Best network to go with for iPhone 3gs

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freitasm

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#315698 7-Apr-2010 11:14

Kiwipixter: XT for geeks, Voda for everyone else. People underestimate Voda's 2100 coverage, so check the coverage map. Also remember, voda 3G network has been in operation since 2006 and is the official carrier for the iphone.

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gopher

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#315719 7-Apr-2010 12:15

Kiwipixter: XT for geeks, Voda for everyone else. People underestimate Voda's 2100 coverage, so check the coverage map. Also remember, voda 3G network has been in operation since 2006 and is the official carrier for the iphone.

Not sure I agree with this statement as a Vodafone iPhone user in Auckland (where I would expect to get the best 2100MHz coverage). In fact as a regular user in the Viaduct precinct (and right now immediately next door to Vodafone's HQ), I regularly drop to 2G - which as has been pointed out previously is next to useless for any data purposes.

And as for people that say iPhone data use is for geeks only, well we are here on Geekzone aren't we?? Besides, like most people I think you'll find that data use increases considerably when using something like an iPhone.

System

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#315728 7-Apr-2010 12:30

I use my phone on telecom XT and i find it great, although i am looking at changing to 2 Degrees soonish as i dont need the 3G much as i mostly use Wifi

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VFNZPaulBrislen

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#315733 7-Apr-2010 12:42

Just to clarify a few points here.

Vodafone has 2100MHz network coverage out to around 65-70% of the population. This is on par with most 3G networks around the world.

The coverage can be seen on our website (www.vodafone.co.nz/coverage) but the breakdown of towns/centres where we operate 2100 is quite extensive:

Auckland
Wellington
Christchurch
Dunedin
Hamilton
Invercargill

that's six. I will find the other 13 but frankly that's most of the country by far.

This idea that customers who step foot outside CBD downtown Wellington will lose signal is a nonsense.

If you spend your time outside those 19 main centres then yes, you will be better off with a 900MHz device (like the BlackBerry Bold II or the HTC Magic or half our current product range) because it will work in both places, but for 70% of the population, that's not the case.

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NonprayingMantis

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#315747 7-Apr-2010 13:13

so to clarify, Voda has ~70% population coverage (for the iPhone 3G). XT has somewhere in the region of 97% population 3G coverage for the iPhone 3G.

Given the pricing plans are pretty similar, that should pretty much settle your argument right there.

System

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#315749 7-Apr-2010 13:16

Where I am I get much better 3G reception with telecom then vodafone

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#315750 7-Apr-2010 13:21

NonprayingMantis: so to clarify, Voda has ~70% population coverage (for the iPhone 3G). XT has somewhere in the region of 97% population 3G coverage for the iPhone 3G.

Given the pricing plans are pretty similar, that should pretty much settle your argument right there.

There are other phones out in the market other than the iphone

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#315751 7-Apr-2010 13:21

System: Where I am I get much better 3G reception with telecom then vodafone

This may be the case where you are located but this does not count for all of NZ

NonprayingMantis

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#315758 7-Apr-2010 13:59

johnr:
NonprayingMantis: so to clarify, Voda has ~70% population coverage (for the iPhone 3G). XT has somewhere in the region of 97% population 3G coverage for the iPhone 3G.

Given the pricing plans are pretty similar, that should pretty much settle your argument right there.

There are other phones out in the market other than the iphone

well of course.
But the OP was specifically asking for the network to run an iphone 3GS on, so I fail to see how your point is even remotely relevant.

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#315770 7-Apr-2010 14:30

NonprayingMantis:
johnr:
NonprayingMantis: so to clarify, Voda has ~70% population coverage (for the iPhone 3G). XT has somewhere in the region of 97% population 3G coverage for the iPhone 3G.

Given the pricing plans are pretty similar, that should pretty much settle your argument right there.

There are other phones out in the market other than the iphone

well of course.
But the OP was specifically asking for the network to run an iphone 3GS on, so I fail to see how your point is even remotely relevant.

Correct but someone jumped in and advised XT is superior to Vodafone coverage (nothing else)

corksta

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#315788 7-Apr-2010 15:34

Well I hope this doesn't descend into a T vs. V battle because it's certainly heading that way, and it's pointless.

I joined Vodafone in 2001 and was with them until I bought an iPhone 3G. After that stopped working and I bought a 3GS I switched to XT and I couldn't be happier. Having constant and fast 3G has been brilliant. I got tired of the phone constantly dropping down to GPRS.

This isn't to say that Telecom is better than Vodafone in general, but in terms of the iPhone 3GS, XT is the way to go and you will not be disappointed.

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oldmaknz

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#315804 7-Apr-2010 16:06

sbiddle:
maknz: XT has superior 3G coverage to Vodafone. It's frequencies are much better suited for the iPhone.

This is an entirely debateable statement, but based upon Telecom's removal of the claim that XT offers 97% population coverage and the fact Vodafone 3G does offer 97% population coverage one could say that it's incorrect.

What is true is the fact the iPhone offers better 3G coverage on XT than Vodafone simply because the iPhone does not support the 900MHz 3G frequency used by Vodafone.

Which is exactly what I said. The iPhone is better suited for XT due to it's frequencies. Lol..

Oh and sorry, I worded that first part badly. XT has superior 3G coverage for the iPhone to Vodafone.

Obviously Vodafone have the extended 3G too which the iPhone doesn't support. Clearing that up..

neilinnz

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#316518 9-Apr-2010 13:22

Can I just ask opinions on users already using their iPhone on these networks.

I use mine on 2degrees due to the cost of text messages especially overseas texts which are loads cheaper than the other two networks, I would switch if I could send texts overseas for less than 30c each (only 9c on 2degrees). I use data a little bit but it's slow slow slow (I'm in Nelson so actually on Vodafone network).
The problems I have on 2degrees is that it doesn't received txt messages sent from Vodafone UK, they send them, get charged, but the texts never arrive (I know this has been discussed before and we know the reasons but it's something to take into account if you txt overseas). Also, push notifications are very hit and miss so if you want to use them then maybe 2degrees isn't the network to use.

Do users who have their iPhones on either XT or Vodafone get ALL their push notifications? Are they hit and miss on those networks too?

System

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#316541 9-Apr-2010 14:17

neilinnz: Can I just ask opinions on users already using their iPhone on these networks.

I use mine on 2degrees due to the cost of text messages especially overseas texts which are loads cheaper than the other two networks, I would switch if I could send texts overseas for less than 30c each (only 9c on 2degrees). I use data a little bit but it's slow slow slow (I'm in Nelson so actually on Vodafone network).
The problems I have on 2degrees is that it doesn't received txt messages sent from Vodafone UK, they send them, get charged, but the texts never arrive (I know this has been discussed before and we know the reasons but it's something to take into account if you txt overseas). Also, push notifications are very hit and miss so if you want to use them then maybe 2degrees isn't the network to use.

Do users who have their iPhones on either XT or Vodafone get ALL their push notifications? Are they hit and miss on those networks too?

I have an iPhone on XT in Nelson also and data the times I have used has been fast but i can't say about push notifications

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sbiddle

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#316865 10-Apr-2010 19:19

neilinnz: Can I just ask opinions on users already using their iPhone on these networks.

I use mine on 2degrees due to the cost of text messages especially overseas texts which are loads cheaper than the other two networks, I would switch if I could send texts overseas for less than 30c each (only 9c on 2degrees). I use data a little bit but it's slow slow slow (I'm in Nelson so actually on Vodafone network).
The problems I have on 2degrees is that it doesn't received txt messages sent from Vodafone UK, they send them, get charged, but the texts never arrive (I know this has been discussed before and we know the reasons but it's something to take into account if you txt overseas). Also, push notifications are very hit and miss so if you want to use them then maybe 2degrees isn't the network to use.

Do users who have their iPhones on either XT or Vodafone get ALL their push notifications? Are they hit and miss on those networks too?

GSM doesn't allow voice and data simultaneously. You will obviously have delays with push notifcations if the phone can't maintain a permanent network connection.

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