BajaNomad

What is the Telcel cell phone frequency- 850 or 1900 ???

oladulce - 11-8-2009 at 06:25 PM

Here's a great resource for info about about fixed, home-based cellphones for remote areas of Baja/Mexico.
cellular solutions

My husband spoke with a very helpful guy and it sounds we will be able to have reliable cell service at home, even in remote Baja Sur and can purchase the equipment online NOB.

There are many cell phone models that can be plugged in to an antenna that you mount on the roof of your house to greatly increase your signal reception, but the antenna you use must be specific to the cellular frequency.

I've found references to Telcel's 850 and 1900 Mhz frequencies and apparently one is for data and one is for voice. I've done my best internet detective work , but I give up!!

I think the Telcel voice frequency is 1900 MHz, but we'd greatly appreciate if someone could confirm this so we can buy the correct antenna.

oladulce - 11-10-2009 at 07:14 PM

I posted this question on another forum and the consensus is that Telcel voice frequency is probably 1900 MHz, in case anyone else can use this tidbit of info.

I'll post the components of the home-based cell phone set-up we eventually put together. It's taken us a while to piece together the info and maybe it will save someone else some research time.

Riom - 11-10-2009 at 07:22 PM

Telcel (and Movistar) are on the 1900 MHz band for their GSM networks. Those networks have voice, and slow GPRS/Edge data.

In addition, Telcel are adding 3G, which is for both voice and (much faster) UMTS data. For 3G, they use the 850 MHz band. Not every area has this yet.

So, if you're looking into antennas etc to extend range, 1900 works now but 850 is where the future is. Also, 850 (being a lower frequency) travels further, all else being equal.

Reference: http://gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/cou_mx.shtml



[Edited on 2009-11-11 by Riom]

oladulce - 11-10-2009 at 11:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Riom
Telcel (and Movistar) are on the 1900 MHz band for their GSM networks. Those networks have voice, and slow GPRS/Edge data.

In addition, Telcel are adding 3G, which is for both voice and (much faster) UMTS data. For 3G, they use the 850 MHz band. Not every area has this yet.

So, if you're looking into antennas etc to extend range, 1900 works now but 850 is where the future is. Also, 850 (being a lower frequency) travels further, all else being equal.

Reference: http://gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/cou_mx.shtml



No wonder this is so confusing- if 850 is for voice and data ! To play it safe, I guess we'll spend more and get a Dual band antenna so we'll have both frequencies covered. Gracias Riom.

Riom - 11-11-2009 at 01:41 PM

With a dual band antenna, you might get lower gain (amplification) because it's a compromise.

For something that works now for voice, and optionally have access to at least minimal data, 1900 is fine, assuming you are within range of a transmitter. Your phone will need to be GSM 1900, and have an external antenna input. Also, with 1900 and an unlocked phone you have a choice of Telcel or Movistar, whichever is stronger in your area.

As I mentioned, 850 3G is not everywhere yet (for example in San Felipe it's available downtown but not to the north of town). When it is available, the data speeds are much better. To take advantage of that, you'd need a suitable 3G phone or data card.

Just to add to the confusion: in the US BOTH the 850 and 1900 bands are for both GSM (the older phone standard, which is only 1900 in Mexico) and, on some carriers, 3G (which is only on 850 in Mexico). So a typical US dual-band GSM phone that "supports 850 and 1900" will only work on 1900 in Mexico.

For a phone/card to be usable on 3G in Mexico (where available), it must have 3G 850 (not just GSM 850, not 3G 1900, 3G 2100 or anything else). There are very limited choices of models for this, especially with external antenna input).

I'd suggest going with 1900 only for now if all you need is phone calls, It's simple and established with the widest choice of phones. Treat it as a learning system and if/when 3G 850 is available in your area, add a system (including a new phone, new antenna) for that later - and keep the old one as a backup.

MitchMan - 11-11-2009 at 03:02 PM

I bought a $50 Motorola quad band when I went to Italy in June of this year. It'l work anywhere. Shop around, you don't have to pay $250 or more for a quad band.

Riom - 11-11-2009 at 10:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MitchMan
I bought a $50 Motorola quad band when I went to Italy in June of this year. It'l work anywhere. Shop around, you don't have to pay $250 or more for a quad band.


That's the four GSM bands (850 and 1900, which are mostly North America, 900 and 1800 which are mostly Europe/Asia). That works fine for GSM, anywhere in the world, including on the 1900 band in Mexico. For voice, it's all you need.

But just to emphasize this point: even a quad band GSM phone will not work on 850 in Mexico for voice or data. That's because on 850 (in Mexico), the standard is 3G (UMTS), it needs a 3G phone or card, not GSM.

There are suitable USB 3G 850 modems that do the job (for data) on ebay for $50-70., and probably some 3G phones quite cheap now. Just be sure the 3G UMTS is 850 (used in parts of the US, Mexico, Aus, NZ) rather than 3G 2100 (most other places).

Standards are good, but more of them isn't better! :-)

Really 3G is only of interest currently for data (it's faster), or for sending phone photos. Certainly the 3G coverage in Mexico is way less than the existing 1900 GSM network, but improving.

[Edited on 2009-11-12 by Riom]

oladulce - 11-12-2009 at 03:42 PM

I would have gone with a dual band antenna assuming it would be better but we will stick with a 1900 MHz to get the best reception possible.

It sounds like you know your stuff Riom !

Any other tips about the best equipment to use or anything to avoid? phones (that have an external antenna jack), antennas, amplifiers, online resources ?

Riom - 11-12-2009 at 08:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by oladulce
Any other tips about the best equipment to use or anything to avoid? phones (that have an external antenna jack), antennas, amplifiers, online resources ?


Sorry, in Mexico I have superb cellphone reception (the tower is a couple of hundred yards away). I did look into amplifiers etc for use in the US, where I have almost no indoor reception, but there I've ended up using the cable internet connection with a wi-fi phone, diverting the cellphone to it when indoors.

One thing I looked at was:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000QJ4Y5W/
which as you see has very mixed reviews. It would basically need a moderate signal to begin with.

I think your idea of a decent antenna, high up, connected to basically a fixed cellphone in the house, is better in extreme areas. Keep the cable length and number of connectors to a minimum.

Hopefully somebody here who has done just this will jump in now...

Wow

wessongroup - 11-20-2009 at 11:12 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Riom
Telcel (and Movistar) are on the 1900 MHz band for their GSM networks. Those networks have voice, and slow GPRS/Edge data.

In addition, Telcel are adding 3G, which is for both voice and (much faster) UMTS data. For 3G, they use the 850 MHz band. Not every area has this yet.

So, if you're looking into antennas etc to extend range, 1900 works now but 850 is where the future is. Also, 850 (being a lower frequency) travels further, all else being equal.

Reference: http://gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/cou_mx.shtml

[Edited on 2009-11-11 by Riom]


Can't believe how you guys come through each time..

Had been looking for coverage maps, and had gone up to the Telcel office in Rosarito to ask specific questions. Took my number and stood in line and once at the window, they said they did not have 3G coverage and could not tell me when or how large the the coverage would be if they got it...

Any help on how large an area one might expect from a new set up in Rosarito?

Thanks again

[Edited on 11-20-2009 by wessongroup]

Riom - 11-21-2009 at 01:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by wessongroup
they said they did not have 3G coverage and could not tell me when or how large the the coverage would be if they got it...

Any help on how large an area one might expect from a new set up in Rosarito?


They're about right when they say there is no accurate coverage map, even the GSM World map is about a year out of date (since they rely on the carrier to update it).

The 3G coverage has been extended from what is shown there. It covered San Felipe downtown about 6 months ago, and 3G coverage in north San Felipe (El Dorado) was turned on last wednesday - I've written a bit about it on my new blog San Felipe Life

So really the only way to find out whether the area you want has coverage is to take a device there and try it (and try it again later if there is no 3G yet). A phone that can manually select either GSM or 3G is ideal, as you can then see which type of signal it is. The 3G coverage should be at least as good as GSM, for the towers it's been switched on at.

Rob

SlyOnce - 4-13-2015 at 07:01 AM

I make all my calls to MX and the US on Viber, and send texts using Whatsapp. Of course your friends must have Viber and Whatsapp and you must have wi fi to connect your phone to. I have a Telcel 3G wi fi modem in my apartment in Playas. Works great.

Don't really need cell phone minutes any more.

Lots of places with free wi fi or just for the price of a coffee.