Next G to reach Telstra users two months early

**matbor** · 18th July 2007, 03:12 PM

http://www.cnet.com.au/mobilephones/...0.htm?feed=rss
Next G to reach Telstra users two months early
Telstra has announced its Next G network rollout will be completed ahead of schedule, despite government fears that the deployment couldn't meet expectations.
The company has revealed that it expects to complete its network rollout two months before time, in mid-October. The planned Next G coverage extension is intended to replace the telco's current 2G CDMA network.
Last month, Communications Minister Helen Coonan voiced her fears that Next G may not yet be an adequate replacement for the CDMA network, which Telstra plans to switch off on 28 January 2008.
"I received a lot of complaints and a lot of concerns have been expressed to me that the new Next G is not providing, at the moment, a very good service," she said recently, after ordering audits of the network's performance.
When the deployment is completed, Next G should cover 1.9 million square km -- slightly larger than the 1.6 million square km currently spanned by its CDMA network.
According to Telstra, technicians had driven more than 33,000 kilometres since May to test Next G's performance. The telco is also asking customers to submit experience of coverage "black spots" through its Web site.
The company claims that Next G will equal or beat CDMA in performance terms by October, and has recently extended the reach of the network to provide download speeds of 2.3Mbps at distances of 200km.

Anyone had bad spots on Telstra Next G

... might as well report them

seen as it will be really the only good network in Aus.
http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/hel.../blackspot.cfm

**Michael2** · 18th July 2007, 03:21 PM

When we were in Licola a few months ago, the Next G card on the laptop had coverage, but none of our phones did (Telstra, Optus, 3).

**ladas** · 18th July 2007, 03:30 PM

Mind you they do say that us men can never find the G Spot

**matbor** · 18th July 2007, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Michael2

When we were in Licola a few months ago, the Next G card on the laptop had coverage, but none of our phones did (Telstra, Optus, 3).

Telstra probably where using Toyo's to get into the area and couldn't get access to put the towers up

**Redback** · 18th July 2007, 04:19 PM

Might be quicker to put the good spots in............knowhere

**Disco300Tdi** · 18th July 2007, 06:49 PM

CDMA is fine here (in the Vale),,NextG is only good for a paper weight

**Captain_Rightfoot** · 18th July 2007, 06:57 PM

On our holiday I had a CDMA and two other people had Next G. For the most part the coverage was identical. However there was a next G tower at the Telfer mine and no CDMA.

**JDNSW** · 18th July 2007, 07:09 PM

Round here coverage seems to be very similar, with maybe NextG slightly better. However, according to a report in the Land last week a lot of the reported NextG problems are because some of the handsets, particularly the cheaper ones, are not as good as the CDMA ones they are replacing. Apart from poorer coverage in marginal areas, some are reported to have very poor battery life and to be very difficult to use. More phones are becoming available shortly according to Telstra.

This supports my decision to leave replacing my CDMA phone as late as possible, probably around Christmas, although as I am planning to Drive to Perth and back in November, I may change before then if it seems NextG coverage over the Nullarbor is better than CDMA.

John

**Captain_Rightfoot** · 18th July 2007, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Round here coverage seems to be very similar, with maybe NextG slightly better. However, according to a report in the Land last week a lot of the reported NextG problems are because some of the handsets, particularly the cheaper ones, are not as good as the CDMA ones they are replacing. Apart from poorer coverage in marginal areas, some are reported to have very poor battery life and to be very difficult to use. More phones are becoming available shortly according to Telstra.

This supports my decision to leave replacing my CDMA phone as late as possible, probably around Christmas, although as I am planning to Drive to Perth and back in November, I may change before then if it seems NextG coverage over the Nullarbor is better than CDMA.

John

John, I'm with you there. I'm going to put off replacing my CDMA as long as I can in the hope that they come up with some better deals, and the handsets get better.

While on our trip we ran into some Telstra techs from Brisbane at Milparinka that were surveying the local next G and CDMA coverage to confirm that NEXT G at the very least matched or exceeded the coverage that their CDMA service was offering. I was pretty impressed with this

There weren't too many people out there.

Also while travelling we found that the external aerials are really worth it. They made a massive difference to the coverage and call quality.

**Piddler** · 18th July 2007, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by Numpty's Missus

Well, Numpty is currently in another Telstra blackspot in Tasmania...I'll know tonight if he can get coverage

For your information Numpty's Missus Telstra actually has by far and away the best coverage of any company in Tasmania. Optus a little Vodaphone and 3 don't bother.

I have a CDMA Telstra in Tasmania with a 7.5DB external aerial and it works a treat in most places. Even way down to Sandy Cape and the Pieman River on the West Coast which is very remote.

The other day the local phone dealer who suspects that the problem with Next G phones is the aerial's got me to try a demo one and use a patch lead to connect it to my 7.5 DB aerial.

Result
It worked a treat in a very isolated area where my CDMA works only with the 7.5 dB aerial.

If you have a reception issue lash out buy a carkit and a decent aerial.

The below company sells car kits which you can buy a cradle for most phones. If you buy a new phone of different type you ony have to buy a new cradle. They even have house type ones.

http://www.ptp.net.au/index_au.html

Cheers
Piddler

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