Next G network. Another twist to the story
Submitted: Monday, May 07, 2007 at 10:16
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phil
Hi,
There has been much discussion recently about the coverage, or lack of, using the Telstra Next G network as compared to CDMA.
A few days ago I was in the local Telstra
shop and brought this up while talking to an unusually knowlegeble sales person. He said that there have been quite a lot of Next G phones that have been supplied with the network selection parameter set to GSM. This means that they do not act as a NextG phone at all. The correct setting is AUTO which allows the phone to detect the Next G network if available, or to default transparently to GSM if not (eg. overseas) The phone should show Next G on the display.
This may help some people.I hope. I will keep my old CDMA phone for a while longer hovever.
Phil I
Reply By: John R (SA) - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 12:48
Monday, May 07, 2007 at 12:48
I read a similar thing on another
forum the other day. I've changed my settings & it doesn't seem to have made much difference, though it was set to 2G (GSM, I believe).
For those with an LG;
Settings -> Connectivity -> Network -> Preferred Lists -> 3Telstra (3G) needs to be at the top of the list.
Also ensure;
Settings -> Connectivity -> Network -> Network Selection -> Automatic is set.
There is a small 3G in the top left corner of my screen.
Considering the similarity between the Samsung & LG, it shouldn't be too hard to apply the above to any other make of phone.
AnswerID:
238374
Follow Up By: hl - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 13:08
Monday, May 07, 2007 at 13:08
Hi,
Another way of telling if you are in a NextG area is to look at the display and
check if it shows the location you are in. If the phone is in a GSM only area or is set to only work on GSM, it will show your location, on nextG it won't.
Cheers
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Jerry C (WA) - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 00:14
Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 00:14
Hi All,
There are certainly a lot of theories about this subject, but there are two parameters which are fixed.
CDMA and NextG operate in the 850MHz frequency band. 3G is an enhansment to the GSM system and operates in the 2100MHz band.
Cheers, Jerry.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Mr Fawlty - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 10:35
Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 10:35
John R, mate you are the font of all knowledge. I had a look at
mine and adjusted the settings to those you suggested and presto...
Now all I have to do is find someone who I can make an urgent, important video call to.....
FollowupID:
499641
Reply By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 13:18
Monday, May 07, 2007 at 13:18
Phil, some people actually fiddle with their phones and change the parameters. More fool them :-( They actually change that themselves to GSM. Best give them the ability to select the most advantageous one. Heather's phone is a tri-band phone so works a fair way around the world. Next G being best at
home.
As to your point about keeping your CDMA, that is short sighted if you want to use the technology. CDMA won't work overseas anyway, except some may work on the Eastern Island states, sometimes called New Zealand.......
AnswerID:
238378
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 14:55
Monday, May 07, 2007 at 14:55
I'm waiting until I see what Nokia are about to release in the next month or so.
Don't like the lack of external aerial interfaces on the current crop of phones. (excluding Telstra's own brand)
I was also hoping to get a phone without a camera, so I could incorporate both the CDMA and GSM phones into one piece of technology.
(I work in a place that forbids camera enabled phones)
Don't like my chances I'm afraid and the cheapest NextG "plan" is $23/month.
Bugga!!!
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: phil - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 15:37
Monday, May 07, 2007 at 15:37
I was told that all the Next G phones also do tri or quad band GSM. However if you use the data facilities the data rate will be lower when you are connected via GSM.
Apparently the network determines which network you are connected using and incoming calls are automatically routed by the correct path. So you only have one phone number.
I was shown at least 2 phones which had an external aerial socket, and one that used a small coupler on the end ofthe patch lead in place of a plug. All had cameras.
I am keeping my CDMA for now because I use it only as a phone while travelling. I have no network coverage where I live. All I need is a simple phone.
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Follow Up By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 19:16
Monday, May 07, 2007 at 19:16
Phil,
Perhaps I didn't clarify my "desire" properly.
What I intended long term was to have a NextG phone that replaced the CDMA phone and eliminated the need for a GSM one as
well.
I too, just want a simple phone. Not interested in all the other crap associated with NextG, but whatever, it cannot have a camera. If I want to take a picture, I have two digital cameras to do that and much better than one on a phone.
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Follow Up By: GerryP - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 22:59
Monday, May 07, 2007 at 22:59
The LG TU500 apparently has an external antenna connection with their car kit. The kit is currently on special (in SA anyway) for $49 (reduced from close to $400)if you change over from your CDMA plan. The kit also incorporates bluetooth so you can use the phone remotely and still have the benefit of the external antenna. Am going in soon to find out more and probably take the plunge.
Gerry
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Richard W (NSW) - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 07:18
Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 07:18
>GerryP posted this followup
>The LG TU500 apparently has an external antenna connection with their car kit. >The kit is currently on special (in SA anyway) for $49 (reduced from close to >$400)if you change over from your CDMA plan.
On the $40 plan and above in NSW. I went the $30 plan :(
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