MTN Handsets

Tahir Ally said:
Will MTN brand their handsets like what Vodacom is doing with Vodafone
Click to expand...

Currently we will are not doing any external branding on handsets, but this may form part of our future plans.
 
ScrnScrm said:
Hi Kompete
The p900 doesnt have EDGE, only GPRS. But that doesnt mean that you wont benefit from an EDGE Base Station - you will be able to use GPRS+ even with an old handset because the coding scheme on the base station allows for higher speeds (If you have a strong enough signal). In this case, if you are connected to an EDGE basestation, you should still get Coding Scheme 4, which allows for roughly 20Kbps per channel, so if you get all 4 channels during a download, you can go up to 80Kbps on your handset. Obviously, if you connect to a older base station that only has support for Coding Scheme 2, you can only get a maximum of roughly 48Kbps.
My suggestion to you would be to get an EDGE/3G compliant handset like the Nokia 6630 - that way you can get EDGE now and still use 3G when it comes out on MTN. The 6630 is NOT a P900, but it comes pretty close in functionality unless you are using business specific apps on the P900.
Cheers -
Click to expand...

Thanks ScrnScrm for the comprehensive answer.

I guess all thats left for me to do is add the list of EDGE capable product that we have :D

I am going to split these devices up into 2 categories, first legacy product which has been discontinued, then current product.

Legacy:
Nokia 3200
Nokia 6220
Nokia 6810
Nokia 6820

Current:
Motorola V547
Nokia 3220
Nokia 5140
Nokia 6020
Nokia 6170
Nokia 6230
Nokia 6630 (3G capable too)
Nokia 6822
Nokia 7200
Nokia 7270
Nokia 7280
Nokia 7610
Nokia 9300
Nokia 9500
Palm One Treo 650
Sony Ericsson GC85 (Data Card)
Sierra Wireless AirCard 775 (Data Card)

I hope this is helpful.
 
Hi Brett.kwik question,when i try to sync my 9500 it give a warnings stating "check sync profile on fone then retry" can u advise?
 
Liposuck2004 said:
Hi Brett.kwik question,when i try to sync my 9500 it give a warnings stating "check sync profile on fone then retry" can u advise?
Click to expand...

Hi,

Its very difficult to say based on the information you have given, but in the 9500 menu, go to Tools -> Sync -> PC Suite Profile.
Edit those settings, and if there is anything that doesnt conform with what you actually are trying to do, then change that setting. For example, if your Sync profile is set to sync via Bluetooth, but you are actually trying to sync with the docking cradle, change the setting to "Data Cable"

I hope this helps. If you are still getting stuck, please PM with the details of how you are trying to connect and I will help you resolve this from there.
 
Thanks ScrnScrm and MTN H

Think I will make do with P900 for now and wait for 3G launch. Hopefully by then there will be a PDA/phone with 3G and Edge, like a Palm Treo 700 or something, or am I dreaming?

In the meantime I've convinced my girlfriend to get the Nokia6630, so I can go on the edge...

ciao
 
I don't have a working phone to play with, so I'm trying to piece together how this all works
from reading what I can find on the web...especially what does/does not work with Linux
(it seems most stuff should work with linux).

I'd like somebody to confirm my understanding -- when a phone as a GPRS modem for a laptop,
the phone basically runs a PPP server over some kind of serial emulation (IrCOMM/IrDA, or
serial emulation over bluetooth, or USBserial, or some older phones actually do have a serial
port). But I *assume* that GPRS/EDGE actually ship IP datagrams to the APN under some
specific network encapsulation -- and not PPP frames?

So it looks like this

[PC/Laptop] IP packet
^
| IP/PPP/IrComm
|
v
[Phone ]
^
| IP pkt sent as GPRS data to APN
.
.
.
|
v
[APN] IP pkt forwarded to I/net
^
|
(Internet)

I'm also curious to gain a better understanding of how GPRS/EDGE do timeslot
reservation? Does a GPRS mobile station ask for timeslots and get granted them
*but* can have them taken away at any time when network load dictates?

I live in a smallish place -- but would like to try GPRS before I buy...somebody loaned
me an LG C1100, which does GPRS & I have WAP working on Vodacom prepaid. But,
I can't find a serial cable for that phone, and I don't even know if the serial port on
the phone would support GPRS data? (Do all phones that support GPRS data also
act as GPRS modems?).

I also have a concern that even when using WAP or the microbrowser on that thing
that it can take ages to establish a GPRS connection...and about half the time says
that it can't. I am hoping to use GPRS to replace dialup at home...I'd be happy with
30K speeds, but it needs to be reasonably reliable.

If it works -- I'd probably get a Nokia 6320 on contract as it would save me money over
my current exhorbitant dialup charges (about 60 hours/month, mostly callmore time).
The 6320 looks like the best EDGE handset(???). I wonder how long it will be before
EDGE upgrades will make it to a small place like mine (Mtunzini -- about 1400 people,
40km from Empangeni)?

Too many questions, I know...
 
linuxguy said:
I don't have a working phone to play with, so I'm trying to piece together how this all works
from reading what I can find on the web...especially what does/does not work with Linux
(it seems most stuff should work with linux).

I'd like somebody to confirm my understanding -- when a phone as a GPRS modem for a laptop,
the phone basically runs a PPP server over some kind of serial emulation (IrCOMM/IrDA, or
serial emulation over bluetooth, or USBserial, or some older phones actually do have a serial
port). But I *assume* that GPRS/EDGE actually ship IP datagrams to the APN under some
specific network encapsulation -- and not PPP frames?

So it looks like this

[PC/Laptop] IP packet
^
| IP/PPP/IrComm
|
v
[Phone ]
^
| IP pkt sent as GPRS data to APN
.
.
.
|
v
[APN] IP pkt forwarded to I/net
^
|
(Internet)

I'm also curious to gain a better understanding of how GPRS/EDGE do timeslot
reservation? Does a GPRS mobile station ask for timeslots and get granted them
*but* can have them taken away at any time when network load dictates?

I live in a smallish place -- but would like to try GPRS before I buy...somebody loaned
me an LG C1100, which does GPRS & I have WAP working on Vodacom prepaid. But,
I can't find a serial cable for that phone, and I don't even know if the serial port on
the phone would support GPRS data? (Do all phones that support GPRS data also
act as GPRS modems?).

I also have a concern that even when using WAP or the microbrowser on that thing
that it can take ages to establish a GPRS connection...and about half the time says
that it can't. I am hoping to use GPRS to replace dialup at home...I'd be happy with
30K speeds, but it needs to be reasonably reliable.

If it works -- I'd probably get a Nokia 6320 on contract as it would save me money over
my current exhorbitant dialup charges (about 60 hours/month, mostly callmore time).
The 6320 looks like the best EDGE handset(???). I wonder how long it will be before
EDGE upgrades will make it to a small place like mine (Mtunzini -- about 1400 people,
40km from Empangeni)?

Too many questions, I know...
Click to expand...

Hi,

I will do my best to answer the handset related questions and direct MTNBB here to see what he can do about the rest... :)

Not all handsets that do WAP over GPRS will work as a GPRS modem. This is especially true with lower end handsets.

The Nokia 6230 is a great product for EDGE use, specifically because it is a class 10 EDGE device, which means you can get the full potential benefit of EDGE.
 
linuxguy said:
I'm also curious to gain a better understanding of how GPRS/EDGE do timeslot
reservation? Does a GPRS mobile station ask for timeslots and get granted them
*but* can have them taken away at any time when network load dictates?
Click to expand...

Yes, you will get up to 4 timeslots for GPRS use if the tower isn't too busy with voice calls. Voice calls get preference. If you are busy downloading and 8 callers want to make calls simultaneously, you will get 0 GPRS throughput. I have played around a lot lately, even during peak times I get near maximum throughput. The networks constantly monitor the towers, if they become too busy, they erect another one!


linuxguy said:
I live in a smallish place -- but would like to try GPRS before I buy...somebody loaned
me an LG C1100, which does GPRS & I have WAP working on Vodacom prepaid. But,
I can't find a serial cable for that phone, and I don't even know if the serial port on
the phone would support GPRS data? (Do all phones that support GPRS data also
act as GPRS modems?).
Click to expand...
I would be very surprised if that phone can't do data over the cable seeing that it is GPRS class 10 phone.

linuxguy said:
I also have a concern that even when using WAP or the microbrowser on that thing
that it can take ages to establish a GPRS connection...and about half the time says
that it can't. I am hoping to use GPRS to replace dialup at home...I'd be happy with
30K speeds, but it needs to be reasonably reliable.
Click to expand...
If you can find a cable, you will get around 40 kbps provided your signal is good and the tower not too busy. On an EDGE tower, you can get up to 80 kbps. On my Nokia 6310i with cable, it usually connects a little bit faster than my analog dial-up modem. With Bluetooth, funny, it connects even faster.

If you are worried about letting go of your landline as a backup, just get a prepaid sim from the other network and use as a backup.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by stepper
Hi MTNHS , I have a 6230 celly on contract and I need firmware/software upgrade and so where do I go for this upgrade and how much will it cost me?


Nokia will do this for free for you - just take your phone in. In cape town they are on somerset road, opposite the bronx night club.

Is it posible to make an appointment to have this done while one waits? I went in and was told to leave my phone there for 3 days!
 
Last edited:
Nokia in Durban does it while you wait.
Had my 6230 upgraded a few months ago.
Takes about an hour!
 
I was talking to cellucity in the Pavillion (Westville) over the weekend and they were telling me that
Vodacom doesn't currently offer the Nokia 6630 on their network as it failed some of their 3G
compatibility tests. Does anybody know about this?

I was looking at a 6230, but saw that the 6630 is also being given away on MyCall 100 and so
thought it was worth thinking about. Other than the 3G/WCDMA and a higher-res
camera, are there any other big advantages of the 6630 over the 6230? (The disadvantages
being that it is more expensive & bulkier)
 
Vodacom will not launch the 6630 because it failed its UMTS certification and it does not have a camera for video calls + the new 6680 will be launched soon on Vodacom which has the video calling camera buit in..
 
Tahir Ally said:
Vodacom will not launch the 6630 because it failed its UMTS certification and it does not have a camera for video calls + the new 6680 will be launched soon on Vodacom which has the video calling camera buit in..
Click to expand...

I have consciously avoided commenting on our competitor activities because we have tried to remain professional and limit our information to our own offerings, but if we are going to have inputs on the MTN Broadband forum challenged constantly by trade partners of our competitors I think it will change the nature of this forum quite dramatically - especially if the inputs are not clearly indicated as being commercial. What does the forum think about this - should I be inputting on competitive forums and should we get some of our retailers to start contributing as individuals?
 
Tahir Ally said:
Vodacom will not launch the 6630 because it failed its UMTS certification and it does not have a camera for video calls + the new 6680 will be launched soon on Vodacom which has the video calling camera buit in..
Click to expand...

The Nokia 6630 does have UMTS certification. This was actually the first handset to be approved by the GCF (global certification forum):

http://press.nokia.com/PR/200503/983713_5.html

Here is independent confirmation of this:-

http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/March2005/1147.htm

This is available in the UK with one of the operators there.

http://shop.vodafone.co.uk Click... and will be stocking the Nokia 6680 as well.
 
MTNbroadband,

I think you will have to make a strategic decision based on your company culture, policy and so forth. It will be a difficult decision to make, but if the competitors decide to openly comment on this section of the forum you will be left with very little choice in my opinion. If they make a claim, counter claim.

The same goes for their sections of this forum. What is good for the goose is good for the gander if you catch my drift. I have to be neutral in all of this, but my take on this would be to do unto others as they do unto you. The ethical dilemma lies in declaring interest. I agree with you 100% MTNbroadband, in that if competitors want to comment with information only known inside the industry they need to declare it. It is part of my job on this forum to take complaints in this regard and level the playing field. If you find that somebody is using anonymity as an excuse to unfairly cripple the image of any of the official respondents on the forum, please inform me. I will ask the person to simply make known their affiliation. No need to divulge identities. We cannot and will not force anybody to give up his or her anonymity on this forum. But when it comes to competing companies we need to be honest in my opinion when cross posting. It can be considered a professional courtesy.

Please refer any complaints to the relevant moderator including RPM and myself.

The good thing about this discussion is the fact that it is very clear to all reading this that there is indeed competition in the mobile business…

Regards and thanks to all industry representatives who take time to support their customers and potential customers on this forum. It is much appreciated.

Antowan
 
Tahir Ally said:
Vodacom will not launch the 6630 because it failed its UMTS certification and it does not have a camera for video calls + the new 6680 will be launched soon on Vodacom which has the video calling camera buit in..
Click to expand...
IMHO, this statement is not relevant to this forum. I am not interested in what Vodacom does or does not do.
 
Tahir Ally said:
Vodacom will not launch the 6630 because it failed its UMTS certification and it does not have a camera for video calls + the new 6680 will be launched soon on Vodacom which has the video calling camera buit in..
Click to expand...

Hi Tahir
A couple of things re your post :
1. The 6630 does have a camera for video calls - its an external jack that you plug the phone into when required.
2. The 6630 is available in the UK on VLive. It isnt available here on Vodacom because of some firmware issues with the phone on Vodacoms network (it hogs the 1800Mhz band when roaming on GSM for one). These issues have been addressed with a firmware upgrade, and you can in fact get support for this phone whilst using the Vodacom network now (I have a 6630 and got plenty of support from Vodacom when originally hooking up to their 3G network for testing purposes).
3. The 6680 will be launched round about the same time on MTN. Vodacom will not have a competitive advantage to market with this handset as you have implied.
4. All of this is a mute point because the phone is available on MTN and this is an MTN forum. Vodacom's compatability is irrelevant.
4. This is not the correct forum for posting contract pricing for Vodacom - please keep those sort of posts to the Vodacom forum where they will be more useful.

Cheers -
 
ScrnScrm, Well put!
Tahir Alley... you're the weakest link, Goodbye :)
 
Tahir Ally said:
The nokia 6630 has not been approved by Vodacom because it does not have A BUILT IN 3G video camera.Like a mention before the 6680 will be availabe in May from Vodacom.There are so many phones Vodafone has and Vodacom will not launch them because they dont meet Vodacom requirements..............Vodacom will have an advantage on 3g because they have a 6/8 months lead for coverage......Look like some one is the weakest link fror launching 3G late.
Click to expand...

Hi
The 6680 will be available at the same time on MTN. Am I missing your point here?
 
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