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last updated Thu 16 Aug 12

Reading Pieces



3G Vodafone
mobile phones
are now available
in New Zealand.
Video Calling
You can make video calls on a 3G mobile phone and see the person you are talking to on the screen. This will allow you to have signed conversations with people in the same town, the same country or in twenty-nine different countries around the world.
 
To make a video call you need a 3G phone and the person you are calling needs a 3G phone too.


Why Do Deaf People Like 3G Mobile Phones?
What you have dreamed about is now available!

With a 3G phone you can see the other person and sign to them! You can watch your friend's signed reply.

With a 3G phone you can also make a short video clip of yourself signing and send it to a friend.

3G Coverage in New Zealand


Go to the Vodafone website
www.vodafone.co.nz/coverage/3g/maps.jsp
to check if there is coverage for 3G mobile phones in your area. You can also check for 3G coverage by looking for the 3G icon on your mobile screen.

If there is an icon on the phone screen
the video calling will work.

Cost $

Face to face video calling in New Zealand costs the same price per minute as voice calls.

Choosing a 3G phone

Think about these things:
• Coverage. Do you live, go to school or work in areas that are in the Vodafone 3G coverage area?
• Do you know anyone who has one? You need to have a friend or family member with a 3G phone. Sometimes two 3G phones are sold together at a special price.
• Can you afford to pay for the cost of the phone calls?

How to Make a Video Call



3. The video call connects.
Place your mobile in front of you and watch your screen.

4. A video call has started.

Different phones work in slightly different ways. Look at your 3G-phone user guide to check how to use your phone.

Video Calling Points



1. Slow down your signing a little on a video call.
2. Make your signs in an area from your chest up. Practice signing in a smaller space before you make your first call.
3. It can be hard to see the phone screen outside.
Stand under a tree or in the shade of a building.

4. When you finish a video call say "Thank you for calling", if your friend called you. If you called you could say "Bye, see you later".

Missed the Bus!



Scott missed the bus home from school. He was worried he would
be late for soccer practice.
 

He rang his mum on
his 3G mobile phone.
     

He explained in NZSL
what had happened.
 

Scott's mum signed that she
would come and pick him up
from the bus stop.

Scott was glad he had a
3G phone to help him
communicate easily.
 
Scott got into the car.
His mum drove him straight to soccer.

Want to Find out More Details?


Go to Vodafone website to find out more about 3G phones.
http://www.vodafone.co.nz/services/video-calling/

A big thank you to Vodafone for loaning VADEC two 3G mobile phones for the purpose of this article.


Glossary

afford - Have enough money to pay for.
allow - To let something happen; to permit.
available - Can get them now.
coverage - The area where 3G video calling will work.
3G - This is short for third (3rd) generation phones.
icon - Symbol
mobile - To move around. A phone you can take with you wherever you go.
mute - Turn the sound off.
phone - Short for telephone. Use a mobile 3G telephone to text, talk, or sign on the video phone.
screen - The part of the phone where you can see pictures.
slightly - A little/small bit
user guide - A small book that tells you how to use something.

 

 

 

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