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Thread ID: 65865	2006-02-02 21:03:00	Cellphone options?	Tony (4941)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
426640	2006-02-05 11:15:00	CAmera quality still isn't up to scratch like gsm mobiles. Anyway I like the convienet of using sim cards instead of being stuck with just one mobile	Ninjabear (2948)
426641	2006-02-05 18:09:00	My wife has just been offers a swapya deal from Telecom to get her off her old 025 number and onto 027. So far, so good - it has to happen sometime, so why not now. (BTW we just realized her current phone is least 10 years old - which may be some kind of record :)). If she is going to change, this would seem like a good time to examine all the options, so my question is: Are there any technical reasons why she should stay with Telecom or go with Vodaphone? (Let's take all the general Telecom-bashing as read, and concentrate on the technical stuff.) Her requirements are really simple - no txt, no pxt, no music, no video. Just calling and cellular secretary. Its a free phone, there is no contract, you dont need bells and whistles, you dont even need text. Unless you are going to travel extensively and regularly then it will do the job. Mobiles have moved forward many generations since your current model. As your needs are few I see no need for you to jump to the front of the queue.	sam m (517)
426642	2006-02-05 18:53:00	If she's got to go through the hassle of changing number anyway don't let the bauble of a free phone take precedence. In reality the phone wouldn't be sold for much more than $100 anyway.The only change to the number is 0274 instead of 025 - the rest stays the same. You're right, the phone does retail for $100 - which is money she can use elsewhere. take that in consideration of the fact they are pulling a network out from under you.That's the whole point, isn't it - the 025 network is history sometime in the next 12 months, so she is going to have to change, so why not now?	Tony (4941)
426643	2006-02-05 19:10:00	. . . GSM maybe slower than CDma but will improve as time goes by . There's something called EDGE now replacing GPRS . . . I dont think that EDGE is going to be used in NZ, instead voda are going to W-CDMA, totally different to CDMA .	sam m (517)
426644	2006-02-05 21:02:00	That's the whole point, isn't it - the 025 network is history sometime in the next 12 months, so she is going to have to change, so why not now?You missed my point though. The numbers going to change, so she needs to let everyone know that it's different anyway. If she has to go through the hassle, it would be worth considering the other (better) network with Vodafone before leaping in to another agreement with Telecom. $100 for a phone isn't that big of a concession for Telecom to make considering they're shutting the network down - it's not like they're giving you a decent handset for effectively helping them out. You seem to have your eyes fixed on the prize of a free phone (which I guess is what Telecom want) rather than considering getting something better, or shifting networks. Remember Telecom don't even sell that phone any more - there's probably a reason they're giving em away.	ninja (1671)
426645	2006-02-05 21:24:00	You missed my point though. The numbers going to change, so she needs to let everyone know that it's different anyway. If she has to go through the hassle, it would be worth considering the other (better) network with Vodafone before leaping in to another agreement with Telecom. $100 for a phone isn't that big of a concession for Telecom to make considering they're shutting the network down - it's not like they're giving you a decent handset for effectively helping them out. You seem to have your eyes fixed on the prize of a free phone (which I guess is what Telecom want) rather than considering getting something better, or shifting networks. Remember Telecom don't even sell that phone any more - there's probably a reason they're giving em away. (1) The whole reason for my original post was really to answer the question "Is Vodafone worth switching to?" What I've read so far has not convinced me of this - considering my wife's very basic requirements. (2) One of the options is prepay - which effectively means no agreeement (unless I've missed something). (3) No it is not a great concession - but it is better than actually paying for a phone! (4) Not selling the phone any more? It is still on display at the Telecom shop in New Lynn. I think the thing to remember is that we are not talking about a heavy or sophisticated cellphone user - she basically uses it to phone home or get calls from me when she's out, and to receive calls from people who have forgotten that she has a land line. :)	Tony (4941)
426646	2006-02-05 21:36:00	You missed my point though. The numbers going to change, so she needs to let everyone know that it's different anyway. If she has to go through the hassle, it would be worth considering the other (better) network with Vodafone before leaping in to another agreement with Telecom. $100 for a phone isn't that big of a concession for Telecom to make considering they're shutting the network down - it's not like they're giving you a decent handset for effectively helping them out. You seem to have your eyes fixed on the prize of a free phone (which I guess is what Telecom want) rather than considering getting something better, or shifting networks. Remember Telecom don't even sell that phone any more - there's probably a reason they're giving em away. :groan:	sam m (517)
426647	2006-02-05 21:44:00	(1) The whole reason for my original post was really to answer the question "Is Vodafone worth switching to?" What I've read so far has not convinced me of this - considering my wife's very basic requirements . (2) One of the options is prepay - which effectively means no agreeement (unless I've missed something) . (3) No it is not a great concession - but it is better than actually paying for a phone! (4) Not selling the phone any more? It is still on display at the Telecom shop in New Lynn . I think the thing to remember is that we are not talking about a heavy or sophisticated cellphone user - she basically uses it to phone home or get calls from me when she's out, and to receive calls from people who have forgotten that she has a land line . :) When you switch from 025 to 027 there is a free announcement of number so you dont have to tell anyone, they will find out . Vodafone has some cool phone features - so does my video player but I never use any of them, it is just to play vidoes . Yep they are still for sale . They are cheap, basic, and reliable . For your usage why would you consider spending any money on them . There is a mates rates plan on both onebill and prepaid . Great rates for ringing any landline, sucks if you ring a voda . No monthly cost and no contract . Also from what I have read GSM radiation levels are far greater than CDMA . Yet to find any evidence to the contrary but for most people the risk of cancer from mobiles seems to be unspoken . I think the true effects are yet to be uncovered .	sam m (517)
426648	2006-02-05 21:49:00	Hi Tony I switched my dad over to the 027 network and took advantage of the free Nokia 2280 last year. It works great for him and he kept the same phone number (except 025 changing to 027). They offered a free diversion for 12 months (I think) so that any calls made to the 025 prefix get transferred to the 027 number. He only uses it for the same reason your wife does, and it has great network coverage. He has no need for any fancy use with the phone and does not intend to use it overseas. The phone has a nice clear display, the buttons are easy to use and the battery lasts well. The only thing I do not like about the phone is the external aerial. When I switched him over, I also changed his plan from the pre-pay to the Onebill plan (www.telecom.co.nz). This means any calls to the mobile from the home number are cheaper and he does not have to worry about topping up the card or running out of credit in emergencies. The actual call rates per min might not be as competitive as others, but as the phone is hardly used it suits the convenience the Onebill plan offers.	Jen (38)
426649	2006-02-05 22:06:00	sony ericsson still make cdma phones for the japanese market. and what cant you do with a cdma phone that you can do with a gsm phone? other than video calling?I don't know what system the Japanese line of SE phones runs on, but it won't be the same as Telecom's CDMA network. The Japanese market is well ahead of other countries. Major brands manufacturer very few CDMA phones? what are we judging this on?Here is a quick summary for various manufacturers (note, many of the handsets are old but it would take too much time and be too opinion based if I was to remove the older handsets): Sony Ericsson: No CDMA phones Nokia: 10 CDMA phones / 23 GSM phones Samsung: A mixture, including a few phones that do both. Motorola: 7 CDMA phones / 30 GSM phones LG: Seem to be mostly GSM Siemens: Couldn't find any CDMA models when I quickly flicked through a few pages on their site. You also need to take into account quality you are getting for your dollar. Generally phones that work on Vodafone's network cost less and offer more. For the majority of people, the technical differences between the networks is minimal so their choice comes down to handsets. (1) The whole reason for my original post was really to answer the question "Is Vodafone worth switching to?" What I've read so far has not convinced me of this - considering my wife's very basic requirements.It depends, take a look at the pricing plans on the Vodafone and Telecom websites. Only you know how much you will use your phone and how you will be using it. As far as the hand sets go, even at the low end of the market I believe you can get much better parallel imported handsets for Vodafone's network than Telecom sells for its network. It all comes down to your usage and requirements, but I would go for Vodafone. :)	maccrazy (6741)
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