Mobile coverage Telstra v Optus
Telstra was smart to choose 850MHz for their NextG network. As others have alluded, the existing 3G networks including Telstra's (eg, the "3 Telstra" network) that operate up at 2100 MHz aren't designed for range, and in-building reception is poor too. Telstra's old CDMA/AMPS network also operated around 850 MHz from memory and I always found the coverage superb. I once made a mobile call from inside one of the Wilson's Prom lighthouse cottages. The keeper at the time said that the only other successful mobile phone call from area had been made from a helicopter hovering overhead the lighthouse. When I later got my bill, I was amazed to see the the 'origin' of the call was Devonport! So the CDMA signal had effectively crossed Bass Straight, though possibly via Flinders Island - a fair hike.
The other thing with early GSM and CDMA was that cars had decent mobile phone aerials to take advantage of the ground plane propagation effect. I believe that advantage is largely lost if the phone just sits in a cradle inside the car using its own internal aerial.
The other thing with early GSM and CDMA was that cars had decent mobile phone aerials to take advantage of the ground plane propagation effect. I believe that advantage is largely lost if the phone just sits in a cradle inside the car using its own internal aerial.
If you really can't hack it (Telstra's dearer but not prohibative) just get a SIM splitter. You can only use one network at a time but with some crafty (and inexpensive )call forwarding you can use your Optus number and plan the majority of the time and then just go over to your Telstra pre-paid when Optus fails.
Unfortunately this method won't work on the iPhone as it will be network locked to the telco it is bought from (can be unlocked but is exorbitantly expensive).
I found a spreadsheet once that had all the iPhone plans layed out and all you had to do was enter the number of calls, sms and average length of calls over a month and it will give you the best plan... very useful. (might be on whirlpool).
As everyone has told you Telstra really only did the NextG stuff to differentiate itself from CDMA as they added data. It uses the same frequency band (i think) and therefore all else unchanged NextG should give the same range as CDMA.
Chars
to be honest, you cannot compare any of the other mobile carriers with Telstra's 850 3G band (NextG is the procudt label) Virgin, Vodafone use the Optus 3G infastructre and 3 doesn't really go out of the major cities.
People may complain about the price, but the coverage is the best in the country
People may complain about the price, but the coverage is the best in the country
Join Date: Jan 2007
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Another vote for Next G network + phones. I switched from Optus prepaid to Telstra prepaid, and believe it or not, T are actually cheaper/more bang-for-buck when you factor in their "Talk + Text" bonus (compared to the Optus Turbocharge prepaid I was on before).
I cannot imagine flying up here in the NT without a Next G phone. My only complaint is there are simply not enough phone models to choose from if you go prepaid. I went with the Nokia 6120 - not a "blue tick" phone but from all the research I did, the 6120 outperforms many of the "blue tick" phones (this blue tick thing seems to be a bit of a marketing exercise).
I cannot imagine flying up here in the NT without a Next G phone. My only complaint is there are simply not enough phone models to choose from if you go prepaid. I went with the Nokia 6120 - not a "blue tick" phone but from all the research I did, the 6120 outperforms many of the "blue tick" phones (this blue tick thing seems to be a bit of a marketing exercise).
Anyone looking to buy a phone or change plan should have a look at Whirlpool Forums
There is a wealth of info about regional carriers.
There is a wealth of info about regional carriers.
AussieNick
3 roams on the Telstra’s 2 & 3G network (not Next G) out of 3’s network. Phone calls and text messages are free when roaming but not data. I've never had a problem using it in most place in Aus. Also if you are on one of their capped plans and you go overseas where another 3 network is available, eg UK, Italy, HK, etc, all inbound calls are free.
3 roams on the Telstra’s 2 & 3G network (not Next G) out of 3’s network. Phone calls and text messages are free when roaming but not data. I've never had a problem using it in most place in Aus. Also if you are on one of their capped plans and you go overseas where another 3 network is available, eg UK, Italy, HK, etc, all inbound calls are free.
404 - yeah mate i know that, should have written than on my previous post, what i meant was 3's own 3g service doesn't really extend much outside of the captial cities.
at the end of the day though, there isn't anything that can compete with the Next G service in the rural and remote areas of australia
at the end of the day though, there isn't anything that can compete with the Next G service in the rural and remote areas of australia
