[AusNOG] optus/telstra 3g frequencies & HWIC

[Tony]

Hi all,

We're looking at wireless backup options, specifically HWIC's in Cisco routers. The question I have is in regard to the frequencies used by the providers and the HWIC required. It would appear that Telstra use 850MHz and Optus use 900MHz (and possibly 2100MHz).

From the table here:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/modules/ps5949/ps7272/product_data_sheet0900aecd80600f41.html

It says that part HWIC-3G-HSPA supports "HSPA: 850, 1900, and 2100 MHz"
and that HWIC-3G-HSPA-G  supports "HSPA: 900, 1900, and 2100 MHz ".

This leads me to the conclusion that I would need to purchase a different HWIC depending on which provider's network I'm wishing to use (850 or 900) ? 

This seems very annoying to me, because the specs on the PCEX-3G-HSPA-G modem for the 881G routers says it does all of 850/900/1900/2100 (ie. it should do both Telstra & Optus with same modem).

Is this correct ? Does anyone have practical experience with this ?


Thanks,
Tony.