Ngure has hit the nail on the head. A high density network - consisting of cells, micro-cells and boosters - minimises the internal radio's power utilisation - thereby allowing battery more of a lifetime before next charge.

I'm not trying to bash Safaricom - just observing a fact.

I have had this issue with Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Apple iPhone, Blackberry and Palm smartphones - and it is always consistent.

In fact my batteries last longer even in Dar es salaam and Kampala.

Might it also have something to do with the fact that our subscriber numbers are higher here and the number of subscribers/base station might impose such a load that individual handsets need to consume more power to stay in sync with the base station?

While that may be true - then it becomes an engineering challenge - that can be solved by using the South African approach of putting in a very high-density of base-stations, micro-cells and boosters. In SA - the network allows you to see what cell you are connected to on your phones screen. it is not uncommon to see the phone change to a different cell - within 5 footsteps in a mall and within less than 500 metres while on the road.

Brian


On Thu, Dec 17, 2009 at 12:05 PM, Brian Ngure <brian@mystique.boldlygoingnowhere.org> wrote:
The greater the distance to the nearest base station, the more power
your phone has to use to connect.


On Thu, Dec 17, 2009 at 11:56 AM, Imelda Mueni <mueni0@gmail.com> wrote:
> Brian
>
>  i dont think safaricom net, has anything to do with the how long your
> battery lasts or any net work whatsoever ...maybe should ld check with nokia
> care centers when u come to kenya ...
>
> it could be also your mobile usage when in kenya , maybe you use more when
> in kenya than SA :)
>
>
> I
>
>
>
> On Thu, Dec 17, 2009 at 10:47 AM, Brian Munyao Longwe <blongwe@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>>
>> Wes,
>>
>> The network claim might be true. When I'm in Kenya my Nokia batts last
>> max 2 days. When I'm in SA or Cairo or Botswana with same phone I get
>> up to 4 days with heavily increased usage as I use the phone for most
>> of my 'net access.
>>
>> Seems safaricoms net density isn't as good as it ought to be.
>>
>> Mblayo
>>
>>
>>
>> On 12/17/09, wesley kirinya <kiriinya2000@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> > Please Note that Bluetooth is turned off, I'm not connecting to any
>> > machine,
>> > not listening to Music etc. It's only calling and SMS. On average I'm
>> > talking for about 5 minutes a day.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --- On Thu, 12/17/09, wesley kirinya <kiriinya2000@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> >
>> > From: wesley kirinya <kiriinya2000@yahoo.com>
>> > Subject: [Skunkworks] Mobile Battery Charge Issues
>> > To: "Skunk Works" <skunkworks@my.co.ke>
>> > Date: Thursday, December 17, 2009, 9:27 AM
>> >
>> > Hey Yall,
>> >
>> > I got a Nokia 3110c, and the charge lasts for 2 days. The shop that sold
>> > to
>> > me says the Mobile Network is consuming the battery charge. I didn't
>> > believe
>> > them (fully) so I went to Nokia Care at Hilton. Nokia told me that it's
>> > normal for that to happen. However I had a motorolla which would last
>> > for 4
>> > days.
>> >
>> > So I'm puzzled here. Are the mobile networks being blamed for a poorly
>> > made
>> > device (battery) or is this a true experience for most people on ALL
>> > phones.
>> > The phone is on Safaricom. I would like to know (especially if you work
>> > in
>> > CBD) how long your battery lasts before you have to charge it.
>> >
>> > I hope this info will give us a better understanding when buying a
>> > phone.
>> > Having to charge every 2 days is un-acceptable. Kwani I'm feeding a
>> > baby!?
>> >
>> >
>> > 8~!
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
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>> >
>>
>> --
>> Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com
>>
>> Brian Munyao Longwe
>> e-mail: blongwe@gmail.com
>> cell:  + 254 722 518 744
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>
>
>
> --
>  Not only is life a bitch, it has puppies
>
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--
Regards,

Brian Ngure
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--
Brian Munyao Longwe
e-mail: blongwe@gmail.com
cell:  + 254 722 518 744
blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com
meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com