4G LTE coverage maps for different bands

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › 4G LTE coverage maps for different bands

teixeiragv

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#280244 3-Dec-2020 17:22

Hi,

I am looking for 2Degrees coverage maps for different bands.

We know 2Degrees use 4G (LTE 700MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz), but they provide only one map for all 3 bands.

I have an unlocked 4G router - ZTE R218 which does not support 700MHz, but supports 900MHz and 1800MHz.

I am interested about the area on the Marlborough/Pelorus Sounds. 2Degrees shows a good coverage... but.... Is it most 700MHz or most 900MHz?

Can someone provide a coverage map per band?

Regards

MaxineN

Max
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#2615826 3-Dec-2020 17:46

Both.
Gis says you've got band 8 and band 28 to work with at either ends.

You also have a few RCG sites but they're all band 28(700)

I'll let someone more in the know answer but this is all according to GIS.

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c0ld

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#2615892 3-Dec-2020 20:43

Off topic but don't expect too much in way of speeds if connecting to 4G 900Mhz. At only 5Mhz bandwidth theoretical top download speed is currently 37.5Mbps remembering that is then shared with other users on the tower / depletes if low signal strength etc.

Plus if your router is serving multiple devices you're then splitting your slice of the bandwidth even further. FWIW if the client devices are all wifi (which I'm guessing they are based on the ZTE modem being a wifi hotspot) it may be worth getting a mid range phone which is compatible with all NZ bands and hotspotting from that instead. That'll then give you access to 2degrees 700Mhz (75Mbps again theoretical) and RCG 700Mhz (typically 150Mbps+) too.

teixeiragv

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2616289 4-Dec-2020 12:10

MaxineN: Both.
Gis says you've got band 8 and band 28 to work with at either ends.

You also have a few RCG sites but they're all band 28(700)

I'll let someone more in the know answer but this is all according to GIS.

Can you share those coverage maps for Tasman bay, Marlborough and Pelorus Sounds?

Cheers

teixeiragv

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2616292 4-Dec-2020 12:14

c0ld: Off topic but don't expect too much in way of speeds if connecting to 4G 900Mhz. At only 5Mhz bandwidth theoretical top download speed is currently 37.5Mbps remembering that is then shared with other users on the tower / depletes if low signal strength etc.

Plus if your router is serving multiple devices you're then splitting your slice of the bandwidth even further. FWIW if the client devices are all wifi (which I'm guessing they are based on the ZTE modem being a wifi hotspot) it may be worth getting a mid range phone which is compatible with all NZ bands and hotspotting from that instead. That'll then give you access to 2degrees 700Mhz (75Mbps again theoretical) and RCG 700Mhz (typically 150Mbps+) too.

Thanks for the info.

I already have the ZTE router. I might follow your advise for next wifi hotspot acquisition.... maybe when 5G is available around that area.

Cheers

MaxineN

Max
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#2616305 4-Dec-2020 12:44

teixeiragv:

MaxineN: Both.
Gis says you've got band 8 and band 28 to work with at either ends.

You also have a few RCG sites but they're all band 28(700)

I'll let someone more in the know answer but this is all according to GIS.

Can you share those coverage maps for Tasman bay, Marlborough and Pelorus Sounds?

Cheers

You should sign yourself up at https://gis.geek.nz and you'll see almost every tower in NZ as well as Chorus backhaul.

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#2616320 4-Dec-2020 13:18

Getting a 4G modem not supporting 4G 700Mhz is just silly to start with, Go back to the drawing board and buy a modem that supports the bands

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MaxineN

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#2616331 4-Dec-2020 13:43

OP could pick up a Huawei E5576 for $149 from PBTech since I imagine that OP's intention is to have a battery hotspot. If they don't need a battery hotspot then they really should go on Trademe and look for D-Link DWR 956 or a unlocked Huawei B525.

Ramblings from a mysterious lady who's into tech. Warning I may often create zingers.

teixeiragv

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2616336 4-Dec-2020 14:00

Linux:

Getting a 4G modem not supporting 4G 700Mhz is just silly to start with, Go back to the drawing board and buy a modem that supports the bands

I would agree with you if I was buying it now, but I have had it since when I was in Fiji in 2018 for 3 Months... so it worked very well and served its purpose there!

Now, I have it.... no extra cost...

Thanks