When did Bell get it on with Rogers??

[photon]

I just noticed ads for 3G Bell phones, and they're even getting the new Palm Pre.

I thought I'd heard that Telus was building their own 3G network, but it appears Bell is going on Rogers' network?

Are they doing this parallel to their CDMA stuff? Or are they ditching CDMA and becoming an MVNO or something?

[mykalberta]

Telus is creating an HSPA network to eventually transfer to LTE - not sure what HPSA exactly is, but I know its going to run parallel with the CDMA for a while, I read about it in this North Amercian Network Engineers mag I get.

I believe Bell is doing the same thing as Telus, althought I am not sure. I thought I heard they wanted to have the HPSA network running full steam for the Winter Olympics since they are the mobile sponsor.

Is it possilbe the Pre is CDMA and not GSM?

I dont think Bell and Rogers are teaming up for anything. It could be that they are leasing some GSM space from Rogers for the Olympics.

[photon]

HPSA is one kind of data transfer, part of 3G I think.

There was a huge billboard near my condo that had Bell 3G.

Maybe they just "fast", I guess 3G doesn't necessarily mean GSM, I've just always associated it with GSM.

About the Palm Pre on Bell's site: Coming soon, exclusively to Bell, on Canada's largest 3G network1

(1) Based on total square kms of the 1XEV-DO network vs Rogers HSPA coverage as of April 6, 2009.

Hm I guess they don't mean GSM then. Nevermind lol.

[Jing]

The companies to first get the palm pre will be carriers on the CDMA Network. Sprint is getting it in the states and it has been rumored that both Bell and Telus will pick up the PRE. I may be wrong, but I think that Telus and Bell will be heading into the gsm market (as i believe HSDPA and LTE are usually associated with GSM networks).

If this is the case, then it will be good for canadian consumers. More competitors in a sense as bell and telus will enter the GSM market.

[Vulcan]

I don't have a clue what you guys are talking about other than it's about cell phones but I do know that Bell TV is also getting it on with Telus. Telus is going to be distributing Bell satellite systems in BC and Alberta.

[SebC]

When were the telcos NOT one big incestuous orgy? There's a reason their prices are so bloody high.

[photon]

I checked with a friend who knows the industry really well, he said that 3G means pretty much whatever they want it to mean with only a few restrictions.. so basically it means "new and improved".

[Azure]

Originally Posted by SebC

When were the telcos NOT one big incestuous orgy? There's a reason their prices are so bloody high.

I was just going to say that.

When is Bell/Telus/Rogers not trying to get it on with one another?

[Shazam]

Once Bell and Telus get that 4G network up, hopefully we'll see some real competition.

Hopefully.

[burn_baby_burn]

Isn't 3G and EvDo basically the same thing? If CDMA carriers switch to a GSM network, insn't that a step backwards?

[Azure]

Don't you need GSM to have the Iphone?

That, and worldwide coverage. Or something.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by Azure

Don't you need GSM to have the Iphone?

That, and worldwide coverage. Or something.

What is an Iphone?

[photon]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Isn't 3G and EvDo basically the same thing? If CDMA carriers switch to a GSM network, insn't that a step backwards?

Nope, 3G basically means "faster".

Rogers has "3.5G" speeds now, using HDPSA, and 7.2Mbps is what it's rated at (though it can go up to 14.4Mbps), whereas Bell's EVDO I think is currently at 2.4Mbps, and I'm not sure what technology could make that faster, basically they'd have to switch to WiMAX or something (like Sprint is doing I think).

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Azure

Don't you need GSM to have the Iphone?

That, and worldwide coverage. Or something.

I think GSM is more prevelant because the European Union requires carriers to be GSM so that there would be a standard for all of Europe. I hear that GSM has a tendancy for more dropped calls and that the voice quality is not as good as CDMA carriers.

Also I have heard that GSM phones have two antenna's, one for voice and one for data. CDMA phones use a single antenna for voice and data. So that means that GSM phones have faster data speeds.

I know that Rogers, a GSM carrier, carry's the iPhone in Canada. I'm not so sure who is and who isn't a GSM carrier in the states.

[HOOT]

EvDo = 3G.

They changed the name because 3G is recognized by more people.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Also I have heard that GSM phones have two antenna's, one for voice and one for data. CDMA phones use a single antenna for voice and data. So that means that GSM phones have faster data speeds.

I know that Rogers, a GSM carrier, carry's the iPhone in Canada. I'm not so sure who is and who isn't a GSM carrier in the states.

That doesn't sound right.. Sounds like internet made up facts..

More likely it transmits voice on one band and data on another. Most GSM phones now are quad band, so they support four carrier frequencies.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by kermitology

That doesn't sound right.. Sounds like internet made up facts..

More likely it transmits voice on one band and data on another. Most GSM phones now are quad band, so they support four carrier frequencies.

Really? My knowledge of technology is elementary at best. Still I thought that the GSM radios were smaller compared to the CDMA radios. Meaning a voice and data radio can be used in a GSM device and data and voice can used simultaneously. While in a CDMA phone the larger radio is used for voice and data and they cannot be used simultaneously. I have heard this a few times, but I could be completely misunderstanding what was being explained since my tech experience and understanding is very limited. If you work in the industry you would know a heck of a lot more than I would.

Would you mind explaining about the quad band you posted about? I have never heard of that before. I have no idea what you mean by support for four carrier frequencies.

[photon]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM_frequency_ranges

GSM quad band phones use 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 frequencies. I had a tri-band European phone but it sucked because it could only get 1800 and 1900, and the lower frequencies go through more stuff so get better reception.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by photon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM_frequency_ranges

GSM quad band phones use 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 frequencies. I had a tri-band European phone but it sucked because it could only get 1800 and 1900, and the lower frequencies go through more stuff so get better reception.

Ok, I understand what kermintology was talking about now. I have heard that the high GSM frequencies suck at penetrating buildings.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Ok, I understand what kermintology was talking about now. I have heard that the high GSM frequencies suck at penetrating buildings.

Higher frequencies have a lower skin depth penetration.