Help me get my head around XT frequency requirements please

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Help me get my head around XT frequency requirements please

Disrespective

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#52683 5-Dec-2009 18:27

If some wise soul could please shed some light on this for me it would be great. I seem to be a little dumb today and can't get my head in the game.

I want an XT capable phone but I don't want any that Telecom sell. So, as such, i've been looking around at phones and what they need to work on the XT network but this is where I seem a bit stupid...

XT needs 850MHz and 2100MHz correct? But when i'm looking at phones online, is this the GSM frequencies or the UMTS frequencies? Many support 'quad band' GSM, which has a range of, and including, the aforementioned XT required frequencies. However very few support the UMTS frequencies required.

There are so many incredible phones that don't have the 850MHz frequency in the UMTS range but do have the 2100MHz one. Does this mean it will work sparingly? As in, the main centers alone, and will likely have poor reception in outer areas? Or the other way around?

Thanks in advance for helping me feel like an idiot :P

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#279577 5-Dec-2009 18:33

UMTS Frequencies 850Mhz and 2100Mhz (very little presence of this). Mainly UMTS 850Mhz. XT does not supports GSM frequencies.

Do whatever you want to do man.

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Paulthagerous

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#279579 5-Dec-2009 18:47

To expand a little on what billgates said:

1. XT requires UMTS, not GSM. GSM is 2g technology, UMTS is 3g. Something that is GSM850 for example will not work. UMTS/WCDMA/HSDPA are (for your purposes) different names for the same thing (there are technical differences but don't worry about that!). So if it can do WCDMA 850 that is fine also.

2. 2100 is only used for infill capacity in the main centers, 850 is the main frequency that is used for the other areas. Everywhere there is 2100 capacity there is also 850 coverage. Outside the main centers you will get NO reception on a 2100 only phone.

3. Telecom cannot guarantee a UMTS850 device will work on their network, but as long as it is not SIM locked it *should* be fine. You may have to change some settings around to get data working etc though.

Hopefully that clears things up a bit. Just curious, what sort of phone are looking at/want? Anything the Telecom ones can't do that you want or you just don't like them? The Iphone 3GS is obviously a popular choice, but the guys on here always know some good models to suggest.

Disrespective

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#279583 5-Dec-2009 19:01

Thanks for the snappy replies guys, much appreciated.

Paulthagerous, I'm after something that has GPS, preferrably capable of taking the GarminXTMobile app as i can then use my versions of the OpenGPS maps for NZ easily. This means i won't need a data connection to download new maps all the time when travelling too. Something nice to use really.

I'm happy to spend good money if i have to, but i'm starting to think that any of the Symbian S60 devices are becoming defunkt. But this means i'm probably going to have to go Maemo, WinMo e.t.c. which i have no knowledge of and as such have no idea of quality or reliability of the OS.

I'm just starting to look properly after getting reamed from Vodafone for another billing error on their part. Last straw and all that...

Current leader in the pack is the N97 Mini, but my search has only just begun i fear...

Paulthagerous

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#279587 5-Dec-2009 19:19

Disrespective: Thanks for the snappy replies guys, much appreciated.

No worries.

Paulthagerous, I'm after something that has GPS, preferrably capable of taking the GarminXTMobile app as i can then use my versions of the OpenGPS maps for NZ easily. This means i won't need a data connection to download new maps all the time when travelling too. Something nice to use really.

A quick google search brought up very little on GarminXTMobile, so don't really know what to suggest that can do it

I'm happy to spend good money if i have to, but i'm starting to think that any of the Symbian S60 devices are becoming defunkt. But this means i'm probably going to have to go Maemo, WinMo e.t.c. which i have no knowledge of and as such have no idea of quality or reliability of the OS.

Any reason that you say s60 is becoming defunt? Sure, the trend is towards Android and the like but I haven't heard any suggestions that Nokia won't keep perservering with Symbian. May be completely wrong though. But even if it is, plenty of people here use it in their N97's without too much worry.

I'm just starting to look properly after getting reamed from Vodafone for another billing error on their part. Last straw and all that...

Current leader in the pack is the N97 Mini, but my search has only just begun i fear...

Fair enough. I think the N97 is a great phone, haven't used a N97 mini though. Hopefully others will have more to contribute handset wise. So what do you think of the Iphone? Seems to be the choice of most on this site lol

Disrespective

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#279594 5-Dec-2009 19:56

iPhones are great, especially as i have an iPod Touch so i'd be able to transfer apps over somehow and have one device. Problem is that i have an impression of people who use iPhones as being a little pretentious...

Should have called it by it's right name, but Garmin Mobile XT can only be used on Palm, WinMo v.5+ and Symbian devices so i'd like to stick to one of them.

As for the Symbian lifecycle i'd been reading that Symbian is going to be dropped from the Nokia OS lineup hence it will surely slowly die out. Not that i don't think they'll keep supporting it for a while.

johnr

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#279624 5-Dec-2009 22:12

Disrespective:I'm just starting to look properly after getting reamed from Vodafone for another billing error on their part.

Can you please send me a PM about this billing error as I will take a look and if its a error on the Vodafone side we need to know

John

madaz2

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#280201 7-Dec-2009 23:39

does any one know what main centers use the 2100mhz frequency?

jaidevp

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Spark NZ

#280217 8-Dec-2009 01:01

We have 2100 in the following locations, there are more will advise after looking up :)

Auckland
Hamilton
Rotorua
Wellington
Nelson
Christchurch
Queenstown
Dunedin
Invercargill

sbiddle

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#280233 8-Dec-2009 06:53

Just be aware that 2100Mhz coverage within those regions is not as good as the 850Mhz coverage. There are plenty of areas within those cities that don't have 2100mhz coverage and buying a phone that doesn't support 850MHz for use on the XT network will result in nothing but disappointment.

madaz2

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#280235 8-Dec-2009 06:54

thanks. was hopeing to see tauranga on the list

sbiddle

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#280240 8-Dec-2009 07:54

madaz2: thanks. was hopeing to see tauranga on the list

Why it important if 2100 is available?

Telecom only use 2100MHz sites for capacity and infill, primarily in high use areas. It is not the primary frequency for their network and a handset that supports 2100MHz but not 850MHz will not deliver good results on XT.

Damager

2125 posts

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#280244 8-Dec-2009 08:17

Disrespective: Thanks for the snappy replies guys, much appreciated.

Paulthagerous, I'm after something that has GPS, preferrably capable of taking the GarminXTMobile app as i can then use my versions of the OpenGPS maps for NZ easily. This means i won't need a data connection to download new maps all the time when travelling too. Something nice to use really.

I'm happy to spend good money if i have to, but i'm starting to think that any of the Symbian S60 devices are becoming defunkt. But this means i'm probably going to have to go Maemo, WinMo e.t.c. which i have no knowledge of and as such have no idea of quality or reliability of the OS.

I'm just starting to look properly after getting reamed from Vodafone for another billing error on their part. Last straw and all that...

Current leader in the pack is the N97 Mini, but my search has only just begun i fear...

Check out the HTC Touch Pro 2. I run Garmin XT on mine and it runs great.

Check out a review here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uONMuEeTo7A

- Telstra HTC Touch Pro2 - Energy ROM WM6.5.5 20 Oct/Cyanogen Mod Froyo 2.2 - R.I.P
- AT&T Galaxy S Captivate 16GB on XT (now with brother)
- Samsung Galaxy S2 on XT- Runs ICS 4.0.3 Resurrection Remix 9.2
- Business Hours - Work In The Electricity Industry, After Hours - DJ/Turntablist - Will Scratch Vinyl For Free'
- What's next??? S3?

Paulthagerous

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#280251 8-Dec-2009 08:30

sbiddle:
madaz2: thanks. was hopeing to see tauranga on the list

Why it important if 2100 is available?

Telecom only use 2100MHz sites for capacity and infill, primarily in high use areas. It is not the primary frequency for their network and a handset that supports 2100MHz but not 850MHz will not deliver good results on XT.

+1. Don't waste your time with a 2100 only phone. Not worth the trouble.

Paulthagerous

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#280252 8-Dec-2009 08:32

And for what its worth, I also think the Touch Pro2 is a good choice. But I assumed you had discounted it for one reason or another already :)

freitasm

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#280264 8-Dec-2009 08:55

jaidevp: We have 2100 in the following locations, there are more will advise after looking up :)

Auckland
Hamilton
Rotorua
Wellington
Nelson
Christchurch
Queenstown
Dunedin
Invercargill

In another words: don't bother with 2100 Mhz devices. you won't have coverage everywhere. A 850 MHz device will give you 100% coverage on XT.

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