Telecom upgraded the amps on their Tukituki and Haumoana/Te Awanga towers on June 10 so you should get even better XT. Thanks Telecom!
Have you noticed a difference?
We're making good progress to get Waimarama beefed up. I know that some people would love to have no coverage out there but for me at least I can spend more time at the beach with the kids if my mobile works. Please be noisey if you want Waimarama fixed.
I've been on my iPad 3G on XT for a few days now. It's fantastic having instant on access anywhere.



07:45, 15.06.2010
Great to hear that – but isn’t their advert naff?? Great to see a CEO fronting but it’s a bit pompous isn’t it?
I still belive they’re pushing a message that they may not be abvle to deliver on – coverage everywhere – therefore i’m going to head off to a remote river somewhere and presume I’m going to get coverage.
09:02, 15.06.2010
Haha love to see Miki on the zero blog eat his words!
12:56, 15.06.2010
I like the new XT ad! Paul Reynolds is fronting up and taking personal responsibility – I think that is a good message to give. Not sure about the remote coverage though – dangerous.
15:35, 15.06.2010
The ad’s crap and could further lead them up the proverbial. Their reputation has already been tarnished and some CLEVER creative has thought let’s brush Telecoms ego a little bit more…
They have not seriously thought about the implications attached to this advert. Having said that is it a given that both networks have crap coverage? I’m on Vodofone and I just can’t believe some of the no coverage areas that operate around the Bay – even on the Expressway.
16:22, 15.06.2010
I reckon it’s quite a good ad, if there is such a thing. It certainly got my attention – that’s all you can really hope for these days.
Even if XT falls over completely tomorrow, I don’t think this ad will come back to bite them, since NZers expectations of mobile phone networks are now so low.
18:12, 15.06.2010
I’m no authority whatsoever when it comes to marketing/advertising and can only comment on the ad from a consumers point of view. I like it. I’m quite aware that advertising agency Chameleon is playing to consumers in such a manner in the hope that they will succumb to the not-quite-an-apology rhetoric, and frankly, it works for me. All is forgiven.
For now.
Well done Chameleon. Nice.
22:53, 15.06.2010
I think Paul Reynolds comes across really well – lucky he’s got the gift of the gab. Not many CE would put themselves out there like that… let’s hope they can deliver on the promise…
17:04, 16.06.2010
Telecom have also installed amplifiers on the Taradale, Ahuriri, Puketapu, Fernhill and Maraekakaho towers, with further work planned to upgrade fibre backhaul (to increase capacity) to a number of local sites in the next few months.
I too am on the “get a cell phone tower installed at Waimarama” bandwagon so if anyone can help out with a good piece of land to put one on this would be a step in the right direction…
19:18, 16.06.2010
I’m sure the ‘very local’ member might know somewhere. Craig?
Where does it need to be? On the hill, near the shop, on my Airnet mast?
Anything we do to assist liaise with the local community?
19:38, 17.06.2010
I know Rod is very pro Telecom,, some one has to be.
Vodafone has 3G 900 HSPA coverage at Waimarama now and has had for some months.
We would be more than happy to have Rod use or 3G network while XT improves their coverage in that area.
Visit http://www.vodafone.co.nz/coverage and feel free to contact me for a demo.
Ben
20:42, 17.06.2010
Ben, both networks are crap at Waimarama. I left Voda because I was dropping calls driving to the airports in Napier, Wellington and Auckland. That’s why I like XT.
I wish one of the networks would deliver Visual Voicemail.
Rod
10:48, 18.06.2010
I was talking to someone on the XT network in Hastings yesterday and the same thing happened at their end – phone just went dead. So I agree they’re still both crap.
16:29, 18.06.2010
Coverage on both networks is patchy – what I’m suspect about is whether he can actually fly fish.
19:51, 18.06.2010
Hey Vodafone is certainly not crap! Sure at peak time’s when the network is loaded you may occasionaly drop the odd call , nothings perfect.
Vodafone is the most reliable network in NZ . Its load balanced carrying multiple networks, (vodafone, 2 Degress, Black and white, Telstra Clear, and some others) 3G 900/2100 with a 2g GSM backbone.
At the moment while XT is unloaded as many of its customers have either migrated back to CDMA or ported to Vodafone it is going to be fast, like Rods Porsche and probably fairly reliable.(except maybe a little thirsty on petrol)
So when clients feel comfortable to take XT for another test drive this will prove its reliability. I predict that without the GSM core network it will fail again.
Please note most XT mobiles are compatible with our GSM network and will look for GSM when it moves out of 3G coverage this is when they drop out and loose calls.
signing off,
Ben Keehan
22:09, 20.06.2010
This discussion does not inspire me to move from the old CDMA network. Perhaps I should wait a bit longer before upgrading.
10:24, 24.06.2010
Hey Chris why don’t you give the risk free trial a go – you have absolutely nothing to loose! The data speeds on XT are outstanding and super fast everywhere there is XT mobile coverage. Find out more here – http://store.telecom.co.nz/mobile/special-offers/risk-free
11:39, 18.08.2010
The changes haven’t made much of a difference at Waimarama, but I believe Telecom are looking at putting a new tower out there. Hopefully in time for summer.
12:08, 29.12.2010
Waimarama – such a cool place to stay. but cannot believe 027 coverage is not available. what a disappointment.
11:39, 31.12.2010
Yes, so frustrating having to stand on chairs and head to the road just to check messages. Vodafone coverage seems to have got a whole lot better out here. Come on Telecom.
16:29, 18.01.2011
Just been in Mahia for the week. Anna has a i-phone 4 and I have an I-phone 3. Both phones were next to each other most of the time and the 4 had 2-3 signal bars and the 3 had none – talk about infuriating!! What’s the go with that??? Nearly threw the 3 away as it was hopeless. Not sure if others have the same problem – also notice that it takes ages to pick up a signal if it’s been in an out of coverage zone.
08:24, 19.01.2011
Another great beach day this year with over 5000 people unable to get XT coverage for the day. http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/galleries/miss-waimarama-beach-day/197/#176271
Team Drury slipped from 1st to 3rd in the ‘(parents with children) under 7′ sandcastle category.
09:09, 19.01.2011
2degrees/Vodafone coverage and data speed is pretty good out here, feels faster than DSL out the back of Havelock.
Going through a few 50mb data packs with Galaxy Tab though.
Was surprised we didn’t see a big X or blue circle on your sandcastle Rod.
10:25, 19.01.2011
No coverage at all in Aromoana and most certainly not 5000 people on the beach either. Lucky if there are 50 at times. I personally love it that way for a true holiday.