Forums > Specific Focus > Technical Mexico

punta4

Nov 8, 2009, 5:59 PM

Post #1 of 6 (9268 views)

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

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johnv recommended a great resource for our fixed, home-based cellphone needs for remote Baja/Mexico.
http://www.mycellularsolutions.com/...lAntennasBuyNow.html

My husband spoke with a very helpful guy there 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.

johanson / Moderator

Nov 9, 2009, 2:10 PM

Post #2 of 6 (9249 views)

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Re: [punta4] What is the Telcel cell phone frequency- 850 or 1900 ???

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I was hoping someone else would know and be able to answer you. I'll ask around and try to find out Tues.

taltman711

Nov 10, 2009, 8:51 AM

Post #3 of 6 (9224 views)

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Re: [johanson] What is the Telcel cell phone frequency- 850 or 1900 ???

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These sites answer your question.

http://support.chinavasion.com/...&kbarticleid=227

or an even more complete site:

http://www.gsmworld.com/.../gsminfo/index.shtml

Tim

(This post was edited by taltman711 on Nov 10, 2009, 10:59 AM)

johanson / Moderator

Nov 10, 2009, 9:01 AM

Post #4 of 6 (9218 views)

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Re: [taltman711] What is the Telcel cell phone frequency- 850 or 1900 ???

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Tim:

Thanks as always

Pete

raferguson

Nov 10, 2009, 2:45 PM

Post #5 of 6 (9197 views)

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Re: [taltman711] What is the Telcel cell phone frequency- 850 or 1900 ???

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Unfortunately, the GSM world website shows both frequencies for Telcel. It shows 1900 for PCS, and 850 for "3G".

My guess would be 1900. Part of my thinking was the Telcel was originally on 850 analog, and then later TDMA. Logically, they might put the GSM on 1900 so that they could still support analog and TDMA customers on 850. They may have completely dropped TDMA and analog by now, or are about to, so then they could use 850 for 3G.

By the way, there are some dual band antennas, including some Yagi directional antennas, and that might be your safest bet. It is pretty amazing how much stronger the signal is from a Yagi vs. a hand held radio. Ultimately, Cell phones are just fancy radio.

Richard

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

punta4

Nov 10, 2009, 5:49 PM

Post #6 of 6 (9185 views)

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

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The GSM world website was the only place I could find the frequencies too, but i wanted to make sure I was interpreting it correctly- it does look like 1900 is for voice.

I thought the price of a dual band Yagi antenna was alot more than a single band, but it looks like it may be only $30-40 dollars difference. But no sense spending more for dual band if we don't need it.

Thank you for the info and confirmation.