Few Quick Questions Regarding Chatr

**rockjock** · 05-25-2012, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by ahaseeb

I am still wondering why would they maintain two networks ?

You mean the 2G/3G network? They keep it so that Wind can roam, and most carriers worldwide. IF they did not have the 2G where would everyone from across the pond roam? I read or heard somewhere that a large portion of the world ( I think it was 70% ) is still 2G, so it is a good fall back.

**ahaseeb** · 05-25-2012, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by rockjock

You mean the 2G/3G network? They keep it so that Wind can roam, and most carriers worldwide. IF they did not have the 2G where would everyone from across the pond roam? I read or heard somewhere that a large portion of the world ( I think it was 70% ) is still 2G, so it is a good fall back.

This is very valid point but do you think it has the economics to maintain the network. It would be interesting to know the numbers

**MoreMiles** · 05-26-2012, 01:22 PM

I believe Bell still has CDMA. It's the same situation. 2G (GSM/CDMA) will be around for at least another 5 years. Until it's no longer profitable, they will continue to operate it. Why not? The towers are already in place so they are not really throwing new money in... they are in the collecting mode until that cash cow is fully milked.

**ahaseeb** · 05-26-2012, 02:27 PM

^^ But maintaining them is cost though

**IDEA_NXT** · 05-30-2012, 02:36 PM

What kind of BS are you trying to convey? The LG P505 supports HSPA. In fact, this was the handset they launched when they started offering their 100MB data service. I had been using a Nexus One and a HTC Surround using Chatr for a year, connecting on HSPA.

Go back to their old FAQ in 2010, when they first started (and yes, before they offer the LG):

2. Does chatr wireless have a 3G network?
The chatr wireless network operates on 3G (GSM) and 3G+ (HSPA) technology. Unlike the other new wireless companies, it means we've got the benefit of two networks. GSM means great coverage and lower priced phones. HSPA means super fast Internet access.

Source: http://web.archive.org/web/201007301.../data_services

So there, Chatr supports HSPA on the get-go. So please stop this "Chatr is 2G only" BS.

Originally Posted by MoreMiles

You said "chatr is 3g voice"

That is not true. Officially, chatr phones are 2g voice phones... look at their website, none of them has 3g. So it is a service designed to operate on 2g GSM phones.

However, some people have success to use their SIM card on 3g network, they do so at their own decision. It is not prohibited or supported. So if you have trouble connecting to a 3g network, like using your iPhone, they will not care. Because iPhone (3G) is not even sold on chatr... so don't expect them to help you troubleshoot dropped calls on your 3G phones.

This is clearly outlined in their website, under FAQ, General Info.
http://www.chatrwireless.com/web/con...neral_info_faq
"It’s important to note that the non-chatr phones must be GSM with 850/1900 mHZ frequency and unlocked."

So there, phones "must be" GSM, ie 2G.

**ahaseeb** · 05-30-2012, 04:14 PM

But I noticed different signal strength on Chatr & Fido connection at same place. Phones were different though. One had 4 and other had 2. But Still I think its tough to maintain two networks in parallel

**xtachx** · 05-30-2012, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by Paolo

how does roger/fido get coverage from kenora to sue saint marie but chatter clients do not? if theyre same network, whitch was mentioned earlier, wouldn't the chatter have bars of SEEG also? so confusing the towers are for everyone, how can a tower not let a chatter connect to it?

Because rogers has no towers there they roam on TBayTel (and possibly DMTS mobility). Chatr customers dont roam on tbaytel its exclusive to rogers/Fido.

Sent from my Nexus One using HowardForums

**computergeek541** · 05-31-2012, 02:02 AM

Originally Posted by ahaseeb

But I noticed different signal strength on Chatr & Fido connection at same place. Phones were different though. One had 4 and other had 2. But Still I think its tough to maintain two networks in parallel

They are both using the exact same network. Regardless, if you want to make any comparisions about if there is any different between Chatr and Fido signal, you MUST use the same phone for both comparisons for the information to be worth anything. Otherwise, any signal strength data that you get is useless. Different model phones vary greatly in signal strength and sometimes even different units of the same model vary slightly.

**ahaseeb** · 06-08-2012, 04:12 PM

So the final verdict is that Chatr is also 3G?

**rockjock** · 06-09-2012, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by ahaseeb

So the final verdict is that Chatr is also 3G?

Yes since day 1 Chatr has been 3G.

**ahaseeb** · 06-09-2012, 10:26 AM

But there is a possibility that Chatr started as 3G on 0 day

**windian** · 06-20-2012, 04:59 AM

Originally Posted by computergeek541

They are both using the exact same network. Regardless, if you want to make any comparisions about if there is any different between Chatr and Fido signal, you MUST use the same phone for both comparisons for the information to be worth anything. Otherwise, any signal strength data that you get is useless. Different model phones vary greatly in signal strength and sometimes even different units of the same model vary slightly.

When i looked at a bestbuy mobile guide booklet. All chatr phones are mentioned as GSM 1900. Is there a chance that Rogers network is configured to handoff chatr phones to least used 1900 towers and hence the signal difference ?

**BadgerRFD** · 06-23-2012, 04:04 PM

As others have mentioned, maintaining a 2G network is essential for foreign carrier's customer to roam. They may not have the right 3G band, but many of the phones are triband or quad band that should work.