Telecom GSM rollout already started?

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sbiddle

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#15135 6-Aug-2007 16:40

I've just observed new panels on both Telecom sites in Hutt Rd in Petone that have appeared over the past few weeks. The sectorisation is different to the existing CDMA so my suspicion is that something is happening! They're definately 800MHz panels however not 2100MHz.

Loftus

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#81336 6-Aug-2007 19:50

Nope, just more antennas for CDMA

bbman

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#81356 6-Aug-2007 21:18

Telecom have been rolling out a lot of new sites in the South Island for CDMA with space to add new panels either for GSM 850 or 2100 MHZ WCDMA. Although word is they may use the same antennas for GSM and CDMA?

Alcatel lucent guys are saying as they roll out GSM it is likely all sites will have antennas replaced and upgraded so GSM will probably bring benefits to CDMA coverage, alot more sectorization as Telecom has a lot of Omni sites in rural areas which are possibly starting to show signs of poor performance (opinion not proven fact) as more users come on the network, orginally 025 TDMA and AMPS antennas i believe. I have seen several areas have new sectorizations done which has boosted capacity and coverage in many places.

I have noticed the new sites are a different style, similar design to some of VNZ's but different panels obviously and structures. TNZ must poring tonnes of cash into the network right now!

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sbiddle

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#81360 6-Aug-2007 21:25

How effective is sharing the panels between CDMA and GSM in the real world? I recall reading in the past of a lot of issues in the USA and Canada with carriers doing this but most of that was at 1900MHz.

Telecom have been upgrading quite a few of their omni sites around Wellington as well.

bbman

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#81364 6-Aug-2007 21:43

yeah looks like the lack of investment when they launched CDMA is now being rectified finally. Most of those rural Omni sites are less than perfect and with more more users getting on in those areas the foot print is shrinking. Obviously sectorized coverage is better providing more capacity and coverage to sectored areas.

Yes it will be interesting to see what happens with the GSM build out, using the AMPS B band makes me think they will try and untilize the same equipment but i am not an RF engineer. You are probably right re the Canadian experience.

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Fraktul

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#81493 7-Aug-2007 19:39

You can use the same antennas fine, they will just be more expensive due to additional antenna elements and filters.

bbman

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#81514 7-Aug-2007 23:18

Well i guess they were replacing them any way so if it means getting more bang for your buck and less on mast infrastructure it has to be good. Hope fully might see improvement to CDMA coverage at the same time...

I still believe CDMA will end up having a better foot print but we will have to wait and see.

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#81524 8-Aug-2007 00:54

CDMA is great for actual performance for all but bulk offline SMS where it has to connect and disconnect each time.
With reverting the Vocoder back to QCELP, it also offers great voice quality.

it's just the poor array of handsets thus far which has led to it's demise.

antoniosk

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#81531 8-Aug-2007 04:50

sbiddle:
How effective is sharing the panels between CDMA and GSM in the real world? I recall reading in the past of a lot of issues in the USA and Canada with carriers doing this but most of that was at 1900MHz.

Telecom have been upgrading quite a few of their omni sites around Wellington as well.

Antenna multiplexing has been around for while, and while there will be some losses, Telecom will spend enough with Lucatel to make sure the two systems work nicely. $300m in year 1 doesn't buy that much when you need to add in HLR's, MSCs, BSC's and BTS's - but for FY09 and FY10 it should be cheaper and cheaper. Hope they put in new links as well to service all those multi-megabit connections.....

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