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Dear fellow African Esato peeps - it's here finally ... MTNLoaded is hosting a great new online album service. You can now upload your pictures to the site and share the album with friends, and MMS pictures to other friends.
http://www.mtn.co.za/?pid=228078
Guys also read this:
S.African watchdog says probes mobile contracts
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[ This Message was edited by: WirelessMonkey on 2005-06-19 12:42 ]
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Posted: 2005-06-19 13:32:05
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That album thing is not much exciting, lol. Umm on the Vodafone Live! menu we also have a Live! Studio.... but it is still under construction. So what channels of DStv is there on MTN?
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[ This Message was edited by: sIssIs on 2005-06-19 14:16 ]
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Posted: 2005-06-19 15:13:42
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Oh another thing WM.... everyone is so excited that MTN launched EDGE and that you will switch from 3G>EDGE>GPRS..... but but but they wasted their money on EDGE where they could've put 3G stations up with that money. I know there are now more EDGE mobiles..... but but but again... it's just like a "Fase" then all EDGE mobile will probably be extinct. Vodacom did want to worry about EDGE then "saved" that money for more 3G stations... so what i'm trying to say is that if you just could've put up 3G which is the future and faster, why bother with EDGE. MTN must cover all the EDGE areas with 3G one day... so to me I think Vodacom had the "brains" and the "heart" there. Am I right or wrong? WM thanks for all your info... it's great.
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Posted: 2005-06-19 15:25:28
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@ sIssIs
Okay not sure what the technical reasoning is but it has been stated that an EDGE-WCDMA network makes for a better user experience. I do know from what was shown to me by the MTN techies last year that the switch for MTN actually is all the same - it's a mtter of switching boxes - replacing existing dated GSM boxes with new GSM/EDGE/WCDMA boxes. I think that MTN's switch will offer a better solution in time to come. I'll find the exact reason and post it.
ADDED INFO:
>>Ericsson adds that the EDGE-WCDMA combination also enables operators to have more control over network investment and make the best of scarce resources. "Telecoms consultancy Northstream estimates that operators can save up to 50% on capital expenditure on a combined EDGE-WCDMA network compared with deploying WCDMA alone."
From the GSM Association's website:
"EDGE - Enhance Data rates for GSM Evolution, is an open ITU standard radio access specification to support 3G services. Originally positioned as an in-band solution where new IMT-2000 spectrum was unavailable, EDGE has become an effective complement to WCDMA as the combination of EDGE and WCDMA offers the most spectrally efficient and lowest cost solution for 3G services delivery in all regions of the world."
MY comments - You must understand that when a network spends (what appears to be) more on upgrading their network - moving from GSM/GPRS to GSM/GPRS+ to EDGE to WCDMA (3G) - there has to be a good reason for this. I'm not a technical person but I try to understand why it is that networks do certain things. When Vodacom first rolled out their network more than a decade ago, they focused their energy on deploying as wide a network as soon as possible. They decided to employ three vendors (Motorola/Alcatel/Siemens). This came back to haunt them as GSM services became more complex and there was greater demand for data services. MTN stuck with one vendor - Ericsson, which is why they could offer HSCSD, Conference calling from day one, GPRS with excellent soft handover.
It's in this last statement that you need to look for MTN's reasoning - base station hand-overs. Vodacom is essentially deploying a second network, whereas MTN are merely upgrading their network. I think that time will tell which is the wiser. (Risking it) - yeah, I trust in MTN's technical expertise. They have the proven track record of delivering robust and dependable systems, and a better user experience. And because 3G is all about data and speed, I'm going to trust the experts when they say that MTN's combination approach is a better marriage for a better user experience. Don't forget that this is all about mathematic algorithms and not just about masts and signal spread. MObile communication is about moving and not just about standing in one place.
Don't be fooled by marketing - just because someone says that they're the first, does not mean that they'll be the best option.
In addition I need to also state that Vodacom will deploy EDGE, as stated by CEO Alan Knott-Craig.
As for DSTV - I've seen the movie channel and MNET - it's just a trial link that was shared with me by a technical person.
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[ This Message was edited by: WirelessMonkey on 2005-06-19 15:58 ]
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Posted: 2005-06-19 16:21:09
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Thank you. But ... yes I know it will be an added option, a nice option, but if you only had 3G then you wouldn't need EDGE. I hope Vodacom saw the light and only choose one vendor for the 3G stuff etc.
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Posted: 2005-06-19 17:15:40
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Yes, this time they did - they are only using Siemens. Their 3G network is brilliant but still has a long way to go before it's widely available. The signals on both MTN and Voda are overall weak and intermittent. Where I live MTN is the best, at my office Vodacom is the best. Thank goodness I have both.
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Posted: 2005-06-19 17:48:38
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@wireless monkey any cellular network that wants a 3G network has to deploy a complete new network.You can not upgrade a 2G network to 3G.3G is a completely new system and a new frequency.Vodacom was rolling out its EDGE network since March this year but they are focusing on a WIDE 3G COVERAGE.Vodacom stated numerous times that by end of this year 3G coverage will be almost anywhere in SA..........Vodacom computer deals packaged with current 3G packages will be launched this week.All computers are HP.I will post pc specs tomorrow.I know i promised yesterday
This message was posted from a P900
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Posted: 2005-06-19 17:51:59
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Vodacom didn't say that. They said 600 more base stations is up by the year ended. Well what I think WM meaned by MTN only have to upgrade their stuff , and not putting up a new network is... that MTN only have to put the 3Gbox thingy nest to the other ericsson 2.5G box. But isn't that the same as any other... btu who cares. Um... I just want to know who is the best Vendor? Or are all vendor the same? I same somewhere Ericsson said they are the best... but is that only because they are used the most?
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Posted: 2005-06-19 18:22:59
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At all - my professional experience with data is that MTN has always excelled. NOw I'm not saying that Vodacom is bad - in fact I've been showering praises on them for delivering as stated. Shown to me in the field by both is how they have integrated 3G with existing technology - the old transmitters are literally being fitted with a third UMTS antenna so that now each antenna on a base station (which has three facing in different directions) now also has a 3G one fitted. Now, with MTN the difference is inside the little container box that sits on each site. MTN are swopping out boxes and replacing old dated GSM boxes with new GSM/EDGE/WCMDA boxes - I think they may have just had a better opportunity to bring EDGE in at possible a lower cost than it will cost Vodacom to do this. Fact is that both networks are going the EDGE/WCDMA route, but that MTN were first. In defense of the blokes in Y'ello land - their 3G trials having been going longer than Vodacom. It's no secret that Sony Ericsson and Ericsson share the same building and hence why I have been privileged to some inside info there. But I don't actually have access to either networks so I'm not going to be stating facts I cannot support. Rest assured that South Africans are luckier than most others in that we are getting good technology being deployed and we will see the benefits in years to come. My hat's off to both - and even to Cell C for innovating with new contract ideas.
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Posted: 2005-06-19 18:54:28
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If MTN just have to add a small box its network.It should have UPGRADED ITS whole network completely and it was the case of just putting a small box.Why is MTN upgrading its current network to EDGE.......I think WM needs to clarify what he means by UPGRADE.Other networks that use ERICSSON ONLY for it 2G networks are rolling out a A NEW 3G NETWORK.No such thing of software upgrades or adding a box to a 2G network that will make it 3G.Ha Ha HA.....Yes ERICSSON are WORLD LEADERS when it comes to network equipment
This message was posted from a P900
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Posted: 2005-06-19 19:17:36
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