By 
The first day Xero switched over to XT Telecom's mobile network was the day of their first big outage in mid December. I know we are big phone users but we were assured it wasn't us. The second recent outage makes it hard for people to say they like the network - but I do.
I've been a Vodafone customer since the Bell South days and been generally happy. I especially liked the seamless international roaming. But over the last few years I found the Vodafone network very frustrating. I couldn't hold a call from Wellington to the Airport either going through the tunnel or around the Bays. And from Auckland airport to the City calls drop out 5-6 times. So many times I've wanted to throw my phone out the window.
The problem may be that I'm normally on a 3G phone and it has to drop between networks but I don't care. I just want it to work.
I swapped to a Telecom data card a few years ago (on the old network) because that network works better for data.
Over the last year or so we've got to know the senior Telecom people pretty well. Telecom and Xero started to intersect as Telecom realized that over the next few years Telco's are going to get much more interested in the applications that are delivered over the network than just calling plans. It's been a great experience working with the Telecom team. We like them. They get it.
So as XT rolled out it made sense for us to support them.
I also liked that the network was new and 3G was all on the same frequency, so you can get 3G coverage anywhere. That is great for me as I spend a lot of time in the provinces.
So far I really like the network. I get much better coverage in the places that I need it (except Waimarama - but both networks are crap out there) and I'm getting far fewer dropped calls. Call clarity is also good.
There are a few rough edges that I'll mention to the XT team. The Messaging service is a bit verbose. It requires a PIN (which you can program into your BlackBerry) and you have to listen to too many disclaimers. Vodafone's was a bit easier. Accessing your messages from overseas doesn't user CallerID which makes it a pain to get messages while roaming as the PIN fires when it's expecting you to put in the number.
Vodafone, the official iPhone network, still doesn't have Visual Voice Mail and seem unlikely to on their current message platform so I hope that Telecom will do it. Voicemail is a big part of the phone experience and if I was them I'd make VM really good.
For me Voice Mail is a major pain. It breaks into my day and I need to write stuff down. Look how much better VMM is ...
My understanding is the XT Voicemail platform can allow VVM they just need the business case to commission it so please let your Telecom rep know.
I'm sure there are lots of people annoyed by the outages. We even flipped a few key people back to Voda so we have diversity for support. But I use XT and I'm very happy to recommend it.
Now, Waimarama please. Do it for the kids ...
17:35, 14.02.2010
As I am the local Vodafone Business Consultant I want to take this opportunity to tell you how we/ I see it.
XT has done a wonderful job of creating a real strong brand which has helped them convert many people from CDMA . Unfortunately Telecom has missed the point about how to make a really great 3G network.
Inbreif Vodafone has done it this way.
Firstly Vodafone had really great GSM coverage platform to start with and then they overlayed the 2100mhz UMTS 3G signal on .
Next after load balancing this 3G platform they spent about $400million on a 900 mhz UMTS 3G overlay which is in use today
Vodafone has the only network with a true GSM core, with 7 RNC’s. Totaly load balanced for population and coverage at just over 97% of were people live work and play.
XT has a 850 /2100 mhz UMTS platform with no GSM core and only two RNC units , One for Taupo North and one for Taupo South.
If you happen to have a Vodafone mobile that is 900/2100 mhz UMTS , HSDPA it will also have the abilty to switch back to GSM if you move out of 3G coverage
Telecoms network does not have this. They make up for it with VVM.
Vodafone does have a service called Message Page or VM to Text , this is a clever service as it is answered by an operator.
To dispell any myths about realibity and expected coverage could you please visit http://www.vodafone.co.nz/coverage and see that we do have 900 UMTS 3G coverage in Waimarama. If you need a loan device that you can test for yourself please call me.
Now about the Iphone. Apple has partnered itself with Vodafone Globally. Vodafone has in most areas of operation and partnered countries operates on the GSM & 3G 900 mhz frequency band, Unfortunately the American Military uses the 900mhz band itself so all operators there must use 850mhz. We are hoping that Apple realeses a 900 mhz 3G Iphone soon. In the mean time I use the HTC Magic, touch scren 3G 900/2100, HSDPA, GSM, Android, an awesome device for all things.
So if you are an XT customer and you need to know your options, Vodafone can help you ! please call me on 021 382 088,
Ben
10:09, 19.02.2010
Ben coverage for iPhone in HB on Vodafone sucks… Havelock Village = no 3G coverage, inside any building in Taradale = no 3G coverage, my house = no 3G coverage, Waimarama = no 3G coverage. This makes it very difficult to go anywhere near the 1Gig data cap I signed up for and Vodafone will not let me revert to a smaller plan without being charged a huge fee. If you became the local voda coverage advocate and actually got Vodafone to do something about this then I am sure attitudes locally would change.
18:10, 25.02.2010
I agree with Rod. After the problems with XT I’ve had to change back to Vodafone but I miss XT now that I’m back. It’s the fast 3G everywhere that I miss. I started to actually use the other features of my phone (like browsing & tweeting) & now I’m back with Vodafone they’re a real chore.
Craig
11:10, 28.02.2010
I’m wrapped in XT especially being able to check my emails on my $240 Samsung Smartphone. I live in Eskdale and have never experienced an outage.