Cell Coverage in Dordogne & Lot
Jan 31st, 2015, 12:42 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cell Coverage in Dordogne & Lot
There have been some postings about GPS v. Garmin in threads, and we are convinced that our Samsung G III smartphones with T-Mobile coverage will do well in France, but specifically, what was your experience w/ cell phone GPS along the Dordogne, then south into Lot, Languedoc-Rous, and over to Provence?? We already have the viamichelin app which is rather swell. Having driven in Europe in the prehistoric days with folded paper maps and having reached our destinations (eventually), I have no angst, but DH wanted me to ask for Francophile opinions.
Jan 31st, 2015, 01:20 PM
#2
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The GPS will not be the problem. It will be your phone´s ability to download sufficient mapping data in a timely manner. The free T Mobile coverage is not high speed service and even if it were, your North American phone probably does not have the 2100MHz capability to receive it.
I would have a good map at my disposal and check to see if there is not some way you could preload the route data map into your phone.
I would have a good map at my disposal and check to see if there is not some way you could preload the route data map into your phone.
Jan 31st, 2015, 01:52 PM
#3
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 18,021
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you have a Samsung then you can use Here maps.
Search your Android app store for the app and install it, along with Here Drive. Download the map you require before leaving home, and it will work without the need for an internet connection.
Try using it at home first.
We drove 5000+ miles around California using it, and never got lost. We had a paper map too to find some more scenic routes occasionally.
Search your Android app store for the app and install it, along with Here Drive. Download the map you require before leaving home, and it will work without the need for an internet connection.
Try using it at home first.
We drove 5000+ miles around California using it, and never got lost. We had a paper map too to find some more scenic routes occasionally.
Jan 31st, 2015, 02:09 PM
#4
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
With all due respect, the first reply is incorrect. I respect that posters' vast knowledge of France and appreciate her sharing it here and on TA, but she really needs to stop spreading misinformation about T Mobile service. It is simply not accurate that it is not high speed.
---
To the OP - I am guessing you mean a Samsung galaxy S III??
That phone is indeed a quad phone and if you have the Simple Choice plan from T Mobile, you will be able to use the phone.
http://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phones/...wned.html#Gray
IF you have Simple Choice plan, you will have free texts and data and wifi calls that will be free. If you need to make calls not via wifi, it will be $.20 a minute.
We had 3G data almost all the time [a few times we had 2G, never had anything less] we traveled and that included : Santorini, Mykynos, [even on the Ferry between islands!!] Athens, Prague, Bratislava, Vienna, Budapest, Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, Provence, Chamonix and Paris.
---
To the OP - I am guessing you mean a Samsung galaxy S III??
That phone is indeed a quad phone and if you have the Simple Choice plan from T Mobile, you will be able to use the phone.
http://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phones/...wned.html#Gray
IF you have Simple Choice plan, you will have free texts and data and wifi calls that will be free. If you need to make calls not via wifi, it will be $.20 a minute.
We had 3G data almost all the time [a few times we had 2G, never had anything less] we traveled and that included : Santorini, Mykynos, [even on the Ferry between islands!!] Athens, Prague, Bratislava, Vienna, Budapest, Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, Provence, Chamonix and Paris.
Feb 1st, 2015, 01:43 AM
#5
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A most impressive list of destinations DebitNM. I assume you used your T Mobile 2G and 3G connections quite successfully to navigate your rental car through these many destinations. Curiously, how did you actually confirm that you were getting a solid 3G download?
Or is it possible that you simply saw 3G on your phone and assumed that 3G was your download speed? What your phone displays is the speed of the network to which it connects NOT the speed at which you are actually accessing data. Whether you are connected to a 3G, 4G, or HSPA+ network, T Mobile customers in Europe are throttled at 128kbps or EDGE/(2G) speeds and I have not been able to find a knowledgeable source stating otherwise.
128kbps is probably fine for checking email, displaying a few web pages, and maybe could be used for navigation but <i>high speed</i> it is not. Most T Mobile customers don´t really care that their connections are slow because this solution is cheap and works OK while on vacation.
With wide spread use of 4G or HSPA+ networks, many of us would no longer consider regular 3G high speed either. However, HSPA+ networks use the 2100MHz frequency band in Europe and most North American phones are set to 1900MHZ for use there meaning the speed improvements are not generally available without a compatible phone.
Before you continue to insist that my information is incorrect, please let us know how you tested the connections you used, specifically what were the results, and against what standard do you consider them high speed. And if you have verifiable information that T Mobile customers actually do receive 4G or HSPA+ or even 3G connect speeds while traveling, I should be most interested in your providing it and I will thereby stand corrected.
Lastly, you may continue to refer to me with an incorrect third person pronoun if you like but Sarastro was certainly not female.
Or is it possible that you simply saw 3G on your phone and assumed that 3G was your download speed? What your phone displays is the speed of the network to which it connects NOT the speed at which you are actually accessing data. Whether you are connected to a 3G, 4G, or HSPA+ network, T Mobile customers in Europe are throttled at 128kbps or EDGE/(2G) speeds and I have not been able to find a knowledgeable source stating otherwise.
128kbps is probably fine for checking email, displaying a few web pages, and maybe could be used for navigation but <i>high speed</i> it is not. Most T Mobile customers don´t really care that their connections are slow because this solution is cheap and works OK while on vacation.
With wide spread use of 4G or HSPA+ networks, many of us would no longer consider regular 3G high speed either. However, HSPA+ networks use the 2100MHz frequency band in Europe and most North American phones are set to 1900MHZ for use there meaning the speed improvements are not generally available without a compatible phone.
Before you continue to insist that my information is incorrect, please let us know how you tested the connections you used, specifically what were the results, and against what standard do you consider them high speed. And if you have verifiable information that T Mobile customers actually do receive 4G or HSPA+ or even 3G connect speeds while traveling, I should be most interested in your providing it and I will thereby stand corrected.
Lastly, you may continue to refer to me with an incorrect third person pronoun if you like but Sarastro was certainly not female.
Feb 1st, 2015, 08:18 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had 2G most of the time while I was in Germany (and briefly France and Switzerland) last April. My phone is only 3G capable. I could tell I was getting only 2G not just because of the little "2G" indicator on my phone but because it was so slow! I know what 3G data connections "feel" like at home, and they are much faster than I was getting in Germany.
I suggest that anyone connecting at only 2G in Europe would know it even without testing their data speed. It is usable but not much beyond dial-up speeds. As you say, on vacation, that was really good enough for me.
Also, I have read numerous reports from other T-Mobile users over the last few months stating that they were indeed getting 3G data in Europe. As I understand it, if for some reason the phone itself can't find or connect to a 2G network, it will switch to a 3G network if one is available. T-Mobile doesn't want your phone to simply not wot work in Europe just because it can't go slow enough, apparently.
I don't quite understand the connection between someone getting 3G data vs. 4G being faster/3G "considered slow." So what?
I suggest that anyone connecting at only 2G in Europe would know it even without testing their data speed. It is usable but not much beyond dial-up speeds. As you say, on vacation, that was really good enough for me.
Also, I have read numerous reports from other T-Mobile users over the last few months stating that they were indeed getting 3G data in Europe. As I understand it, if for some reason the phone itself can't find or connect to a 2G network, it will switch to a 3G network if one is available. T-Mobile doesn't want your phone to simply not wot work in Europe just because it can't go slow enough, apparently.
I don't quite understand the connection between someone getting 3G data vs. 4G being faster/3G "considered slow." So what?
Feb 1st, 2015, 12:48 PM
#7
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"I assume you used your T Mobile 2G and 3G connections quite successfully to navigate your rental car through these many destinations."
I am not a techno wizard, but I thought that the Google maps did not rely on data but used, GPS, but who knows? In any case, we actually did use the phone as a sat nav very successfully in France where we had a car at our disposal for 3 months. We did not drive in other cities but we did use the Google map for walking directions in all of the cities and it worked flawlessly.
I am but a lowly tourist who spends several months a year in Europe. I use data a lot on a daily basis via my phone and have almost always had good to great service via Orange, Bouygues, SFR and others including, yes, T Mobile!
In a different post, you said that T Mobile data was was akin to dial up. You asked here if I tested the connection [yes, I know the littel 3G on the phone doesn't mean a lot]
No, I did not do any speed testing of my connection but I surely know what dial up speed feel like and I know that the speed of my data while using T Mobile was nowhere near dial up. No comparison.
Perhaps for a resident, T Mobile wouldn't cut it, but for most tourists, it is an easy and inexpensive alternative to getting an unlocked quad phone; a SIM card, Paying for data for what might be a week or 3 where they may or may not ever make/receive more than a handful of calls. And yes, a local would have to call a US number, but it its a business [hotel, restaurant] or the like, such is the cost of doing business. Again, I doubt the casual tourist would be getting many incoming local calls.
I don't wish to get into a pi$$ing contest, just that you don't write off TMobile as worthless without having first hand usage.
Lastly, I do apologize for the use of the incorrect gender, I somehow thought your name was Sara.
I am not a techno wizard, but I thought that the Google maps did not rely on data but used, GPS, but who knows? In any case, we actually did use the phone as a sat nav very successfully in France where we had a car at our disposal for 3 months. We did not drive in other cities but we did use the Google map for walking directions in all of the cities and it worked flawlessly.
I am but a lowly tourist who spends several months a year in Europe. I use data a lot on a daily basis via my phone and have almost always had good to great service via Orange, Bouygues, SFR and others including, yes, T Mobile!
In a different post, you said that T Mobile data was was akin to dial up. You asked here if I tested the connection [yes, I know the littel 3G on the phone doesn't mean a lot]
No, I did not do any speed testing of my connection but I surely know what dial up speed feel like and I know that the speed of my data while using T Mobile was nowhere near dial up. No comparison.
Perhaps for a resident, T Mobile wouldn't cut it, but for most tourists, it is an easy and inexpensive alternative to getting an unlocked quad phone; a SIM card, Paying for data for what might be a week or 3 where they may or may not ever make/receive more than a handful of calls. And yes, a local would have to call a US number, but it its a business [hotel, restaurant] or the like, such is the cost of doing business. Again, I doubt the casual tourist would be getting many incoming local calls.
I don't wish to get into a pi$$ing contest, just that you don't write off TMobile as worthless without having first hand usage.
Lastly, I do apologize for the use of the incorrect gender, I somehow thought your name was Sara.
Feb 1st, 2015, 01:19 PM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh boy. Testing speed, etc. Don't believe this was my question. Well, we had great experience w TMobile in Switzerland last year but were not driving. Free data/roaming, Wi-Fi was fine. Yes we have Samsung Galaxy III phones. ANYWAY, I asked about coverage in the Dordogne/Lot area as to cell tower coverage, where it might cut out -- guess what -- AT&T, Verizon cut out too!! Hetisinij2, thanks for the suggestion of HereDrive, but again, wondering about cell tower coverage amidst the Dordogne and Lot. We would have to be on car-chargers as GPS empties the tank quickly.
Feb 2nd, 2015, 06:54 AM
#11
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To the OP - sorry the thread went off track, I apologize.
I wanted to add, that in addition to using GPS [where a stand alone unit or phone] we found that having either good old fashioned paper maps or ones printed off computer [IF you have that available while in France] often are more important than GPS directions. In a lot of places, those little tiny roads [really just narrow lanes] don't show up all that well on GPS.
We always have Michelin maps with us when driving in Europe. My husband prefers them and I use my phone, just to check!
Have a great adventure~
I wanted to add, that in addition to using GPS [where a stand alone unit or phone] we found that having either good old fashioned paper maps or ones printed off computer [IF you have that available while in France] often are more important than GPS directions. In a lot of places, those little tiny roads [really just narrow lanes] don't show up all that well on GPS.
We always have Michelin maps with us when driving in Europe. My husband prefers them and I use my phone, just to check!
Have a great adventure~
Feb 2nd, 2015, 07:29 AM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,969
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
aliced,
For navigation to work, you need five things. Power, map, positioning navigation application, and mounting hardware.
You are on a car charger. From the power consumption point of view, the question on GPS based positing vs. cell tower based is irrelevant. You will not run out of power.
From map point of view, you get it either as on the go via cell coverage (your concern) vs. offline like HERE. If you use an offline map, the cell coverage is irrelevant.
For positioning point of view, cell coverage "speeds up" time to positioning. However, after a minute or so, the GPS alone would find the accurate position without any cell access. GPS signal comes from the orbiting satellites, not from any ground based cell towers. With GPS on, the cell access is irrelevant. Besides, the navitagion apps need GPS on to correctly position you on a road. Cell signal triangulation is not precise enough to do this where you need it.
Finally the app, the one that actually tells you "In 300m, take the third exit at next roundabout." HERE mentioned above is also a navigation app running on your Android phone.
And finally, you need to mount your phone on a car unless the non-driver holds the phone.
For navigation to work, you need five things. Power, map, positioning navigation application, and mounting hardware.
You are on a car charger. From the power consumption point of view, the question on GPS based positing vs. cell tower based is irrelevant. You will not run out of power.
From map point of view, you get it either as on the go via cell coverage (your concern) vs. offline like HERE. If you use an offline map, the cell coverage is irrelevant.
For positioning point of view, cell coverage "speeds up" time to positioning. However, after a minute or so, the GPS alone would find the accurate position without any cell access. GPS signal comes from the orbiting satellites, not from any ground based cell towers. With GPS on, the cell access is irrelevant. Besides, the navitagion apps need GPS on to correctly position you on a road. Cell signal triangulation is not precise enough to do this where you need it.
Finally the app, the one that actually tells you "In 300m, take the third exit at next roundabout." HERE mentioned above is also a navigation app running on your Android phone.
And finally, you need to mount your phone on a car unless the non-driver holds the phone.
Feb 2nd, 2015, 08:10 AM
#13
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For what it's worth, when I was in the Dordogne in 2011, I wasn't using a smart phone, but there were significant gaps in cell coverage for even our limited cell phone usage. We spent a week in Beynac-et-Cazenac. Our group was split in two with four of us staying in a house up the hill near the entrance to the chateau and a couple staying down at the riverside in the Hotel du Chateau. We did not have sufficient cell coverage to call each other, and texting was hit or miss. I would imagine that if you rely upon a smartphone for navigation in the Dordogne that you're going to have some issues from time to time. It might not be enough to make you want to get a separate GPS device, but I'd want to have a map as a backup, particularly in rural areas.
Feb 2nd, 2015, 08:48 AM
#14
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Michelin maps indicate:
- "starred" attractions
- scenic drives
- viewpoints
- Castles - both ruins and not
- Caves
- forests
- mountain tops
- mountain "cols"
- Dams
- churches
- train stations and tracks
- gardens and parks
- hospitals (I needed to find one quickly once)
- police stations
- tourist offices
- post offices
- stadiums/swimming pools
- graveyards - actually, more useful for navigation than you might think
- gondola/ski lifts
- windmills
- lighthouses
- airports
- golf courses
- various gradients of uphill & downhill roads
- location of toll booths & rest areas on autoroutes
- far away/destination cities that show up on road signs
- index/location of specific cities
We use the 300 series Michelin maps and the city maps in the Michelin Red guide to determine how to get there, and what to encounter along the way. We use a GPS (without voice) to determine where we are specifically, and what roads are approaching that we might need to make a turn onto. I find the Garmin that I received free to be somewhat useless - but the built-in/dashboard GPS on cars that we rent to be very useful (some better than others).
Stu Dudley
- "starred" attractions
- scenic drives
- viewpoints
- Castles - both ruins and not
- Caves
- forests
- mountain tops
- mountain "cols"
- Dams
- churches
- train stations and tracks
- gardens and parks
- hospitals (I needed to find one quickly once)
- police stations
- tourist offices
- post offices
- stadiums/swimming pools
- graveyards - actually, more useful for navigation than you might think
- gondola/ski lifts
- windmills
- lighthouses
- airports
- golf courses
- various gradients of uphill & downhill roads
- location of toll booths & rest areas on autoroutes
- far away/destination cities that show up on road signs
- index/location of specific cities
We use the 300 series Michelin maps and the city maps in the Michelin Red guide to determine how to get there, and what to encounter along the way. We use a GPS (without voice) to determine where we are specifically, and what roads are approaching that we might need to make a turn onto. I find the Garmin that I received free to be somewhat useless - but the built-in/dashboard GPS on cars that we rent to be very useful (some better than others).
Stu Dudley
