Spark Mobile - UMTS outage in Ellerslie, TT raised. Any ETA?

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RUKI

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#242536 2-Nov-2018 14:28

UMTS outage in Ellerslie, Trouble Ticket raised yesterday. Nokia C2-01

Specifics: UMTS is down. Experienced on Main Highway from top to NZ Post in Ellerslie village.

The closest cell site is on the Archibald & Shorter (Jaguar) Building.

Near ANZ on Gt South Road UMTS was working yesterday, near Toyota Greenlane was working. In Devenport - was working.

4G is fine. I do not have fully operational 4G phone. Need just a phone.

3 calls to #123 from landline just to hear 3 times "no known issues in the area" and finally admitting - there is planned outage.

Any ETA?

P.S. Donation of simple working 4G capable phone would also be appreciated.

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#2118565 2-Nov-2018 14:30

surely your phone would just connect to a different tower

hio77

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#2118569 2-Nov-2018 14:34

Which model is this? 850 or 900 utms support?

Please also supply Ticket number.

I suspect your issue may be that 2100 was turned off on that tower and your device is one built for 2d/Vf (so doesn't do 850mhz)

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wellygary

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#2118572 2-Nov-2018 14:37

although a 4G phone is only a data solution, the networks still rely on 3G for Voice calling...

RUKI

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#2118582 2-Nov-2018 14:45

hio77:

Which model is this? 850 or 900 utms support?

Please also supply Ticket number.

I suspect your issue may be that 2100 was turned off on that tower and your device is one built for 2d/Vf (so doesn't do 850mhz)

That Nokia is Voda branded and has been working in my place on Spark Mobile for the last 12 months except yesterday and day before yesterday. But working still outside Main Highway area.

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hio77

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#2118596 2-Nov-2018 14:50

RUKI:

That Nokia is Voda branded and has been working in my place on Spark Mobile for the last 12 months except yesterday and day before yesterday. But working still outside Main Highway area.

Bingo, your device supports UTMS 900/2100.

Sparks network for 3G is UTMS 850/2100.

UTMS 2100 is currently being turned off, including on that cell tower.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the idea that the device would always work on spark as it worked when you put in a sim is flawed, or well hidden by the fact that 2100 was used heavily.

This will be seen across providers alot in the coming times, Voda (and i think 2D are too) are also doing such changes to their network configurations.

Please do provide me with your ticket number so that i can follow up and ensure teams have the correct details so they can let you know upfront.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

RUKI

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#2118598 2-Nov-2018 14:52

wellygary:

although a 4G phone is only a data solution, the networks still rely on 3G for Voice calling...

What I was refferring to as 4G is that couple of people in NZ Post Office were using data on their iphone(s). My call in progress dropped (driving from Great South Road to NZ Post Office.

HTC Touch right shows 3G Spark and it works. Unfortunately Touch has faulty build-in speaker and non-standard usb connector. Using with BT hands-free now.

I like Nokia as it is small, has standard mini USB for charging, and I have few spare standard Nokia batteries. It is for receiving calls only. So no need for a fancy smartphone.

Linux

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#2118599 2-Nov-2018 14:53

@hio77 Is Spark moving 4G onto the 2100Mhz band?

@RUKI You need a phone that supports UMTS 850Mhz

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RUKI

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#2118606 2-Nov-2018 15:09

hio77:

...UTMS 2100 is currently being turned off, including on that cell tower.

...Please do provide me with your ticket number ...

TT pm-ed. Thank you for your quick and professional reply.

What is your suggestion - to get another phone?

What about this one:

Honor SCL-AL00 (Chinese) - shows Spark 3G full bars but can not make the call (e.g. to 333). Cut my standard SIM to fit in it's mini SIM.

hio77

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#2118609 2-Nov-2018 15:14

RUKI:

hio77:

...UTMS 2100 is currently being turned off, including on that cell tower.

...Please do provide me with your ticket number ...

TT pm-ed. Thank you for your quick and professional reply.

What is your suggestion - to get another phone?

What about this one:

Honor SCL-AL00 (Chinese) - shows Spark 3G full bars but can not make the call (e.g. to 333). Cut my standard SIM to fit in it's mini SIM.

I do apologies it wasn't upfront informed to you. I'm working with the network folk to ensue the correct message is out there.

Unfortunately the SCL-AL00 is also 900/2100 so you will have the same issue.

i'd suspect your seeing full bars in emergency mode only.

a new phone would be my suggestion, Although that would be up to you personally i'd say stick with spark, new device.But given your not keen on changing device (which i don't blame you) i'd suspect a UTMS 900 based provider may be optimal.

#include <std_disclaimer>

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hio77

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#2118611 2-Nov-2018 15:21

Linux:

hio77 Is Spark moving 4G onto the 2100Mhz band?

John

L2100 is on a few sites Live, none in auckland at this stage.

i suspect we may see more of it but nothing i can confirm (Remember i'm not RF, I've just shoved my nose in it when i forswore this possible issue)

Most of out sites are already L700/1800 - There are a few that dont have both this is being updated.

There is a ton of L2300 and L2600 lighting up where required too.

I am very impressed with all the work our RF and infrastructure guys are doing.. It's rare i'll test even below 3 digits.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

ajw

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#2118619 2-Nov-2018 15:31

RUKI:

hio77:

Which model is this? 850 or 900 utms support?

Please also supply Ticket number.

I suspect your issue may be that 2100 was turned off on that tower and your device is one built for 2d/Vf (so doesn't do 850mhz)

That Nokia is Voda branded and has been working in my place on Spark Mobile for the last 12 months except yesterday and day before yesterday. But working still outside Main Highway area.

Have you thought about moving to another network with this phone. (warehouse mobile, vodafone, two degrees).

tripper1000

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#2118621 2-Nov-2018 15:32

Ruku the Nokia C2-01 is available in UMTS 850 (just not yours if it is of Vodafone origin), you just need to get one off trademe/ebay etc.

You would have also encountered coverage problems in rural areas as the 2100 MHz coverage has never been good outside the main centres. Surprised you have only just encountered issues.

If you check out GSM Arena you will see that there are 2 different 3G options:

The one for Vodafone is UMTS 900 / 2100 / 1900MHz but the one needed for Spark is UMTS 850 / 1900 / 2100 MHz

RUKI

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#2118624 2-Nov-2018 15:37

hio77:

...a new phone would be my suggestion, Although that would be up to you personally i'd say stick with spark, new device.

I have no plans to change my 027 to another provider. It is my business # for incoming calls. I have not been buying mobile phones for the last 20 years as I have been in Telco all that time :-) And I do not need a smartphone as all online activity is via landline - working from home for the last 2 years.

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hio77

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#2118629 2-Nov-2018 15:55

RUKI:

hio77:

...a new phone would be my suggestion, Although that would be up to you personally i'd say stick with spark, new device.

I have no plans to change my 027 to another provider. It is my business # for incoming calls. I have not been buying mobile phones for the last 20 years as I have been in Telco all that time :-) And I do not need a smartphone as all online activity is via landline - working from home for the last 2 years.

Porting is always an option, but in this case think your minds mad up - i support this. Spark is my preferred provider. i only use VF on my secondary sim for voice due to coverage at home personally.

I would see about picking up a cheapy spark compatible device :)

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old3eyes

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#2118656 2-Nov-2018 16:20

RUKI:

hio77:

...a new phone would be my suggestion, Although that would be up to you personally i'd say stick with spark, new device.

I have no plans to change my 027 to another provider. It is my business # for incoming calls. I have not been buying mobile phones for the last 20 years as I have been in Telco all that time :-) And I do not need a smartphone as all online activity is via landline - working from home for the last 2 years.

You could always port your number to a different provider..

Regards,

Old3eyes

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