 'see' the network, connect to it and then be told I can't actually use it :)

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#214467 12-May-2009 20:33

Marmion: I'm confused... My C905 according to the SE website does GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS /HSDPA 2100.

I understand it that I therefore can't use the XT network...

BUT...

"Telecom NZ" with a 3G symbol and a circle with a cross in the lower right of the symbol.

If I connect to Telecom NZ it says emergency calls only, which is fairly expected since I don't have the XT sim and then it goes back to Vodafone, but, if I did have an XT sim, would it be compatable? It seems odd being able to 'see' the network, connect to it and then be told I can't actually use it :)

TNZ has a limited number of 2100MHz sites - you must be attached to one of those.

To get any kind of meaningful experience (unless you never ever leave 2100MHz coverage), you need an 850MHz 3G phone.

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#214567 13-May-2009 10:39

Can anyone confirm for me are they still releasing pricing plans tonight at 6:30 or do we have to wait untill the 29 for that aswell?

tonyhughes

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#214573 13-May-2009 11:05

ZALMAN:

Can anyone confirm for me are they still releasing pricing plans tonight at 6:30 or do we have to wait untill the 29 for that aswell?

I am attending a launch event in Auckland tonight, so yes, I'd say lots of info will be released tonight.

superleaded

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Geek

#214609 13-May-2009 13:35

Now that some of you are testing XT, any word on call quality? Obviously it depends on the handset to some degree, but I've had a few handsets on vodafone (2G) and telecom CDMA, and have to say that overall it's easier to talk on telecom, especially when the signal strength isn't so great (which seems to be the case almost everywhere on vodafone)

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#214619 13-May-2009 14:06

pricing plans wont be released tonight ..... could be anytime between may20 - 29th for pricing plans

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#214624 13-May-2009 14:15

The media launch was rescheduled to 20th May. I can now attend on that new date and all will be revealed then - plans, handsets and more.

The lauch party is still set for tonight and Tony Hughes is representing Geekzone there while I am in Australia.

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#214625 13-May-2009 14:16

superleaded: Now that some of you are testing XT, any word on call quality? Obviously it depends on the handset to some degree, but I've had a few handsets on vodafone (2G) and telecom CDMA, and have to say that overall it's easier to talk on telecom, especially when the signal strength isn't so great (which seems to be the case almost everywhere on vodafone)

One word: SUPERB

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#214922 14-May-2009 22:00

freitasm:

6.Can I use my current CDMA handset on the new XT Network?

No, they use different technologies. Telecom has said gift vouchers will be available to customers who are on a contract and want to move from the CDMA to XT Network. You will be able to use these vouchers when purchasing new handsets - think of them as a "discount on hardware".

Oh my gosh! My brother and I purchased brand new phones about 2 months ago not knowing this was going to happen! Man this is stink as!
Oh well luckily we are on contract (postpaid) so we should be getting vouchers hopefully for quite a bit other than $20.00 hehe.

We purchased an Okta Touch so doubt those would go on the new network because that doesn't have a sim card slot.

tonyhughes

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#214961 15-May-2009 09:14

patrickstarr: Oh my gosh! My brother and I purchased brand new phones about 2 months ago not knowing this was going to happen! Man this is stink as!
Oh well luckily we are on contract (postpaid) so we should be getting vouchers hopefully for quite a bit other than $20.00 hehe.

We purchased an Okta Touch so doubt those would go on the new network because that doesn't have a sim card slot.

No, none of the current handsets will work on the new network. A new handset will be required.

Stathi

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Geek

#215161 15-May-2009 22:46

Well it would be good to see if any competition comes out of this, it will be interesting to see what the data/call plans look like, as I'm still getting used to the overpriced plans offered here in NZ compared to Aust.

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