Next G Phones
Submitted: Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 at 05:18
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Noosa Fox
Has anyone got a Next G. I notice on the Telstra web site that there are 5 phones to select from and that Next G is suppose to have the same coverage as CDMA but the 3G network is limited to cities only and they operate on a different frequency.
If anyone is using one of these Next G phones can they give me some comments on how you like it and what model you have.
Brian
Reply By: Oldfart & the Boss - Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 at 05:39
Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 at 05:39
I am currently using a Nokia 6233 phone which apart from being fairly heavy on battery usage has been quite a good performer. barbara still carries a CDMA phone as I am not to sure on Telste coverage away from main towns .. From what I have gleaned from conversations with various people Next G coverage away from main metro. centres is not to flash.
Bruce
AnswerID:
570225
Follow Up By: Noosa Fox - Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 at 05:58
Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 at 05:58
The only phones listed on Testra site are,
Telstra 850
LG TU500
Motorola RAZR MAXX V6
Samsung A501 BLUE
i-mate JASJAM.
Is your Nokia 6233 on the Next G network or is it on 3 G network. 3 G is for cities where Next G is country as well.
Brian
FollowupID:
846939
Follow Up By: Oldfart & the Boss - Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 at 08:05
Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 at 08:05
Nokia 6233 is Telstra Next G network purchased from Telstra october 2006. To clarify my comment on battery usage il seems to use substainal power when on standby with screensaver etc turned on but if screensaver etc is turned off battery lasts for days.
Bruce
FollowupID:
846940
Follow Up By: Turist - Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 at 19:28
Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 at 19:28
Bruce I believe that you will find that the Nokia 6233 is a 3G phone.
Nokia have not yet released a Next G capable phone.
Perhaps that is why it is not up to your expectations.
3G is not worth a pinch of **** outside metro areas.
If the dealer told you that it is Next G you better go back and have a word.
Regards
Bob
FollowupID:
846941
Reply By: Silver Fox - Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 at 08:36
Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 at 08:36
I checked out 'Next G' a week ago in a Brisbane Telstra shop. I was informed the coverage will be better by next December. I believe the software in transmitters is being upgraded to accomodate the Next G frequency as fast as they are able. The assistant was of the opinion my travelling in country areas would be better served with CDMA until around Dec 07 compared to that which Next G can do now. In fact it is expected the CDMA will be fased out early 2008. Also the choice of Next G phones presently is best checked at stores. There were four handpieces on offer at the store I attended.
I have been very happy with the CDMA via laptop coverage for e-mails, SMS and calls right around Aus last year. cheers Neil.
AnswerID:
570226
Reply By: dazmit - Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 at 14:00
Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 at 14:00
Hi Brian
I have recently purchased Telstra 850 phone although I won't be able to give a report on coverage until after a 6 week trip away April - early June.
Looking at the coverage maps given it doesn't appear much worse than CDMA for our trip to Innamincka , Birdsville , Coober Pedy , Alice springs - ie non-existant for a fair chunck of it.
I know it can switch between the GRPS or 3G network automatically.
Main reason I purchased it, is it can be used as a wireless modem for the laptop although the data plans for that are a bit limiting. $29.95 a month for 70 Mb but it's a casual plan which I can take as required and I didn't have to purchase a Bigpond aircard with the associated minimum 2 year contract.
Cheers
Darryl
Brisbane
AnswerID:
570227
Follow Up By: Noosa Fox - Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 at 20:00
Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 at 20:00
Thanks Darryl,
The only reason that I am looking at a Next G phone is that our Kyocera CDMA appears to have an internal antenna problem and is now only getting limited reception where there is a very good signal. In the low signal areas where we used to have coverage we no longer have it, so the CDMA is of little value to us.
Brian
FollowupID:
846942
Follow Up By: dazmit - Monday, Jan 15, 2007 at 05:15
Monday, Jan 15, 2007 at 05:15
Sounds like a good time to change it over then Brian since they will swap them for no penalty to any existing contracts.
I know I was told that only the Telstra 850 is suitable as a wireless modem if you have use for that.
Cheers
Darryl
Brisbane
FollowupID:
846943
Follow Up By: dazmit - Monday, Jan 15, 2007 at 05:16
Monday, Jan 15, 2007 at 05:16
Forgot to add with a little bit of bargaining you can get the in car kit reduced from $200 to $100.
Cheers
Darryl
FollowupID:
846944
Reply By: SuziTracker - Monday, Jan 15, 2007 at 19:25
Monday, Jan 15, 2007 at 19:25
I was told in a Telstra shop in Mildura that there are two 3G networks. one is the 3G 850 which is the one that will replace the CDMA network and the other is the one (3G) that will replace the GSM network. At the time (end Sept 2006) there were no 850 phones available and the network would not be available until early 2007. I hope this helps.
Regards
Brian
AnswerID:
570228
Follow Up By: Noosa Fox - Monday, Jan 15, 2007 at 19:40
Monday, Jan 15, 2007 at 19:40
You are correct in that there are 2 new Telstra networks. The 3G is for city use and the Next G is for country and will replace the CDMA.
Our local Telstra shop showed me the maps of CDMA and Next G coverage areas yesterday and they are very similar, with Next G presently better than CDMA in parts of Noosa.
They said that by the end of March 2007 Next G is expected to have a larger coverage area in Australia then CDMA does.
Brian
FollowupID:
846945
Reply By: Jaunty Jordans - Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 20:19
Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 20:19
Hi Brian,
As you know we livw in the NT and in places that only run on CDMA network. We have, after much discussion with Telstra changed our GSM phone over to Next G, Motorola V6, and are very happy with it. Have been on the road now for 6 weeks from Darwin to Bundaberg to BTi then across the middle to Adelaide and are currently sitting in Alice awaiting part for the car. Phone has worked everywhere that our cdma has worked and has better clarity, I think!!
Cdma will be phased out in most of the country by the end of 08 but here in the NT they think it may take a little longer. DO NOT buy a 3G only phone as the minute you leave the bright lights it will not work. Also another small thing is that if you travel overseas then the Next G phones all have a sim card so can be taken whereas the old cdma's didnt.
Hope this helps.
Prue
AnswerID:
570229
Follow Up By: Noosa Fox - Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 22:55
Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 22:55
Thanks Prue,
Good to hear some positive news about the network.
I think I will go for one that is capable of being fitted into a car kit or having an external antenna. I don't think the Motorola model can be.
Brian
FollowupID:
846946
Reply By: Turist - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 01:41
Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 01:41
We are using a Next G phone, a Motorola Maxx V6.
Havn't commented here as yet because we have not tested the service out of town.
The phone itself is fantastic, best I have ever used.
The phone can be coupled with a Bluetooth hands free kit and these can be totally portable or hard wired to the vehicle system.
The hard wired version can be coupled to the mute control on the car radio.
We are using the portable type, Motorola T305, about the size of a matchbox.
This allows us to easily take it from vehicle to vehicle and to use it in the van if required.
Together with my dealer, a very helpful bloke who goes out of his way to help, we researched every Next G phone on the market now seeking a model with external antenna.
None have the facility.
As for coverage, Telstra claim that every existing CDMA cell is now also a next G cell so coverage will not be less than with CDMA for voice.
Not so for data, some cells will not handle data as yet.
City coverage, at least from the user end, seems better.
Faster and clearer connections.
Sending e-mails directly from the phone is a cinch.
Regards
Bob
AnswerID:
570230
Follow Up By: Turist - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 01:42
Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 01:42
A PS to the above post.
Steve the other vehicle just happens to be a FORD.
Regards
Bob
FollowupID:
846947
Follow Up By: Jaunty Jordans - Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 09:10
Friday, Jan 19, 2007 at 09:10
Hi Turist,
That's the same phone we purchased and as I said we have been travelling in the outer areas this Xmas hols and it has been brilliant. We still have our old cdma phone but most of our friends/acquaintances prefer to ring us on the new phone because it has a better clarity. It is also v. easy to use, (I've taken to wearing the bluetooth and looking more like an alien than I do normally!!)
Would be interested to hear what you think after using the phone for a while.
Prue
FollowupID:
846948
Reply By: Noosa Fox - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 22:33
Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 22:33
Well I went around to our local Telstra Shop and purchased the Telstra 850 Next G phone, on a $30 plan that includes $25 of calls. For an additional $49 (special) I obtained a hands free car kit that I will now have to take around to Sound In Motion and have them install it into the F250 for me. They just disconnected the CDMA phone and migrated the number to the new Next G phone.
Also what will be available with this phone is an external annena kit, but the I have to go to a Communications accessory place in Sugar Rd, Maroochydore to get this. When I get it I will put it in the caravan.
Thank you everyone for your posts.
Brian
AnswerID:
570231
Follow Up By: Fosssil - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 23:10
Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 23:10
Hi Brian...Interesting thread...
Please keep us posted on your thoughts re the Telstra 850 Next G Phone and Next G.
fosss
FollowupID:
846949
Reply By: Tassie Bushies - Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 at 22:19
Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 at 22:19
Hi Brian.
I was CONNED into getting the Telstra F850 about 2 months ago.(All I was after was to be connected to MY HOUR).
The reception down here is so bad it goes flat every night searching for a signal, so I need to keep it on the charger all day (Can't use it, as I don't have it on me) SO IT IS USELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I sent the first one back, it was so bad I thought it was broken, but the replacement is just the same.
My fix is to put the sim card in my old digital which works fine, but I am still paying the extra plan fee. I have logged (reported this to Telstra) but several weeks later they have still not replied.
Bob I don't believe that the coverage is better than the CDMA, it is actually worse here, so they can't be using - thoes blocks or whatever.
My Brother-inlaw brought the LG model. It is slightly better, (reception) but still basically USELESS.He has also reported this to Telstra but had no response.
Anybody whishing to report this post to Telstra please feel free.
The Next G network is holy & solely a Telstra network (NO OTHER COMPANY IS ABLE OR WILL BE ABLE TO USE IT)
It has a loooooong way to go before it is worth using.
AnswerID:
570232
Follow Up By: Burt and Mary - Tuesday, Jan 30, 2007 at 18:08
Tuesday, Jan 30, 2007 at 18:08
We are down in Tasmania again this year and find the NextG coverage better than CDMA. Where we are parked on the north west coast there was no CDMA coverage last year, and this year on NextG we are on phone and able to Internet. Only 1 bar on phone and modem but that is sufficient.
At Tomahawk last year no CDMA coverage this year 3 bars on NextG
May find some areas better with CDMA and some with NextG
FollowupID:
846950