Migrating from CDMA to Next G™?

Telstra has committed to closing their CDMA network on January 28th 2008.  The reason for this is that they are now running a new network called Next G™.  Next G™ offers greater data speeds while matching the astounding coverage that CDMA offered.

To assist you in migrating from CDMA we've put together a simple guide to your situation, along with some hints to make sure you're not caught out!

At Maxon, we understand that change is rarely painless.

-  Updated on 12th November 2007, updated the information on provisioning data devices (here).

-  Updated on 16th August 2007, Added a link under telemetry to a file with details on how to provision data USIM cards (here) .

- Updated on 14th August 2007, changed the link for the WDAG and added a link to Telstra's newsletter under "Telemetry".

Understanding what product you have

Knowing where you stand with your CDMA product is the first step to choosing the most appropriate Next G™ solution.  Make sure you know if you have a Telstra or a BigPond branded product - they are different!

BigPond Customers

If you are an existing CDMA BigPond customer (BigPond Wireless Broadband), most of the information you need to know can be found in these two FAQ entries:

When will the existing EVDO Wireless Broadband network be phased out, and what does it mean for existing Wireless Broadband Members?

When can existing Wireless Broadband Members upgrade to the new Next G Network?

BigPond offers two different plan types for Next G™.  You can either go for a Mobile Plan or a Modem Plan.  The big difference is mobility.  The devices you can get on a Mobile Plan allow you to use your connection on the go.  You simply plug them in to your computer (see the section below on important things to notice) and away you go. The Modem Plans on the other hand use a modem that requires external power.  This means that you can't use it while on the go.  However, the Modem Plans are cheaper, so it's worth considering whether you really need the mobility.

Telstra Customers

As a Telstra Mobile Broadband customer, you’ll be pleased to know that you will continue to enjoy all the benefits of your existing CDMA1x/EVDO mobile broadband service until you change over to the new network or until Telstra closes the CDMA network in February 2008, whichever happens first.

There is no need for you to do anything at the moment. When the time comes to change over to the new Next G™ Network, Telstra will contact you to discuss the options to move your service(s) across to the Next G™ Network.

• What happens with my existing 1xEVDO device?

If you have purchase a 1xEVDO Telstra Mobile Broadband USB modem or mobile card listed below before 15th February 2007 on either a casual or contracted CDMA1xRTT/EVDO plan, Telstra will provide you with a “free upgrade” to a new Turbo Card device that will work on Telstra’s Next G™ Network towards the end of 2007 and before the CDMA network is closed in early 2008.

Customers who have purchased a CDMA 1xRTT device (Sierra Wireless AirCard 555 (SW555A) PCMCIA card, Maxon MM-5100 1xRTT external modem or MM-5100P 1xRTT PCMCIA card will not be eligible for the “free upgrade” to a new Turbo Card device; however they will be able to upgrade their Telstra Mobile Broadband device(s) to the new Next G™ network by recontracting to the plans available at the time of migration.

You can find out more about the plans here.  Telstra plans will often include a device either for free or at a subsidised price if you go onto a contract.

You can see a range of the devices that Telstra offer on these plans here.

Depending on your needs, it might be worth while talking to a Telstra representative about the best solution for you.  We recommend the Telstra Turbo Modem for Telstra Busimess Mobile Broadband.  After all, it is one of our modems! It is a USB modem, so will work for a laptop or a desktop computer.  It's also worth noting that we will shortly be releasing an Ethernet docking station for our USB modems, which will allow you to seamlessly share your Next G connection among multiple computers connected to a network.

If you have any questions or would like to know more, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions available here.

Telemetry users

Because of it's vast coverage, CDMA was often the technology of choice for telemetry uses.  As Next G™ offers the same coverage, it makes sense to migrate your CDMA solution to a Next G™ one.  Maxon Australia understands the importance of a reliable, robust solution, which is why we're creating the ModMax.  The ModMax is a replacement for our CDMA MM-5100 modem, offering very similar capabilities.  Check out the product brochure here, or a technical comparison chart (ModMax vs MM-5100) here. 

In order to provide some guidance in how to go about developing wireless applications for the Next G™ network, Telstra have put together a document titled "Wireless Application Development Guidelines".  You can access a copy of it here.  This document is updated regularly, the latest copy will always be at that link.  Telstra have also produced a newsletter relating the telemetry issues, you can read it here.

We also have some information on their telemetry specific plans and how to provision them, you can find them here.  This document is indicative only.  Please make sure you contact Telstra about pricing plans before making any decisions.

Finally, we've put together a simply checklist to assist you in thinking about the areas you need to consider as you plan your migration.  You can download the checklist here.

If you are a telemetry user, please get in contact with us p: (02) 9707 2000, e: migration [AT] maxon DOT com DOT au. We'd love to talk with you further about the solutions we can provide and how Telstra is improving their offerings for telemetry users.

Important things to be aware of

There are a few pitfalls for the uninformed, so here are a few things to look out for when you're planning your migration:

• Make sure the product you want will work with your computer.  We recommend you not only check with Telstra or BigPond, but also with the product manufacturer.  Ask what model the product you are being offered is, then talk to whoever makes it and verify with them that it will work with your system.  Some products work with Windows Vista, some with Mac OS, some only on laptops, some require a particular type of card slot.  Some products will allow you to send/receive SMS, others wont.  There are lots of variables, make sure you're certain the product will work for you!  If you need to contact Maxon to enquire about our products, please use this form.
• Check what the coverage in your area is like.  You can check out your coverage on these maps.  If you are going to be using your Next G solution in an area with low signal strength, we highly recommend you look into purchasing an external antenna.  Depending  on what product you have, there will be different options for antennas.  For all Maxon products, you can purchase compatible external antennas from our online store.  It's also worth noting that if you already have a CDMA antenna, as long as you have the right connector it will also work on the Next G network.

We hope that you find this information helpful!  If you have further questions, or a suggestion for more information that would be helpful on this page, please email migration [AT] maxon DOT com DOT au .

Disclaimer:  This content on this page has been generated purely from Maxon Australia's research and knowledge.  It is in no way official communications from either Telstra or BigPond, and should not be treated as such.