An updated range of Next G handsets provides farmers with more choice when choosing a handset ahead of the looming CDMA network closure this month. Although most CDMA users have now migrated across to Next G, some could be holding off for a handset more suitable for their needs. Kondinin Group’s Next G Research Report published in the August 2007 issue of Farming Ahead revealed many Next G handsets were unsuitable for use in rural areas with fringe network coverage. Many handsets did not feature a plug for direct coupling of an external antenna. Telstra followed by labelling suitable handsets with a ‘blue tick’ logo, signifying increased sensitivity for use in rural areas. But this limited the choice to a few handsets. Since then, Kondinin Group tests show the newly launched ZTE F165 offers superior coverage sensitivity. But what about the phones? During October 2007, Telstra announced the Next G network had reached equivalency with the CDMA network and plans were to see it eventually cover a larger footprint than the CDMA network. But issues still remained with farmers who had coverage on the fringes of the CDMA network, only to find they did not have similar coverage when they changed over to early Next G handsets. Kondinin Group believes handset performance is the major contributing factor to Next G phone reception, rather than the network itself. Telstra has already exchanged many inferior handsets such as the Samsung A701 with improved models such as the LG TU550. Although most CDMA users have now migrated across to Next G, some might be holding off to for a handset more suitable for their needs. Handset performance on the improve Kondinin Group engineers returned to the Oxley Downs, New South Wales, test site where they found an overall improvement in Next G handset performance. While none of the handsets quite matched the performance of the Nokia 2280 CDMA phone at 45 kilometres, the LG TU500 and TU550, Samsung A411 and ZTE F165 were all able to make calls at 39km. When attached to a 6.5-decibel antenna, the LG TU550 and ZTE F165 top scored, making successful calls at 46.5km. While not branded as a blue tick handset, the Nokia 6120 returned an excellent performance of 37km — one of the best TECHNOLOGY: HANDSET TESTS Next G phones show improvement With the shutdown of the CDMA network scheduled for January 28, 2008, Kondinin Group engineers Josh Giumelli and Ben White tested eight Next G phone handsets to find if any improvements had been made in newer models in the four months since the last round of testing. KONDININ GROUP Josh Giumelli and Ben White Kondinin Group engineers Josh Giumelli (pictured left) and Ben White (right) used a 6.5dB antenna to test phones when the handheld coverage limit was reached. The ZTE, LG and Samsung A411–A412 models all have antenna plugs but patch leads could not be sourced for all handsets. New Next G handsets offer improved performance over previously tested models. Users in fringe areas should only consider the ZTE F165 handset. The best non-blue tick handset tested was the Nokia 6120 but it lacked an antenna plug. Users prone to damaging phones need to consider the shock- and moisture- resistant ZTE F158 but it does not easily fit in a pocket. Farmers wanting a simple handset with fair performance and large buttons should consider the Samsung A411–A412 models. Antennas improved the performance of the LG TU500–TU550 and ZTE models but only to the same degree as published in Farming Ahead’s Next G Research Report. The LG TU550 and ZTE F165 models had the best coverage, both with and without an external antenna. Consider the cost and availability of direct-coupled car kits before choosing a handset. At a glance 22 Farming Ahead January 2008 No. 192 www.farmingahead.com.au
Transcript
An updated range of Next G handsetsprovides farmers with more choice whenchoosing a handset ahead of the loomingCDMA network closure this month.
Although most CDMA users have nowmigrated across to Next G, some could beholding off for a handset more suitable fortheir needs.
Kondinin Group’s Next G ResearchReport published in the August 2007 issueof Farming Ahead revealed many Next Ghandsets were unsuitable for use in ruralareas with fringe network coverage.
Many handsets did not feature a plug fordirect coupling of an external antenna.
Telstra followed by labelling suitablehandsets with a ‘blue tick’ logo, signifying increased sensitivity for use inrural areas. But this limited the choice to afew handsets.
Since then, Kondinin Group tests showthe newly launched ZTE F165 offerssuperior coverage sensitivity.
But what about the phones?During October 2007, Telstra announced
the Next G network had reachedequivalency with the CDMA network andplans were to see it eventually cover a largerfootprint than the CDMA network.
But issues still remained with farmerswho had coverage on the fringes of theCDMA network, only to find they did not have similar coverage when theychanged over to early Next G handsets.
Kondinin Group believes handsetperformance is the major contributing
factor to Next G phone reception, ratherthan the network itself.
Telstra has already exchanged manyinferior handsets such as the SamsungA701 with improved models such as the LG TU550.
Although most CDMA usershave now migrated across to Next G, some might be holding off to for a handset more suitable fortheir needs.
Handset performance on the improveKondinin Group engineers returned to
the Oxley Downs, New South Wales, test sitewhere they found an overall improvementin Next G handset performance.
While none of the handsets quitematched the performance of the Nokia2280 CDMA phone at 45 kilometres, the LG TU500 and TU550, Samsung A411and ZTE F165 were all able to make calls at 39km.
When attached to a 6.5-decibel antenna,the LG TU550 and ZTE F165 top scored,making successful calls at 46.5km.
While not branded as a blue tick handset,the Nokia 6120 returned an excellentperformance of 37km — one of the best
T E C H N O L O G Y : H A N D S E T T E S T S
Next G phones showimprovement
With the shutdown of the CDMA networkscheduled for January 28, 2008, Kondinin
Group engineers Josh Giumelli and Ben Whitetested eight Next G phone handsets to find ifany improvements had been made in newer
models in the four months since the last round of testing.
KONDININ GROUP
Josh Giumelli and Ben White
Kondinin Group engineers Josh Giumelli (pictured left)and Ben White (right) used a 6.5dB antenna to test phones when the handheld coverage limit wasreached. The ZTE, LG and Samsung A411–A412 modelsall have antenna plugs but patch leads could not besourced for all handsets.
New Next G handsets offer improvedperformance over previously tested models.
Users in fringe areas should only considerthe ZTE F165 handset.
The best non-blue tick handset testedwas the Nokia 6120 but it lacked anantenna plug.
Users prone to damaging phones needto consider the shock- and moisture-resistant ZTE F158 but it does not easilyfit in a pocket.
Farmers wanting a simple handset withfair performance and large buttonsshould consider the SamsungA411–A412 models.
Antennas improved the performance ofthe LG TU500–TU550 and ZTE models but only to the same degree aspublished in Farming Ahead’s Next GResearch Report.
The LG TU550 and ZTE F165 models hadthe best coverage, both with andwithout an external antenna.
Consider the cost and availability ofdirect-coupled car kits before choosinga handset.
A t a g l a n c e
22 Farming Ahead January 2008 No. 192 www.farmingahead.com.au
T E C H N O L O G Y : H A N D S E T T E S T S
23Farming Ahead January 2008 No. 192 www.farmingahead.com.au
While Kondinin Group engineers couldnot split the performance of the ZTE F165and LG TU550 under ideal test conditionsat Oxley Downs, the ZTE F165 had superiorperformance in hilly areas with marginalreception coverage. The F165 is also moreruggedly constructed and features largerbuttons and screen.
While the pull-out antenna is a handyfeature, it is annoying that it needs to berotated before it will clip into place.
Simple phone more suited to some Many farmers have expressed a desire for
a simple handset without cameras, videocalling and other high-tech features.
The handset that comes closest tofulfilling these wishes is the SamsungA411–A412. While it still has a camera,there is no video calling facility and nomicro SD card slot.
The handset is compact in design but haslarge buttons and a stub antenna.
See page 24 for detailed pros and cons ofeach handset tested.
results for a non-blue tick phone.Unfortunately, this handset lacked anantenna plug.
Handset for hard knocksThe sturdily built ZTE F158 ‘tradesman’s
phone’ performed similarly to the Nokia6120 but is more suited to users needing a tough phone to wear on a belt clip.
This phone can be plugged directly intoan antenna through the patch lead plug. A large clip-on antenna is available.
The handset would be difficult to losedue to its bright blue colour.
Earlier handsets were plagued withsoftware problems, prompting a recall.This situation has been rectified with allnew handsets featuring updated firmware.
Many Kondinin Groupmembers have expressed a desire for a simple handsetwithout cameras, videocalling and other high-tech features.
Rural phone an optionThe release of the ZTE F165 rural phone
provides farmers with another option for amore sensitive handset.
If planning to install a phone in a vehicle,consider the features and price of car kitsavailable for each model.
There are two main types of car kit: directantenna coupled kits; and inductive-stylecoupled kits. Both could be available in adirectly connected (wired) and bluetooth(wireless) styles, depending on the handset.
Inductive car kits rely on an antenna plate inthe kit cradle which ‘pairs’ with the antenna inthe phone handset. Directly coupled kits have adirect connection with the patch-lead plug onthe handset. Because some phones (such asthe Nokia 6120 classic) do not have an externalantenna connection, these phones use theinductive style kit. The most effective car kit isthe directly coupled style. Inductive styles ‘lose’some of the signal in the signal transfer process.
Kits for the models tested
The LG models tested are available with bothinductive and directly coupled kits, the latterbeing $50 more, is made by Telstra and isdesigned for either phone and features thedirect antenna connection. Rural users wouldbe best to ignore the less expensive LG model,which has inductive antenna coupling.
Samsung’s A411–A412 uses a bluetooth kit,meaning all connections between the phoneand the car kit are wireless, except for theantenna connection, which is directly wired tothe handset patch-lead plug.
Both Telstra’s ZTE165 and ZTE158 handsetscan be used in a dedicated fully wired kit whichis the cheapest kit available and features adirect connection to the patch-lead antennaconnection on the handset.
The 6120 is the only Nokia handset with itsown car kit currently available. Nokia make ageneric bluetooth handsfree kit but it has takena third party manufacturer about three monthsto build a dedicated cradle powered (to chargethe handset) for the 6120 with an inductive-style antenna connection. Similar inductive-style cradles are expected to be available soonfor the N95 and E51, again to be used with theNokia bluetooth car kit.
Professional installation of car kits is about $150.
Handsfree car kits
Make Model Handsfree car kit ($)LG TU550 299*–349LG TU500 299*–349Samsung A411 349**Telstra (ZTE) 158 199Telstra (ZTE) 165 199Nokia 6120 299***Nokia E51 Not availableNokia N95 Not available* Inductive OEM style kit. Telstra make directcoupled kit. ** Cradle has direct connection toexternal antenna. Kit itself is bluetooth. *** Usesorginal Nokia bluetooth handsfree kit with a thirdparty inductive cradle. Source: Telstra.
Handsets with 6.5dBi antenna*
0 10 20 30 40 5045 55
50
100
150
200
250
300
0 10 20 30 40 50 55Distance from tower at Oxley Downs (km)
Height above sea level (m)
Phone handsets
LG TU500LG TU550
ZTE F158
ZTE F165
Nokia 6120Nokia E51
Nokia N95
Samsung A411
45
LG TU500LG TU550
ZTE F165
FIGURE 1 How handsets performed
* Not all models could be tested with a 6.5dBi antenna.
Source and illustration: Kondinin Group.
MORE INFORMATION See the Next G ResearchReport, Farming Ahead No. 187.
1. Price is for outright purchase only. All phones available on zero up-front cost plans. 2. A411 and TU500 handsets are available as pre-paid only for $249.
Source: Kondinin Group and manufacturers.
TABLE 1 Specifications of Next G phone handsets tested by Kondinin Group
Slim size fits pocket.
Well-designed and constructed.
Reasonable size screen and reception.
Best Features
Not blue tick rated.
Tiny buttons and no antenna plug.
Worst features
Simple handset.
Compact flip design.
Can be opened with one hand.
Large buttons suitable for big fingers.
Best features
No video calling facility.
No micro SD card facility.
Worst features
Design, constructionand screen.
Camera (5 megapixels)and MP3 controls.
Inbuilt GPS guidance.
Best Features
Large buttons, rubber casing.
Shock resistant.
Dust- and moisture-resistant.
Easy to use.
Large battery.
Best features
Too large to fit in a pocket.
Not blue tick rated.
Worst features
Reception sensitivity.
Large buttons.
Pull-out antenna.
Large screen.
Loud ring tone.
Best features
Volume buttons easily bumped.
Screen is easily scratched.
Worst features
Thick, chunky designlarger than mosthandsets tested.
Expensive.
Lacks an antenna plug.
Worst features
Compact and sleek.
Slim size fits well in pocket.
Well-designed metallic construction.
Best FeaturesSmall buttons.
No antenna plug.
Not blue tick rated.
Worst features
24 Farming Ahead January 2008 No. 192 www.farmingahead.com.au
