FTO AUSTRALIA

Here is my problem,

Bought a new Imate Jam from US to use in Australia.
It arrived yesterday.
I am with Telstra.

The phone has no coverage when I put the Telstra sim in, no phone, no gprs, no connectivity.
However, when I put the Optus sim in, it all works well. I can call people and receive calls.
Went to Telstra shop two times, they tried different sims, talked many times with Telstra Wireless/Data centre, no good.
They don’t know how to fix it.

Any idea whats wrong?

Have you check the bandwidth your unit is base in? As in is it WCDMA 850 / 2100 or GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900.

And what sort of sim cards have you try? 3G (WCDMA) or GSM?

FTO338 wrote:Have you check the bandwidth your unit is base in? As in is it WCDMA 850 / 2100 or GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900.

And what sort of sim cards have you try? 3G (WCDMA) or GSM?

Imate Jam is compatable with GSM850/900/1800/1900, which means it is compatible with Aus. Also the ebay ad was confirming the same thing.

Sim card is GSM with gprs enabled

Yes i know that, but there is another version which is also compatible to the WCDMA network too.

FTO338 wrote:Yes i know that, but there is another version which is also compatible to the WCDMA network too.

I dont have 3G, it should be the simplest sim card out there

do you know the Telstra GSM Network frequency ?
It should be either 850mhz or 900mhz?

mxysxy wrote:do you know the Telstra GSM Network frequency ?
It should be either 850mhz or 900mhz?

Telstra and Optus use 900 and 1800 on their 2.5G networks..I'm suprised your telstra sim doesn't work and optus does..as Kev was saying some are setup for the 3G or WCDMA but it works with Optus then thats bazaar.

I might have something to do with your IMEI being blocked on telstra or not being recognised...

I think I found the problem,

Although I did my homework before buying the unit from US, I think I have translated the information incorrectly
Check below link out
http://www.clubimate.com/t-DETAILS_JAM.aspx

When I had a look at this page for the Imate Jam specs, it seemed to me that it works in all four bands.
However, I have learnt from Imate online support that this not the case.
There are 2 versions of Imate Jam, both works on 1800,1900mhz, however, one works on 850mhz, another works on 900mhz
The ones sold in US apparently are 850mhz, as that’s what their network is.
Telstra sold Imate as well, however, the 900mhz version.
So, that’s why my head unit doesn’t work.

Not sure, how Optus works. It might be that they support 850mhz band or the signal could be very week.

So, it seems that I kinda bought a lemon,

Here is the tricky part,
I keep reading that Telstra is trying to transfer all mobile phones to 850mhz, as this is the cdma frequency, hence the network coverage of the mobiles will be increased sharply. They are trying to do the transfer via The 3G network that they supposed to go live and I am pretty sure it works on 850mhz.

So, if I change my contract to Telstra 3G network, would that work with imate? Or do I need a special phone to use on 3G network?

The current 3G network Telstra using is lease from Huchison Telecom (Know as just 3G Australia) Its runs on 2100Mhz.

However Telstra is converting all their old CDMA tower into WCDMA. So hopefully they get it up and running soon, but don't expect a good coverage, because its just started.

What that mean is, if your phone is compatible with WCDMA 2100mhz, then it should work fine on the current Telstra 3G network, if not, then you have to wait till the 850mhz WCDMA network launch.

FTO338 wrote:The current 3G network Telstra using is lease from Huchison Telecom (Know as just 3G Australia) Its runs on 2100Mhz.

However Telstra is converting all their old CDMA tower into WCDMA. So hopefully they get it up and running soon, but don't expect a good coverage, because its just started.

What that mean is, if your phone is compatible with WCDMA 2100mhz, then it should work fine on the current Telstra 3G network, if not, then you have to wait till the 850mhz WCDMA network launch.

yeah,
I dont want to get in to the current 3G network.
Correct that it works on 2100mhz band, and the coverage is limited only a partial area on central cities; Melb, Sydney, etc...

However, the NextG is on 850mhz, and they are already selling this.
This is the plan than I am thinking to purchase to make the Imate work, as my Imate already works on 850mhz,

However, the part I am confused is that, on Telstra web site they say that the current handset need to be replaced. But not saying why.
Is this because, current handsets work on 900mhz in Aus, and need to be replaced to 850mhz compatable ones?
Or there is more than that.
if nothing more, than technically my Imate should plug in to the NextG network without any problems

What do you think

Yes your current handset need to be replace due to the fact they won't pick up 850mhz.

Well you kind of correct about the current Telstra 3G only work around CBD, it does work a lot further then let say Optus and Vodafone, because they are 2yrs behind at the moment. If you look at the coverage map on Telstra/3G Australia, the 3G network cover a fair bit already, its the country side where you will be roam to GSM network.

WCDMA towers in Australia are either build with Ericssion technology (Not Sony Ericsson) or Nokia with a join venture with Alcatel or Simens (Can't remember which one now). That mean if you want the best quality reception, then i would suggest either get Sony Ericsson or Nokia.

Telstra and 3G Australia use Ericssion Technology

Optus and Vodafone use Nokia/Alcatel/Siemens

Back to your question Max (sorry i gone off a bit), i would just wait till the 850mhz launch and then get their "3G" compatible sim cards. Think of your phone as it's way ahead of it's time in Australia or future proof

Try asking around in this forum: http://www.aussie3g.com