The Official "SaskTel network upgrade & when can I get an iPhone thread"

[Mr. Eader]

I am like a lot of you out there. I have been a long time SaskTel supporter (b/c of the coverage), and for a long time have seen my Rogers subscribing friends sporting the latest and greatest phones while I am stuck with whatever phones get converted to CDMA.

Well, I am told this is all going to change. When? Not sure.

Please post to this thread any info you may have regarding the SaskTel network upgrade.

I am also interested in getting an iPhone when it is available on the new network (hey SaskTel, keep in mind there is supposed to be a new iPhone released this summer - please don't shoot yourselves in the foot and only offer the 3GS).

[mitchese]

I've been following this upgrade, hoping to buy a nifty unlocked phone and using it on the Virgin Mobile network (who uses Sasktel).

Below are some of the dates and sources that I have found.
Press reports from Sasktel during Telus' launch indicated "early 2010", which since been reviesed. Below is one of the earlier press reports. Source:
http://www.sasktel.com/about-us/news...n-network.html

From Sasktel.com, July 2010 for Regina/Saskatoon and Hwy 11, and "early 2011" for everywhere else. Source: http://www.sasktel.com/personal/mobi...k-flysheet.pdf

From GSMA, which has proven unreliable in the past for this information. I also believe GSMA had "March 2010" as the date previously, but now it is showing as Aug 2010. Source:
http://gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/net_casa.shtml

Hopefully sooner rather than later

[Hans_Moleman]

If Sasktel is able to get their 3G+ network up and running before MTS, huge kudos to Sasktel, I know Sasktel will accomplish more in a shorter period than MTS. I'm still waiting for AN announcement from MTS (since last July)

[Mr. Eader]

There have been reports that Apple will be releasing a CDMA version of the iPhone

http://bit.ly/9NRXAE

In theory, this would run on SaskTel's current network. My question - would SaskTel launch this phone over the 3GS (or iPhone HD)?

[frankie5string]

I really don't think that CDMA iPhone is going to happen - unless somehow they get it branded to Verizon - which I also don't think will happen... That rumour has been around for a long time.

If you can, get ahold of a 3G UMTS unlocked handset and scan around for other networks. You may see the Sasktel net pop up from time to time as they're testing...

[mpgz]

If you can, get ahold of a 3G UMTS unlocked handset and scan around for other networks. You may see the Sasktel net pop up from time to time as they're testing...

Where did you find a Sasktel signal with a 3G UMTS phone?

[frankie5string]

Where did you find a Sasktel signal with a 3G UMTS phone?

I'm not saying I did...What I'm saying is, if you feel so inclined to look for a signal, purchase an unlocked 3G UMTS phone... TigerDirect sells them fairly cheaply... Get yourself a cheap fido/Rogers SIM or otherwise... Then start scanning for other networks... When the SaskTel network goes online for testing you'll likely see its MMC codes show up on the list of available carriers...

I used a Q9 I purchased for roaming as my little scanner... some Nokias and Motorolas have more advanced network screens you can use to see more of the network... and obviously while you may be able to select it, you wont be able to make any calls - likely it'll boot you right off since you don't have a Sasktel sim...

[mitchese]

Perhaps it's wishful vision, but I think I see new hardware atop some of the SaskTel cell towers here in Regina. I don't have a UMTS phone to do scanning, so I can't say for sure.

[doggerrob]

Perhaps it's wishful vision, but I think I see new hardware atop some of the SaskTel cell towers here in Regina. I don't have a UMTS phone to do scanning, so I can't say for sure.

It is wishfull thinking. There is no difference with the antenna structure on top of the towers. It is all done by using different radios within the base station. When Rogers went from analag to GSM they did not have to change out any antenna structures. Slacktel should be able to use their analalog antennas the same way.

[doggerrob]

If you can, get ahold of a 3G UMTS unlocked handset and scan around for other networks. You may see the Sasktel net pop up from time to time as they're testing...

Not testing in Regina as of yet. Have tried scanning a few times for hem without sucess.

[doggerrob]

Just a quick comment for everyone... I work at the airport in Regina and Slacktel has been importing alot of switching equipment from Alcatel-Lucent in Mexico recently. Not sure if this is related or not.

[frankie5string]

It is wishfull thinking. There is no difference with the antenna structure on top of the towers. It is all done by using different radios within the base station. When Rogers went from analag to GSM they did not have to change out any antenna structures. Slacktel should be able to use their analalog antennas the same way.

That's not true at all... The GSM antennas are completely different... Rogers DID deploy completely new antennas for all GSM service - in fact, when Rogers went from Analog to early-TDMA (IS-136) they had to replace a lot of analog sectored antennae as well.

It's physically impossible for Sasktel to use their analog antennae for UMTS/HSPA... They work on entirely different principals...

Most analog antennae were passive at the sector or dipole - many of the new ones are actually powered and active at the sector level. Also, the dispersion characteristics of the older units are too vague to be reused. Finally, you can't just plug in another RF transceiver to an antenna...

[frankie5string]

Just a quick comment for everyone... I work at the airport in Regina and Slacktel has been importing alot of switching equipment from Alcatel-Lucent in Mexico recently. Not sure if this is related or not.

That sounds more to me like VDSL and VDSL2 equipment... that's where it's made...

Look out for stuff coming from NSN, Andrew, Gabriel and Huawei... that'd be wireless gear mostly...

[doggerrob]

That's not true at all... The GSM antennas are completely different... Rogers DID deploy completely new antennas for all GSM service - in fact, when Rogers went from Analog to early-TDMA (IS-136) they had to replace a lot of analog sectored antennae as well.

It's physically impossible for Sasktel to use their analog antennae for UMTS/HSPA... They work on entirely different principals...

Most analog antennae were passive at the sector or dipole - many of the new ones are actually powered and active at the sector level. Also, the dispersion characteristics of the older units are too vague to be reused. Finally, you can't just plug in another RF transceiver to an antenna...

That is not what the techies at Rogers told me when I worked for them at the time when they were upgrading to GSM..

[mitchese]

Reading the other forums on hofo, there were new antennae put up in the rest of Canada when Bell or Telus hooked them up for HSPA...some people posted pictures of the towers where you could see two sets of antennae.

I recall reading one guy who talked to one of the installers for Telus as well.