No fall back for Telecom's 3G network?

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pcruthven

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Topic # 31383 16-Mar-2009 12:05

I’ve noticed with Vodafone’s 3G network it seems to crash every now and again. This doesn’t seem to affect most users as they have GSM to fall back on.

Now with Telecom’s 3G network if it fails there is no CDMA back-up as afaik there are no UTMS 850Mhz and CDMA handsets on the market? Will this mean potential issues with network reliability or is Vodafone’s current implementation of 3G a bit “buggy”?

(Please dont take this as a dig at VF)

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Reply # 201393 16-Mar-2009 12:19

In theory you don't want a fallback. You want the network to... work.

There isn't two copper lines to your home, but POTS is realible - and we grew to believe it.

The same should apply. Vodafone is actually lucky they are running two networks - GSM and WCDMA. I have no problems with a WCDMA network. Did you ever heard of problems with Telecom's current single CDMA network? They don't have fallback FWIW and all works ok.

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richms

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Reply # 201397 16-Mar-2009 12:44

How can you call a GSM network a fallback for 3g? Thats like calling walking a fallback if your car breaks.

For what I use a phone for, no 3g may as well be no network since nothing works well enough over slow-as GPRS - if there was edge it would be a passable fall back but why engineer 2 networks when the spectrum is best dedicated to the one that most people want.

For all the talk and text type people there is still a few years left on the CDMA network, and if being in touch is so important then its always being advisable to have a phone on each network, so a cheap prepay vodafone and a proper telecom HSPA handset should see you always in touch.

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Reply # 201398 16-Mar-2009 12:47

Perhaps he wasn't talking about fallback for data only, but voice as well, in which case you pretty much see no difference when placing voice calls over 3G or GSM...

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pcruthven

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Reply # 201447 16-Mar-2009 17:07

I was talking about voice only. (Yes I know data is another issue)

No I’ve never had problems on my CDMA phones, but I believe that when CDMA was first rolled out most of the early phones had “analogue/AMPs” mode which could have used the old 025 network at the time.

Yes I believe that a network should just work, I have recently had issue with 3G on my Vodafone phone, and fallen back to GSM which has been fine for voice, but Telecom will have no option for this, it will have to be 100% uptime.

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Reply # 201450 16-Mar-2009 17:14

No network has %100 up time

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Reply # 201459 16-Mar-2009 17:46

pcruthven:
Now with Telecom’s 3G network if it fails there is no CDMA back-up as afaik there are no UTMS 850Mhz and CDMA handsets on the market? Will this mean potential issues with network reliability or is Vodafone’s current implementation of 3G a bit “buggy”?

With Telecom, you'll find that you won't need to fall back as coverage will be very similar to the existing CDMA network. Both have the 97% number. (CDMA source, WCDMA source)

With Vodafone, you'll find that their GSM network (97%) has better coverage than the Vodafone WCDMA network (70%), hence the reason why you need GSM to fallback to. (GSM source, WCDMA source)

With Vodafone, this is likely to remain the case until they fully deploy their planned nationwide WCDMA network on the 900mhz band.

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exportgoldman

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Reply # 201465 16-Mar-2009 18:26

pcruthven:
I’ve noticed with Vodafone’s 3G network it seems to crash every now and again. This doesn’t seem to affect most users as they have GSM to fall back on.

Now with Telecom’s 3G network if it fails there is no CDMA back-up as afaik there are no UTMS 850Mhz and CDMA handsets on the market? Will this mean potential issues with network reliability or is Vodafone’s current implementation of 3G a bit “buggy”?

(Please dont take this as a dig at VF)

It's been my impression that the Telecom tech's have always been able to run a reliable network, regardless of the weird and wonderful gear they have put to use over the years. :-)

Vodafone seem to still be working out what Nokia's support number is hehe.

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Reply # 201469 16-Mar-2009 18:45

pcruthven:
No I’ve never had problems on my CDMA phones, but I believe that when CDMA was first rolled out most of the early phones had “analogue/AMPs” mode which could have used the old 025 network at the time.

The CDMA network was never allowed to fall back to the AMPS network. This was a descision bmade by TNZ at the time of the CDMA network deployment.

I would guess they expect the WCDMA network to be at least as reliable (if not better!) than the CDMA network - making a redundent fall-back network.... errr redundent.

pcruthven

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Reply # 201544 17-Mar-2009 08:03

Sweet, thanks for the above comments.

Looks like most have faith that Telecom will keep up its good track record of solid Cell networks.

(Yeah, I know 100% uptime is a dream, but Telecom's cell network has always worked for me when I needed it)

Looking forward to Telecom and Vodafone being on a more level playing field, should be a win, win situation for us consumers, in tough market times.

Phil :)