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- 01-16-2007, 05:45 AM #1DomGuest
A question from a newbie to this group .... the olde Nokia 3210 is still
working fine but it's not fashionable enough to stop my brother-in-law
(the "style-police" officer) from telling me it's time to get rid of the
'brick' (he never saw my previous phone, a 1610 or 1620 I think it was
called). Also the idea of accessing email via the mobile is appealing.
Anyway is this NextG really the ants pants? - it seems to be touted as a
replacement for CDMA but how does it compare with GSM for someone who is
either in urban areas or travelling on main highways for 99.99% of the
time? And is there any advantage in waiting 6-12 months until they sort
out any coverage and/or software issues, or is being an early adopter a
good idea the case of NextG?
If it makes any difference to the answer of this question, I do want to
be able to access web-based email (Gmail) on my new phone. Apart from
that, just basic calls & SMSes are all I think I'll need from the network.
Thanks for any tips
Dom
› See More: NextG vs GSM
- 01-16-2007, 04:54 PM #2Rod SpeedGuest
Re: NextG vs GSM
Dom <[email protected]> wrote:
> A question from a newbie to this group .... the olde Nokia 3210 is still working fine but it's not
> fashionable enough to stop my brother-in-law (the "style-police" officer) from telling me it's
> time to get rid of the 'brick' (he never saw my previous phone, a 1610 or 1620 I think it was
> called). Also the idea of accessing email via the mobile is appealing.
> Anyway is this NextG really the ants pants?
Nope, you can do the email using a decent modern GSM phone.
> - it seems to be touted as a replacement for CDMA but how does it compare with GSM for someone who
> is either in urban areas or travelling on main highways for 99.99% of the time?
Lousy value basically, because you are locked into Telstra, and
because the choice of handsets is pathetic compared with GSM.
> And is there any advantage in waiting 6-12 months until they sort out any coverage and/or software
> issues, or is
> being an early adopter a good idea the case of NextG?
It does work reasonably well, just poor value in your situation.
> If it makes any difference to the answer of this question, I do want
> to be able to access web-based email (Gmail) on my new phone.
Gmail doesnt have to be web based, you can do POP3 too.
> Apart from that, just basic calls & SMSes are all I think I'll need from the network.
Then I wouldnt bother with NextG myself. In fact I dont bother with NextG myself.
- 01-16-2007, 04:55 PM #3Nole BoadayGuest
Re: NextG vs GSM
Your brother in law is an idiot.... but without idiots like that
Australia wouldn't have record high credit card debt and go through
mobile phones as if the latest one is actually needed (it isn't).
If your GSM coverage is fine for your travels, then NextG won't be of
**** all benefit. Unless of course you like to be locked into Telstra
and it's appalling high call rates.
Dom wrote:
> A question from a newbie to this group .... the olde Nokia 3210 is still
> working fine but it's not fashionable enough to stop my brother-in-law
> (the "style-police" officer) from telling me it's time to get rid of the
> 'brick' (he never saw my previous phone, a 1610 or 1620 I think it was
> called). Also the idea of accessing email via the mobile is appealing.
>
> Anyway is this NextG really the ants pants? - it seems to be touted as a
> replacement for CDMA but how does it compare with GSM for someone who is
> either in urban areas or travelling on main highways for 99.99% of the
> time? And is there any advantage in waiting 6-12 months until they sort
> out any coverage and/or software issues, or is being an early adopter a
> good idea the case of NextG?
>
> If it makes any difference to the answer of this question, I do want to
> be able to access web-based email (Gmail) on my new phone. Apart from
> that, just basic calls & SMSes are all I think I'll need from the network.
>
> Thanks for any tips
>
> Dom
- 01-17-2007, 05:22 AM #4Greg AlexanderGuest
Re: NextG vs GSM
Hi Dom,
This is a simple question but the answer is a little more complicated.
In short: Get yourself a regular 3G phone that you like, on whatever
network you like. The functionality is identical & in city areas the
coverage is the same. (The 2G version of GSM often doesn't have the
same functionality)
The long answer:
Pluses for NextG
- uses 850Mhz which handles longer distances, better country coverage
- uses Telstra network, more extensive in country areas
- currently has higher data speeds (vodafone etc are fast, just not as
fast)
- maintains high data speeds in country areas (vodafone etc drop to 2G
speeds)
Pluses for regular 3G
- much greater range of handsets to choose from
- works on all networks (not just Telstra) so you can change networks
- choice of networks means cheaper deals
- 01-17-2007, 06:30 AM #5Jonathan WilsonGuest
Re: NextG vs GSM
> Pluses for regular 3G
> - much greater range of handsets to choose from
> - works on all networks (not just Telstra) so you can change networks
> - choice of networks means cheaper deals
NextG phones (certainly the motorola V6) should (as long as they aren't
network locked to Telstra that is) function just fine on the 2100MHz UMTS
services offered by "3", Optus and Vodafone if you insert a UMTS USIM card
into it.
- 01-19-2007, 12:36 PM #6EmjayeGuest
Re: NextG vs GSM
Dom said....
> A question from a newbie to this group .... the olde Nokia 3210 is still
> working fine but it's not fashionable enough to stop my brother-in-law
> (the "style-police" officer) from telling me it's time to get rid of the
> 'brick' (he never saw my previous phone, a 1610 or 1620 I think it was
> called). Also the idea of accessing email via the mobile is appealing.
My experience with NextG so far is somewhat mixed.
Cost-wise, if you use the 3G features, such as internet browsing,
getting email or video calls, then it will cost you an arm and a leg.
For example, in the first month I racked up $60 worth of data charges.
And I hardly used that side of things, other than to download and
install a decent web browser (Opera Mini) and to enter and test about 6
URLs/Bookmarks.
Video calls are like watching a web cam chat on a dialup connection. It
might be the phone or it might be the network. I don't know. Whatever,
it's not smooth and fast video as they like to claim. My phone is a
Samsung A501 on a $30/mth plan.
As for coverage so far it's been mostly as good as CDMA. A few areas
need improving. But it was a hoot when a mate and I stopped for a leak
up in the Snowies, about 20 kays or so from Tumut 2 hydro station. We're
in the middle of nowhere it seems. He couldn't get a signal from his
GSM, but my NextG phone was able to, just, pull it in. He was able to
call home about something urgent.
Where I work I could get a good CDMA signal inside. However, the NextG
phone is a bit patchy. Again, it might be the phone. But the CDMA phone,
a Nokia 2280 had no real problems.
I've had issues recently. I'm sitting there and I get a "message alert".
It's a note to say to call "message bank". For whatever reason, a few
calls to my mobile have been diverted straight to MB. Dunno why. If it
keeps happening, I'll chase it up with Telstra.
Also had some problems sending MMSes. I could say, send one to my wife's
mobile, a Nokia connected to the local GSM network. But the same MMS
sent to my daughter's phone which is connected to 3's 3G service would
arrive sans picture. Just a blank MMS would be seen on her phone. Lately
it seems to be working OK.
I lodged a fault or complain with Telstra recently listing all the areas
that allegedly have NG cover, but in reality, they either don't, or it's
marginal. A bird rang me last week to discuss it. I spent probably half
an hour on the phone with her describing the problems with reception in
areas that should have it. Half the hassles was trying to describe the
place, and getting the *****ing right. Tintaldra is really hard to
pronounce and *****, right?
Anyway, she was telling me that they are progressively commissioning all
their planned NG cells, so some areas that supposedly have cover will
eventually get it. Hopefully they'll also extend coverage to where there
is none now, particularly in NE Vic and SE NSW, and right along the
Ninety Mile Beach which runs along our southern coastline east of
Melbourne from Wilson's Promontory to Lakes Entrance. Lots of touristy
beach "resorts" there that have **** all coverage of any flavor of
mobile service.
> Anyway is this NextG really the ants pants? - it seems to be touted as a
> replacement for CDMA but how does it compare with GSM for someone who is
> either in urban areas or travelling on main highways for 99.99% of the
You're probably better off sticking with GSM, then. That way you won't
be tempted to fiddle with the 3G side of things and start racking up
mega-bills.
> out any coverage and/or software issues, or is being an early adopter a
> good idea the case of NextG?
I early adopted (3 days after it was started) because my CDMA phone was
on its last legs. Otherwise I'd probably still be on CDMA and only
migrating when forced to.
> If it makes any difference to the answer of this question, I do want to
> be able to access web-based email (Gmail) on my new phone. Apart from
> that, just basic calls & SMSes are all I think I'll need from the
> network.
Any WAP/GRPS enabled GSM phone could probably do that now, just that
it's ****loads slower than NG or 3G.
- 01-19-2007, 04:06 PM #7Paul DayGuest
Re: NextG vs GSM
On Wed, 17 Jan 2007 21:30:30 +0900 Jonathan Wilson may have written:
> NextG phones (certainly the motorola V6) should (as long as they aren't
> network locked to Telstra that is) function just fine on the 2100MHz UMTS
> services offered by "3", Optus and Vodafone if you insert a UMTS USIM card
> into it.
Except those that don't support 2100MHz UMTS - ie, the majority of them.
PD
--
Paul Day
Web: http://www.enigma.id.au/
- 01-20-2007, 04:22 AM #8SpokesGuest
Re: NextG vs GSM
Emjaye, call up customer service and ask them to check for you, if you
have the Video MMS (VIDMMS) code on your service.
if not, get them to put it in...
Also if you haven't got it, ask to get Messagebank Roaming added as
well. It doesn't cost you anything to have it with your 3G/Next G
service.
Then re boot the phone. Hopefully it should work better.
These two particular product codes will help with MMS, and quite
possibly sort out some of the coverage problems you have.
Spokes
Emjaye wrote:
> Dom said....
>
> > A question from a newbie to this group .... the olde Nokia 3210 is still
> > working fine but it's not fashionable enough to stop my brother-in-law
> > (the "style-police" officer) from telling me it's time to get rid of the
> > 'brick' (he never saw my previous phone, a 1610 or 1620 I think it was
> > called). Also the idea of accessing email via the mobile is appealing.
>
> My experience with NextG so far is somewhat mixed.
>
> Cost-wise, if you use the 3G features, such as internet browsing,
> getting email or video calls, then it will cost you an arm and a leg.
>
> For example, in the first month I racked up $60 worth of data charges.
> And I hardly used that side of things, other than to download and
> install a decent web browser (Opera Mini) and to enter and test about 6
> URLs/Bookmarks.
>
> Video calls are like watching a web cam chat on a dialup connection. It
> might be the phone or it might be the network. I don't know. Whatever,
> it's not smooth and fast video as they like to claim. My phone is a
> Samsung A501 on a $30/mth plan.
>
> As for coverage so far it's been mostly as good as CDMA. A few areas
> need improving. But it was a hoot when a mate and I stopped for a leak
> up in the Snowies, about 20 kays or so from Tumut 2 hydro station. We're
> in the middle of nowhere it seems. He couldn't get a signal from his
> GSM, but my NextG phone was able to, just, pull it in. He was able to
> call home about something urgent.
>
> Where I work I could get a good CDMA signal inside. However, the NextG
> phone is a bit patchy. Again, it might be the phone. But the CDMA phone,
> a Nokia 2280 had no real problems.
>
> I've had issues recently. I'm sitting there and I get a "message alert".
> It's a note to say to call "message bank". For whatever reason, a few
> calls to my mobile have been diverted straight to MB. Dunno why. If it
> keeps happening, I'll chase it up with Telstra.
>
> Also had some problems sending MMSes. I could say, send one to my wife's
> mobile, a Nokia connected to the local GSM network. But the same MMS
> sent to my daughter's phone which is connected to 3's 3G service would
> arrive sans picture. Just a blank MMS would be seen on her phone. Lately
> it seems to be working OK.
>
> I lodged a fault or complain with Telstra recently listing all the areas
> that allegedly have NG cover, but in reality, they either don't, or it's
> marginal. A bird rang me last week to discuss it. I spent probably half
> an hour on the phone with her describing the problems with reception in
> areas that should have it. Half the hassles was trying to describe the
> place, and getting the *****ing right. Tintaldra is really hard to
> pronounce and *****, right?
>
> Anyway, she was telling me that they are progressively commissioning all
> their planned NG cells, so some areas that supposedly have cover will
> eventually get it. Hopefully they'll also extend coverage to where there
> is none now, particularly in NE Vic and SE NSW, and right along the
> Ninety Mile Beach which runs along our southern coastline east of
> Melbourne from Wilson's Promontory to Lakes Entrance. Lots of touristy
> beach "resorts" there that have **** all coverage of any flavor of
> mobile service.
>
> > Anyway is this NextG really the ants pants? - it seems to be touted as a
> > replacement for CDMA but how does it compare with GSM for someone who is
> > either in urban areas or travelling on main highways for 99.99% of the
>
> You're probably better off sticking with GSM, then. That way you won't
> be tempted to fiddle with the 3G side of things and start racking up
> mega-bills.
>
> > out any coverage and/or software issues, or is being an early adopter a
> > good idea the case of NextG?
>
> I early adopted (3 days after it was started) because my CDMA phone was
> on its last legs. Otherwise I'd probably still be on CDMA and only
> migrating when forced to.
>
> > If it makes any difference to the answer of this question, I do want to
> > be able to access web-based email (Gmail) on my new phone. Apart from
> > that, just basic calls & SMSes are all I think I'll need from the
> > network.
>
> Any WAP/GRPS enabled GSM phone could probably do that now, just that
> it's ****loads slower than NG or 3G.
- 01-20-2007, 06:06 AM #9Paul DayGuest
Re: NextG vs GSM
On 20 Jan 2007 02:22:24 -0800 Spokes may have written:
> Emjaye, call up customer service and ask them to check for you, if you
> have the Video MMS (VIDMMS) code on your service.
What's the difference between Video MMS and normal MMS? Last time I
played with it, I could put all sorts of random files (including a
video) and as long asit was less than 100kB, it sent fine.
> Also if you haven't got it, ask to get Messagebank Roaming added as
> well. It doesn't cost you anything to have it with your 3G/Next G
> service.
What's Messagebank Roaming?
PD
--
Paul Day
Web: http://www.enigma.id.au/
- 01-20-2007, 06:46 AM #10SpokesGuest
Re: NextG vs GSM
Paul Day wrote:
> On 20 Jan 2007 02:22:24 -0800 Spokes may have written:
> > Emjaye, call up customer service and ask them to check for you, if you
> > have the Video MMS (VIDMMS) code on your service.
>
> What's the difference between Video MMS and normal MMS? Last time I
> played with it, I could put all sorts of random files (including a
> video) and as long asit was less than 100kB, it sent fine.
>
> > Also if you haven't got it, ask to get Messagebank Roaming added as
> > well. It doesn't cost you anything to have it with your 3G/Next G
> > service.
>
> What's Messagebank Roaming?
>
> PD
it's a product that usually goes with international roaming, so you can
access your vociemail whilst overseas.
when you have a 3g or nextg service, messagebank roaming is applied to
the service which helps service and handset functionality. for some
reason, on some handsets, video calling only works if messagebank
roaming is applied.
- 01-20-2007, 03:00 PM #11EmjayeGuest
Re: NextG vs GSM
Spokes said....
> Emjaye, call up customer service and ask them to check for you, if you
> have the Video MMS (VIDMMS) code on your service.
What does this do? Or rather, what will it do for my current setup?
> Also if you haven't got it, ask to get Messagebank Roaming added as
> well. It doesn't cost you anything to have it with your 3G/Next G
> service.
As above?
- 01-20-2007, 03:01 PM #12EmjayeGuest
Re: NextG vs GSM
Spokes said....
> the service which helps service and handset functionality. for some
> reason, on some handsets, video calling only works if messagebank
> roaming is applied.
Video calling works. It's just not as fast as what I expected it would
be, going by the promotion of the service.
- 01-20-2007, 06:30 PM #13Tsunami AustraliaGuest
Re: NextG vs GSM
On Tue, 16 Jan 2007 22:45:47 +1100, Dom <[email protected]> wrote:
>A question from a newbie to this group .... the olde Nokia 3210 is still
>working fine but it's not fashionable enough to stop my brother-in-law
>(the "style-police" officer) from telling me it's time to get rid of the
>'brick' (he never saw my previous phone, a 1610 or 1620 I think it was
>called). Also the idea of accessing email via the mobile is appealing.
>
>Anyway is this NextG really the ants pants? - it seems to be touted as a
>replacement for CDMA but how does it compare with GSM for someone who is
>either in urban areas or travelling on main highways for 99.99% of the
>time? And is there any advantage in waiting 6-12 months until they sort
>out any coverage and/or software issues, or is being an early adopter a
>good idea the case of NextG?
>
>If it makes any difference to the answer of this question, I do want to
>be able to access web-based email (Gmail) on my new phone. Apart from
>that, just basic calls & SMSes are all I think I'll need from the network.
>
>Thanks for any tips
>
>Dom
If your in the country, CDMA or NextG is the go, in the city, 3G is
the go. I myself just migrated frm NextG back to CDMA due to major
issues with our local tower locking phones out for up to 5hrs at a go,
and dropping signals for no reason.
So just ask around the area you live in as to it's stability.
- 01-20-2007, 06:33 PM #14Tsunami AustraliaGuest
Re: NextG vs GSM
On Wed, 17 Jan 2007 08:55:40 +1000, Nole Boaday <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Your brother in law is an idiot.... but without idiots like that
>Australia wouldn't have record high credit card debt and go through
>mobile phones as if the latest one is actually needed (it isn't).
>
>If your GSM coverage is fine for your travels, then NextG won't be of
>**** all benefit. Unless of course you like to be locked into Telstra
>and it's appalling high call rates.
>
>Dom wrote:
>> A question from a newbie to this group .... the olde Nokia 3210 is still
>> working fine but it's not fashionable enough to stop my brother-in-law
>> (the "style-police" officer) from telling me it's time to get rid of the
>> 'brick' (he never saw my previous phone, a 1610 or 1620 I think it was
>> called). Also the idea of accessing email via the mobile is appealing.
>>
>> Anyway is this NextG really the ants pants? - it seems to be touted as a
>> replacement for CDMA but how does it compare with GSM for someone who is
>> either in urban areas or travelling on main highways for 99.99% of the
>> time? And is there any advantage in waiting 6-12 months until they sort
>> out any coverage and/or software issues, or is being an early adopter a
>> good idea the case of NextG?
>>
>> If it makes any difference to the answer of this question, I do want to
>> be able to access web-based email (Gmail) on my new phone. Apart from
>> that, just basic calls & SMSes are all I think I'll need from the network.
>>
>> Thanks for any tips
>>
>> Dom
But in some areas (ours especially), Optus has a crap footprint and
Vodafone isn't even worth thinking about. So that's not particularly
so.
I do agree strongly though that we don't need the latest and greatest
all the time. I recently had to upgrade my old Hyundai HGC-120E, only
because it stopped receiving calls for some reason....so went to a
Nokia6235 with a new carkit as a full replacement and I'm happy with
it, it works around here at least lol.
- 01-20-2007, 06:35 PM #15Tsunami AustraliaGuest
Re: NextG vs GSM
On Wed, 17 Jan 2007 21:30:30 +0900, Jonathan Wilson
<[email protected]> wrote:
>> Pluses for regular 3G
>> - much greater range of handsets to choose from
>> - works on all networks (not just Telstra) so you can change networks
>> - choice of networks means cheaper deals
>NextG phones (certainly the motorola V6) should (as long as they aren't
>network locked to Telstra that is) function just fine on the 2100MHz UMTS
>services offered by "3", Optus and Vodafone if you insert a UMTS USIM card
>into it.
I could be wrong here but I'm sure the TU500 is triband (850, 900,
1800).
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