[TelstraClear] TelstraClear's Use of Vodafone Network...

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › [TelstraClear] TelstraClear's Use of Vodafone Network...

jvorback

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#10267 13-Nov-2006 18:09

Hi Everyone

Can anyone fill me in on some of the details behind TelstraClear's use of the Vodafone network? I have been told that Vodafone resell a percentage of their network to TelstraClear and that TelstraClear is only guaranteed a certain amount of bandwidth/usage. In other words 029 users do not have full access to the Vodafone network in the same way that a 021 user does. Is this true?

We are currently using 029 after having been forced to switch from Telecom a year ago. We have had all sorts of problems with poor coverage, calls dropping out and data connections - via Telstra provided Vodafone 3G datacards - dropping out several times each day. It's gotten so bad that we are now looking at our options.

So my question really is: is 029 the same as 021?

Having been a Telecom customer for many years, I find it difficult to believe that Vodafone would have over half the mobile market if its coverage is really this bad.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
John.

johnr

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#52197 13-Nov-2006 18:18

TCL users get the same as Vodafone for network coverage and performance

TCL only resell vodafone products!!

Vodafone NZ and TCNZ has equal coverage this may not be mirror imaged but no provider can claim they have more!

On a global scale that is a different story

sat

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#52218 13-Nov-2006 20:49

So that would Make TCnz a MVNO?

antoniosk

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#52220 13-Nov-2006 20:52

Nope.

TCL resells Vodafone plans and services, and makes a margin on the vodafone product - literally an agency/agent agreement.

An MVNO gets wholesale airtime access, where each minute, megabyte or sms is charged at $x. The MVNO sets it's own retail price from there.

Bellsouth used to operate this structure, but for Voda NZ it's never been popular. Funny how it works for Voda UK though (via BT).

________

Antoniosk

johnr

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#52221 13-Nov-2006 21:06

satellitesam: So that would Make TCnz a MVNO?

TCNZ or TCL???????

lchiu7

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#52253 14-Nov-2006 10:09

antoniosk: Nope.

TCL resells Vodafone plans and services, and makes a margin on the vodafone product - literally an agency/agent agreement.

An MVNO gets wholesale airtime access, where each minute, megabyte or sms is charged at $x. The MVNO sets it's own retail price from there.

Bellsouth used to operate this structure, but for Voda NZ it's never been popular. Funny how it works for Voda UK though (via BT).

I suspect TCL only resells Vodafone plans etc. for corporate customers - for those whom they are already providing other services like data and voice. I recall being on a committee evaluating tenders for a major telecommunications RFP and Telstraclear were one of the bidders and had included cellular services resold from Vodafone. In my current organisation all telecommunications is provided by TelstraClear so we have 029 cellphones. One thing I do like about the integration is my cellular number is the same as my landline number apart from the 029 prefix.

I suspect this reselling agreement is one of the reasons TCL were interested in developing another mobile network - so they could offer a complete service without using a reseller.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

jvorback

12 posts

Geek

#52254 14-Nov-2006 10:32

Thanks Ichiu and everyone else’s that's commented on this question. I too was involved in a review of communications suppliers for my company. I recommended Telecom (our existing supplier) but was eventually over-ruled by our parent company. So now we're also using 029 and are having a lot of problems with the coverage on both phones and data cards. Telecom's CDMA network has a far greater reach than Vodafone's GSM one. 3G-wise, Telecom seem to have about 1 years head start as far as coverage goes. I know it's easy to bag a big utility company, but for a company that requires nation-wide voice and data access, I think Telecom wins hands down. If anyone has any ideas on ways to improve coverage issues - different phones, boosters, etc. - would be appreciated.

Cheers,
John.

sbiddle

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#52256 14-Nov-2006 10:49

I honestly don't think you can say that either Telecom or Vodafone have better GSM or CDMA coverage. Both networks are essentially on par in terms of % of the country covered. Both have places that one covers and the other doesn't and both have big lists of deadspots.

3G coverage is another thing however and for mobile data you do really have to give the edge to Telecom. If Vodafone's 900MHz HSDPA rollout goes as planned however things could be very interesting by this time next year.

BTW if anybody at Vodafone is reading this maybe you could try and speed up the installation of the new Ghuznee St flyover site in Wellington - somebody (I suspect a digger working on the motorway) has bent one of your onmi masts that is currently mounted below the flyover. The new mounting brackets are installed for the new panels but I've been chopped off about 4 times driving through the Terrace Tunnel in the past week so I spect the bent one has been damaged.

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lchiu7

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#52259 14-Nov-2006 11:04

sbiddle: I honestly don't think you can say that either Telecom or Vodafone have better GSM or CDMA coverage. Both networks are essentially on par in terms of % of the country covered. Both have places that one covers and the other doesn't and both have big lists of deadspots.

3G coverage is another thing however and for mobile data you do really have to give the edge to Telecom. If Vodafone's 900MHz HSDPA rollout goes as planned however things could be very interesting by this time next year.

BTW if anybody at Vodafone is reading this maybe you could try and speed up the installation of the new Ghuznee St flyover site in Wellington - somebody (I suspect a digger working on the motorway) has bent one of your onmi masts that is currently mounted below the flyover. The new mounting brackets are installed for the new panels but I've been chopped off about 4 times driving through the Terrace Tunnel in the past week so I spect the bent one has been damaged.

I am waiting for our account manager to give me a vmodem unit. I currently use the 3G PCMCIA card and I am underwhelmed at the performance.

As for coverage, again is somebody from Vodafone is reading this, how about doing something about coverage along Cashmere Ave in Khandallah near the Cashmere Ave school. Reception there is spotty to none and I would have thought a school (especially a primary school) is one place you would want good reception.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

johnr

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#52261 14-Nov-2006 11:34

There are many places low in coverage around NZ on both networks just remember network providers can't turn up and say mmmm low coverage here lets put a cellsite up, Not quite that simple I think!!!

Both providers have detailed coverage maps and know where there coverage is.

I am sure a low coverage area can be logged with both providers in NZ and this could be used for future planning

freitasm

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#52268 14-Nov-2006 12:02

johnr: Both providers have detailed coverage maps and know where there coverage is.

Oh, really? I will check with the guy in this thread then...

johnr

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#52270 14-Nov-2006 12:06

Buuger I hate it when that happens thanks MF

Maybe I should have mentioned the coverage maps the network people use

johnr

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#52272 14-Nov-2006 12:16

lchiu7 make sure you remove the VMC software before plugging in the vodem for the first time and always use the same USB port

John

freitasm

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#52274 14-Nov-2006 12:20

I found the vodem working well with VMC 7. You should first plug the vodem, install its VMC Lite software, use it once, disconnect, unplug the vodem and then install VMC 7. From then use the VMC 7 only.

Back on topic please!