Telecom Cell Phone Selection (Hopeless)

[Marshman]

I have just decided to upgrade my cell phone (027-CDMA) and can not believe the lack of selection availalble. There are hundreds of fantastic GSM models available, they make the telecom selection look like they are from the sixties. Are we the only country in the world with the CDMA system?.

[winmacguy]

I think GSM or Global Standard for Mobile is more widely used especially by companies like Vodafone. CDMA was bought out around 2000, about the same time as GSM but wasn't widely adopted by telecoms around the world to the extent that GSM was.

[stu161204]

Originally Posted by Marshman

Are we the only country in the world with the CDMA system?.

I think Australia had a CDMA system, but I think they are now changing over.

[kenj]

I believe you won't be able to use your CDMA phone in Oz after Feb next year.

Telecom are supposed to be starting selling dual mode CDMA/GSM for that purpose. I understand that only the CDMA mode will work in NZ and the GSM only in Oz. Supposed to make for cheaper roaming calls there as well.

Ken

[robbyp]

Originally Posted by stu161204

I think Australia had a CDMA system, but I think they are now changing over.

CDMA is still very widely used throughout the world. It is very popular in the US, but GSM is becoming the more popular choice now. The problem in NZ was that the government required two different cell phone networks, and telecom got stuck with CDMA, while Bellsouth setup the GSM one. Back then, no one could predict which would become that most popular. A bit like HDDVD and Blueray. Having 2 different networks is one of the reason we are being screwed wth high phone calls with cell phones.

[nzdrifter]

Hi,

I've worked for Telecom, but always been a Vodafone customer for this very reason.
People here are partly correct, although the GSM standard is the most commonly used system worldwide as this is the standard used in Europe and Asia, where as CDMA is mostly used in the USA, although the US now has a few GSM networks operating also, Australia is slowly decommissioning their CDMA. You can find a few CDMA Networks scattered around, for Global Roaming the GSM standard is best.

Apart from Global roaming it really comes down to who offers the best deal, due to lack of competition here in NZ the Phone Costs and Mobile Plans are way to high compared to the rest of the world, but not much we can do, so just pick the one that will give you the best plan to suit your needs.

[godfather]

Originally Posted by robbyp

The problem in NZ was that the government required two different cell phone networks, and telecom got stuck with CDMA, while Bellsouth setup the GSM one.

The "Government" never required two different network types. Telecom opted to run a CDMA system when they upgraded their AMPs system, Bell South saw the opportunity to use GSM and compete when telecom still used AMPS.

It is a pity Telecom never opted for GSM as well, then we would have real competition as we could in many cases use the same handset and just a different SIM card.

Handset makers will manufacture for the popular market as a priority, hence the good phones are mainly GSM.

[Jams]

Yeah, i;ve never understood that aye.

Why are telecom providing such crapola phones ? They have NEVER had a decent selection of cellphones.

Vodafone's are awesome. And if Vodafone can't supply a phone you are keen on then jump on trademe, buy one that some user imports from JapLand and slam a SIM card in it, and you're away.

Surely Telecon must realise that its selection resembles that of an unwashed toilet.....S***ty.

[PaulD]

Originally Posted by godfather

The "Government" never required two different network types. Telecom opted to run a CDMA system when they upgraded their AMPs system, Bell South saw the opportunity to use GSM and compete when telecom still used AMPS.

The "Government" wouldn't let Telecom aquire both the AMPs bands and the frequencies that BellSouth later used for GSM. The American influence in Telecom saw more future in the AMPs CDMA upgrade path than GSM.
The development of the GSM standard started in the early 80s so by 2000 it was looking old. Unfortunately one company holds the majority of the CDMA patents and charges substantial license fees. This probably slowed the uptake of CDMA around the world.

[paulw]

Originally Posted by godfather

The "Government" never required two different network types. Telecom opted to run a CDMA system when they upgraded their AMPs system, Bell South saw the opportunity to use GSM and compete when telecom still used AMPS.

It is a pity Telecom never opted for GSM as well, then we would have real competition as we could in many cases use the same handset and just a different SIM card.
H

You most likely would have had locked handsets like overseas..