FAQ, Data Configs (APN) and Guide: Will it work on the new network?

[koolin]

Below is a good library of information that can help you understand the new TELUS HSPA network, wireless network history, and much more.

"Differences among the CDMA, GSM, HSPA jargons" and "800MHz (850) Cellular vs 1900MHz PCS Spectrum" posts provided by our resident expert HC - NO "i"


Click here for Guide: Will it work on the new network? by DiamondElite


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Updates
11-05-2009 - Telus Provided FAQs and Data Configurations
11-11-2009 - VPN APN info from Que_Ball
11-25-2009 - Voicemail access numbers and BB APN
11-28-2009 - Blackberry data plan information
12-20-2009 - Bolded 3G: HSPA [HSDPA, HSUPA]
04-27-2010 - Update text in 800MHz (850) Cellular vs 1900MHz PCS Spectrum
11-23-2010 - Merged with Guide: Will it work on the new network?
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General TELUS HSPA Network Information

The Quick Facts

• The following technologies/standards AREN'T the same:
  2G: GSM/GPRS/EDGE
  3G: WCDMA/UMTS/HSPA
  4G: E-UTRA/LTE.
  
  
• TELUS and Bell HAVE NEITHER ANNOUNCED NOR INTEND TO BUILD ANY GSM network.
  
  
• The HSPA networks is deployed in the existing Cellular (850MHz) and PCS (1900MHz) spectrum, just like what the existing CDMA2000/EVDO Rev. 0/A networks are deployed in.
  
  
• A GSM-only phone (e.g. Quadband GSM 850/900/1800/1900) WON'T WORK on the TELUS or Bell HSPA networks.
  
  
• A 3G capable phone w/ only WCDMA/UMTS/HSPA 2100 WON'T WORK on the TELUS or Bell HSPA networks.
  
  
• A Multi-mode/band phone that INCLUDES the 3G WCDMA/UMTS/HSPA 850/1900 (e.g. Quadband GSM + 3G w/ 850/1900) WILL BE REQUIRED.
  
  
• RIM BlackBerry Storm 9530 offered by TELUS, for example, DOESN'T support 3G WCDMA/UMTS/HSPA 850/1900, just 2100 ONLY!

TELUS Provided FAQs

SIM Cards
TELUS SIM cards connect your HSPA device to our mobile network. If you need a new SIM card, purchase one online or visit your nearest TELUS store. If you are experiencing issues with your SIM card, see "Frequently Asked Questions" below or contact client care.

Read more - http://www.telusmobility.com/en/ON/p...simcards.shtml


Non-TELUS Devices
A non TELUS device is a device that is not certified by TELUS, was not originally purchased from TELUS, and is not restricted to operating on the TELUS network.

Read more - http://www.telusmobility.com/en/ON/p...sdevices.shtml

Data Configurations

credit to easternguy

APN: sp.telus.com
No username/password
MMS APN: sp.telus.com
MMSC: http://aliasredirect.net/proxy/mmsc
MMS Proxy: 74.49.0.18:80
Tethering APN: isp.telus.com

provided by Que_Ball

This is for users who have the VPN Access bundle on their account. This feature assigns you a public IP instead of one of the IP's behind the Telus NAT firewall. Users who require a public IP (Usually for VPN use but not always) will need the feature "VPN Access Bundle" on their account to use this. (Some people often confuse this with a static IP. Your IP is not static)

The VPN APN is: vpn.telus.com
username: blank
password: blank

BIS APN

APN: bb.telus.com
No username/password
MMS APN: bb.telus.com
MMSC: http://aliasredirect.net/proxy/mmsc
MMS Proxy: 74.49.0.18:80
Tethering APN: isp.telus.com

Voicemail Access Numbers

• +1-778-581-4001
• +1-647-580-4002

Blackberry Data Plans

details provided by skullan

Is a Blackberry data plan truly phone agnostic?
http://www.telusmobility.com/en/ON/p...simcards.shtml

24. I just swapped my SIM card into a BlackBerry and data is not working?

Both BlackBerries and Internet Keys require specific rate plans for data to work, when swapping devices to one of these devices, you need to ensure you have a BlackBerry plan for BlackBerry Smartphones and Mobile High Speed Plans for Internet Keys.

Differences among the CDMA, GSM, HSPA jargons

Well, there is no easy, straight-forward way to explain all the technically complicated items like these. To average Joe, they are just different technologies deployed by different providers. So far in Canada, we have seen...

1G: Analog cellular beginning... AMPS (once deployed all carriers)

2G: Digital PCS era... TDMA (IS-136, once deployed by Rogers), GSM (Rogers 2G network), iDEN (TELUS Mike), CDMA (IS-95 cdmaOne, deployed by TELUS and other regional Mobility carriers)

3G: Mobile data evolution... WCDMA (UMTS, the 3G network that Rogers currently uses, also by TELUS now), CDMA2000 (1x, the 3G network that TELUS currently uses)

WCDMA based UMTS is the de-facto 3G migration path for GSM carriers. So in many parts of the world where GSM is the dominant / only choice, "3G" simply refers to UMTS. But for the CDMA carriers like TELUS, their 3G migration path of choice back then has been CDMA2000, starting with the first phase, 1xRTT (though some have since abandoned CDMA and switched to UMTS for their 3G migration).

In the course of technological advancement, progress to allow more data-centric applications has led to "enhancements" to the mobile data connection...

1G: CDPD (in AMPS)
2G: CSD (in TDMA & GSM) -> GPRS -> EDGE (in GSM)
3G: HSPA [HSDPA, HSUPA] -> HSPA+ (in UMTS); EVDO Rev. 0 -> EVDO Rev. A (in CDMA2000)

For the marketing sake, TELUS has been careful about the confusion with the "3G" when they first launched the CDMA2000 network (even though many argues the first phase of 1x has never realized the potentials or advantages of 3G from a subscriber perspective). So TELUS just called it "1x".

Then when the next iteration, 1xEV-DO was deployed to bring the "real 3G" experience with data-centric applications, TELUS has chosen the term, "EVDO". However, as more and more people get used to the idea that 3G means more about "going online, web-browsing, video streaming with cellphones" than the underlying technologies / air-interfaces, TELUS has started to market its network as "3G" alongside with "EVDO" references.

When TELUS announced to deploy the WCDMA based UMTS network, which is the de-facto "3G" network for GSM carriers, confusion then arises... "TELUS goes GSM"? "3G"? "EVDO"? "UMTS"? "HSPA"? What the hell? Unlike GSM carriers with the natural "3G" path to go with UMTS, TELUS will maintain BOTH "3G" networks: CDMA2000 (1x/EVDO) and WCDMA (UMTS/HSPA).

On the other hand, Rogers has been using the "3G" for a while along with the deployment of HSPA (up to 3.6Mbps, then in the following iteration 7.2Mbps downlink) and now HSPA+ (up to 21Mbps downlink).

So if TELUS has opted for just calling the new network as "3G", it could not immediately differentiate itself from the existing "EVDO" one. If it has opted for just calling it "UMTS", some may think it would be the earlier phase of "3G" and "slower speed" than what Rogers has right now. To catch up with the global trend, TELUS picks the terms, "HSPA+" / "3G+" for better positioning its progress among the rest of the "3G" crowd around while differentiates itself from other 2G "GSM" networks (which TELUS is NOT going to deploy).

It is also a good idea for TELUS subscribers when picking the handsets for the new network because it will be better to describe its compatibility than calling it "3G"... use the TELUS "HSPA" / "HSPA+" / "3G+" network compatible devices - NOT "GSM", NOT "EVDO".

Original Post Reference - http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...6#post13044136

800MHz (850) Cellular vs 1900MHz PCS Spectrum

Regarding the spectrum, operating freq and propagation in the urban area vs rural region...

- It is true that the Cellular spectrum 800MHz (or 850MHz usually referred in the GSM / UMTS realm) have an edge over the PCS spectrum 1900MHz for mobile carriers: the propagation pattern (not as profoundly directional as with 1900MHz) and far-reaching footprint is ideal for the rural region that usually a tall cell site can look after a relatively large flat area with relatively low traffic, few subscribers.

This cannot be the same with 1900MHz as it will require even higher Tx power output and several more directional sites to "compensate" the disadvantages. It also interprets more $ must be invested and to run. So it is NOT ideal to deploy 1900MHz in rural regions.

- In the urban settings, it is also true that transmission in the 800MHz band could offer better indoors penetration even at relatively lower power output than in the 1900MHz band.

However, why all carriers are not simply blanket their footprint EVERYWHERE with just 800MHz Cellular spectrum? What is the "advantages" to have PCS spectrum around?

- In the urban area, carriers have to face many challenges to offer reliable services. Building more sites, indoor repeaters may only solve certain issues for coverage. But sometimes, when sites are getting too close, it will create new issues with interference. So every site must be tuned and optimized uniquely - be it 800MHz or 1900MHz.

If you can bear with me for another while, allow me to share a little more background...

- The PCS spectrum in Canada was allocated years AFTER Cellular spectrum had introduced. So most large carriers like Rogers, TELUS (before ClearNET acquisition) and Bell, all had their networks to begin with 800MHz band in the 1G analog (AMPS) era. As the wireless telecommunication took off with more and more subscribers, the bandwidth required to meet the demands also increased. The 2G digital evolution was around the corner as well. When Industry Canada could no longer allocate more spectrum in the 800MHz band, it then started to allocate the PCS spectrum for the 2G all-digital service in the 1900MHz band.

- The then new entrants, ClearNET (CDMA) and Fido (GSM) were exclusively using the PCS spectrum set aside by Industry Canada. While the incumbent players like Rogers, Bell and TELUS had got what they have successfully bid for in the PCS spectrum auction, to supplement the existing Cellular spectrum they had been already using.

- With the "additional chunk" of PCS spectrum, carriers began to deploy their digital service in 1900MHz. For the large incumbent players, it was a relief because they could finally divert the increasing traffic from the already congested Cellular spectrum in 800MHz band (with both analog and digital networks) to the all-new, all-digital PCS spectrum in 1900MHz band - especially to the major urban centres where have relatively higher traffic, more subscribers.

- GSM networks (Rogers, Fido) were began with 1900MHz (but not the Rogers' IS-136 TDMA network, it was 800MHz. However, like its counterparts around the world, Rogers had eventually dropped IS-136, in favour of GSM). The deployment of the 2G digital service were primarily focused in the urban areas.

- Some incumbent IS-95 CDMA networks (like BC TEL before TELUS merger) were began with 800MHz first while others like ClearNET had it in 1900MHz first. However, due to the technical and economical factors I have mentioned earlier, we rarely see the existence of 1900MHz networks in the rural regions. So the 2G digital service was deployed not as aggressive as in the urban areas.

- The new-entrants, Fido and ClearNET, both use their roaming partners' 1G analog (AMPS) networks outside their native 2G digital footprint, in order to virtually extend their coverage into the rural regions.

- The incumbent carriers had been migrating the existing subscribers to the 2G digital-only network. Thus we had got the dual-band, dual-mode handsets during that period. Meanwhile the 1G analog service had become a sunset technology and 3G technologies came. By phasing out the 1G analog networks, the carriers "reclaimed" the Cellular spectrum for their 2G and ultimately the 3G digital services.

- Now with 3G (CDMA2000, UMTS), more and more data-centric services can be offered. As with the technological advancement, things like mobile high speed internet access with online streaming can become practical. So there have been 3G data enhancement iterations like EVDO, HSPA in the respective camp. Unlike CDMA carriers, Rogers has first overlaid 3G in 850MHz but gradually adds 1900MHz 3G coverage alongside in several major cities.

- In the densely populated urban centres, the demand of services is naturally high. Now, without the analog networks around carriers can now reclaim the 800MHz Cellular spectrum for the 3G digital networks as well.

So you can see it is not quite simple or just counting on physics. The policy and the $ do contribute to the situation.

Original Post Reference - http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...5#post13088145

If you have written a post yourself or know of a post by someone else that you think should be included please PM myself.

[DiamondElite]

This should clear things up. If the Green Box frequency is not listed on your phones specifications for UMTS / HSDPA / HSUPA / WCDMA then it is NOT compatable with the new network.

Phones unlocked from Rogers or Fido will only work if they have the specified Green Box frequency as above.

[skullan]

And so Christmas-y coloured too!

[DiamondElite]

And so Christmas-y coloured too!

Just in time for the holiday season!

[A Dustman]

Nice guide! This helps me, and I'm sure this will help many others. Sticky worthy.

[leafs123]

good thread...should help with people who have questions about their phones

[vn33]

What a useful piece of info .. thank you!

[a in yul]

great stuff...!!

[microslave]

How about a color blind friendly (i.e. not red/green version?)

I have no idea what is green and what is red!

[DiamondElite]

How about a color blind friendly (i.e. not red/green version?)

I have no idea what is green and what is red!

The Red ones have an [X] Through them for that reason and the Green ones [ ] have nothing in them.

[angrydingo]

That clears things up a lot. Thanks DiamondElite!

[wenyen]

nice. Now I know I can look for WCDMA phones that run at those bandwidths.
Japanese phone, here I come!

[RightThere]

How about a color blind friendly (i.e. not red/green version?)

I have no idea what is green and what is red!

Ha ha! I have the exact same problem!

I almost picked up a case lot of 2G phones for the new Telus network.

[D50]

very useful info! thanks a lot!

does anyone know here knows of a good nokia phone that would be compatible?

thanks in advance

[footmatix]

very well done....thank you

is there anyway to know which bands work in which part of specific towns?...

so we know its 850 and 1900....is there a map that shows where the 850 band works best and where the 1900 does? (for Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, etc....)?

we know that devices with 900-1900-2100 could work but would have partial coverage....can you actually determine where such a device will work?