Can someone explain 3G phone frequencies/bands to me?

[Sleepy]

Hello,

I am buying a cheap entry level 2nd mobile for very occasional use and have settled on one that is 3G and:

Operating Frequencies
GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 / UMTS 900 / 2100 MHz

The seller assures me it will work in Australia.

However when I look at a cheap prepaid SIM deals they all require 850Mhz compatible phone.

Then I read elsewhere that Australia does not use GSM850....

I've been over on Whirlpool trying to get a straight answer but those guys are doing my head in.:wacko:

Wiki says no GSM850 used in Aus.

I am obviously confusing something

Is there anyone here that can explain it to me in simpler terms?

Paul

[Distortion]

I know that Telstra Next G is 850/2100MHz while Optus 3/4g is 900/1800/2100MHz

[Sleepy]

Looks like I may have to go with Optus then.

[Sleepy]

Just by way of explanation I bought this tiny little 3G phone for when I go running.

Modu T Cell Mobile Smart Phone Touchscreen 3G GSM Unlocked Camerafy Sportify | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/200922568940'ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649)

It only weighs 62 grams (about a third of an iphone weight - supposedly the lightest 3G phone in the world!).

It is really just for emergencies, so weight was the prime reason for getting it.

The seller assures me it will work in Aus.......so we'll see.:angel:

[FeatherWeightDriver]

Try these links:

2G, 3G, Next-G, 4G - What's the difference? (http://telcoantennas.com.au/site/guide-to-mobile-networks)
http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/mobile_phone_frequencies

Not only are there multiple frequencies but some frequencies are specific to a carrier, and others are shared. What a cluster...

The trouble is you do not actually know where a specific frequency is in use in a specific area (except for Telstra NextG - country).

So unless you were going for Optus and staying with Optus for the life of the phone, I would get a phone with 850

As an aside: I find the talk time and standby time figures on the phone you are looking at pretty hard to believe given the size of the battery, but it is feature packed given the size (or lack of it).

[bobslandies]

During 2012 Vodaphone rolled out an 850MHZ network in an attempt to win back customers:

850MHz network ready devices - Vodafone Australia (http://www.vodafone.com.au/aboutvodafone/network/850-mobiles)

Reasonable explanation of frequencies here:

http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/mobile_phone_frequencies

Aldi have a new phone service on "part of the Telstra network" whatever that means - obviously not the Telstra 4G network though.

Bob

[Sleepy]

Thanks for that link featherweight

Yes I have read a few articles that suggest it will be less than advertised. It's a very small battery

I only need it to last long enough for me to go for a run ( 4 or 5 hours max) and will only get urgent use calls.

I tried running with an iPhone but they get bloody heavy after an hour or so.

[Sleepy]

Thanks bob yes aldi only use "selected areas of 3G ". Not LTE. That was the deal I liked because they give you 1 year to use their credit.

[Sleepy]

Great article FW. Thanks. So basically I have bought a phone that will only work on 3G ... Which is fine.

[Utemad]

Operating Frequencies
GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 / UMTS 900 / 2100 MHz


This means that it will work on 2G 900MHz 1800 MHz and 1900MHz networks. These are the old digital networks that are fairly irrelevant now but still in operation. Well I am not sure which frequencies are still in use but that is what they were.

The UMTS frequencies are the 3G networks that you are interested in. 900MHz and 2100MHz are Optus. Telstra dropped 2100MHz and use 850MHz. Vodaphone uses 2100/850MHz I think.

I don't know about weight but Coles have some pretty good deals for sub $50 Android phones occasionally on Telstra.
I bought the LG one they had a while ago. A great phone for $50.

[Sleepy]

Thanks utemad, i have already bought it. So will go back to Optus if needs be. it only has to make/ receive Calls so should be ok. I must admit seller said it will work on all au 3G networks, so will send it back if I can't get it to work.

[bobslandies]

Hi Paul,

On the Optus network is Amaysim. They have a 90day user period - and Customer Support is in Australia!!! I have their pre-paid Unlimited - Unlimited calls to landlines, mobiles, 13 and 18 numbers, texts and 4Gb data for $39.90/month to tether phone to computer. Not on Optus 4G yet but possibly in future.

See here for their other cheaper options (Some 20% off till 2 June):

https://www.amaysim.com.au/

Bob

[FeatherWeightDriver]

Great article FW. Thanks. So basically I have bought a phone that will only work on 3G ... Which is fine.

Nps :D

I would be interested to hear how that phone goes in real life, it is certainly an interesting idea as a plan B / short term / specific purpose phone.

About 6 months ago I toyed with the idea of getting something similar, but it as going to be $350 to get it here which was more than I wanted to spend at the time.

[chang]

Turf that phone & get one capable of 850mhz. I live in a semi rural area and compared to my old man on optus, the telstra coverage is FAR superior.

2100mhz is still in use but mostly for high speed data in set areas with larger populations to cope with it. No 900mhz on 4G yet but there is talk of it.

GSM (the old network) is 900 & 1800 & still in use but coverage does not reach anywhere near as good 3G or 4G which were rolled out to take over CDMA & provide the coverage while also allowing data services.

Initially the coverage when CDMA got shut down (mostly in regional areas) was pretty average but now its just as good if not better while providing even faster data transfer than ever before.

to sum it up..... turf that phone an get one that can run on 850/2100

[Sleepy]

Thanks Bob. Sorry wont be turfing it Chang , I just bought the thing. It's a bit of a gamble but only need it for a phone in case I break down. ( ie: when i run!) I am training for a marathon so can be 20km from home and would hate to twist my ankle or get an injury .....I used to carry a few coins but try and find a public phone these days!!!! This thing is no heavier than a few coins + i can use it for music/radio too. I have the iPhone for daily use but is much heavier

No problems on coverage, I am in Melbourne and not planning to do a Cliffy!!!

[chang]

Thanks Bob. Sorry wont be turfing it Chang , I just bought the thing. It's a bit of a gamble but only need it for a phone in case I break down. ( ie: when i run!) I am training for a marathon so can be 20km from home and would hate to twist my ankle or get an injury .....I used to carry a few coins but try and find a public phone these days!!!! This thing is no heavier than a few coins + i can use it for music/radio too. I have the iPhone for daily use but is much heavier

No problems on coverage, I am in Melbourne and not planning to do a Cliffy!!!

Melbourne......... no probs with the phone in that case. i had it in my head you were in a regional area also for some reason. Only benefit if you were to get an 850Mhz model in your case would be as a backup if you were traveling in regional/rural areas while on holidays or work etc.

Anyway as it is, you could jam a sim from any of the major carriers in & would not have a problem in melbourne on 2G/3G or 4G (if your phone worked on 4G)

[Sleepy]

you could jam a sim from any of the major carriers
Chang, You seem to know a bit about this. This is why I originally asked.

I would prefer not to go Optus (long story) but will if I have to (for the 900Mhz) but you seem confident that it will work on any network even though Aldi (through Telstra) asked for 850Mhz compatible phone - which this isn't. Where am I not understanding?

[chang]

Chang, You seem to know a bit about this. This is why I originally asked.

I would prefer not to go Optus (long story) but will if I have to (for the 900Mhz) but you seem confident that it will work on any network even though Aldi (through Telstra) asked for 850Mhz compatible phone - which this isn't. Where am I not understanding?

well your phone will operate automatically on the frequencies you listed so that basically the best coverage & provision of services can be maintained at all times.

If its a backup phone for when your running i wouldnt worry about the names of 3G/4G NextG or whatever as all of them support voice calls just as good as each other in melbourne. Its all about faster data & networking services which you wont need.

Telstra 3G nextg is 850/2100mhz but in a highly populated city, 2100mhz alone will work on your phone. Telstra says you should have an 850/2100 compatable phone, that way you get the best coverage at all times like when your traveling etc

best bet would be to choose a carrier that runs on the most freqencies your phone is capable, which i think vodafone will suit. that way you know for sure you will always be covered. i dont know how many times people used to say that they got no service in the street, "but the neighbour gets full bars" etc etc

[Sleepy]

Thanks Chang, finally a straight answer. Two tim tams for you :)

[chang]

Thanks Chang, finally a straight answer. Two tim tams for you :)

No worries,

I just checked an both Optus & Vodafone run the same GSM/3G frequencies your phone will pick up. Just a case of getting the best deal now

Also this is a good site to take a look at an get info

http://www.mobilenetworkguide.com.au/australian_mobile_phone_frequencies.html

[Sleepy]

Well the phone is in my hand and I have a signal :D

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/06/1357.jpg

<<I know... I haven't found the time/date settings yet>>

Ended up going with amaysim....reasonable deal and more importantly easy to comprehend and set up. Pay as you go/90 days/12c per min calls/12c SMS/5c MB data. If it is used as I hope it will cost me less than $50 per year. That's pretty good for a back-up phone (Geez, 6 different numbers to this address now:eek:)

(phone companies deliberately make their plans complicated IMHO).

Will see how I go for coverage.

Thanks for all your tips and advice guys.