27/12/01 NSW Bush Fires
My heart goes out to all the people of NSW and the members of the Blue Mountains Bush Fire service, SES, VRA, Police ETC . I used to live in Wentworth Falls in the NSW Blue Mountains and was a Bush Fire Fighter / COMMS operator for quite a few years. ( Both for the Wentworth Falls and HQ brigades). So i know what it is like.
My respect and admiration for all involved. ALL the Volunteers that give up there time and sometimes life for the good of others deserve metals!
Tim
22/12/01 www.smspup.com.au Free web based SMS
A new interesting site. You can send free SMS from it. I have been using it for a little while. Seams to work ok so far :-)
15/12/01 Ericsson and Voda GPRS special Offer
All the info is here:-
http://www.ericsson.com.au/mobilityworld/
OR
http://www.vodafone.com.au/servlet/extranet.contentServlet?docName=content165.xml
GREAT NEWS FOR ERICSSON
MOBILITY WORLD MEMBERS
SPECIAL GPRS RATES FROM VODAFONE -
Hurry, Offer Ends 30 January 2002
Vodafone Australia has upgraded its GSM network to incorporate the latest
data packet capability known as General Packet Radio Service (GPRS).
Information delivered in a mobile environment will become an indispensable
part of people's lives, as customers call for anytime, anywhere
communication.
With variations in design, systems and processes certain applications will
respond differently on competing networks.
Vodafone Australia will be running an exclusive introductory offer for
members of Ericsson Mobility World.
Special tariff for members:
a.. Charges: $99/month for data usage.
This fee includes a 20MB bundle for data packets received and transmitted.
Usage above the 20MB bundle offer will be charged at .5c/kb thereafter.
b.. No session fees apply (flag fall)
c.. Offer ends: 30 January 2002
Access to the following Vodafone services are available:
a.. Open Internet access via GPRS
b.. General WAP access - GPRS will allow the same access to WAP sites
customers currently enjoy over the GSM circuit switched network.
Special offer on devices:
a.. A special leasing deal through Flexi Rent has been arranged on the
Ericsson T39 handset. This handset deal will only be available with this
promotional offer. Leasing options at $37.51/month (24 month contract,
without insurance) or $46.31/month (24 month contract, with insurance)
available. As an alternative members may want to purchase this handset
outright for $550 inc GST (regular price $699 inc GST).
b.. Vodafone Australia in association with Compaq Computers is offering
customers who purchase a Compaq iPaq at normal RRP will receive a free iPaq
executive Leather case, an iPaq keyboard and iPaq training worth $495.
Where to purchase?
a.. Planet Vodafone and selected Vodafone stores only
How to order?
To take advantage of this special offer please vist the Ericsson Mobility
World site found at www.ericsson.com.au/mobilityworld and click on the
Vodafone banner
14/12/01 Dual Band (GSM 1800) now online at
Beenleigh in QLD
Well this was a little bit of a surprise! It's the first Dual Band outside of the Gold Coast and Bris CBD! (i think it will be inevitable that dual will be rolled out more...) But I'm not complaining! ;-) Gives me more "real life" testing for long rang comms via GSM 1800. Thanks Voda :-)
27/11/01 Free SMS for Christmas in December
If you join Voda or port over to Voda before Christmas you can get 150 free SMS for $20 for the month of December. ONLY for use in December! It is not a $20 a month 150 SMS from December.
Not available to upgrades ("My Choice" plans) only "No Plans".
Upgrades number: 1300 657 542
22/11/01 Hello all! Just a quick reminder ;-) Please remember that my old address http://users.fan.net.au/~mrvfone is due to go offline (was meant to go offline on the 8/11/01). Please update your bookmarks to my new address http://members.optushome.com.au/mrvfone/
Thanks
Tim
20/11/01 Highway Coverage Project
Well the highway coverage project goes well. All towers should be online by the end of the year. (all resources are being directed to the project). The first set of 141 towers went online the other day. I presume this was in NSW only. (will have info soon on when the rest will be complete)
Here is a PDF file on this from the official Voda site.
The PDF has info on what will be included in the project. Here is a snip from the PDF.
16/11/01 Free "Buy one get one free"
movie ticket offer ??
Does anyone else remember this? I know i never got any of these "Vouchers" with my two contract numbers. Who else didn't get them?? Interesting ;-)
30 April 2001- Customer loyalty and employee rewards the focus for new Vodafone.
Vodafone Australia, in conjunction with three major Australian cinema chains, has launched
a customer loyalty program dubbed Vodafone Movie Month, offering a "buy one get one
free" movie voucher for all Vodafone customers and employees. "Vodafone Movie
Month positions Vodafone as a company associated with its customers "lifestyles and
entertainment interests," said Gordon Clubb, Director Sales and Marketing, Vodafone
Australia. "It will assist in increasing customer loyalty amongst contract and
prepaid customers and enable us to collect valuable customer information."
By the end of April, every Vodafone contract customer will receive a voucher for a
"buy one get one free" movie ticket, valid during May* at Greater Union, Village
Cinemas or Birch Carroll & Coyle cinemas. Vodafone?repaid customers will be notified
of the special offer via an SMS text message, receiving the voucher when they purchase a
recharge card valued at $29.95 or above.
2/11/01 
Hello all...
The Word/Outlook Macro virus is back! Some one who has updated my new address in there address book IS now infected OR is now re-infected! The person who is now infected would have done this (updated there address book OR add me to there address book) in the last 48 hours from 1/11/01 21:02 (9pm). This should narrow it down. PLEASE check you PC for viruses... With your help we can stop this! We did it once before.. and we can do it again! :-)
INFO I KNOW ON THE VIRUS
From: Hahaha <hahaha@sexyfun.net>
Subject: Snowhite and the
Seven Dwarfs - The REAL story!
ATTACHMENT NAME: dwarf4you.exe OR sexy virgin.scr OR joke.exe OR midgets.scr
Some of the people who
had been infected with a WORM/MACRO virus that is sending me (and other people in YOUR
address book) SPAM!!! with an ATTACHMENT!!!
I'm not spreading or
starting it Because i don't
use any e-mail program that supports worm virus (that's why i run old Netscape 3.04!!). So
there is no risk to people e-mailing me and reply...
Thanks for you help in this matter.
23/10/01
GPRS and HSCSD
For all the people asking about links to more info on this.. Here they are :-).
GPRS
http://www.gsmworld.com/technology/gprs.html
HSCSD
http://www.gsmworld.com/technology/hscsd.html
18/10/01 GPRS
Well their is a interesting link on the Vodafone web page about this:-
http://www.vodafone.com.au/products_services/gprs/tech_gprs.html
I will have pricing on my page soon.
10/10/01 VodaFone causing BIG problems to people using MNP
Well you decided to port from VodaFone to another network? Well Voda has decided that they don't like this. I have had several reports of people doing this, once the port was complete they can no longer receive calls from any VodaFone numbers! (this has been going on for weeks)
I really believe that this crap that is going on between the networks should now be stopped by the TIO!! ALL networks have had over 1 year to get this working! (Voda UK has had MNP for over 3 years now!) So there is NO excuse for all this crap that is going on now!
My advice to people out there is go to the TIO web page and lodge a complaint (can be done online). This is the only real way we can all help to get this fixed.
Hopefully the TIO will now start giving out the large fines for the delays. What an easy way for it to make money? Not that I normal encourage companies doing this, But in this case the TIO is being far too lenient on ALL networks.
To the VodaFone people reading this... Wake up and respect people who want to leave Voda!! MNP was meant to HELP the user! If people choose to leave Voda, Then Voda can only blame itself!
Were is the Voda of old?? Vodas needs to go back to being CUSTOMER focused, NOT MONEY focused!
09/10/01 " No Plans "
Well.. Very interesting. I think that the "No Plan" plan is ONLY worth it if you have your own phone (BYO) so is more suited to MNP (Mobile Number Portability). As you can see below.... I think Voda has done this because they know that there are more users that already have mobile phones. Also by getting all new users to buy there phones out right, There is far less risk to Voda if they default.
New mobile phone user connecting to VodaFone
Contract: Phone cheaper (over contract) but locked in.
"No Plan": Phone expensive but not locked in.
What are new users going to prefer?
Cheaper handset and pay it off for the life of the contract?
Or buy the phone for full price but with no contract?
The case for No monthly fee / No included calls Vs Monthly fee / With included calls are basically even. So it comes done to the point above.
I will have to compare the "SIM Only" BYO plans to the "No Plan" plans. Should be interesting....
08/10/01 New Call Plans 
Voda will soon release a whole bunch of "No contract" Contract plans. I know this sounds strange. I will be very interested to see what these plans are like. What i have seen so far of them looks very interesting. But there must be something in the plan to stop you leaving Voda. Or else how can Voda have Contract plans with "No contract". I will be interested to read the fine print when they are officially released.
Feedback Form
The feedback for is not working, Will have it fixed soon.
05/10/01 Interesting
Another interesting few days with VodaFone.
Interesting Story....
If anyone else has been having problems with diverts not working, Well you are not alone. Yesterday something went wrong with the Sydney MSC's HLR (Home Location Register, were all the info is stored of tons of subscribers) and most likely the Brisbane MSC's VLR ( Visitor Location Register, Like a cached copy of the Sydney's HLR).
This was quickly denied by Voda of course :-). But the story doesn't end there. 5 mins after reporting it and being told there was "Nothing wrong" The problem was fixed. I must congratulate the Customer Service rep, Even though she was not trained as a GSM tech. She could totally understand the logic behind my problem! However the people at Voda Network Support, Who ARE trained as GSM network Techs could not! makes you wonder???
After having a quick chat with the quality service manager, Which by the way, deserves some credit too. I'm glad to see there are still some people left in vodafone that care about Quality Customer Service. The matter will be looked into! I hope the quality of network servers improves because of it.
I also herd some great news that a new CEO has been appointed to Voda AU. I have been told that some "better" business decisions are being made by the CEO. I hope this means we will see the Voda of old return, Or at least a more competitive network that is TOTAL customer service focussed. Only time will tell ...
22/09/01 Hello All!
Yes I'm still here. Unfortunately work has me very busy and with not much time for my web page :-( . Hopefully i will be able to spend some more time getting my page back up to date. GPRS should now be available to everyone that has a GPRS handset. I'm not sure what handsets Voda is selling at the moment that support it. But hopefully i will find out soon. If anyone has a GPRS hand set i would be interested to know what data speeds you are now getting. Fast Fone (pre-paid) seams to taken a change for the worst. I herd that it was going to change... but didn't think it would be that bad. Mobile Number Portability (MAP) will soon be available on the 25th. Now you can change carrier and not lose your number. I presume this will mean that you can move service provides under the same network and keep your same number as well.
Will this drive down the price of calls? And SMS??? I hope so.... but only time will tell. I doubt SMS will come down. It's sad that when call cost seam to be coming down... yet SMS goes up!
Tim
13/07/01 GPRS now available!
Well all the people out there who use data via a mobile phone allot can now look forward to some higher data rates. With a GPRS mobile you can download data at around 42 Kbps. Instead of the old 9.6Kbps. There isn't many GPRS compatible mobile around at the moment... Also i have not seen the new pricing for GPRS yet....
Have to stay tuned..
05/03/01 Hello All!
Hello everyone. I have quite a few updates to add. But work has keep me so busy i haven't had a chance to add them yet. Will add them all soon.
Tim
01/02/01 Tower update info 
Well it look like the tower rollout is back on.. Well its doing something now at least :-).
The Sunny Bank Plaza (QLD) tower has had some more work done to it. The antennas are in place last time i checked.
Also a new tower for Springwood west (QLD), Its co-located on the Optus tower near the HWY across from Arndale shopping Center. Comms hut is in place, head frame is bolted on.. but no antennas yet.
19/01/01 More info on the virus!
Please look here for more info on it. It is called the "W95.Hybris.gen worm"
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nav.nsf/docid/2000111613494606&src=w
13/01/01
Hello all... Some of the people who have (AND STILL
ARE) infected with a WORM/MACRO virus that is sending me (and other people in YOUR
address book) SPAM!!! with an ATTACHMENT!!!
It's not just one ISP either... I have ID quite a few... Some one from Austar net, But
they have been e-mailed from austar.. But i still need help finding the other people who have it and don't know!!.
I'm not spreading or
starting it Because i don't use any e-mail program that supports worm virus (that's why i
run old Netscape 3.04!!). So there is no risk to people e-mailing me and reply...
Thanks for you help in this matter.
I am still trying to get a "Official Name" for the virus... When i do.. I will post it and how to get rid of it!!
Tim
INFO I KNOW ON THE VIRUS
From: Hahaha hahaha@sexyfun.net (not real address)
Subject: Snowhite and the
Seven Dwarfs - The REAL story!
ATTACHMENT NAME: dwarf4you.exe OR sexy virgin.scr OR joke.exe OR midgets.scr
11/01/01 My web page!!
Most links on my web page will be playing up. My ISP killed my web page this morning.. It has been a big mess (see my main page for details http://users.fan.net.au )
I am working on fixing all links ASAP.. But this will take weeks!
Thanks for you continued support..
Tim Merrell , Editor.
09/01/01 Delayed Tower sites list
Well there are a few new towers that were going to be online between Oct-00 and Dec-00, but have not as yet. Here is some info
"Sunny Park" Dec-00 online date. March-April 01 approx new online date. Site was to go on top of the Sunny Park shopping Center at SunnyBank (QLD). But the tower will now be on top of the SunnyBank Plaza (other side of road.. The one with the AMC movies) With the Optus and One.Tel site.
"Brisbane Transit Center" Oct-00. Feb-March 01 approx new online date. Not sure the reason as the site is fully built. Just no link dish.
"Slacks Creek 2" Online date Oct-00. Feb 01 approx new online date. Not sure why the delay on this site. As it is totally complete.. Even the link dish is in place.
"Spring Hill" Online date Dec-00. Not sure what's going on here.
08/01/01 Web to SMS on VodaFones site DOES cost
22c!
Well the "WEB2SMS" service on Voda page DOES cost 22c Inc GST!!. So there isn't much point of it!!! (unless I'm missing something). Especially when you can send SMS from your phone for the same price. (You can send it for FREE from other web based servers). You MUST have a vodafone connected mobile to use this service (So they can bill you.)
Thanks Stuart for the info!
05/01/01 WEB to SMS link Unavailable/Not working
Well the link to "web2sms" ONLY works off the "Quick Hit" menu (This is what Voda said.. i still haven't got it to work). Not the "Messages and Planner" link on the main page (which is what the link below says to do)
Screen shot from there page.
Yes i did ring Voda and they didn't care. The CS rep said i needed to reinstall 95 and reinstall IE... Voda internet services are bunch of idiots!!!!
Also i presume the "Take me there now!" text is meant to be a link, Which it isn't!!!
I had and are still having tons of problems with them!!
I will NEVER USE or recommend Voda Internet!!!
05/01/01 WEB to SMS available for the VodaFone web
site
Well you can now send sms from the Voda web page to other Voda or Telstra mobiles. BUT is it free??? It doesn't say anywhere that it is.. Hmmm.. I presume it is.
http://www.vodafone.com.au/web2sms/index.html
You have to be a "My Vodafone" user to use this. Now as far as i know you don't have to have a mobile connected to VodaFone to use the "My Vodafone service.
02/01/01 Vodafone.net.au e-Mail server still
playing up!
Well look like Voda is still stuffing around and putting off fixing this server!! I can see i will NEVER be using or Recommending VodaFone internet!
01/01/01 Happy New Year!!
I hope everyone has had a great Christmas and has a fruitful, prosperous and happy new year. Tim.
29/12/00 Vodafone.net.au E-Mail server is still
playing up....
If you are a user of Vodafone.net.au (Vodafone Internet) and are having problems sending or receiving e-mail, Please ring Voda (1300 30 10 30) and let them know!!! Together we might be able to get them to do something!
22/12/00 16:30 Vodafone.net.au email server still
down!!!
What is going on???? its been down since last weekend!!!
18/12/00 1200-1600+ vodafone.net.au email server
down
Well is anything at vodafone working today??? If you haven't received and e-mails on your VodaFone internet service... This is why.
18/12/00 13:40 SMSC is down.. again
Well SMSC is down again. If you are having SMS probs.. that's why.
08/12/00 2 More new towers online soon
One for Hay. Hay is on the Sturt Highway in South Western NSW, located about 650km NE of Adelaide, on the junction of the Sturt, Mid Western and Cobb Hwys.
One for Gilgandra.
Gilgandra is in central western NSW, on the Newell Highway. This is the main road which
connects Adelaide and Melbourne to Brisbane. Gilgandra is 60km
north of Dubbo.
Thanks Stuart!! :-)
06/12/00 New Towers online for December 2000
QLD
NEW: Spring Hill, Waterford West,Sunny Park (SunnyBank shopping Centre), Bonogin, Chapel Hill, Bond Uni and Palm Beach IN-BUILDING: Sunshine Plaza (Sunshine coast).
NSW/ACT
NEW: Meadowbank, Minchinbury and Holroyd. IN-BUILDING: Woden Plaza, 83 Clarence St, Cockle Bay East and AMP centre.
NT
NEW: Jabiru IN-BUILDING: Casuarina IBC.
SA
NEW: Maitland, Rynie, Ardrossan, Stansbury, Flinders Uni, Dudley Park. IN-BUILDING: Westfield Marion.
WA
NEW: Carnarvon, Point Heathcote, Prevally Park, Vincent St, Lathlain, St James and Parkwood. IN-BUILDING: None.
VIC
NEW: Tawonga Sth, Dandenong North, Dadswell Bridge, Mt Concord, Dandenong South, Clarinda, Yarra Bend, Loch, Mt Gisborne, St Kilda West, St Kilda North, Aberfeldie, Sunshinbe North, Frankston Reservoir, Mornigton Esplanade, Kerrimuir, Hallam and Carlton Gardens. IN-BUILDING: None
02/12/00 Myer Center (Bris CBD, QLD) in building
cell down for quite a few hours
29/11/00 Send SMS and Win
Send any SMS between 1st or Nov and 31st or DEC and you could win $5000. More info on the Official VodaFone page. I'm glad to see the profits being made off SMS going somewhere! :-).
26/11/00 QLD network problems
The QLD VodaFone network is experiencing problems. Not sure what's wrong. But unable send or receive calls or SMS.
15/11/00 Slight Mistake
The PDF file below is not on EER, its on ER. This was the document they send me when I asked for some info on EER.
14/11/00
Double Free minutes and SMS on all plans till Christmas (31th Dec)
See http://www.vodafone.com.au/phones_plans/index.html for more info.
11/11/00 EER Tech PDF file available!
A big thank you to Kristian at Ericsson for e-mailing me this file.
9/11/00 Updated info on EER (Enhanced Extended
Range) towers
ERR technology extends the range of GSM from the current limit of 35KMs to around 120KMs. This will give the range to CDMA. The old URL didn't work any more, So I put the info in here.
Here is some info from the Ericsson Web page
Vodafone and Ericsson
trial world-first
GSM "Enhanced Extended Range" technology
In a world-first, Vodafone Australia and Ericsson have developed a new technology,
Enhanced Extended Range, which will more than triple the coverage range of a standard GSM
cell to 121 kilometres.
Today, the standard coverage range for a GSM cell is 35 kilometres. Vodafone and Ericsson
are the first in the world to develop and demonstrate this advanced technology.
The technology, which was developed and trialled by Vodafone and Ericsson under an
exclusive agreement, will become a standard GSM feature. It has the potential to
significantly improve telecommunications services in regional Australia.
The Managing Director of Vodafone Australia, Mr Andrew Bissex, said the Enhanced Extended
Range technology will further improve Vodafone’s network coverage and quality.
"Enhanced Extended Range allows calls to be handled to much greater distances and
through our partnership with Ericsson, more Australians than ever before will have access
to the Vodafone network.
"GSM Enhanced Extended Range provides equivalent coverage to that of CDMA.
"Our joint development of this technology is a great example of Vodafone’s
commitment to industry leadership and innovation. Vodafone is making an increasing
contribution to communications in rural and regional areas."
The field trials of the GSM Enhanced Extended Range technology have included trials in
Australian territorial waters more than 100 kilometers due east of Terrigal, and a rural
location at Black Trig, near Yass. Calls have been made over a distance of 120 kilometers
to a standard GSM handset.
"Ericsson is the world leader in GSM and is continuing to extend the boundaries of
mobile networks," said Mr Bill Zikou, Director of Ericsson’s Vodafone Business
Unit.
"We are proud of our association with Vodafone and through our combined efforts, we
are able to deliver enhanced network service and quality for Australian mobile
users."
The key to the Enhanced Extended Range technology is the development of an ultra-high
sensitivity base station receiver which allows the system to take full advantage of the
benefits achieved by increasing the maximum range to 121 kilometres. Previous solutions
have overcome the 35 kilometer limit of a standard GSM cell but this solution provides
significantly enhanced signal quality.
The ultra-high sensitivity base station receiver in the Enhanced Extended Range technology
extends the range of the base stations by providing a solution that overcomes both
delay-related and radio-related issues.
http://www.ericsson.com.au/MediaCentre/Releases/release_020300_vodafone.asp
8/11/00 New towers online for October / November
QLD
NEW: Chinchilla, Carrara, Robina2, Currumbin, Dayboro,Camira, Kangaroo Point, Chermside 2, St Lucia South, Hemmant, Jundalee, Moorooka, IN-BUILDING: Sunshine Plaza, Australia Fair, Jupiters Casino.
NT
NEW: Alice Springs 3.
SA
NEW: Plympton, Rowland Flat, Camden Park, Rose Park.
WA
NEW: Wagin, Narrogin, Tooday, Ardross, Stirling Hwy, Mirrabooka. IN-BUILDING: Bank West Building.
NSW/ACT
NEW: San Remo, Bells Line of Road (Blue Mtns), Oberon, Lucas Heights, Rosebery, Strawberry Hills, Banksmeadow, Smithfield West, Camperdown, Chatham Village, Woolstonecraft, Greystanes, Chatswood East, IN-BUILDING: Grosvenor Place, 359-363 George St, Piccadilly Arcade, Darling Park South Tower, NAB house, Opera House Car Park, Gov Phillip Tower, Gateway, Penrith Plaza, Macarthur Square Shopping Centre, Bankstown Square Shopping Centre, Westfield Liverpool, 12 Help st Chatswood, Tuggeranang Hyperdome.
VIC
NEW: Wendouree, Meredith, Murchison, Huntly/Epsom, Kyneton, St Leonards, Moorabbin North, Upper Ferntree Gully, Brandon Park, Fairfield North, Black Rock, Heathmont South, Dromana Bay, Spotswood, Middle Park South, Keilor Downs, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Carlton North, Carrum Downs, Ashburton.
3/11/00 Official VodaFone E-Mail address
These are Official VodaFone e-mail addresses. They are NOT answered by me. A few people have asked for them, so here they are.
Info@vodafone.com.au General stuff.
brad.Vines@vodafone.com.au Try this Guy if you don't get a reply to info@vodafone.com.au
VPLCSAdmin@vodafone.com.au Billing stuff.
debtmanagement@vodafone.com.au Let them know you paid a bill.
28/10/00 MOBILEbank is available to people with
Woolworths EzyBanking accounts
27/10/00 Nokia Picture SMS and VodaFone
If anyone is wounding out there why you can't seem to get Nokia Picture SMS working from your mobiles (3210s etc..). I have got the answer. It's a Voda SMSC problem. They need to update there software on the SMSC before it will work. This should happen before the end of the year.
Also Nokia customer care number on the .au site is wrong.. it says 1300 366 3777, when it is 1300 366 733. (Yes i have told Nokia).
27/10/00 Quite a few things!
ISP Mail server problems
My ISP is having a few E-mail server probs... will be fixed soon. But if anyone has sent e-mail and they have bounced back to them Or they haven't had a reply.. please send them again. I'm back from hospital now (everything is ok).
One.Tel and VodaFone to form a Roaming agreement??
Well I was looking around on the One.Tel web page the other day and found copes of the VodaFone coverage maps on there page. I thought this was quite interesting. It got me thinking because there are copies of both Optus and Telstra too. I can see what they have the Optus and Telstra maps.. But why Vodas??? So maybe Voda and One.Tel may soon release a roaming agreement! have to wait and see.....
BTW here the proof!
Interesting indeed!!!! :-)
21/10/00 ICQ 2000 and SMS to VodaFone
I'm getting lots of e-mails about sending SMS from the new version of ICQ. Some people are saying it works fine, Some not and even some are saying it works now and then. I'm not sure what Voda has to say about it.
15/10/00 Help need with finding new Dual Band sites
I need some help with finding more GSM 1800 cells. Could every one who has some sort of engineering/ tech mode enabled on there phone or people who have GSM 1800 only mobiles have a look for channels between 512 and 885. They will mostly be in CBD areas or other busy places. I'm after Cell broadcasts, Cell IDs, Channel numbers and the area you were in when you found it. Thanks allot! and happy hunting!
13/10/00 The Gold Coast Indy is on again!
The Gold Coast Indy is back again and so is the Mobile Base Station. But its a bit different this year, it now supports Dual Band (GSM 900/1800). Keep an eye out for Indy Car 1,2 and 3 cell broadcasts and Indy Carnival 1,2 and 3 Dual Band (GSM 1800) cell broadcasts.
19/09/00 Fast Fone (Pre-Paid) now supports Caller
ID (CLI) sending
Fast Fone now sends you number to who ever you call. For more info on CLI you can call 1571 (Free Call) from your mobile.
15/09/00 Vodafone now supports B-PAY
Now you can pay your bills via B-Pay.
14/09/00 WAP for Fast Fone (Pre-Paid)
For all the people out
there that use Fast Fone and have a WAP enabled handset can now use WAP! All you have to
do is call iCare 1300 301 030 (part of VodaFone) and register with them. Then call +61 414
131313 to connect in WAP mode.
10/09/00 New towers online for September
QLD
NEW: Dayboro, Chermside 2, Kelso. IN-BUILDING: Australia Fair, Myer Centre, Central Plaza, Waterfront Place, Riverside Centre, Jupiters Casino, Brisbane Transit Centre.
NT
IN-BUILDING: Casuarina Shopping Centre.
NSW
NEW: Revesby Heights . IN-BUILDING: AMP Centre, The Colonial Centre, Cockle Bay East, NAB House, Darling Park North Tower, Garden City Kotara.
WA
NEW: Havelock St, Lathlain, Stirling Hwy, Ardross.
VIC
NEW: Fawkner Park, Carlton Gardens, Balwyn West, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Heathmont South, Black Rock, Kerrimuir, Mornington Esplanade, Fairfield North, Frankston Reservior, Kyneton, Mt Gisborne, Murchison, Meredith, Mt Burrumboot, Mt Ida, Nhill, Kaniva.
25/08/00 8-Bit Smart SMS working again
Well it looks like after a few days of it not working VodaFone has fixed it. Thanks to everyone who helped with this. If anyone is still having problems with it, please let me know.
24/08/00 8-Bit Smart SMS not working???
I have herd reports that 8-Bit SMS (sending of ringtones ect..) isn't working anymore. Has anyone else found this? Please let me know.
30/07/00 New towers online for June/July/August
QLD
NEW: QE2 Hospital area, Bonogin (Gold Coast), Herston, Salisbury, Acacia Ridge, Coopers Plains, Karalee, Spring Hill, Moorooka, Slacks Crk, Hemmant, Grahams Range (Cairns), Mt Mowbullan, Currumbin, Mermaid Beach, Robina.
NSW
NEW: Beacon Hill, Strawberry Hills, Erskinville, Minchinbury, Nth Strathfield, Greystanes, Centenary Drive, Huntingwood, Marrickville Sth, Meadowbank, Olympic park West, Rookwood, Oberon, Kyogle, Kingscliff, Hamilton Nth. IN-BUILDING: International Broadcast Centre, 12 Help St(Chatswood), Wespoint Blacktown, 83 clarence St (Syd CBD), Syd Convention Centre, Chifley Tower (Syd CBD), Piccadilly Arcade (Syd CBD), MLC Centre (Syd CBD), AAP Centre (Syd CBD), Grosvenor Place (Syd CBD), Gateway, 1 Macquarie place (Syd CBD), Governor Phillip tower (Syd CBD), Opera House Car Park, Unaccredited Media Centre, Syd Entertainment Centre, Main Press Centre.
VIC
NEW: Monash Uni, Mt Nowa Nowa, Burwood East, Armadale, Sydenham, Ashburton, Bulleen Nth, Middle Park Sth, Carrum Downs, Brandon Park, Spotswood, Carlton Nth, Dromana Bay, Karingal, Epsom/Huntly, Wendouree. IN-BUILDING: 101 Collins (CBD), Chadstone Shopping Centre.
WA
NEW: Donnybrook, Mirrabooka, Carlisle, Karridale, Merredin, Manjimup, Narrogin, Bridgetown. IN-BUILDING: QV1 Building, Bank West Building.
SA
NEW: Kilkenny.
20/07/00 News from The SMH
Vodafone increased profits by 300% last financial year (their financial
year ends in March), increasing from about $30m to almost $99m. They now
have over 2.1 million customers and are currently adding about 40,000
per month! Very impressive for a network that two years ago only had
650,000 customers!
18/07/00 Lots of small bits of news!
There was a billing error on the first set of GST bills, Insurance should have been $5.79 + GST instead of $6.50 + GST.
The new plans are available, As most people would know of by now, Will have info on them on my page soon. You can download a PDF file with all the info from VodaFones page.
New towers online for WA: Southlands Boulevard Shopping Centre in Willetton. Cell Broadcast shows "Burrendah".
New tower online in Brisbane CBD, Enhanced coverage to Central Station and surrounding areas.
New towers online/soon to be online for the Algester an Acacia Ridge areas.
Too all the people asking if I'm still alive, Thanks for the concern. I'm still here, just busy.
23/06/00 The GST and your VodaFone bill... Some answers!!
Well i have been doing a bit of work trying to work out what GST will do to our mobile phone bills. Here are my results:-
| Charges | Discount because of tax changes | GST that will be charged | overall price increase |
| Monthly Access | 2% | 10% | 8% |
| Insurance | 0% | 10% | 10% |
I have been unable to work out call costs, as i haven't got a bill for after July 1st. So much for the government saying that nothing would rise by the full 10%!!!!
16/06/00 More Dual Band online in Brisbane and Gold Coast. Have a look at my Dual Band page for the Cell Broadcast to look out for and were
More Micro cells going online everywhere. I should have some more info on were they are and some pictures as soon as i get my film developed
08/05/00 VodaFone in the Sydney CBD is down, should be fixed in about 1 hour
02/05/00 New March 2000 coverage map out, But in short supply
Victorian news!
New base stations at Knox, Collins St. in the CBD (Microcell), The domain tunnel (City Link) and Heathmont. Ringwood has also been enhanced. A new base station on the Keilor Downs plaza will be online in a few months.
19/04/00 Smart (8-bit) SMS is working at last. I have tested sending ringtones, But Nokia "Caller Group" icons don't seem to receive properly yet.
12/04/00 Dukes Highway new coverage online. Four base stations now (almost) continuously link Tailem Bend to the South Australia/Victorian border.
Internetworking SMS is now working. You can send and receive SMS from Telstra and Optus mobiles.
03/04/00 WAP online today. Also VodaFone has revamped there web page. New service called "My Vodafone" is also available now. Have a look at www.vodafone.com.au for more info.
New and enhanced coverage in VIC!
NEW: East Keilor, Glen Waverly, Air Port West. ENHANCED: Niddrie, Latrobe St (Microcell in Melb CBD)
31/03/00 GlobalStar official launched today!! Now we can get 100% coverage of AU via satellite. Have a look here for more info and pricing, http://www.globalstar.vodafone.com.au/
29/03/00 Woodridge CBD (QLD) tower now online
28/03/00 Micocells are going online in QLD, Some have appeared in the CBD and on the Gold Coast. More info soon!
27/03/00 More news on EER (see 14/03/00)
Here is a snip from Ericssons web page,
"The RBS 2206 also supports an extended range of more than 120 kilometers"
Here is the URL for all the info,
http://www.ericsson.com/pressroom/20000203-0076.html
I wrote a e-mail to Ericsson for more info, here is there reply,
Hi,
It is possible to go around the 35 km limitation by using new technology. I can
unfortunately not say how we are doing things.
The existing terminals can still be used.
I wasn't hoping for any secrets... just a little bit more info on it. I hope to put some info on how they could be doing it on my GSM tech page soon as i get the time.
19/03/00 2 new towers (Most likely Micro cells) in Lower
North Shore, Sydney. Falcon St. Shown in Falcon Street, Crows Nest. Blue St. Shown in Blue
St, North Sydney.
New underground tower in Adelaide for the new Crafers Freeway Tunnel will be online soon!
18/03/00 Lygon Street, in Carlton Melbourne, coverage has been enhanced. Cell IDs - Lygon St, Lygon-Faraday and Royal Pde.
Woodridge CBD (QLD) tower should be online very soon.
17/03/00 Well on (or around) the 14/04/00 we should get Cross carrier SMS. This means you can send SMS from Voda to Optus or Telstra or vice-versa.
15/03/00 Globalstar will have its commercial service launch on March 30.
14/03/00 A new coverage system called EER (enhanced extended range) which is basically getting us ~120km range from a slightly modified cell - jointly developed with Ericsson. They've overcome the time-based data problems to bring full-rate sound quality over such a huge distance. Modified cells should be coming online around the start of may. I hope to have more info on this very soon.
FastFone mobile bundle packs prices have changed. Will update the page as soon as i get the new prices.
Quarterly billing is no longer available.
People on the upgrades waiting list for Nokia 7110 should be supplied with a 7110 this week.
11/03/00 New towers online
QLD
NEW: Mossman, Kilcoy, Tewantin, Grahams Range, Meadowvale, Macrossan, Mingela, Cameron Hill, Buchan Point. ENHANCED: Northgate, Milton, Heritage Park, Cannon Hill, Highfield Drive (Gold Coast), Greenbank.
NSW
NEW: Berrima, Bywong Hill (ACT). ENHANCED: Lismore CBD, Circular Quay R/Way Stn, Edensor Park, Riverwood, Bondi Beach, Fairfield West, Manly Corso, Eastern Dist. nort and west tunnel, Swansea, Mayfield West, Banksia, Olympic Boulevard (Homebush), Glenfield, Beacon Hill. IN-BUILDING: MaCquarie Bank Building/ Exchange Center, 1 O'Connel St, Australia Square, Tennis Centre (Homebush), Dunc Gray Velodrome, Opera House Car Park, Chifley Tower/Plaza.
WA
NEW: Williams, Rottnest Island, Lancelin, Kambalda, Mt Hunt, Mt Godard. ENHANCED: Cotteloe Beach.
VIC
NEW: Bannockburn, Yea, Parliament Stn. ENHANCED: Point Leo, Portsea, Kew East, Hurstbridge, Port Melbourne, Kalkallo, Ashwood, Ormond, Mernda, Laverton North, Mount Eliza, Sunshine Plaza (Melb City), Collingwood West, Royal Parade, Montrose, Niddrie, Heathmont, Traralgon CBD, Crown Casino.
SA
NEW: Mount Lofty. ENHANCED: Hampstead.
TAS
NEW: Ulverstone, Sorrell, Sandfly, Richmond, Lauderdale, Huonville, New Norfolf, Bridgewater. ENHANCED: (none).
10/03/00 The mobile base station at the Melbourne Grand Prix is online. The cell broadcast is "GP Oh Yeah". Have a look at my tower pics page for pics of a mobile base station.
03/03/00 1 of the 2 new Brisbane CBD towers online (Mary, Margaret and Albert St area)
24/02/00 Lots of interesting news!
"THE MOLE" TV show on CH 7 is using the GlobalStar GSM/Satellite mobile phones!
I'm not sure which model of phone they are using.. but it looks like the TELIT model. If you want more info, have a look at my GlobalStar page. I will be adding more info to it soon. I watched the show last nigh. Looked like they had a bit of trouble with one of the handsets. I would love to borrow one of theses for "more througher and useful" testing and provide the results on my site.
Lots of Dual Band GSM 1800 Cells / Towers in Sydney area
I have just got back from a quick trip to Sydney. Will have info on DualBand page soon.
A quote from the ACA on changing Service Provider (SP) on the same network and keeping your number.
Forgot to add this to the news file a while ago.
It is currently possible to change service provider and keep the same number if you are changing between 2 service providers that use the same network. However, there is not yet an obligation on these companies to offer such a service. ACA.
19/02/00 New tower online at Queen St Mall in the Brisbane CBD (QLD) and Mt Samson tower (QLD)
10/02/00 News on NOV 99 coverage maps or really the lack of them
Apparently Vodafone have scrapped the Nov 99 coverage maps (some may have been distributed, I don't know) and are going to print March 2000 maps instead.
No wonder I haven't received my maps for over a month now!!
New tower in the Queen Street mall (Brisbane CBD,QLD) soon to be online
Dual Band cells have lost there "DualBand" Cell Broadcast
VodaFone for some unknown reason has decided to take away the extra "DualBand" at the end of Dual Band (GSM 1800) Cells. This is another stupid idea. The point of having "DualBand" on the end of the Broadcast was to let uses know they are in a area were GSM 1800 is available. Considering the lack of official info on the were abouts of dual band coverage, Even though VodaFone sells dual band phones, This new decision IS rather stupid. Maybe it's time i gave the customer service complaints another call!! Hmm...
09/02/00 WAP in for trouble as "Geoworks
patent claim lobs grenade into WAP
Forum"
This is very interesting.... For more info look here!
http://www.theregister.co.uk/000121-000001.html
07/02/00 Some "Worrying" news on call congestion and drop out on VodaFone network
Here is some info taken for the "Telecommunications Performance Monitoring Bulletin, Issue 10 -September 1999 Quarter" A copy can be found from the ACAs web page www.aca.gov.au
Well you can't argue with the facts. I hope Voda pulls their socks up this quarter!!
05/02/00 Merger and float news
News today of Vodafone
Airtouch's merger with German Telecom to form the biggest corporate merger in history
($185 billion).
News also of Vodafone Pacific's plans (Australia, NZ and Fiji) to float approximately 20%
of the company (about A$2 billion).
04/02/00 Official line on "Price negation on Upgrading" issues
OK here is the official story on how the price negation on upgrades.
Upgrade pricing is fixed, but you can ask for an appeal, which takes around 24hrs. An account manager looks at the account history (length of connection, amount spent, call plan etc) and bases a decision from that. So not immediately negotiable, but can pay off if you're a good customer.
Well its a pity that it is negotiable from the start!!! It seams that if VodaFone makes more money from you then you will get a cheaper upgrade price. Were is customer loyalty?
02/02/00 More info on "Upgrading" news (see news 26/01/00) Plus more "Mobile Bank" news
Have got some more info from a person who works for DigiCall:-
Negotiable upgrade
pricing ?? I've been at work 12 days straight and we
didn't get any email from HQ about that.
Not sure what's going on here, This might only be available from "VodaFone Stores" Even though VodaFone owns both service providers.
Also some more info from this person about "Mobile Bank" (see news below 28/01/00)
Anyone can have a
MobileBank SIM if they're with vodafone. Some stores are
really tight with handing them out as there isn't that many in existence. As long as the
handset supports it, it's ok.
The person also goes on to say:-
The customer care people give me the shits sometimes.
I can agree with them... I am still waiting on my Nov 99 coverage maps.... The first time i asked for them i specifically asked for the NOVEMBER 99 editions. So what was i sent? The MAY 99 editions. That's very slack!
I'm not saying every one at VodaFone customer service are useless, there are some really helpful and knowledgeable people there, But unfortunately there are quite a few who aren't!! It has always made me wonder why VodaFone won't / don't want me working for them!!!
28/01/00 Some very "Disturbing" info from a fellow VodaFone user!
Tim , I thought you may
be interested in the following for your Vfone pages.
I called Vfone about the new banking feature and was told that I should have one of the
listed phones that they have tested. I replied that all phones compliant with the SIM app
toolkit specs should be capable of working and could I try it out please. NO was the
answer, if you don't have the models we have specified we will not give you the service.
I thought this to be a rather arrogant and typical carrier attitude, haven't they ever
heard of customers and a customer relationship.
Well it's a bit sad as the brochure on MobileBank is missing quite a few mobile phones that are compatible with mobile banking. The Motorola L series is one example. I have had a few chats with people at customer service, Quite a few of them are a bit "Unfriendly / Useless".
26/01/00 Some interesting news on upgrades from a fellow VodaFone user
The other day I walked into a Vodafone shop, and asked about upgrades as I usually do... however the lady said, just a couple of days ago every shop received a email / fax stating they are allowed to negotiate a price with the customers who are upgrading then the store person (ie the lady I was speaking to you) will ring the 1300 number for you and make the deal over the phone with the people at the 1300 place, and your mobile gets sent out to you within seven days.
19/01/00 New / Enhanced coverage to Clontarf (QLD), Nudgee (QLD), Bris Airport (QLD), Northgate (QLD), Elimbah (QLD), Upper Caboolture (QLD), Rothwell (QLD), Beachmere (QLD) and Murrumba Downs (QLD) areas
14/01/00 Fast Fone unlocking (taking off of SIM Lock) has risen to $150 today
10/01/00 Price of unlocking pre-paid (FAST FONE, SIM locked) handsets rumored to be rising soon to $150, from the current $100.
04/01/00 Interesting figures on money making from SMS!
I have discovered some interesting info on SMS usage. VodaFone says that there are 4.5 Million SMSs sent per week. Ok lets do some figures on this.
4.5 M X 20c a SMS = $900,000 dollars a week in SMS alone. Now lets compare that to what they used to make:-
4.5 M X 15c a SMS = $675,000 dollars a week. Now lets subtract it and see how much more profit VodaFone make because they raised the price to 20c from 15c.
$900,000 - $675,000 = $225,000!! extra a week!! Now you can see the real reason Voda raised the price of SMS.
That's an extra $900,000 a Month!! So were is all this money going to?? Well it certainly isn't going into new tower sites or products and services!!!
01/01/00 Happy New Year / Y2K everyone!
No "Happy 2000" or "Happy Y2K" Cell Broadcast today!
Glad to see VodaFone has started the year being VERY SLACK!!! No "Happy Easter", No "Happy Xmas" And now no "Happy 2000"!!
(c) Tim Merrell 1997-2000-2001-2002-2004. http://www.mrvfone.com.au
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