You have probably seen the news about GSM AKA 2G mobile phone support going away, today is the end day for Telstra GSM. You probably think (like I did) that any 3G phone will do, but that's not the case. The Samsung Galaxy S and the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10i don't support 3G in the 850MHz speed and Telstra specifically states that they don't provide full coverage on phones that only support 2100MHz. I wanted to give one of my old phones to a relative who only makes phone calls (no games or Internet use) so one of those 2 phones would have worked nicely except that he lives in one of those areas where Telstra doesn't support those speeds. As you apparently need 850MHz to get Telstra 3G (including Aldi and other Telstra resellers) in Melbourne suburbs a lot of older 3G phones will suddenly stop being usable. I don't know if Optus and Vodafone will have similar issues. It's possible that they could as Vodafone supports 3 bands including 850MHz and could possibly have some areas that are only well covered at 850MHz-3G and GSM speeds. Optus supports 900MHz and 2100MHz for 3G (which I think are more common frequencies) but there are some 3G phones which don't support 900MHz such as the Xperia X10a (which was sold by Telstra). If you bought a 3G phone from Optus/Virgin a few years ago (as I did with the Galaxy S and XperiaX10i) it might not be usable now on the Telstra network. If you bought a 3G phone from Telstra a few years ago if might not be usable on Optus depending on how they do things (which might not be well known for a few months). I've just given away my Galaxy S to someone who wants to use it as a security camera. I encourage anyone with Android phones in such situations to give them to the LUV hardware library. Even 5yo Android phones are nice little embedded Linux systems that can be used for running your own programs. -- My Main Blog http://etbe.coker.com.au/ My Documents Blog http://doc.coker.com.au/
On Thu, Dec 01, 2016 at 09:43:46PM +1100, russell@coker.com.au wrote:
I encourage anyone with Android phones in such situations to give them to the LUV hardware library. Even 5yo Android phones are nice little embedded Linux systems that can be used for running your own programs.
they also make nice WIFI VOIP handsets if you're running asterisk or similar, especially if you've got a charging dock so that they can stand upright. Makes a quite decent alarm clock too. most android phones will work in WIFI-only mode without a SIM card. I'm still using my old HTC Desire HD, but i'll probably replace it sometime in the next few years. When i do, i'll keep using it as a WIFI handset for asterisk until the battery dies. craig -- craig sanders <cas@taz.net.au>
On 01/12/16 23:41, Craig Sanders via luv-main wrote:
On Thu, Dec 01, 2016 at 09:43:46PM +1100, russell@coker.com.au wrote:
I encourage anyone with Android phones in such situations to give them to the LUV hardware library. Even 5yo Android phones are nice little embedded Linux systems that can be used for running your own programs.
Most older phones are good for something, but not with their original stock Android -- that wouldn't be safe to use; however, CM can go on many older phones, but sometimes that means that certain features are broken. A less old phone can make great value and not be 5 years old.
they also make nice WIFI VOIP handsets if you're running asterisk or similar, especially if you've got a charging dock so that they can stand upright. Makes a quite decent alarm clock too.
Yes, I use an old Nokia E71 as an alarm clock... battery lasts a long time.
most android phones will work in WIFI-only mode without a SIM card.
The E71 has a strange "feature", the WiFI only works if you have a SIM card inserted -- the SIM doesn't need to be active though.
I'm still using my old HTC Desire HD, but i'll probably replace it sometime in the next few years. When i do, i'll keep using it as a WIFI handset for asterisk until the battery dies.
Yes. A.
On Friday, 2 December 2016 2:49:46 AM AEDT Andrew McGlashan via luv-main wrote:
On 01/12/16 23:41, Craig Sanders via luv-main wrote:
On Thu, Dec 01, 2016 at 09:43:46PM +1100, russell@coker.com.au wrote:
I encourage anyone with Android phones in such situations to give them to the LUV hardware library. Even 5yo Android phones are nice little embedded Linux systems that can be used for running your own programs.
Most older phones are good for something, but not with their original stock Android -- that wouldn't be safe to use; however, CM can go on many older phones, but sometimes that means that certain features are broken.
A less old phone can make great value and not be 5 years old.
My relative in question just bought a new Android phone from Kogan for $41 including delivery insurance (they had a free delivery on that item). Installing CM is a lot of pain, for me it's not worth saving $41. While stock Android isn't safe for Internet banking etc, there are many uses where it should be OK. Craig suggested a VOIP handset, that should be safe if firewalled to prevent other access. Anything that you need a phone without net access and where you don't want to use your best phone (EG a GPS for hiking) would be a good use too.
most android phones will work in WIFI-only mode without a SIM card.
The E71 has a strange "feature", the WiFI only works if you have a SIM card inserted -- the SIM doesn't need to be active though.
All Android devices have an icon in the status bar if there's no SIM installed which is annoying. You just need to keep all those old SIMs from when you change telcos and change SIM sizes. -- My Main Blog http://etbe.coker.com.au/ My Documents Blog http://doc.coker.com.au/
All Android devices have an icon in the status bar if there's no SIM installed which is annoying. You just need to keep all those old SIMs from when you change telcos and change SIM sizes.
Well, if you don't like the [!] icon in the notification tray, you can switch it for an aeroplane :) ... putting a phone in flight mode should remove the "Emergency calls only" warning, and on most handsets I've seen, you can toggle the WiFi and/or Bluetooth back on after going into flight mode. Will also prevent phone asking for SIM pin, if SIM (inactive or no) has one.
participants (4)
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Andrew McGlashan -
Anthony -
Craig Sanders -
Russell Coker