So I noticed in the epic iphone thread, there seems to be a few people here knowledgeable on what the network capabilities are of the different carriers, and I was wondering, is there like a 'best' carrier to go with if I'm getting an n95? Like which carrier will let me get the most out of the phone, use all its features, provide me with reasonable data download quotas, etc?

I'm pretty sure Telstra has the fastest network with NextG/3G 850/whatever, but their data packs are the most expensive. My N95 is on NextG, but I don't have an additional data subscription, because the amount I use along with my calls and stuff comes in at less than my cap, which is around $250 for $55 a month.

i have a 20mb pack for $15/month with optus.

I am with Vodafone, get about 30min unlimited dl for $5, I am on a 79 cap, for $550, I never go over using about an hour a day on the train, not including my plethora of calls.
I also get pretty decent response and dl. Best I have seen is 40ms to vf's DNS, and about 1mbps. These phones and networks are all hsdpa compatible now, telstra's has the best range as it is on a lower frequency, but the others are just fine.

I'm pretty sure Telstra has the fastest network with NextG/3G 850/whatever, but their data packs are the most expensive. My N95 is on NextG, but I don't have an additional data subscription, because the amount I use along with my calls and stuff comes in at less than my cap, which is around $250 for $55 a month.

This is the biggest misconception about NextG. Its an 850mhz network that supports HSPA, yes... That means that the phones that run on it need to support HSPA on 850mhz. Very few name brand phones do at this point - mainly because its the first network to use HSPA on that frequency, so phones need to take NextG into account to take advantage of the Telstra network's speed.

The other thing is, while NextG supports 14.4mbit downstream and 1.9Mbit upstream, very few phones support any more than 3.6Mbit downstream, and almost no phones support HSUPA at all. In fact, I believe there is an iMate that has just become the first phone in Australia to support 7.2Mbit HSDPA/ 1.9Mbit HSUPA.

So, don't be lured by the hype, if you want an N95, they support WCDMA 2100 MHz (HSDPA), EGSM 900 MHz, GSM 850/1800/1900 MHz (EGPRS)

That means, you will never get HSPA on Telstra. On Vodafone and Optus, you'll get HSDPA at the moment at 3.6Mbit, but they will be switching to 900mhz some time in the near future. I believe "3" will still be using 2100mhz HSDPA for a while to come, so they would be the ones to go with. Problem is, if you roam outside 3's coverage (which is basically just the capital cities I believe) you go onto Telstra's network and pay through the nose.

HSPA is the only point of difference in terms of speed at the moment. Stock "3G" speeds are the same on all four networks.


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Bit of extra info for you... Nokia have made a big push for 900mhz HSPA to be the next standard. You will find that they have a couple of big phones coming out soon which will support 2100/900mhz HSPA. (N96 to name one.)

last edited by mongie at 08:39:25 11/Jun/08

i have a 20mb pack for $15/month with optus.

wow you're getting ripped a new one

10gb = $10 on virgin, with my n95
i barely use it tbh

mongie do you know if the Optus 900Mhz HSDPA network just for rural areas and if they are keeping the existing 2100mhz network ?

I'm with Optus $50/month with $300 included calls... Lately I've only been using about $120, so I guess I would just need a plan that includes data in the free usage allowance.

10gb = $10 on virgin, with my n95
i barely use it tbh

Teq, you have to be s***ting us?!?

mongie do you know if the Optus 900Mhz HSDPA network just for rural areas and if they are keeping the existing 2100mhz network?

I read a bit more...

Optus 2100mhz is still being rolled out in metro areas... 900mhz is being rolled out in other areas.

They will co-exist.

last edited by mongie at 11:20:56 11/Jun/08

wow you're getting ripped a new one

it was a typo sorry. it's 200mb.

I don't know 100%, but everything I've read says that once the new equipment rollout is completed, it will all be running on 900mhz.

Hrm, certainly wouldn't hope so.. would mean new handsets that support HSDPA on 900Mhz for alot of people (as far as my limited knowledge goes) including that zany new iPhone.

Keep in mind that GSM900 and WCDMA900 are two completely seperate things.

Most people who are in 900mhz 3G coverage areas will only be able to take advantage of GSM coverage and 2100mhz 3G coverage until they get a new handset.

So how long till Vodafone are switching to 900mhz? Would I be screwed if I bought an n95 and went with them? Just that they seem to have a really good deal going atm with an n95 8gb free on their $79 cap plan (I pay $69 a month atm with 3 anyway so its in my ballpark). $550 of stuff included, and data usage and video calls is included in the cap, not charged on top of the cap like 3 does.

Both Vodafone and Optus will be using 2100mhz in densley populated areas, and 900mhz in regional areas.

Vodafone currently run 2100mhz 3.6mbit HSDPA to the capital cities (55% of population) and 900mhz GSM to bring their total to 93% of the population.

Supposedly by the end of the year (or early 2009) they should have 95% total coverage, and be running 2100mhz 14.4mbit HSDPA, 2mbit HSUPA and 900mhz 14.4mbit HSDPA and 2mbit HSUPA.

Should be interesting. I'm on Vodafone myself.