Communications Minister Senator Helen Coonan has again warned that Telstra must not jeopardise CDMA coverage to customers in regional and rural areas as the telco prepares to switch off the network in favour of its third generation mobile network.
Coonan, in a statement released yesterday, announced a government-commissioned audit of Telstra's CDMA coverage was complete. The audit covered 100 sites, though there have been concerns it favoured the eastern seaboard.
A second audit monitoring Telstra's new network, Next G, will follow. The audits must show that Next G provides equal service for CDMA users before Telstra is allowed to switch off the old network next year, according to Coonan (right).
She said the government was mindful of Telstra ensuring a smooth transition to Next G for customers, particularly those in regional and rural areas.
"An independent audit comparing Next G coverage with CDMA coverage is a key part of verifying Telstra's public assurance that it will not shut down the CDMA network until Next G provides the same or better coverage and services."
Telstra's Next G network is already operating nationwide.
"Even if this assurance is met, Telstra has stated that the CDMA network will not be switched off before 28 January 2008," Coonan said.
The government has not committed to releasing the audit to the public, a spokesperson told ZDNet Australia today.
Like this article? Click below to send it to your mobile for free!
Martin Fleming.
19/03/2007 04:49 AM
I have Telstra next G mobile phone & it will not work on the far South Coast of N.S.W. So i went back to my old CDMA phone it works her on the South Coast of N.S.W. Also GSM will not work very well on the south coast and i need my CDMA phone because i am a Bush Fire Fighter. From Martin Fleming off Mystery Bay N.S.W. 2546.
Report offensive content
Gary Boyle
31/03/2007 12:51 AM
When I paid $149 dollars for my CDMA prepaid in September nobody told me they were turning her off in Feb08 but the only choice I had out there was CDMA :(
Report offensive content
Peter Brisbane
14/05/2007 04:28 PM
Those of us who have been a AMPS then CDMA user since its inception are a bit disappointed that there is no special changeover deal to Nextg thats any different than that offered to new users off the street!!
Report offensive content
Arty
15/05/2007 10:36 AM
I still find it hard to understand how the goverment is allowing Telstra to monopolise the market with the "Next G" system when it is clearly in breach of it's own rules, it had to create compitition & went to graet expence to create Telstra Wholesale, now it will not even allow them to have the product. Instead it will promote "Bully Tactics" & "Scare Campains" to the end user. I work for a Telstra Wholesaler & what we're seeing boarders illegal from Telstra. As a wholesaler we add services to the Telstra system so where's the business sence there, we pay upfront for the airtime, we promote thier system & deal directly with them, sorry but I see no logical reasoning behind it aside from the fact with thier "Tactics" they get the end user to sign up with them under a 2 year contract. I wasn't aware there were new "anti-competition" laws now.
Report offensive content
jhd
06/06/2007 04:05 PM
A couple of years ago I purchased 'The latest technology' from Telstra. A $500 odd bucks mobile CDMA phone so that I could connect to the internet via my laptop to receive emails etc while traveling. Cost me $90 just for the usb cord. Plus $20 something for a car charger kit. Now I have to shell out again for the same setup with NextG...I think NextG stands for nextGrab! Talk about the have and have-nots. I'm a pensioner and the sort of costs involved are just not part of a pensioners budget. OK...I can get a basic mobile for 'free'...as long as I take out a 2 year contract with Telstra, but this will not necessarily connect me to the internet through my laptop, so the cost starts to spiral again. (I'm aware I can receive and send stuff on the net just using the NextG phone). I'm not against new technology but what are the advantages to Australia only users in NextG? When I bought my CDMA mobile I was told about the wonderful coverage CDMA had over Analog. I was living about 30kms out of Hobart at the time and found out I was in a 'Black Spot' for CDMA coverage. Strangely enough my Daughter-in-law could still use her Analog phone over my CDMA in this 'Black Spot'. Ho-hum here we go again...mutter-mutter!!!
Report offensive content
ADR
23/07/2007 05:20 PM
I think this is just the tip of the iceburg, off cause Testra will only tell the truth, NOT! This is yet another bad report card for the big T: http://www.abc.net.au/rural/wa/content/2006/s1980848.htm How is it that Telstra ARE taking out towers in WA & SA to put in the "Next G" system & reducing the output in others, is it just to make it look good when crunch time comes, after all, take out the competition and it's got to look good.
Report offensive content
kjg
11/10/2007 11:53 AM
Telstra, stands for rip off the public, makes promises about "new' networks, just to sell more "new" phones, of course they wil bring out more "new/ networks.. phones" keep ripping off the gullible public. The cdma network "works' lets keep it operating !
Report offensive content
lyn
12/12/2007 04:38 PM
I'm a pensioner with a sick husband. I was sold a CDMA and 4 hours later heard on the news that it will be phased out. I rang Telstra who then promised I would not be out of pocket at the time of change over. Well guess what they will not exchange my phone for another (being a digital) because G3 is no good to me on my budget. So ripped off again. I was told that next month all I can do is throw my CDMA in the bin. Well I hope they all have a wonderful Christmas dinner and choke on it.
Report offensive content