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garyasta

75 posts

Master Geek


#193640 18-Mar-2016 12:25
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We live rather remote and don't have a landline or cellphone coverage in our area. However, we currently use an old basic 2G cellphone for when we are in town.

 

We only top it up now and then when necessary on a prepaid basis on Vodafone.

 

We now hear that the 2G network will soon be closing and that we will need to upgrade our current piece of technology.

 

We note that there are some prepaid plans (Vodafone) that have a cost of (say) $16 plus an initial charge for, I presume, the initial SIM card. Does this mean we will have a standard charge of $16 per month, or will this data allowance carry over to subsequent months if we make use of the phone at least once per month, either texting or ringing.

 

With the 4G networks coming on line, should we consider a 4G capable phone or would a 3G system suffice? Remember, we are only interested in the basic texting and calling attributes.


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DarkShadow
1647 posts

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  #1515581 18-Mar-2016 12:35
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If you join those $19/month plan, you will need to pay $19/month. The data allowance will carry over if you pay the monthly fee.

 

However as you're only interested in text and call, you don't need to join these plans. Your current plan will suffice.




dylanp
840 posts

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  #1515587 18-Mar-2016 12:48
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2G isn't going anywhere for a while yet. If it were happening soon I would suggest going into a store, buying a new 3G mobile starting at $19, and put your existing sim card into it. You don't need to change prepay plan necessarily. If the current phone, plan, and 2G network are working for you then there's not much need to change it.

 

When it does come time to turn off 2G voice access I'm sure we'll have high capability phones for a range of prices depending on what features you need.


johnr
19282 posts

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  #1515589 18-Mar-2016 12:50
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Prepay low usage plan is called ' Prepay & Go '



ajw

ajw
1932 posts

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  #1515620 18-Mar-2016 13:25
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No problem, here is a phone for $19 that is future proofed even when GSM is switched off. Just insert your SIM card.

 

 

 

https://www.vodafone.co.nz/shop/mobileListing.jsp?reset=true&categoryId=cat80064&manufacturerId=7800007&menuKey=mnit1100049


dylanp
840 posts

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  #1515666 18-Mar-2016 14:04
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ajw:

 

No problem, here is a phone for $19 that is future proofed even when GSM is switched off. Just insert your SIM card.

 

 

 

https://www.vodafone.co.nz/shop/mobileListing.jsp?reset=true&categoryId=cat80064&manufacturerId=7800007&menuKey=mnit1100049

 

 

 

 

That's the sort of thing I had in mind if it were an upcoming issue, but it's still going to be a while, so by then we might have 4G phones at similar prices with band 28 4G 700MHz support!


michaelt
425 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #1515768 18-Mar-2016 15:59
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dylanp:

 

ajw:

 

No problem, here is a phone for $19 that is future proofed even when GSM is switched off. Just insert your SIM card.

 

 

 

https://www.vodafone.co.nz/shop/mobileListing.jsp?reset=true&categoryId=cat80064&manufacturerId=7800007&menuKey=mnit1100049

 

 

 

 

That's the sort of thing I had in mind if it were an upcoming issue, but it's still going to be a while, so by then we might have 4G phones at similar prices with band 28 4G 700MHz support!

 

 

 

 

Which will still drop back down to 3G for voice calls, so that's rather pointless for this application.

 

 

 

I also wouldn't advise upgrading just yet, unless you want to anyway. You probably have at least a few years to go until they shut it down.


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