The longevity of Vodafone’s GPRS network

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antoniosk

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#230422 23-Feb-2018 10:36

Voda’s migration of all their voice services to voip is driving a big shift in alarm monitoring from the classic voice line, to using GPRS and IP modules.

Has Vodafone publicly stated or committed anywhere how long they will keep their network going? After 2degrees closes their network, only Voda is left.

I’m not looking for armchair commentating, but something definitive from Voda. I’ve seen all manner of dates for closure - and it will be closed at some point - but something tangible would be helpful

________

Antoniosk

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#1962774 23-Feb-2018 10:38

Most you will ever hear from VF is their flashy advert campaigns.

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Starscream122

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#1962777 23-Feb-2018 10:43

Does it really matter can you not afford a 3G phone and want to know how much longer you can hold onto your 2G phone?

MikeHales

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#1962778 23-Feb-2018 10:44

@antoniosk

We have no plans to shutter the 2G network and have publicly stated that a few times. The network structure is layered with 4G/3G/2G providing coverage across all bar a small percentage of the country.

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sbiddle

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#1962785 23-Feb-2018 10:54

My understanding is Vodafone are committed to GSM/GPRS until at least around 2024. This is due to the significant number of telemetry devices in service and contracts for these.

There will however likely be a shut down of general GSM services before this and access limited to permitted IMEI / IMSI numbers which will allow Vodafone to reduce their spectrum usage for GSM.

Geektastic

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#1967798 4-Mar-2018 10:26

sbiddle:

My understanding is Vodafone are committed to GSM/GPRS until at least around 2024. This is due to the significant number of telemetry devices in service and contracts for these.

There will however likely be a shut down of general GSM services before this and access limited to permitted IMEI / IMSI numbers which will allow Vodafone to reduce their spectrum usage for GSM.

Lets hope that alternatives come along soon.

We automated our gates last year and put in a tiny GSM module with a VF prepaid SIM in it that allows recognised phone numbers to open the gate by dialling it.

I searched high and low for a control/intercom/video solution that would work over the distance required without hard wiring etc and found one in the USA that uses 4G to transmit video, voice and allow control of the gates. Not yet available outside the USA but they anticipate it will be. Sadly the US version costs the equivalent of NZ$5,000....

sbiddle

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#1967802 4-Mar-2018 10:48

Geektastic:

sbiddle:

My understanding is Vodafone are committed to GSM/GPRS until at least around 2024. This is due to the significant number of telemetry devices in service and contracts for these.

There will however likely be a shut down of general GSM services before this and access limited to permitted IMEI / IMSI numbers which will allow Vodafone to reduce their spectrum usage for GSM.

Lets hope that alternatives come along soon.

We automated our gates last year and put in a tiny GSM module with a VF prepaid SIM in it that allows recognised phone numbers to open the gate by dialling it.

I searched high and low for a control/intercom/video solution that would work over the distance required without hard wiring etc and found one in the USA that uses 4G to transmit video, voice and allow control of the gates. Not yet available outside the USA but they anticipate it will be. Sadly the US version costs the equivalent of NZ$5,000....

The alternatives are here - all you need to do is upgrade to something that supports 3G or LTE. GSM based modules with SMS and relay IO in/out are cheap as chips and you can pick them up for US$20. I was looking at some 3G modules a few months ago that were around US$90 and LTE modules slightly more again. Unless you have high bandwidth requirements there is no need for LTE modules, and if you're using it for voice calls to activate a relay then it's going to use 3G for voice anyway.

Starscream122

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#1967863 4-Mar-2018 12:25

Geektastic:
sbiddle:

My understanding is Vodafone are committed to GSM/GPRS until at least around 2024. This is due to the significant number of telemetry devices in service and contracts for these.

There will however likely be a shut down of general GSM services before this and access limited to permitted IMEI / IMSI numbers which will allow Vodafone to reduce their spectrum usage for GSM.

Lets hope that alternatives come along soon.

We automated our gates last year and put in a tiny GSM module with a VF prepaid SIM in it that allows recognised phone numbers to open the gate by dialling it.

I searched high and low for a control/intercom/video solution that would work over the distance required without hard wiring etc and found one in the USA that uses 4G to transmit video, voice and allow control of the gates. Not yet available outside the USA but they anticipate it will be. Sadly the US version costs the equivalent of NZ$5,000....

What’s wrong with a simple remote control gate system?

Geektastic

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#1968053 4-Mar-2018 22:54

Starscream122:
Geektastic:

sbiddle:

My understanding is Vodafone are committed to GSM/GPRS until at least around 2024. This is due to the significant number of telemetry devices in service and contracts for these.

There will however likely be a shut down of general GSM services before this and access limited to permitted IMEI / IMSI numbers which will allow Vodafone to reduce their spectrum usage for GSM.

Lets hope that alternatives come along soon.

We automated our gates last year and put in a tiny GSM module with a VF prepaid SIM in it that allows recognised phone numbers to open the gate by dialling it.

I searched high and low for a control/intercom/video solution that would work over the distance required without hard wiring etc and found one in the USA that uses 4G to transmit video, voice and allow control of the gates. Not yet available outside the USA but they anticipate it will be. Sadly the US version costs the equivalent of NZ$5,000....

What’s wrong with a simple remote control gate system?

The cost of the work to cable it between the house and the gate. It's quite a long way...!

Starscream122

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#1968797 6-Mar-2018 11:14

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/77907677/Vodafone-signals-the-end-is-nigh-for-its-2G-voice-service

Oblivian

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#1968805 6-Mar-2018 11:28

Starscream122:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/77907677/Vodafone-signals-the-end-is-nigh-for-its-2G-voice-service

Confusing Voice Vs GPRS/data as questioned here? Cause that's 2years old now and we know how much decisions change

However it still quotes info others have indicated

Downey said Vodafone would keep its 2G running network until 2025, but only to support machines such as smart electricity meters which send back meter-readings over the cellphone network.

It would "retire 2G handsets and turn off voice services" prior to that.

"The timing for this is soon to be confirmed," she said.

antoniosk

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#1968897 6-Mar-2018 13:56

Oblivian:

Starscream122:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/77907677/Vodafone-signals-the-end-is-nigh-for-its-2G-voice-service

Confusing Voice Vs GPRS/data as questioned here? Cause that's 2years old now and we know how much decisions change

However it still quotes info others have indicated

Downey said Vodafone would keep its 2G running network until 2025, but only to support machines such as smart electricity meters which send back meter-readings over the cellphone network.

It would "retire 2G handsets and turn off voice services" prior to that.

"The timing for this is soon to be confirmed," she said.

Which went back to my original point; people are moving gsm off and replacing the frequencies with newer protocols. Whatever historical statements are, I just can't see the great kings of turning everything off retaining gprs for another 7 years.

________

Antoniosk