How to update Vodafone cellular tower list

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › How to update Vodafone cellular tower list

Canuckabroad

179 posts

Master Geek

#139453 9-Feb-2014 21:52

My wife and I are both on Vodafone, however she has almost no reception outside Auckland - in locations where I often have strong 4G signal. Her Nokia 710 does support the frequencies in NZ, so I'm just guessing her phone for some reason isn't picking up a complete list of cellular towers.

Is there a command to cause the phone to update the list of cellular towers? She's already taken it to a kiosk where the sales drone checked that the model is supported in NZ, but had no idea what she was talking about when she suggested there could be a command to update this. I'm sure I remember in the past (on other forums) people suggesting you could just update this before you travel to make sure you'd have the best reception.

Anyone know?

Thanks,

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#983020 9-Feb-2014 22:01

Where was the Nokia 710 obtained from? Sounds like it does not support the GSM / 3G 900Mhz band

A handset does not have a list of cell towers loaded onto it, Don't trust everything you read on the web

Think of the nightmare that every time a new cell site went live providing new coverage that the handset had to be updated and then bring roaming into the picture

Edit: A handset can have a list of preferred networks for roaming but just no way in the world a list of cell sites

Canuckabroad

179 posts

Master Geek

#983027 9-Feb-2014 22:14

That sounds like what I was thinking of....a 3 letter acronym, preferred roaming (something).

The 710 is from the UK - specs suggest it supports GSM network: 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz.

I suppose I can see if there's something in the config where it isn't using all the frequencies? No other easy fix?

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#983028 9-Feb-2014 22:17

What is network mode set to? might not be called ' network mode ' but something like this

Batman

Mad Scientist
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#983034 9-Feb-2014 22:42

you probably have the 710-T which does not support 900Mhz 3G ... she either buys a new phone or switch to telecom

johnr

19282 posts

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Inactive user

#983035 9-Feb-2014 22:43

As above check the model number

Batman

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#983052 9-Feb-2014 22:45

Canuckabroad: Is there a command to cause the phone to update the list of cellular towers? She's already taken it to a kiosk where the sales drone checked that the model is supported in NZ, but had no idea what she was talking about when she suggested there could be a command to update this. I'm sure I remember in the past (on other forums) people suggesting you could just update this before you travel to make sure you'd have the best reception.

Anyone know?

Thanks,

edit: I have always misreading things syndrome - maybe my wife has a point

2) the internet says a lot of things that are completely baseless!

Canuckabroad

179 posts

Master Geek

#983085 9-Feb-2014 23:47

Just to confirm - when I say there is no reception, the indicator is that there is no connection at all. If her phone supported 2G at 900Mhz, would she not have service for making phone calls and just not a data connection?

Thanks for the suggestion - I'll confirm the model.

joker97: you probably have the 710-T which does not support 900Mhz 3G ... she either buys a new phone or switch to telecom

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NikT

1710 posts

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#983140 10-Feb-2014 08:28

Sounds like what you're thinking of is a Preferred Roaming List (PRL), which is part of CDMA tech & not used in NZ as we're all GSM/WCDMA/LTE these days. :)

Product Manager @ PB Tech

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Canuckabroad

179 posts

Master Geek

#983149 10-Feb-2014 08:44

Eep. Will have to update my terminology and thinking. Last time I was really familiar and current was in CDMA days.

NikT: Sounds like what you're thinking of is a Preferred Roaming List (PRL), which is part of CDMA tech & not used in NZ as we're all GSM/WCDMA/LTE these days. :)