3G / Next G

[holdensupporter2005]

My Dilemma
I run a small business from home. I recieve many phone calls both on my landline and also on my mobile. I currently have a GSM phone, but have had CDMA as well. At home outside, I get full bars of reception with both phones, but as soon as I step inside the house I don't get any. Now I know that this is probably caused by the tin roof of the house, but it makes it impossible to answer calls without leaning out the window

I don't make many calls from my mobile, because I use VoIP , but I really need a reliable mobile service to be able to recieve calls and not miss them.

My Questions
What is the difference between 3G and Next G?
Which is better 3G or Next G and why?
Will either of them solve my problem, I.E. work inside the house?
If either of them won't solve my problem, what other option do I have?

[bezz]

next g is a new form of internet connection for PC's that allows wireless connection basically anywhere in Australia without the need for a wireless router connected to a broadband modem. 3G is the mobile service that allows you to make video calls and the like. Using 3G, I doubt you'll get any better reception, as there is a conflict with the frequency of the signal put out of your mobile and the shape of your tin roof. It is possible that 3G operates on a different frequency but i would doubt it would be much different. My advice would be to seek out a friend with a 3G phone and see if they get any signal inside your house.

Cheers and good luck

[bezz]

If you find 3G reception no different in your house I would set up a call divert off your mobile to your home phone.

[Spaced]

Okay Next G is a type of communication called HSDPA ref:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-Sp..._Packet_Access

It is the replacement for CDMA, GSM and 3G. Real world speeds for data are comparable to ADSL1. When looking for a phone that uses NextG make sure they also offer a wired in car kit with an ariel as you will need this in the bush to get coverage. I've seen someone use a Next G phone with a voip client and make calls so you can almost replace your mobile calls. Make sue you check out the cost of the bill you are on especially if you want to use it for data. It is still in it's infancy so expect some problems with early models of phones.

3G is old news and if you use it with Vodaphone or optus you wont get very good coverage outside of the city.

Telstra have a telephone service where if you find you don't have good coverage at your house you report the issue and they will send a tech to the local tower to adjust it. I would advise getting one off a friend taking it to your place and doing some testing.

Also have a look at this whirlpool thread. http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum...fm/701345.html

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Howardforums have lots of info about mobiles, no link on this forum, it is in the tool bar of my browser. But here it is anyway. http://www.howardforums.com/

[Bax]

I'd be inclined to set up an external antenna. You'll have to answer your mobile in the one spot but hey it'd work.

You could combine the external antenna into the phone with a bluetooth headset, depending on their range.

[saber]

Hey there, what mobile phone carrier are you with?

Myself, I'm with 3, which has 3g access withing a selected zone (for me its the melboune metro area). When I'm outside that area, it automatically switches to the telstra GSM network, which covers the majority (+95%) of the population. Have found that telstra has the best GSM reception (far superior to optus and vodafone).

You could try to get a friends phone who is on a different network to you to see if the reception inside improves. A friend of mine has the same problem as you: she is with optus, and gets full reception when standing outside. But can't make calls when she moves inside. For me, i get full reception in and outside.

A tin roof (assuming the walls are not made or covered in tim) should not drastically reduce the reception indoors, as a mobile phone signal tends to "bounce" off objects, the same way a FM signal can bounce off buildings and mountains/hills. If you are getting full reception outside, there should be no reason why it aint full or near full reception inside.

Also, living in Wangaratta, you probably wont have 3g/nextG reception, only GSM.

[mulligan-can]

Bigger question. Do you actually have 3G coverage where you are? Telstra are NOT planning on rolling out nation wide 3G coverage HOWEVER they are upgrading ALL CDMA towers to NextG.

I would go with NextG if only because it has the same range and penetration capacity as CDMA. Quite frankly 3G is a waste of time. Telstra started a rollout of it and then figured out reusing CDMA radio spectrum that they already owned was far far cheaper for them then buying access to nationwide 3G frequencies.

That being said I think there are only what 2 companies on the planet that use the NextG technology (Cingular in the USA and Telstra) so phones are a tad scarce in diversity at present.

Honestly, see if you can wait out 6 or so months so the technology (as far as the actual handsets anyway) matures a little. (I'm not allowed say that at work cos hey, we make good money selling the damn things but hey, I ain't at work right now )

[Spaced]

Mulligan-can look up at my post. Next-G is HSDPA renamed it's used in 40 countries

[R Photon]

What is the difference between 3G and Next G?

3G is a network that allows you to make video and voice calls within 3G areas (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra etc.). With 3G when you are not in a 3G area you will drop back to GSM which will allow you to only make voice calls.

Next G is a 3G network which is replacing the CDMA network which is being phased out at the moment and is due to be switched off in early February 08. This means that where ever there is Next G (CDMA) coverage you can make video and voice calls.

Which is better 3G or Next G and why?

Next G is better because it runs off different frequencies. Allowing more coverage and better download speeds from your mobile, or wireless PCMICA card, USB card or modem.

Will either of them solve my problem, I.E. work inside the house?

Next-G may solve your problem as it is being marketed to receive calls in underground carparks, through tunnels (this is where the frequencies come into play).

If either of them won't solve my problem, what other option do I have?

Check to see if you can get Next-G coverage in your area http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/net...erage/maps.cfm, if you can't but can receive CDMA coverage (this happens on rare occasions where the Next-G network has not been fully upgraded) Telstra may make special allowances for you, and once its upgraded in your specific area revert you to Next-G.

If you can't receive Next-G or CDMA coverage (which is quite unlikely) you may need to look into a satellite phone.

[holdensupporter2005]

Thanks everyone!

I checked out the coverage maps and it appears that
3G isn't available in my area and probably won't be ever.
Next G has coverage at my house plus a 1km radius around.
CDMA reception is short of my house by 1km
GSM Reception is available
I may wait a while until they bring out Prepaid NextG as I am not a fan of going on plans.
(By the way I am with Telstra)

Cheers
Holdensupporter2005

[R Photon]

I've heard Next-G prepaid may be out around Christmas 07.

[MY_95_VS]

Telstra currently have no plans to release a next G prepaid service. However, since 3 have a prepaid 3g service which is doing quite well i wouldn't rule it out completely as of yet... After all, nextG was kept quiet from all but a few telstra employees until about a week or two before the launch...

In other words, it probably won't be this year unless Mr Sol gets smart and wakes up and sees that nextG would be a massive christmas seller for the 16-25 demographic.

I am personally on the NextG network and have NO complaints about it. The quality is awesome, I upgraded from GSM and am AMAZED by what it is capable of. I have adsl2+ at home and can DL music quite quickly, however, i never thought I would get a song on my phone in under ten seconds for a 3mb file!!!

Also Holdensupporter2005, If it is listed as coverage in your area, there is no full guarantee you will get reception in your house, however, personally speaking i live in a house with a tin roof and have no problems. It's a 3 storey house and I can get reception on all floors in all areas of the house!

As for phones currently on the market, there aren't too many, but I can recommend the samsung A701. I tried a few models and this one has been by far the best and easiest to use!!!

Hope that's of some help!

[NORTI]

NextG handsets can affect the signal also it seems? how strange is that??

My dad was on the CDMA, & has had to change to NextG, as they live & work rural SA its a must, his old CDMA worked in the shed at his work, the Telstra NextG handset didnt, Telstra swapped it for the Samsung NextG handset & it works in the shed now??