EDGE Rollout strategy?

[hotdog]

MTNBB, I finally got hold of the MTN 3G/EDGE Map from the MTN site and see that there are many "G*d-forsaken" places that have EDGE coverage, but yet, PMB, the Capital of the Last Outpost, oh um, I mean the Kingdom of the Zulu, goesn't show any EDGE rollout plans. (I know the local Mall has coverage, but that doesn't constitute the greater city of PMB)

Why do: (all with claimed EDGE coverage)
Putsonderwater
Pofadder
Harrismith
Ladybrand
Bizana
Nongoma - don't you guys know that PMB is now the capital

I also see, for Sidelong's sake, that the Midlands Meander, a major tourist route, is also not to be covered soon and yet Champagne Castle is????

Please tell me that this map is incorrect or else I really have to question the strategy........

[Sidelong]

Thanks HotDog,

You make a very valid point about the Meander - lots of MTN's 3G customers come to the Meander and should have EDGE coverage!!

Thanks for the map MTN Hope we will see regular updates!

Pity I don't live on a yacht 50km off East London then I would have great EDGE coverage!

[sgs]

Well, can one actually get ADSL in Putsonderwater? I almost doubt it - so there's a huge untapped market

But I agree - according to that map I'd get brilliant Edge coverage while hiking in the mountains around Robertson, while in areas in the north of Cape Town (like Tygervalley etc. - actually, ANYWHERE north of the N1) there's a glaring yellow emptyness...

[Insider]

MTN has no specific strategy to provide EDGE in the rural areas (as indicated on the map) before they roll it out in "expected" metro areas.

Apart from the planned, strategic roll out of capable sites according to data traffic patterns, there is also a cyclic replacement of old base station equipment that has reached end-of life or is incompatible with new functionality.

It so happens that the newest, replacement base station type that provides extended range coverage also provides EDGE. Extended range is the functionality that provides coverage to handsets outside the normal GSM range. This ranges from 35km to 120km distance from the tower (that nice EDGE capable spot outside East London for Southern Right whales).

These extended range sites are used exclusively in the countryside and the EDGE capability is thus a bonus to game rangers, bosberaad attendees and penguin trackers.

So there is no deliberate selection of these outlying areas for EDGE, the upgrades happen in parallel with targeted EDGE coverage.

[hotdog]

Insider,

But from the map I see that there is no EDGE coverage planned for the PMB and surrounding area. Is this simply a resolution issue or is PMB not high on the priority list?

Also, I agree that looking at past data usage patterns does help in determining where the hot spots may be, but bear in mind that there are many tech co's that simply could not justify paying the unrealistic data rates in the past and therefore did not pursue the mobile data route (and instead relied heavily on our state fixed-line provider). But now that the rates have come down to more acceptable levels those co's, who are suituated in the wrong part of the country (due to lack of data usage), are frustrated with low priority their areas are receiving. PMB is a classic example where there are at least 2 companies that would grab the opportunity to make use of the mobile connectivity if it were available.

So seeing places like Pofadder showing EDGE connectivity it is very easy to show my frustration....

[Sidelong]

I am sure there are many tech companies in the rural Transkei who are benefiting, HotDog ... you must take the good with the bad

[Insider]

hotdog, as far as I can tell from the map it reflects existing coverage and there is no indication of planned coverage.

So I would assume that there will be a continuous expansion of EDGE and 3G, prioritising major cities and towns. Hopefully MTN will refresh the coverage map regularly.

[Cube]

So seeing places like Pofadder showing EDGE connectivity it is very easy to show my frustration....

Maybe this is part of some unknown agreement with goverment to assist with rural development.

[Pata]

I dont have any negative comments on the coverage. I would however just like to see the Vaal Triangle being covered. Dont forget about the numerous holiday resorts around the Vaal dam. Especially in the Deneyesville area.

[Tahir Ally]

No EDGE in PMB and NO plans for EDGE.Wow thats Frustraiting.3G is available in PMB.So forget EDGE when there is 3G coverage.

[MTNBroadband]

There are sites planned in PMB. The maps shows sites which are already live.

There are planned sites and opportunistic sites. The planned sites include specific sites which already had high volume traffic so warranted an early EDGE upgrade. The opportunistic sites include areas where new equipment has been installed and all our new equipment is EDGE enabled. So it does not mean someone else was prioritised over yourself.

[hotdog]

There are sites planned in PMB. The maps shows sites which are already live.

There are planned sites and opportunistic sites. The planned sites include specific sites which already had high volume traffic so warranted an early EDGE upgrade. The opportunistic sites include areas where new equipment has been installed and all our new equipment is EDGE enabled. So it does not mean someone else was prioritised over yourself.

Thanks for the explanation MTNBB. So what you're saying is Pofadder for example got new equipment and hence now has EDGE - I can buy that.

How would I go about finding out what PMB sites are planned for and when? I went to the local Mall yesterday to check out the EDGE capability. Although the area info didn't say "Yello Broadband", I was able to get download speeds of about 12-14KBytes/s with the T-MODEM USB EDGE Modem. The modem doesn't use the full EDGE capability (EDGE class 2* - up to 118,4 kbps), but I was still impressed (when compared to GPRS)!

[Celemasiko]

Please stick to the content of the thread, otherwise I have to remove or delete it!!!

[Sidelong]

huh?

I would say everything posted was exactly on thread.

btw "Loser" only has one "o".

[dbnnet]

No EDGE in PMB and NO plans for EDGE.

Quite pathetic - Vodacom Agents are now reduced to spreading mistruths.

Must be the fact that MTN's EDGE is FAR more available & accessible.....
That's what's eating into them