Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


pcruthven

162 posts

Master Geek


#31383 16-Mar-2009 12:05
Send private message

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)


Create new topic
freitasm
BDFL - Memuneh
79254 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator
ID Verified
Trusted
Geekzone
Lifetime subscriber

  #201393 16-Mar-2009 12:19
Send private message

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.




Please support Geekzone by subscribing, or using one of our referral links: Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies | Hatch | GoodSyncBackblaze backup




richms
28168 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #201397 16-Mar-2009 12:44
Send private message

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.




Richard rich.ms

freitasm
BDFL - Memuneh
79254 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator
ID Verified
Trusted
Geekzone
Lifetime subscriber

  #201398 16-Mar-2009 12:47
Send private message

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...




Please support Geekzone by subscribing, or using one of our referral links: Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies | Hatch | GoodSyncBackblaze backup




pcruthven

162 posts

Master Geek


  #201447 16-Mar-2009 17:07
Send private message

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.


johnr
19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user


  #201450 16-Mar-2009 17:14
Send private message

No network has %100 up time

cokemaster
Exited
4927 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #201459 16-Mar-2009 17:46
Send private message

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.




webhosting

Loose lips may sink ships - Be smart - Don't post internal/commercially sensitive or confidential information!


exportgoldman
1202 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #201465 16-Mar-2009 18:26
Send private message

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.




Tyler - Parnell Geek - iPhone 3G - Lenovo X301 - Kaseya - Great Western Steak House, these are some of my favourite things.

 
 
 

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.
Loftus
140 posts

Master Geek


  #201469 16-Mar-2009 18:45
Send private message

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

162 posts

Master Geek


  #201544 17-Mar-2009 08:03
Send private message

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 :)


Create new topic





News and reviews »

Air New Zealand Starts AI adoption with OpenAI
Posted 24-Jul-2025 16:00


eero Pro 7 Review
Posted 23-Jul-2025 12:07


BeeStation Plus Review
Posted 21-Jul-2025 14:21


eero Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Products in New Zealand
Posted 21-Jul-2025 00:01


WiZ Introduces HDMI Sync Box and other Light Devices
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:32


RedShield Enhances DDoS and Bot Attack Protection
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:26


Seagate Ships 30TB Drives
Posted 17-Jul-2025 11:24


Oclean AirPump A10 Water Flosser Review
Posted 13-Jul-2025 11:05


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Brings New Edge-To-Edge FlexWindow
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Epson Launches New AM-C550Z WorkForce Enterprise printer
Posted 9-Jul-2025 18:22


Samsung Releases Smart Monitor M9
Posted 9-Jul-2025 17:46


Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper
Posted 9-Jul-2025 08:42


D-Link 4G+ Cat6 Wi-Fi 6 DWR-933M Mobile Hotspot Review
Posted 1-Jul-2025 11:34


Oppo A5 Series Launches With New Levels of Durability
Posted 30-Jun-2025 10:15









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.