Telstra closing CDMA network in favor of Next G

Jan 10th, 2008 | By Leslie Poston | Category: Internet, Products - mobile phones, Technology news


Telstra closing CDMA network in favor of Next G The airwaves of Australia have been abuzz with the Telstra CDMA network closure. Telstra has been planning the closure of its CDMA network and the opening of a new Next G network to replace it for some time. The CDMA network has provided Telstra customers with a certain level of performance they have come to expect. While Telstra claims the new Next G network has the same level of efficiency and service, a key report on the matter has been delayed.

The delayed report was commissioned by the Australian Communications and Media Authority. It’s sole purpose is to audit the Next G network to see if it performs as Telstra claims it does. With the scheduled January 28, 2008 closing fast approaching, the delayed report could throw quite a wrench in Telstra’s plans.

“The audit report input is now not expected for another week, leaving the Minister just days to hastily decide whether the CDMA switch-off can proceed on 28 January, without leaving mobile phone users worse off under Next G,” he said in a statement, adding: “The decision to switch off the CDMA network is something that should not be taken lightly.”

Telstra did its own tests last year. Their tests claimed that Next G not only offered the same or better service, but that it covered a 25% greater area than the CDMA network did. Government officials tracking the switch have voiced concerns that the new NExt G network isn’t all its cracked up to be, and will fail consumers in comparison to the reliable CDMA network currently in use.


Related:

  • CDMA spectrum finally shut down by Telstra in favor of Next G
  • Telstra uses personal touch to gain Next G converts
  • ISPs fight Telstra for access
  • Will taxpayers end up paying the telcos to release their infrastructure data?
  • Will Telstra leave the shareholders in the lurch when FTTN comes around?

    • 3 comments
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    1. Bert January 15th, 2008 10:56 pm :

      GSM didn’t work at my house.
      CDMA doesn’t work at my house.
      3G doesn’t work at my house.
      Next G doesn’t work at my house.
      I don’t live in a cave and I’m only 30km out of Ballarat. Is is too much to ask that a mobile phone system works?

    2. Leslie Poston January 16th, 2008 2:02 am :

      I know what you mean, it’s frustrating to hear companies battling over “new” networks when the “old” networks still don’t have range.

    3. Garry Sewell January 17th, 2008 9:35 pm :

      We live 1Km from a Telstra & Optus tower, on the wrong side of a hill. The Telstra GSM works outside the front door the same as the Next G (with a blue tick phone) CDMA works just inside the house and Optus GSM works Ok in the house.
      Maybe Telstra just wants to force customers to change over to Next G before Optus rolls out their 3G.

      We don’t want all the extras just a phone that will work when we want it to.

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