Quad band mobile compatible with XT?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Quad band mobile compatible with XT?

ageorge

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#60438 26-Apr-2010 11:12

Hi Im still confused after asking around whether a mobile that is not 3g will work voice with XT and Voda if its bands are 850/900/1800/1900 GSM. I suspect not, but can anyone give me a definitive answer please?

I suspect the additional bands of 850 and 1900 are surplus to requirements unless the phone has 3g correct?

Also, would buying a phone with quad GSM band as above be detrimental to the performance of the mobile, as I suspect if you are talking on Voda say 900Mhz, and it drops out, then the phone would by default try 1800, then 1900, then 850, then finally 900 until it finally gets a lock. For example, if the phone simply had dual band 900 and 1800 it would reconnect faster?

Any comments appreciate.
Thanks, Al.

1 | 2

9250 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#322939 26-Apr-2010 11:14

A GSM-only phone will not work with XT, regardless of bands.

Lenovo

Lenovo computer and accessories deals (affiliate link).

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#322945 26-Apr-2010 11:19

Behodar: A GSM-only phone will not work with XT, regardless of bands.

+1

This same question has been asked so many times on Geekzone

Quick search I found this thread

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=39&topicid=59866

Stu

Hammered
7451 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#322946 26-Apr-2010 11:21

XT only has a 3G network. Only phones with 850MHz UMTS/WCDMA (or 2100MHz in ?main centres?) will work.

GSM is not a 3G technology. Disregard any mention of GSM specifications when you look at phone specs as this is of no use at all on the XT network.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

Referral Links: Sharesies - Backblaze -

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? If so, please consider supporting us by subscribing.

No matter where you go, there you are.

ageorge

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#322947 26-Apr-2010 11:22

OK thanks for prompt reply. What about the other questions re dropout/recovery speed? EG quad band does not cost signficantly more, would allow overseas roaming compatibility, but if its going to interefere with NZ coverage in fringe areas then its not a good purchase choice.
Thanks,
Al.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
76398 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#322956 26-Apr-2010 11:34

When you buy a phone for XT you have to get a WCDMA handset with 850/2100MHz.

WCDMA *IS NOT* GSM. GSM is 2G and WCDMA is 3G. They are not compatible.

Telecom runs a 100% 3G network, Vodafone runs TWO networks - GSM (2G) and WCDMA (3G).

Coverage on both are similar in size because Vodafone's two networks overlap. It means you don't get 3G all the time on Vodafone, while you do get 3G all the time on XT.

When buying a phone for XT the GSM part is only there if you need to use it for roaming, since other networks are also operating 2G. They won't interfere one with the other in any way.

Please support Geekzone by subscribing, or using one of our referral links: Dosh referral: 00001283 | Sharesies | Goodsync | Mighty Ape | Backblaze

freitasm on Keybase | My technology disclosure

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#322961 26-Apr-2010 11:45

ageorge: OK thanks for prompt reply. What about the other questions re dropout/recovery speed? EG quad band does not cost signficantly more, would allow overseas roaming compatibility, but if its going to interefere with NZ coverage in fringe areas then its not a good purchase choice.
Thanks,
Al.

This makes no difference at all in the way you're thinking it may.

It's virtually impossible to find a phone that doesn't do quad band GSM. This has been the norm in most phones for ~5 years now. Every 3G phone also supports GSM but you don't need this on XT unless you're roaming.

timmyh

183 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#322962 26-Apr-2010 11:46

The 3G frequency situation is still confusing and I don't think Telecom has done the greatest job to explain it. The 850MHz frequencies that Telecom is using are only used in the U.S. by AT&T (850 & 1900), Australia by Telstra and NZ by Telecom (both 850 with some 2100). There are other South American countries that are also looking at it or even implementing.

But in NZ and Aus these 850 3G networks exist alongside standard 900/2100 MHz 3G - which is by far the dominant combination in rest of world, albeit that Europe and Asia have been quite slow to adopt 900 3G. Unfortunately it is very difficult from a radio design perspective to have 850 & 900 3G on the same device. It is OK for GSM (hence Quad-band GSM) but not 3G. My understanding is that next year we should see this - 850/900/1900/2100 3G devices. Just to complicate matters even further, T-mobile in the US uses 1700MHz 3G.

So until next year you will see two main variants of 3G frequencies - 850/1900/2100 (US, Telstra, Telecom), 900/1900/2100 (rest of world). And for devices aimed at T-mobile (900/1700/2100).

Some devices are squeezing in 1700 & 1900 to make it quad band but can only do one of 850 or 900 at the bottom end.

old3eyes

8996 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#323006 26-Apr-2010 13:17

This link http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html gives an indication as to who uses what. It appears that Europe only uses 2100 for 3G. Not sure how reliable this diagram is or how up to date..

Regards,

Old3eyes

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#323007 26-Apr-2010 13:27

old3eyes: This link http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html gives an indication as to who uses what. It appears that Europe only uses 2100 for 3G. Not sure how reliable this diagram is or how up to date..

Its way out of date then if U900 is not on there

Behodar

9250 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#323009 26-Apr-2010 13:30

It also says that NZ has GSM 850... I haven't really followed GSM frequencies here but it's not right, is it?

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#323010 26-Apr-2010 13:31

Behodar: It also says that NZ has GSM 850... I haven't really followed GSM frequencies here but it's not right, is it?

Good website (NOT)

fallen

199 posts

Master Geek

#323016 26-Apr-2010 13:38

old3eyes: This link http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html gives an indication as to who uses what. It appears that Europe only uses 2100 for 3G. Not sure how reliable this diagram is or how up to date..

Another site that gives an indication to the GSM/3G networks and frequencies used by the various networks, http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/index.shtml

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#323019 26-Apr-2010 13:40

Behodar: It also says that NZ has GSM 850... I haven't really followed GSM frequencies here but it's not right, is it?

I just sent them a Email advising what network uses what Bands

Vodafone NZ
GSM 900/1800mhz WCDMA 900/2100mhz

Telecom NZ
WCDMA 850 / AMPS 2100mhz

2Degrees
GSM 900 / WCDMA 2100

Thanks John

Behodar

9250 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#323022 26-Apr-2010 13:46

Ooo! I know! Pick me!

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#323024 26-Apr-2010 13:47

johnr:
Behodar: It also says that NZ has GSM 850... I haven't really followed GSM frequencies here but it's not right, is it?

I just sent them a Email advising what network uses what Bands

Vodafone NZ
GSM 900/1800mhz WCDMA 900/2100mhz

Telecom NZ
WCDMA 850 / AMPS 2100mhz

2Degrees
GSM 900 / WCDMA 2100

Thanks John

Yes. I believe 2degrees are using some 1800 spectrum.

1 | 2