mobile phone coverage

Submitted: Sunday, Mar 20, 2005 at 16:22
ThreadID: 21369 Views:2879 Replies:6 FollowUps:2
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I am trying to find out if there is any cdma or gsm coverage while travelling north of cairns. We intend to go up the otl track and want to know if it is worth hiring a sat phone. Have checked out some prices and dont know if I can justify that sort of cost {about $580 before any calls}. Have had a look at telstra site but am unable to access maps or information on coverage. I have a uhf radio but would like to be contactable by family back home in case there is a problem there.
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Reply By: Member - PatC - Sunday, Mar 20, 2005 at 16:47

Sunday, Mar 20, 2005 at 16:47
Hi Joeblogs,
CDMA works in Weipa, Seisa and Thursday Island. Range isn't great once you get away from the townships. I didn't notice any signal on my GSM beyond Cooktown... but I wasn't really looking as we where relying on the CDMA.

See Ya
PatC
AnswerID: 103163

Follow Up By: Member - Poppy (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 20, 2005 at 20:10

Sunday, Mar 20, 2005 at 20:10
cdma works in Coen as well

Cheers Poppy
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FollowupID: 360784

Follow Up By: Crackles - Sunday, Mar 20, 2005 at 22:33

Sunday, Mar 20, 2005 at 22:33
CDMA out at Chilli beach too much to our surprise.
Craig.....
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FollowupID: 360820

Reply By: Member - JohnR (Vic) - Sunday, Mar 20, 2005 at 20:55

Sunday, Mar 20, 2005 at 20:55
Hey, joe it also depends on who you use as a carrier for either CDMA or gsm. If you rely on Telstra, you will get further than another carrier. I get dissapointed in my share values too though, as well how far they don't get.
AnswerID: 103198

Reply By: duncs - Sunday, Mar 20, 2005 at 21:27

Sunday, Mar 20, 2005 at 21:27
All carriers use the same towers for CDMA. Can't copmment on coverage up that way, last time I was there I was carrying a Nokia 100 it stopped working when we left Dubbo.

Duncs
AnswerID: 103214

Reply By: Crackles - Sunday, Mar 20, 2005 at 22:42

Sunday, Mar 20, 2005 at 22:42
There are pay phones at all towns & alot of stations on the way North for you to keep in touch (should there be no CDMA coverage) so rarely would you be unable to ring for more than 3 days unless you base camp out in the sticks somewhere.
Depends on how contactable you need to be.
Cheers Craig.....
AnswerID: 103230

Reply By: old-plodder - Monday, Mar 21, 2005 at 09:16

Monday, Mar 21, 2005 at 09:16
I find the telstra web site useful for coverage maps for both CDMA & GSM.
Have cdma personally, alot more coverage out west and up north.
I hear Telstra are replaing broken cells with cdma.
AnswerID: 103256

Reply By: Willykj - Monday, Mar 21, 2005 at 16:23

Monday, Mar 21, 2005 at 16:23
We went to Cape York last July/Aug with CDMA phone & were really surprised with the level of coverage. Used the phone for internet use with a laptop & we were able to connect frequently. Nearly all the settlements have CDMA coverage.

You wont get it up the OTL etc. But my best memory is sittting on Chilli Beach in Iron Range with my laptop getting my emails & doing banking etc.

Willy
AnswerID: 103316

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