Are XT network speeds in Dunedin terrible?

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ahmad

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# 37191 8-Jul-2009 21:33

I don't have a 3G device, but a self-professed expert claims that XT network speeds in Dunedin are terrible due to the frequency that XT runs on in Dunedin?

I don't know what the different XT frequencies are, but he claims that Dunedin runs entirely on the band that shows rapid signal deterioration indoors, making it terrible compared to Vodafone's offering.

I thought this was surprising coming from him, as he's always been with Telecom but at XT launch switched to Vodafone.

Now I'm considering an iPhone 3G/S purchase not right now but perhaps in the future - would I be significantly better off with Vodafone in Dunedin when it comes to using a 3G iPhone for 3G data in Dunedin?

Please explain. Thanks.

freitasm

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# 232782 8-Jul-2009 21:44

What a load of bollocks your "self-professed expert" friend is passing on to you.

Telecom uses the same band everywhere. There's no difference. He's just taking things out of his ears.

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ahmad

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# 232790 8-Jul-2009 21:50

Hi freitasm.

He is a Telecom fanboy who was (as I was) excited about XT.

Therefore I was very very much surprised that the XT launch triggered a Vodafone switch instead of an XT contract sign.

What is he talking about when he says that Dunedin only has a single band (is Dunedin 850 or 2100?) and is it true what he says about this signal deteriorating dramatically in buildings to the point where the speed is no different to a 2G speed?

Sorry - I'm not intending on causing any misinformation here, but he's creating some uncertainty for me that I'd like clarified by the experts here.

freitasm

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# 232796 8-Jul-2009 21:53

Telecom uses 850 MHz. And the "in building" problem is common with 2100 MHz - which is what Vodafone uses (plus the new 900 MHz they have in some areas).

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johnr

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# 232797 8-Jul-2009 21:55

ahmad: but a self-professed expert claims that XT network speeds in Dunedin are terrible due to the frequency that XT runs on in Dunedin

I work on the other side of the fence and can confirm that your expert has no idea what they are talking about

John

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# 232799 8-Jul-2009 21:55

Your friend doesnt work for Vodafone, does he? :P

but like MF said, Telecom only run 850 (except some 2100 infil cites in the major cities)

nitrotech

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# 232806 8-Jul-2009 21:59

My sister runs a voadfone 3g phone in Dunedin and has had no end of trouble with it to a point now where she just uses 2g and forgets the 3g services on her phone.

Telecoms coverage in Dunedin has always been very good (although it's been a few years since enjoying an ale at the Woolshed - is it still there?) and as XT cells are on the same sites coverage should be no different.

Also the frequency of XT at 850MHz is only slightly higher than CDMA at 800 so shouldn't really be much difference at all.

It's always possible that there is some localised interference around where your 'expert' lives/works.

Maybe you need a couple of prepay sims in the same phone to find out for yourself.

ahmad

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# 232809 8-Jul-2009 22:07

Sorry guys and thanks for the info. I do always take his thoughts with a unhealthy dose of sodium chloride.

I'm confused though - why would he have chosen VF over XT in Dunedin if he was sacrificing network speeds? Knowing him cost wouldn't have been a massive consideration (he's been on a Telecom data plan for some time).

Aaroona

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# 232811 8-Jul-2009 22:11

ahmad: Sorry guys and thanks for the info. I do always take his thoughts with a unhealthy dose of sodium chloride.

I'm confused though - why would he have chosen VF over XT in Dunedin if he was sacrificing network speeds? Knowing him cost wouldn't have been a massive consideration (he's been on a Telecom data plan for some time).

hard to say, in some spots, vodafone is bettter than telecom, and in others pots, the other way around.

like where i am, in Auckland, telecom is MUCH better than Vodafone as far as speeds are concerned, i get like 0.65 download on Vodafone, and on Telecom, i saw someone the other day getting close to 3mb

But I would dhave thought that being down there, there wouldnt be many users, so its entirely possible that Vodafone is faster..

Its all trial and error I spose.. You just need to try them out.

I know VOdafone offer a 14 day return if the results arent as good as you expect them to be, and I know Telecom (at least up here) are offering 7 day returns, so that if it doesnt fit your expectations then you can return it and have a full refund.

So you might just have to do that.

BozzaMad

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# 232818 8-Jul-2009 22:20

nitrotech: Telecoms coverage in Dunedin has always been very good (although it's been a few years since enjoying an ale at the Woolshed - is it still there?) and as XT cells are on the same sites coverage should be no different.

The Woolshed closed down in 2005, was replaced by Backstage, which is now replaced by the Bowler. Alots changed!

In regards to XT network speeds its good that they are indeed better than the "self-proffessed" expert suggests. Here's hoping the XT reception is better than the CDMA reception because where I live (near the infamous Castle St) I have to charge my phone daily as it keeps searching for network.

nitrotech

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# 232819 8-Jul-2009 22:21

In an ideal world we would have mobile operators who offered the same coverage and then the consideration would be around service and price.

We've now got several different technologies and lots of confusion around which devices support which technologies.

I would guess that it's likely your friend found a plan that suited his needs with Vodafone and found that he had coverage in the places he needed it and potentially a device that suited him, so good on him.

Speed is not as big a consideration as consistancy, not much point in being able to download your 20mb data cap in 10 seconds! but when you need to download an email or web page you'd kind of like it soon-ish.

It's a good idea to check coverage before signing a contract, I learnt this one when I brought a bell south phone and then couldn't get coverage at my house, they put in a cell site 2 blocks away several weeks after I moved out.

NonprayingMantis

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# 232824 8-Jul-2009 22:27

I thought this was surprising coming from him, as he's always been with Telecom but at XT launch switched to Vodafone.

wierdly, even if he was 100% correct, it wouldn't be a reason for moving to voda (yet). Since CDMA is not closing down until around 2012 he could have stayed on telecom for that long at least.

He is clearly just full of BS (or possibly you just totally misunderstood what he was talking about)

Talkiet

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# 232920 9-Jul-2009 10:53

BozzaMad:
The Woolshed closed down in 2005, was replaced by Backstage, which is now replaced by the Bowler. Alots changed!

[Threadjack!]

Hang on wot? replaced _BY_ the Bowler? I remember being there at uni in 1991 and the Bowler was, if I remember correctly... Right here...

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=dunedin,+NZ&sll=28.026391,-82.771618&sspn=0.163502,0.190201&g=dunedin&ie=UTF8&ll=-45.86849,170.509647&spn=0.00403,0.005944&t=h&z=18

Gah... I'm getting old.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are the product of my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

ahmad

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# 232923 9-Jul-2009 11:00

The Bowler has now been bought by the University. Sadly for a lot of people, it will no longer serve drinks but serve education instead.

Plasmaglows

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# 233366 10-Jul-2009 01:44

I have not had less than 4 bars of service on my iPhone anywhere I have bothered to check in dunedin including castle street. I get full service everywhere in the CBD, halfway bush where I live, poratbello and even at aramoana I get 5 bars.

As far as speed goes I get anywhere between 1-1.3mpbs downstream and about 130kbps upstream in most of the above areas.

BozzaMad

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# 233368 10-Jul-2009 01:57

Oh thats good to know. Looking forward to getting reception without having to hold my phone in the air depending where I am in the flat!