Using 2Degrees Phone On XT

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dman

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#73849 23-Dec-2010 22:44

Been a while since I looked at this, but if I recall correctly that the correct answer is "it can't" (as 2D runs largely over VF's network, which is somewhat different to Telecom's).

But.... it does "sort of" work in reality, specifically it works in the main centers but not out the country and small towns.

Is this correct what I recall?

Because if so I'm going to get 2Degree's Huawei IDEOS U8150 and pop my XT SIM card in it, as I spend 99% of my time in the Auckland CBD and won't be bothered if it doesn't work anywhere else.

https://www.youtube.com/c/SoundSpeeding

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#421171 23-Dec-2010 22:56

Just don't do it, it's not worth it. Sure it may work, but then you could loose coverage even in the CBD as it's not desired to be continuous on the 2100MHz band. You need the 850MHz WCDMA 3G band.

Why not consider the Samsung Galaxy 550, same price @ $299, running 2.1 etc

http://store.telecom.co.nz/mobile/prepaid/samsung-galaxy-550#special-offer-tab

nzbnw

manhinli

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#421173 23-Dec-2010 22:58

The answer is "No, you shouldn't", but "technically you can..."

While Telecom have quite a few XT 2100MHz towers in Auckland, especially clustered around the CBD, it wouldn't be necessarily reliable for use.

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=http:%2F%2Fsites.google.com%2Fsite%2Fnzcellinfo%2Ftnzxt210...

If you really want to go down this path - get someone's 2100MHz 3G WCDMA phone to try it out before buying. You'll then have a rough idea if it's feasible around the places you frequent.

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richms

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#421175 23-Dec-2010 22:59

Lousy coverage, non contiguous even when outside, calls dropping out often etc were what happened when I tried it.

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kyhwana2

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#421183 23-Dec-2010 23:28

Basically "it might work" but it might not work at all, so you shouldn't expect anything..

Unless it's "850mhz 3g", it's not guarentted to work on XT.

dman

953 posts

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#421184 23-Dec-2010 23:32

nzbnw: Just don't do it, it's not worth it. Sure it may work, but then you could loose coverage even in the CBD as it's not desired to be continuous on the 2100MHz band. You need the 850MHz WCDMA 3G band.

Why not consider the Samsung Galaxy 550, same price @ $299, running 2.1 etc

http://store.telecom.co.nz/mobile/prepaid/samsung-galaxy-550#special-offer-tab

nzbnw

nah, 2degrees is offering $150 off if you buy that much credit and also it is only $279 from DSE.

All up that adds to a BIG difference in price compared to the Samsung Galaxy.

(I'm going to get 2degrees mobile broadband, so that is where the credit would go....)

manhinli: The answer is "No, you shouldn't", but "technically you can..."

While Telecom have quite a few XT 2100MHz towers in Auckland, especially clustered around the CBD, it wouldn't be necessarily reliable for use.

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=http:%2F%2Fsites.google.com%2Fsite%2Fnzcellinfo%2Ftnzxt210...

If you really want to go down this path - get someone's 2100MHz 3G WCDMA phone to try it out before buying. You'll then have a rough idea if it's feasible around the places you frequent.

oh man, that is a lot! Cheers for the map :D

As I honestly will be in the CBD virtually all the time. I'm at my computer now in the CBD, home is only a few meters away and also in the CBD. etc etc

Plus I use my phone a million times more for txting than voice calls, so even where the signal is a bit weaker on those rare excursions beyond the CBD I should do ok as I won't be trying to make a voice call and txting is a tad bit more robust.

Worst case scenerio I'll switch to 2degrees for real? Have thought about it. Or I'll just pop my VF SIM into the IDEOS instead.

https://www.youtube.com/c/SoundSpeeding

manhinli

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#421187 24-Dec-2010 00:02

You mentioned getting 2degrees mobile broadband - why not pop that into the IDEOS and put it on Wi-Fi hotspot? I guess you want or already have a dedicated device for that...

And yep - Vodafone's fine on the IDEOS as a fallback option.

If you're game, then give it a go I suppose.

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dman

953 posts

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#421201 24-Dec-2010 05:28

The thought did cross my mind I could use it as a wifi hot spot... but for the low cost of $69 it seems worth getting a dedicated stick?

Then I won't have to worry about the hassle of the phone going flat, swapping SIMs, etc...

But yeah, I'll try it as a wifi hot spot before leaping onto the next step.

https://www.youtube.com/c/SoundSpeeding

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NzBeagle

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#421207 24-Dec-2010 06:44

I sometimes use the 2100 network in the city and its ok, as long as you're not deep inside a building. The battery drains a little quicker, low signal. Managed for about 3 months, south of Papakura i'd switch sims. If you can be bothered is the question.

BarTender

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#421226 24-Dec-2010 08:22

dman:

manhinli: The answer is "No, you shouldn't", but "technically you can..."

While Telecom have quite a few XT 2100MHz towers in Auckland, especially clustered around the CBD, it wouldn't be necessarily reliable for use.

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=http:%2F%2Fsites.google.com%2Fsite%2Fnzcellinfo%2Ftnzxt210...

If you really want to go down this path - get someone's 2100MHz 3G WCDMA phone to try it out before buying. You'll then have a rough idea if it's feasible around the places you frequent.

oh man, that is a lot! Cheers for the map :D

Glad some people are finding it useful... Need to run an update from the latest RSM dump... Plus had a few other thoughts about how to make it better.....

freitasm

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#421231 24-Dec-2010 08:32

dman:
manhinli: The answer is "No, you shouldn't", but "technically you can..."

While Telecom have quite a few XT 2100MHz towers in Auckland, especially clustered around the CBD, it wouldn't be necessarily reliable for use.

As I honestly will be in the CBD virtually all the time. I'm at my computer now in the CBD, home is only a few meters away and also in the CBD. etc etc

After all the advice, one final reminder: if YOUR choice of NON-IDEAL HANDSET causes loss of service, low coverage, low 3G performance inside buildings, or when you travel outside Auckland and can't find service, then DON'T BLAME TELECOM.

freitasm

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#421232 24-Dec-2010 08:36

dman: (as 2D runs largely over VF's network, which is somewhat different to Telecom's).

This is a myth. In the main cities 2degrees runs on its own network. While in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington (and soon other places) you will be connected to 2degrees' own network of cell sites and backhaul.

2degrees customers ROAM on Vodafone network outside its main coverage area.

This is important. OUTSIDE the main coverage area means that if you are in Auckland and don't have 2degrees service (a dead spot for example) you will not fallback to Vodafone, as that is the main 2degrees coverage area.

Oldhat

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#421271 24-Dec-2010 10:04

Telecom have a compatibility page where you can enter the IMEI number of the phone. It doesn't have results for all phones (even some Telecom sourced devices) but can give you an indication if it should work.

http://www.telecom.co.nz/mobile/ournetwork/phonecompatibility

SteveON

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#421275 24-Dec-2010 10:08

freitasm:
dman: (as 2D runs largely over VF's network, which is somewhat different to Telecom's).

This is a myth. In the main cities 2degrees runs on its own network. While in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington (and soon other places) you will be connected to 2degrees' own network of cell sites and backhaul.

2degrees customers ROAM on Vodafone network outside its main coverage area.

This is important. OUTSIDE the main coverage area means that if you are in Auckland and don't have 2degrees service (a dead spot for example) you will not fallback to Vodafone, as that is the main 2degrees coverage area.

Yeah but there is two arguments here: the land coverage of the places they DO cover is vastly smaller than the others, however the population that is covered is about 60-70% of the population.

VinLew

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#421354 24-Dec-2010 15:22

BarTender:

Glad some people are finding it useful... Need to run an update from the latest RSM dump... Plus had a few other thoughts about how to make it better.....

Would an updated RSM dump show where 2degrees are errecting towers?

dman

953 posts

Ultimate Geek

#421501 25-Dec-2010 16:14

Freitasm: don't worry, I wouldn't think for a second to blame telecom!

But I've done my bit of research here (& tried out with my sister's + my XT SIM), so I feel confident to take the leap!

At worst, I have the back up options listed above :)
(using it for my VF number or switching my XT to 2D entirely)

https://www.youtube.com/c/SoundSpeeding

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