Just 5 or similar device compatible with Telecom network

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Just 5 or similar device compatible with Telecom network

Laurette

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#93525 23-Nov-2011 10:10

Hi all,
I am in search of a mobile phone/emergency device that is compatible with Telecom. We live in the middle of no where so Vodafone not an option. We are looking for a simple device with a emergency button. Who knew something so simple would be so hard to find! We have just found the "Just 5" it looks perfect but we are getting mixed messages as to whether it would be compatible.

johnr

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#548778 23-Nov-2011 10:12

Don't you think it would be a good idea to post this in the Telecom section of Geekzone?

Where is the middle of nowhere approx?

John

Laurette

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#548781 23-Nov-2011 10:16

Completely new to this site so had no idea where to post. We are in Tauhei, near Morrinsville in the Waikato.

johnr

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Inactive user

#548785 23-Nov-2011 10:20

Laurette: Completely new to this site so had no idea where to post. We are in Tauhei, near Morrinsville in the Waikato.

Coverage is on the way from Vodafone NZ (see link below)

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/about/media-centre/rural-broadband-initiative/coverage/

It looks like someone has moved the thread to the correct place already

John

Laurette

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#548796 23-Nov-2011 10:30

Just had a look, vodafone coverage will still be too marginal in our area

BarTender

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#548815 23-Nov-2011 10:55

The Just 5 seems to only be a GSM phone supporting GSM 850/1900: http://www.just5.com/support.php
Nothing on their EU site about what bands are supported but I would suspect GSM only too.

If it were me I would go for the cheap nokia: http://store.telecom.co.nz/mobile/prepaid/nokia-c201

Nokia have traditionally had great radios so work better than most in remote areas with poor coverage, plus they have better battery life.

For Telecom you will need a WCDMA 850 mobile (not GSM)

Plus you can check out the cell site locations if that helps based on the maps I built using the links below.

Laurette

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#548864 23-Nov-2011 12:15

Its the emergency device that we are mostly after. We are buying it for an elderly person who still likes to get round their farm. The Just 5 has a SOS button that will ring up to 5 numbers until someone answers (on speakerphone). Some one said if its "unlocked" it should be ok?
I myself am looking for a new phone so will check out the Nokia for me!

BarTender

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#548871 23-Nov-2011 12:28

Laurette: Its the emergency device that we are mostly after. We are buying it for an elderly person who still likes to get round their farm. The Just 5 has a SOS button that will ring up to 5 numbers until someone answers (on speakerphone). Some one said if its "unlocked" it should be ok?
I myself am looking for a new phone so will check out the Nokia for me!

I doubt the Just 5 would work in NZ on Telecom due to the handset not supporting WCDMA 850, even if it is unlocked it won't work with the frequency used in NZ. If you purchased an EU one then it "should" work with Vodafone/2Degrees due to them running a GSM 900 and WCDMA 900/2100 network. The US one is GSM 850, which is different to what Telecom run which is WCDMA 850. Same frequency, different technology. Telecom run a WCDMA 850 (2100 in major cities) network.