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testing123

176 posts

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#96749 3-Feb-2012 13:35
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Hi guys, sorry if this should go into the carrier sub-forums, but i figured since the common element was an Android handset it might sit comfortably here also.

My GF has a Samsung Galaxy mini, which is fine for what it is - a low end cheap but reasonably capable phone. It's on Vodafone's 3G network.

I've recently inherited a Sony Xperia x10i from a friend who upgraded (downgraded, pending how you feel about the issue) to an iPhone 4s. I snapped it up with the intention of upgrading my GFs phone - at the time not realising it's a Telecom handset.

I thought i'd give it a go anyway just to see if it would work, as it has a better touchscreen interface, better camera, etc etc etc. I factory reset the phone, put my own VFNZ sim into it, and can successfully make calls, and surf the web.

So i guess my question is: "in practise" what are the perils of running it on the wrong network? I know the two carriers use different frequencies for their networks, but it seemed to run fine from the brief limited test i gave it this morning.

Would it boil down to a speed/consistency/coverage issue? 

Thanks in advance.

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stevenz
2802 posts

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  #576823 3-Feb-2012 14:08
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Pretty much just coverage, check the specs on gsmarena.com - if it supports 850Mhz and 900Mhz WCDMA as well as the usual 2100Mhz, then you're fine, if it's 850Mhz & 2100Mhz then it's going to be of very limited use on Vodafone, as you'd want 900 & 2100.

Other than that, check the voicemail number and see if there's a custom SIM Manager type app on there, that's about all you're likely to find beyond a customised bootscreen. NZ carriers don't really mess with Android firmwares very much.

You might want to check that the mobile data APN's are correct, but they're generally automatically setup for you just fine.






nickb800
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  #576825 3-Feb-2012 14:09
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Basically, you will only get 3G coverage in certain areas, which means that your mobile data speeds will be really slow in some parts of the country.

johnr
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  #576831 3-Feb-2012 14:22
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The Vodafone NZ coverage map shows where 3G 2100Mhz coverage is and 3G extended 900Mhz

Red 3G 2100Mhz
Orange 3G 900Mhz
Purple GSM / GPRS

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/coverage/



openmedia
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  #576836 3-Feb-2012 14:29
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johnr: The Vodafone NZ coverage map shows where 3G 2100Mhz coverage is and 3G extended 900Mhz

Red 3G 2100Mhz
Orange 3G 900Mhz
Purple GSM / GPRS

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/coverage/


JohnR how do you report errors with the coverage map. My home address has close to zero 2g coverage and your map is showing 4 bars.




Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.


johnr
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  #576837 3-Feb-2012 14:32
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openmedia:
johnr: The Vodafone NZ coverage map shows where 3G 2100Mhz coverage is and 3G extended 900Mhz

Red 3G 2100Mhz
Orange 3G 900Mhz
Purple GSM / GPRS

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/coverage/


JohnR how do you report errors with the coverage map. My home address has close to zero 2g coverage and your map is showing 4 bars.


Coverage is up to the Roadside does not include inside houses or customers property as this can't be drive tested, From the Vodafone coverage page

" This map shows the expected coverage - actual levels may vary "

freitasm
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  #576838 3-Feb-2012 14:33
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stevenz: Pretty much just coverage, check the specs on gsmarena.com - if it supports 850Mhz and 900Mhz WCDMA as well as the usual 2100Mhz, then you're fine, if it's 850Mhz & 2100Mhz then it's going to be of very limited use on Vodafone, as you'd want 900 & 2100.


Don't check gsmarena.com... They list all bands supported by all different models, not individual models. This means sometimes a handset is listed as 850/900/1900/2100 MHz WCDMA when in fact there is one 850/1900, another 850/2100, and 900/1900/2100 and something else.

Look at the box, where it will have listed the supported bands.

 




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testing123

176 posts

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  #576870 3-Feb-2012 15:20
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from memory it's an x10a (not an x10i as i previously posted, googling prompted my memory)... so according to wiki

"the X10a uses 800/850/1900/2100 bands"

...bugger.

 
 
 

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johnr
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  #576872 3-Feb-2012 15:22
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testing123: from memory it's an x10a... so according to wiki

"the X10a uses 800/850/1900/2100 bands"

...bugger.


A is US so it won't support 3G 900Mhz

stevenz
2802 posts

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  #576913 3-Feb-2012 17:02
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freitasm:
stevenz: Pretty much just coverage, check the specs on gsmarena.com - if it supports 850Mhz and 900Mhz WCDMA as well as the usual 2100Mhz, then you're fine, if it's 850Mhz & 2100Mhz then it's going to be of very limited use on Vodafone, as you'd want 900 & 2100.
Don't check gsmarena.com... They list all bands supported by all different models, not individual models. This means sometimes a handset is listed as 850/900/1900/2100 MHz WCDMA when in fact there is one 850/1900, another 850/2100, and 900/1900/2100 and something else.

Look at the box, where it will have listed the supported bands.


They often (but not always) list the different bands offered by different variants of a given model, e.g. the X10:

2G NetworkGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900

3G NetworkHSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100

 HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - X10a for Americas



If they don't differentiate for a given model, then look further afield for frequencies. Boxes don't always list the frequencies either, if you're lucky they'll be buried in the manual somewhere.






testing123

176 posts

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  #576920 3-Feb-2012 17:12
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testing123: from memory it's an x10a... so according to wiki 

"the X10a uses 800/850/1900/2100 bands" .
 

stevenz: 

They often (but not always) list the different bands offered by different variants of a given model, e.g. the X10:

2G NetworkGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900

3G NetworkHSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100

 HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 - X10a for Americas





so, there might be hope yet then? 

testing123

176 posts

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  #576971 3-Feb-2012 19:05
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oops, sorry just re-read the thread... ignore that last post.

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