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Thread ID: 77802	2007-03-23 05:21:00	Telecom wants access to Vodafones network	rogerp (6864)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
535200	2007-03-23 16:59:00	It is not about choices, you may not know this, but the government effectively forced telecom to invest in an alternative technology as telecom initially wanted to setup a GSM network, but the government wouldn't allow it. The Government wanted 2 different networks, which they thought would allow more competition, which it obviously hasn't. If telecom stopped offering mobile, which I doubt they would, vodafone would have a monopoly, which would mean prices wouldn't drop, and all moeny spent would be going to the UK, or to whoever owns vodafone. I am thinking of the end users here, and the price consumers pay. I mean if there was just one network, these companies could pool their money, and then invest in extending the single network through 100% of the country and install more capacity. They could also have 3G throughout the country which may solve some of the broadband problems for rural users. Maybe NZ's GSM network needs to be overseen by a government department. I mean why do we have 2 mobile networks (one of which is a betamax type of technology), but only one fixed line network. Neither mobile network extends the whole country, and many areas in NZ are still very patchy. Currently vodafones backhaul network can't cope with very high useage, so it does need a lot of investment. This was proven recently when there was an earthquake in Auckland, and vodafones network couldn't handle all the text messages that were sent. I would hate to see how it would cope in a real disaster, such as a major earthquake in Wellington when it happens. It could also reduce the number of those ugly cell towers that blight the country. Personally I hardly use my Vodafone mobile due to the high call costs, and would really like to know why it is so much cheaper to use my mobile in the UK. Sorry Roger but I want to see a link showing that Telecom were forced to use the network they did because my memory tells me that Telecom started their network before Bell South came on the scene.	mikebartnz (21)
535201	2007-03-23 23:10:00	I see the poll results are roughly 50/50. I also did not know that the Government forced Telecom to set up a different network standard. No one has mentioned that one of the major costs of setting up mobile is the costs of setting up cell site masts. Here in NZ each network Telecom and Vodaphone have their own masts. In many countries I understand that the government forces cell site owners to rent out the mast to other networks to install dishes on them. I think we should do that here in NZ so that a third entrant could come in and under cut those robbing b...'s Telecom and Vodaphone. Everyone knows that mobile in NZ is just about the dearest in the world (that is why we text so much) and the reason is that Telecom and Vodaphone do not compete on price and they keep the prices up. I read once in the Sunday Star that Vodaphone paid for the network in about 6 months of sales revenue ! I never kept the article though. If that is true that is scandoulous. Regards Digby	Digby (677)
535202	2007-03-24 00:28:00	I read once in the Sunday Star that Vodaphone paid for the network in about 6 months of sales revenue ! I never kept the article though. If that is true that is scandoulous. Bollocks. That is good business. Screw the customers as much as the law will allow if there is no real competition. You try in your own way to do something similar by striving for the maximum benefits to you, with no worries about the share-holder's returns. If you choose to play on a playing field that is owned by the other team, and you are happy to use the equipment supplied by them, you have no right to complain about the slope of the pitch or the odd rocky patch. (If the referees only turn up occasionally to take a glance through their monocles, that has to be accepted.) You do not have to like it though. ;)	R2x1 (4628)
535203	2007-03-24 08:07:00	In many countries I understand that the government forces cell site owners to rent out the mast to other networks to install dishes on them . I think we should do that here in NZ so that a third entrant could come in and under cut those robbing b . . . 's Telecom and Vodaphone . I believe that The Vaporware Telco Econet has done just that and got the NZ Gov to legislate that Econet can use the Vodafone network . . Bit like a hotel being force to sublet to a competitor . .	paulw (1826)
535204	2007-03-25 11:07:00	Sorry Roger but I want to see a link showing that Telecom were forced to use the network they did because my memory tells me that Telecom started their network before Bell South came on the scene. Telecom started 1st with AMPS but in 1 of the RF spectrum auctions won some TACS band that could have been used for GSM as well as the other AMPS band. They weren't allowed to keep both and apparently it was the view of US shareholders that it was better to keep the AMPS frequencies.	PaulD (232)
535205	2007-03-25 11:50:00	Telecom started 1st with AMPS but in 1 of the RF spectrum auctions won some TACS band that could have been used for GSM as well as the other AMPS band. They weren't allowed to keep both and apparently it was the view of US shareholders that it was better to keep the AMPS frequencies. The issue was discussed in the Infotech section of the Dominion Post last year. I have checked the stuff website, but their stories only go back a few months. However I do remember the story quoting telecom, that they did want to setup GSM as a replacement for their old analogue service, but had to go with CDMA , as the government wouldnt allow them to use GSM. Maybe someone knows where the article can be found. In the UK I think they only have one main network, as other provides like Orange and vodafone all share the same network, and to change providers all you need to do is switch over the sim cards in your phone. Far cheaper and less hassle than the situation here in NZ. I mean who can actually afford to use their mobile for regular phone calling all the time, on NZs average wage, let alone use it for mobile internet browsing.	rogerp (6864)
535206	2007-03-26 05:17:00	I visited Hong Kong last year to see my Parents-in-law. We were wandering through one of the shopping malls and I saw a sign with a lot of Chinese characters and the number "1600" and the price "$60" (that's $60 Hong Kong Dollars, approximatle $12 New Zealand dollars at the time) So I asked my wife what the "1600" on the sign meant. She said: "That's the monthly anytime minutes you get on that plan" so....here I am in NZ paying approximately $120NZD per month for 200 minutes where in Hong Kong I could be paying $12NZD for 1600 minutes. Pity I don't speak the langauge, I 'd move tomorrow.:2cents:	estarriol (3131)
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