Cellphone block thorny

By JILLIAN TALBOT

Had trouble sending a text-message to your friends?

Many have, and the problem has caused messages to fly between the principal cellphone networks Vodafone and Telecom.

Telecom mobile users cannot text-message Vodafone cellphones because the companies are on different digital networks.

Talks have so far failed to find any quick solution to this, but the companies say they are working on it.

Telecom spokeswoman Linda Sanders said she could not answer the "million-dollar question" of when compatibility would be achieved.

However, it was technically possible and it all boiled down to "how we work towards that resolution."

Vodafone uses a GSM digital network while Telecom is converting its digital AMPS network to a digital CDMA system, due to be launched next year.

Vodafone spokesman Mark Champion said compatibility was a high priority because "our network is fairly well-geared to deliver that data."

To achieve a compatible system, both companies would have to match their software, computer systems and network configurations.

The firms recognise that customer demand for a compatible network will increase.

Telecom's text-messaging service alone handles over 200,000 messages every day.