iPhone GSM 3G Confusion

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Geektastic

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# 42394 4-Oct-2009 10:57

I have just discovered via some slightly OT wandering on another forum that the iPhone 3G will not work on the GSM900 3G network that VF have.

I am very confused, as the VF sales staff assured me that where I live I would get 3G on the iPhone "soon" (12 months or so ago). I have now found out that the iPhone needs GSM850 outside the 2100 city network, which VF don't have.

Martinborough apparently has 900 3G.

Nowhere (I could readily find) on VF's site does it clearly state that this issue may arise with the iPhone and the iPhone is not an option in the "check your coverage" map.

Am I the only one who thinks that this is a bit strange?! I would have thought that customers should be clearly told of an issue like this that may affect such a fundamental part of the phone's use.

I feel somewhat that I have been sold a very expensive phone based on incorrect info...

nzbnw

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# 260942 4-Oct-2009 11:10

You are extremely confused!

VF operate a 900 and 1800 GSM 2G network with GPRS. In addition to this they operate a 2100 and 900 3G WCDMA network. WCDMA is not compatible with GSM, and GSM is not compatible with WCDMA. WCDMA handsets however usually have WCDMA/GSM chip sets enabling them to connect to both technologies, but only in the relevant bands.

Your iPhone operates on GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900 and WCDMA 850, 1900, 2100, so your iPhone can access the following bands on the VF network: 900, 1800 GSM and 3G WCDMA 2100 ONLY. It can not access 900 3G WCDMA, or Vodafone's extended 3G.

On Telecom your iPhone could only access 850 2100 3G WCDMA (which are the only two bands Telecom offer).

nzbnw

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# 260946 4-Oct-2009 11:18

Ha - now I am more confused!!

Is too much to ask that if I buy a Vodafone 3G handset I can just expect it to work anywhere in NZ that has a 3G network of any description?!!

It's like buying a car and finding out it only works on roads that face north/south!

nzbnw

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# 260948 4-Oct-2009 11:22

To have as VF claim '97%' 3G coverage your need a phone that supports WCDMA 900/2100. The iPhone does not support the WCDMA 900 band.

If you want nationwide 3G coverage try Telecom, as they operate a 3G WCDMA 850 nation wide network, that your iPhone supports.

nzbnw

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# 260949 4-Oct-2009 11:27

Let's try and clear the confusion...

3G is not GSM.

Now that this is clear, let's continue.

Vodafone runs *TWO* mobile networks: GSM 900/1900 MHz (2G) and WCDMA 900/2100 MHz (3G).

The Apple iPhone 3G/3G S works on both GSM and 3G networks. However for 3G networks it only supports 850/2100 MHz bands. It means it will work on Vodafone 2G (and use data at GPRS speeds which is similar to dialup) if it can't connect to 3G.

Talking about 3G only, Vodafone uses 2100 MHz in the main centres (they claim it's 70% of NZ usage) and 900 MHz everywhere else where its 3G service is available.

This means your Apple iPhone will only work at 3G speeds when connected to Vodafone in the main centres. Everywhere else it will be 2G speeds.

The Telecom XT network is different. Telecom runs a pure 3G network. The XT Network is 100% 3G so your iPhone would always use 3G speeds wherever you have XT coverage.

Also note that Vodafone 2G coverage is not the same as Vodafone 3G coverage - some places will have 2G only, not even having 900 MHz coverage.

The end result? The iPhone is perfect for Telecom XT, even though it is sold by Vodafone. People using it on Vodafone will have to live with it, or port to Telecom.

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# 260951 4-Oct-2009 11:29

It's a bit off that VF are not up front about this fact when they sell the iPhone.

Sadly the iPhone was not on Telecom when I bought mine.

Can I use the same handset if I change over to Telecom?

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# 260952 4-Oct-2009 11:29

I mean actual handset - is it locked to VF or anything?

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# 260954 4-Oct-2009 11:31

Vodafone doesn't lock any handsets - not even the iPhone. If you port to Telecom you may be entitled to a $300 credit. Obviously porting means you'd break your contract, so any Vodafone fees for breaking the contract would still apply.

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# 260956 4-Oct-2009 11:35

Thanks Mauricio - that gets where we need to be!

All these acronyms and different systems are distinctly unhelpful to a plain ol' customer. I still reckon that an average punter buying a 3 G phone would reasonably expect it to work anywhere that the chosen network had 3 G, regardless of frequency etc.

To sell someone a phone that won't work, tell them it will work "soon" when in fact "never" is more accurate, not make clear disclosure in marketing material and on the web that it won't do certain things a reasonable consumer might expect it to do and so on is verging on being a bit close to the dodgy side, I think. JMO of course.

Telecom here I come.

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# 260963 4-Oct-2009 12:37

BTW Mauricio - respect is due!

this thread already listed as second result on page one when I Googled how to move from VF to Telecom! Now that is some fast voodoo.....!!