GPRS availability

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lapimate

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#31782 30-Mar-2009 15:58

Is GPRS (2.5G?) service automatically available from every Vodafone NZ cell-site that provides 2G service?

I understand GPRS uses similar channel technology as 2G voice/data albeit using eg 2/4 slots at once? The coverage maps seem to indicate that GPRS has the same coverage provided as 2G voice/data, but is it as simple as that?

I would like to know whether I can get Internet access via GPRS from every site that has 2G voice coverage.

paradoxsm

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#204225 30-Mar-2009 16:04

Both Vodafone and Telecom have nationwide "2G" packet data networks on every site that supports Voice.

Bear in mind that data will not always work in super-fringe areas due to packet-loss and propagation timeslot issues.

Both Telecom and Vodafone are promising nationwide 3G data to the full extent of their voice networks by June 2009. UMTS 850MHz (Telecom) and UMTS 900MHz (Vodafone) which should provide excellent high speed coverage,

lapimate

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#204232 30-Mar-2009 16:17

Thanks paradoxsm. "Super-fringe" point noted.

johnr

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#204238 30-Mar-2009 16:36

Some sites have extended cell 2 time slots one voice call 70k coverage (approx)

GPRS will not work on extended cell when over 35k from serving Cell

IE Out the back of Waiheke coverage is from Port Jackson this is more than 35k from the serving cell so no GPRS

John

andrewcnz

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#204277 30-Mar-2009 18:59

johnr: Some sites have extended cell 2 time slots one voice call 70k coverage (approx)

GPRS will not work on extended cell when over 35k from serving Cell

IE Out the back of Waiheke coverage is from Port Jackson this is more than 35k from the serving cell so no GPRS

John

Hi John, are these extended range sites mostly used for marine coverage? Are there any inland. Cheers Andrew

lapimate

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#204294 30-Mar-2009 20:30

johnr: ... GPRS will not work on extended cell when over 35k from serving Cell ...

Thanks John. I'm quite prepared to drive nearer to a tower to obtain a reasonable signal - just I don't want to have to try to find a Wi-fi point in the countryside.

johnr

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#204298 30-Mar-2009 20:38

andrewcnz:
johnr: Some sites have extended cell 2 time slots one voice call 70k coverage (approx)

GPRS will not work on extended cell when over 35k from serving Cell

IE Out the back of Waiheke coverage is from Port Jackson this is more than 35k from the serving cell so no GPRS

John

Hi John, are these extended range sites mostly used for marine coverage? Are there any inland. Cheers Andrew

Not many inland at all very few use extended cell on the Vodafone NZ network

John

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#205512 6-Apr-2009 11:56

johnr: Some sites have extended cell 2 time slots one voice call 70k coverage (approx)

GPRS will not work on extended cell when over 35k from serving Cell

IE Out the back of Waiheke coverage is from Port Jackson this is more than 35k from the serving cell so no GPRS

John

Once this site is 3G 900 - what kind of distance could be expected? I.E. all things being perfect, the weather, antenna very high on boat mast etc etc. Is there an actual technical limit - like the 35/70km for GSM?

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Aaroona

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#205558 6-Apr-2009 15:45

Personally, I wouldn't think there would be a limit as such. From my understanding, its like HAM radio or PRS. You can get a lot further, but there is a minimum distance.

I think the figures that have been quoted are just averages, but they could be capable of more depending on atmospheric conditions (please feel to correct me if im wrong, though)

sbiddle

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#205590 6-Apr-2009 17:08

Aaroona: Personally, I wouldn't think there would be a limit as such. From my understanding, its like HAM radio or PRS. You can get a lot further, but there is a minimum distance.

I think the figures that have been quoted are just averages, but they could be capable of more depending on atmospheric conditions (please feel to correct me if im wrong, though)

GSM has a maximum range of 35km. This is a technical limitation due to the timing requirements for a TDMA based network. Halving the timeslots (and capacity of the site) means this can be doubled.

WCDMA doesn't really have a maximum range. It's not a fixed number and will change depending on the network load and the SNR of the area you are in. Both CDMA and WCDMA suffer from cell breathing which means the coverage areas will "breath" changing dynamically depending on network loads.

Telstra have a large number of Next G sites in Australia with up to 200km range. You won't get this sort of range however with a regular handset, it's typically fixed cellular units with yagi high gain antennas.

Aaroona

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#205594 6-Apr-2009 17:24

sbiddle:
Aaroona: Personally, I wouldn't think there would be a limit as such. From my understanding, its like HAM radio or PRS. You can get a lot further, but there is a minimum distance.

I think the figures that have been quoted are just averages, but they could be capable of more depending on atmospheric conditions (please feel to correct me if im wrong, though)

GSM has a maximum range of 35km. This is a technical limitation due to the timing requirements for a TDMA based network. Halving the timeslots (and capacity of the site) means this can be doubled.

WCDMA doesn't really have a maximum range. It's not a fixed number and will change depending on the network load and the SNR of the area you are in. Both CDMA and WCDMA suffer from cell breathing which means the coverage areas will "breath" changing dynamically depending on network loads.

Telstra have a large number of Next G sites in Australia with up to 200km range. You won't get this sort of range however with a regular handset, it's typically fixed cellular units with yagi high gain antennas.

Thanks for that, I stand corrected. Good bit of reading, actually!