What to look for when buying a new phone for XT

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › What to look for when buying a new phone for XT

nickd

447 posts

Ultimate Geek

#36638 29-Jun-2009 17:39

Right, here is what I understand so far, correct me if I am wrong.

It's my understanding from the FAQ that I need 850MHz 3G, which is also known as HSDPA in some advertising, ie the parallel imported ad in the herald today. I understand that XT runs on 850 and 2100 so I need a phone that has at least 850MHz.

Do the cell towers run 850 and 2100 at the same time or do they alternate, meaning that if I buy a phone with 850 only, in some places where I should get coverage I won't.

Is there anything else I need to be aware/cautious of when shopping around?

If anyone has any thoughts on a phone that might suit me advice would be greatly appreciated (preferably Nokia but not fussed, wi-fi, bluetooth, gps, hopefully under $800).

Nick.

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4705 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#229271 29-Jun-2009 17:48

2100MHz is only deployed at very few main centers as a backup. Majority is running on 850MHz.

Check out phonesdirect.co.nz for Nokia E-71 XT version. Great device.

Do whatever you want to do man.

lillow

107 posts

Master Geek

#229293 29-Jun-2009 18:43

Dont buy a vodafone phone that is compatible to use on the XT network.I have a vodafone phone that has 850mhz and put it on the XT network and I can send texts and make calls and go on the internet but it wont let me send PXTS or go onto the Tworld homepage.I have played around with the settings with no luck.Just some advice for ya

nickd

447 posts

Ultimate Geek

#229299 29-Jun-2009 19:01

Hmm, that sure is something I wasn't aware of. Is it a widespread problem or just with yourself?

matt45

311 posts

Ultimate Geek

#229312 29-Jun-2009 19:26

what kind of phone is it?, some have a seperate setting for mms gateway.

scorpiworld

192 posts

Master Geek

#229324 29-Jun-2009 19:49

nickd: Right, here is what I understand so far, correct me if I am wrong.

It's my understanding from the FAQ that I need 850MHz 3G, which is also known as HSDPA in some advertising, ie the parallel imported ad in the herald today. I understand that XT runs on 850 and 2100 so I need a phone that has at least 850MHz.

Almost all correct. XT is 850MHz 3G coverage across 97% of where NZ 'work and play'
Data transmission is using HSPA (The best of HSDPA and HSUPA variants) and has the same coverage using 850MHz. 2100MHz is used in the main city centres (Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch) to cover phones that dont work on 850MHz. That coverage is being expanded slightly but there isnt any info / facts to show exactly where. You can use HSPA on 2100MHz as well as 850MHz.

nickd: Do the cell towers run 850 and 2100 at the same time or do they alternate, meaning that if I buy a phone with 850 only, in some places where I should get coverage I won't.

In the city they run at both 850 and 2100 together so using an 850 only phone wont lose coverage.

nickd: Is there anything else I need to be aware/cautious of when shopping around?

Be aware some Vodafone devices look the same as XT Devices but work on different frequencies, because VF use 900 and XT use 850. e.g. Nokia create different E71's for different networks around the world.

If you have the device id / IMEI you can get an indication of if it will work or not using this link http://www.telecom.co.nz/mobile/ournetwork/phonecompatibility. Its not 100% accurate but will let you know if your looking at the right phones.

nickd: If anyone has any thoughts on a phone that might suit me advice would be greatly appreciated (preferably Nokia but not fussed, wi-fi, bluetooth, gps, hopefully under $800).

Nick.

Its not under $800 on prepaid but E71 is the closet your get for Nokia, WiFi, BT, GPS.

Hope this helps,

Regards, SW

scorpiworld

192 posts

Master Geek

#229327 29-Jun-2009 19:53

lillow: Dont buy a vodafone phone that is compatible to use on the XT network.I have a vodafone phone that has 850mhz and put it on the XT network and I can send texts and make calls and go on the internet but it wont let me send PXTS or go onto the Tworld homepage.I have played around with the settings with no luck.Just some advice for ya

Hi Lillow, have a look at these and see if your WAP and MMS settings are correct?

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=39&topicid=32983

Regards, SW

bjhoogs

183 posts

Master Geek

#229372 29-Jun-2009 22:04

Phones direct have imported e71x for $671, or you could import an n78 for around $600

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akia

489 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#229427 30-Jun-2009 08:09

lillow: Dont buy a vodafone phone that is compatible to use on the XT network.I have a vodafone phone that has 850mhz and put it on the XT network and I can send texts and make calls and go on the internet but it wont let me send PXTS or go onto the Tworld homepage.I have played around with the settings with no luck.Just some advice for ya

Check out scorpiworld's link. But for MMS & Tworld you need to connect to TelecomMMS & TelecomContent APN's.

If you're having problems feel free to PM me your details and I can help you set it up.

nickd

447 posts

Ultimate Geek

#229493 30-Jun-2009 11:10

Thanks for your help guys, it's much appreciated.

steve98

1395 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#229542 30-Jun-2009 13:28

Hmmm I'd be careful of that phonesdirect website. I just had a quick look and in the 'Telecom 3G' section they are advertising a 'Quadband HSDPA' unlocked HTC Magic (the new Voda Android handset), however when you look at the tech specs its actually quadband GSM and only 900/2100 HSDPA, so no good for Telecom. Haven't looked closely at any of the other mobiles but thats enough for me to warn any 'novices' away from this site!

matt45

311 posts

Ultimate Geek

#229574 30-Jun-2009 14:32

steve98: Hmmm I'd be careful of that phonesdirect website. I just had a quick look and in the 'Telecom 3G' section they are advertising a 'Quadband HSDPA' unlocked HTC Magic (the new Voda Android handset), however when you look at the tech specs its actually quadband GSM and only 900/2100 HSDPA, so no good for Telecom. Haven't looked closely at any of the other mobiles but thats enough for me to warn any 'novices' away from this site!

they do make a 850/1900 version which is "more" compatible, so maybe thats what you would get? either way the specs seem to be quickly copied from random sources which is a little annoying.

lillow

107 posts

Master Geek

#229687 30-Jun-2009 19:18

matt45: what kind of phone is it?, some have a seperate setting for mms gateway.

Its a sony ericsson C510a(vodafone)

matt45

311 posts

Ultimate Geek

#229709 30-Jun-2009 20:27

lillow:
matt45: what kind of phone is it?, some have a seperate setting for mms gateway.
Its a sony ericsson C510a(vodafone)

have you tried this tool
http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/support/phones/detailed/phonesetupmms/c510a?lc=en&cc=us

lillow

107 posts

Master Geek

#229727 30-Jun-2009 22:34

matt45:
lillow:
matt45: what kind of phone is it?, some have a seperate setting for mms gateway.
Its a sony ericsson C510a(vodafone)

have you tried this tool
http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/support/phones/detailed/phonesetupmms/c510a?lc=en&cc=us

Tried that before,all it does is send 7 txt's to me in funny writing,somene also told me it does not work becuase its a international site and it wont be able to send it to my phone properly or something like that.

Aaroona

3196 posts

Uber Geek

#229773 1-Jul-2009 08:23

steve98: Hmmm I'd be careful of that phonesdirect website. I just had a quick look and in the 'Telecom 3G' section they are advertising a 'Quadband HSDPA' unlocked HTC Magic (the new Voda Android handset), however when you look at the tech specs its actually quadband GSM and only 900/2100 HSDPA, so no good for Telecom. Haven't looked closely at any of the other mobiles but thats enough for me to warn any 'novices' away from this site!

If there is a problem with something there, please contact him and have it corrected.

Either use his contact details on the website, or send him a PM so he can rectify the issue.

pas1

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