Disclaimer: This is a guide only.
I’m after a mobile phone, and when noting the huge difference in prices of grey imports and Australian stock, I thought I’d look into why.
Some grey imports are exactly the same as Australian stock phones, whilst others vary in what bands they operate on.
DUAL SIM CARDS
Some/most “Dual Sim-card” phones, will have one sim-card slot that can only be used on 2G networks.
And, knowing that 2G networks in Australia are shutting down, you could be stuck with a phone only capable of using the one sim-card.
AUSTRALIAN NETWORK BANDS
This is the confusing part where some websites fail to list the bands their handsets are capable of using. Some list 4G, but 4G has many bands.
For those that fail to list what bands the handset supports, I would request written confirmation from the supplier.
Otherwise, you could end up buying a handset that is not capable of using the faster 4G networks being introduced.
TOWERS
You’ve noticed a tower in your local area and wondering what provider and/or services is on it.
The website below has all providers, including NBN, listed with detailed information on what each tower has.
What I like is the towers embedded with google maps, where you can scroll around areas and see the actual location of each tower. Click on the tower and you have the info.
This will be interesting to our regional, rural and remote members in identifying their nearest towers and what services they provide.
TABLE
I’ve included tables below for you to use as a quick reference guide when looking at handset specifications.
All details have been taken from the website I’ve listed below.
I am NOT affiliated with them at all.
Should you wish to know what services an Australian provider is providing in an area, region or state, check the website.
Australian Mobile Networks – Frequency Order (MHz)
Band BAND TELSTRA OPTUS VODAPHONE NBN 2G 900 900 900 2G 1800 1800 1800 3G Band 5 850 Nil 850 Nil 3G Band 8 900 900 3G Band 1 2100 2100 2100 4G Band 28 700 700 4G Band 5 850 4G Band 8 900 900 900 4G Band 3 1800 1800 1800 4G Band 1 2100 2100 2100 4G Band 40 2300 2300 2300 4G Band 7 2600 2600 4G Band 42 3500
Australian Mobile Providers 2G Network Shutdown
Telstra 2G Thu 01 Dec 2016 Optus 2G Sat 01 Apr 2017 Vodaphone 2G Sat 30 Sep 2017
Australian Mobile Networks – Band Order (MHz)
Band BAND TELSTRA OPTUS VODAPHONE NBN 2G 900 900 900 2G 1800 1800 1800 3G Band 1 2100 2100 2100 3G Band 5 850 850 3G Band 8 900 900 4G Band 1 2100 2100 2100 4G Band 3 1800 1800 1800 4G Band 5 850 4G Band 7 2600 2600 4G Band 8 900 900 900 4G Band 28 700 700 4G Band 40 2300 2300 2300 4G Band 42 3500
Information has been made available courtesy from on Friday 25 Nov 2016
Last edited by Xplorer; 26-11-16 at 10:32 AM.
Look Here -> |
Is your Optus 2G switch off date correct?Optus is ahead of Telstra in 4G700 by 1116 sites
If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!
Xplorer (26-11-16)
"Optus is closing the 2G network from 1 April, 2017. After this date you will not be able to use 2G devices on the Optus mobile network. 3G Single Band devices also use the 2G network in certain areas of the network, so if you have a 3G Single Band device and are outside the coverage of our 3G 2100 MHz network, you will also lose mobile service in these areas when the 2G GSM network closes. For more information on 3G Single Band devices, please see our FAQ below."
Last edited by Xplorer; 26-11-16 at 10:39 AM.
Vodaphone 2G Network Shutdown
Telstra 2G Network Shutdown
Thought i'd add this here......
Anyone know or heard when the 3G "switch off" is happening?
I'm in the market for some bull bar mounted 3G antenna's and a response i received from a well known Aussie Business that supplies (Police, Ambo, etc) with antennas
Just told me this.....
I personally would be looking towards an antenna that offers support for the 700MHz Bandwidth.
We are expecting 3G to be switched off within the next couple years, a general consensus is around 2020, so only 2 years away.
Last edited by ol' boy; 27-11-17 at 07:48 PM.
If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!
Depends what frequencies you need them to operate on.
Not all 3G networks use the same frequencies.
700MHz is 4Gx
Probably the 900Mhz 3G freq is the only that concerns me, but also 2100.
If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!
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