XT rural reception worse than CDMA, even non-existant

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › XT rural reception worse than CDMA, even non-existant

wally22

504 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#108214 26-Aug-2012 23:06

Hi,
Wanting to put this out there as we are having issues getting a solution that is workable and hope you can come up with new ideas.
On the old CDMA network, our sales rep got good coverage at home, reasonable signal at work and patches of signal as he moved throughout the countryside.
With XT the signal at work is better, but there is nothing at home and the travelling signal is extremely patchy.

Leading Edge has suggested an amplified mast for home which loses him mobility at home (phone has to be tethered), or move to Vodafone. VF has good signal at work and home and reasonable patches while travelling, but the auto call-out from the office to the mobile would put the bill through the roof (LL with Telecom)

Rep currently calls out about 7-800 minutes per month.

Not sure what is forwarded from office to mobile. Hasn't been an issue before as they are currently free.

Waitomo/King Country area

Will check back in in the evenings.

1 | 2

308 posts

Ultimate Geek

#677334 26-Aug-2012 23:18

If there isnt any developments happening in that area, then I would probably suggest moving to Vodafone. I am telecom would love to have you on their network, but if you are not getting good reception then I would suggest switching.

quickymart

13927 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#677335 26-Aug-2012 23:27

Have you tried a different handset? Telecom sell a few that can get usable coverage from a weak signal.

eXDee

4032 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#677348 27-Aug-2012 00:30

I've found coverage varies significantly when it comes to GSM and 3G handsets.

My HTC Desire has terrible signal, which is probably why telecom never launched it here. In comparison the motorola defy has very good signal. The best is the R90. Samung 5521 flip is apparently a good choice too. The iPhone4s is known to be fairly decent but anecdotal evidence seems to vary a bit more. Source is consumer magazine.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#677365 27-Aug-2012 06:19

If you wanted a quick fix it would be to move to Vodafone for mobile and landline. I'm not aware of VF (or Telecom for that matter) including call forward in any flat rate calling plans though.

There are bound to be Telecom people who will see this on here and can lodge a coverage issue assuning Leading Edge haven't already done this.

keewee01

1737 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#677375 27-Aug-2012 07:15

Have you actually spoken to Telecom about this? They wanted to hear from people where there was a change in reception as there was the possibility they might tweak reception in areas. I'd try this and hassle them about it, if you've not already.

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#677386 27-Aug-2012 08:11

Vodafone offer GN on mobile on many plans

akia

489 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#677392 27-Aug-2012 08:29

I'd suggest giving the Telecom helpdesk a call. They can grab details and if it needs be can log it as a coverage issue.

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

wally22

504 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#677399 27-Aug-2012 08:45

Thanks for all the helpful replies.
I am now trying to get hold of our corporate account manager but apparently she "has not subscribed to the voicemail service" so I can't even leave a message when I telephone the number supplied to me by the nice people at Geni.! And this is a major telecommunications company?
Anyone got any hotline numbers that get through to someone that counts at Telecom?

coffeebaron

6231 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#677406 27-Aug-2012 09:00

wally22: but the auto call-out from the office to the mobile would put the bill through the roof (LL with Telecom)

Rep currently calls out about 7-800 minutes per month.

Cellular gateway with best mate?

Rural IT and Broadband support.

Broadband troubleshooting and master filter installs.
Starlink installer - one month free: https://www.starlink.com/?referral=RC-32845-88860-71
Wi-Fi and networking
Cel-Fi supply and installer - boost your mobile phone coverage legally

Need help in Auckland, Waikato or BoP? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com

plambrechtsen

1948 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#677425 27-Aug-2012 09:29

Just wondering if you have logged a call directly via the Mobile Support Helpdesk? They will add a pin to the area you're receiving bad coverage in with the notes related to the issue.

Like others have suggested it may be worth trying different handsets as not all radio's in mobile phones were created equal. I know others have had success with a Telecom R54 and an externally direct connected antenna.

Not that I am endorsing any of the below companies, but they may be worth talking to.

http://www.pccard.co.nz/ - Advanced Portable Technologies aka APT
http://www.itiq.co.nz/antenna/
http://cellutronics.co.nz/Telecom_phones.php
http://www.tennatron.co.nz/cellphone/

I've personally dealt with the guys from APT before I started with Telecom and they have been in the business for years and great to deal with. However I suspect you will find all the other companies equally as good to deal with. Again this is no recommendation from Telecom just my own views.

If you're still having issues and don't get any joy feel free to email me pl at telecom dot co dot nz and I can forward you through to the appropriate team.

Zeon

3916 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#677431 27-Aug-2012 09:38

Some providers have really cheap calling to mobiles. Isn't 2talk like $0.15 or something like that? Considering how cheap it is compared to a POTS line you could call out like 600 minutes at that rate and it would still be cheaper?

Speedtest 2019-10-14

tritex

189 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#677840 27-Aug-2012 21:46

Possibly irrelevant but Telecom might need to review their coverage with regards to VF building new RBI sites. Vodafone looks set to provide NZ's best rural mobile coverage if Telecom does not upgrade their network or co-locate on these new rural towers.