3G Launch date

eish. i dont know pretoria at all. are you close to lynwood? there is 3g in lynwood. waterkloof telkom ex, and in brooklyn. there is large edge coverage already in the greater pta area - hundreds of base stations have been enabled.
what does your cell info display cell? what area are you in?
 
I am now ready for a 20 Month upgrade and am really wanting to get the Nokia 6680, but I am not sure what the costs would be and also which network to go onto... Vodacom looks good for 3G, MTN is in testing phases and well I am currently on Cell C which SMS'd me on the 24th saying that their data costs are now also R2.00/MB. I am just wondering (since there is no Cell C 3G section), when will Cell C be launching 3G.... is there anyone with infomation or should I rather cancel my contract with Autopage on Cell C?
 
MrG said:
I am now ready for a 20 Month upgrade and am really wanting to get the Nokia 6680, but I am not sure what the costs would be and also which network to go onto... Vodacom looks good for 3G, MTN is in testing phases and well I am currently on Cell C which SMS'd me on the 24th saying that their data costs are now also R2.00/MB. I am just wondering (since there is no Cell C 3G section), when will Cell C be launching 3G.... is there anyone with infomation or should I rather cancel my contract with Autopage on Cell C?
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If you are wanting the Nokia 6680 and want to use data remember that this is a 3G, EDGE and GPRS handset. The frustration of 3G-only users is that when they go out of 3G coverage (which is relatively easy) they go down to GPRS speeds. MTN has an EDGE cushion around 3G so that you are more likely to maintain high data rates.

In addition, there are a number of areas which don't have 3G but do have EDGE. We measure coverage in 100s of thousands of square kilometres whereas 3G is measured in thousands.

MTN also has 100% of its network covered with GPRS so even when out of 3G and EDGE you know you are still connected. And the handovers between the 3 technologies are all completely seamless on MTN (same billing, same settings, same connection).
 
ebendl said:
Which firmware version of the 6630 supports the selection of 3G/2.5G networks?

Anyone know what the 3G coverage will be in the Hatfield area (around University of Pretoria)? There's def. some activity - my niece uses a 6630 for internet access in the dorms and she has been jumping over to 3G the last few days, unfortunately with mixed results (can't do any voice calls on 3G).
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Please private-mail me if there is the slightest problem with making voice or data connections as my mission is zero tolerance in customer disruption and we have a swat team ready to pounce. Please send the phone number.

Thanks
 
hotdog said:
It's now June and I have not heard what date MTN plans to have the official 3G launch. Also the MTN site has not been updated with the Coverage map. MTNBB, any ideas as to when this will happen?

I also see that Nokia is advertising the 6680 on tv. Any ideas when MTN will be promoting the handset, MTNH?
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We are in a closed period this week until our financial results are announced. We did say we would go live in June and will follow up reasonably soon.

We have Nokia stock but they are releasing a global software update and we only want to release the handset after that is finalised and tested to our standards. It is not easy to give a date when that will happen as the handset testing process is notoriously unpredictable.
 
In case anyone is interested, I figured I would try my MTN prepaid sim in my Moto E1000 to see if I could get a 3G signal and I can. I get a very strong signal (PE - Walmer) and I can use it as a modem. Some speed tests:

Local FTP: ftp: 271472 bytes received in 12.42Seconds 21.86Kbytes/sec.

Broadband test:
http://www.adslguide.org.uk/tools/speedtest.asp
Downstream 123 Kbps (15.4 KB/sec) 132 Kbps (inc. overheads)
Upstream 57 Kbps (7.1 KB/sec) 61 Kbps (inc. overheads)

I doubt these are accurate. It certainly feels fast when browsing.

Regards
 
I would have liked to hear quicker speeds than that! :) There is still ongoing tuning of the PE sites but the impact depends on where you are.

I am interested to hear how the E1000 fares because we have not done the extensive 3G lab tests on handsets that are not part of our 3G launch offering. However it is possible that quite a few of these will be sourced directly by customers and we need to be able to manage this effectively.
 
Tahir Ally said:
MTN SHOULD BE LAUNCHING SOON.BLUE and GREEN are going to launch something NEW this week.KEEP YOUR OPEN FOR THIS ONE.Its going to be GREAT
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Well if I wanted to know what "Blue and Green" where going to launch, I would go to the "Blue and Green" forum :rolleyes: Please keep your eye on the ball and your posts on topic - this is not the Vodacom forum.

With regards to the MTN 3G launch date - the network is "unofficially" live already, and you should have no problem connecting to it for data services. The "official" launch date has been announced internally and to "Non Disclosure Agreement" customers. Put it this way, its no suprise that Voda are trying to pull one out of the hat within the next week or two...
Cheers -
 
It will be an attempt by Vodacom to avoid their obvious weakpoint:
Only MTN customers will have access to GPRS , EDGE as well as 3G.
EDGE is showing strong support in countries where 3G is not taken seriously.
It is a fact of life that MTN customers will have the "edge" (excuse the
pun) when traveling in countries like the USA.
Vodacom customers will no longer be "Blue and Green" but only "Green".... with envy :)
 
Well it would be great if anyone could actualy launch a service that works reliably and fast at a reasonable price. Now that would be an announcement. I have used all wireless and fixed networks and frankly some barely work, others hardly work and the rest work some of the time. Perhaps we should call it mayband instead of broadband. I might have to move to South Korea (supposedly the most connected place on earth).
 
dbnnet said:
It will be an attempt by Vodacom to avoid their obvious weakpoint:
Only MTN customers will have access to GPRS , EDGE as well as 3G.
EDGE is showing strong support in countries where 3G is not taken seriously.
It is a fact of life that MTN customers will have the "edge" (excuse the
pun) when traveling in countries like the USA.
Vodacom customers will no longer be "Blue and Green" but only "Green".... with envy :)
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The Blue and Green guys have 53 data roaming partners.The yello guys only have 5.Not forgeting A FLAT INTERNATIONAL DATA RATE that all Vodafone partner networks ARE DOING.There is a Vodafone partner network in the US.........By the way the B N G guys also have EDGE.Who has an EDGE NOW........53 data roaming partners vs 5 data roaming partners
 
ScrnScrm said:
Well if I wanted to know what "Blue and Green" where going to launch, I would go to the "Blue and Green" forum :rolleyes: Please keep your eye on the ball and your posts on topic - this is not the Vodacom forum.
Click to expand...

At the risk of starting a flame war, I have to agree with ScrnScrm here. My interpretation is that this is a forum to discuss MTN broadband products, not to shill for Vodacom.
 
Tahir Ally can't keep away because he knows he's backing Africa's no 2 cellular company ... and it's killing him.
He's been told many times his Vodacom propaganda posts are not wanted here... yet he still returns! I wonder why?
Duh!... Vodacom users don't have access to EDGE cards to roam with anyway (try accessing a 3G network in most USA cities) !
As for MTN's 5 Data roaming partners? You quote last years news!
MTN has the following:
Netherlands, Poland, West Indies, Israel, Belgium, Singapore,
Philippines, Czech Replublic, Spain, UK, Germany, Ireland,
USA, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Mexico, Thailand, Namibia, Malaysia,
and Italy.
The following awaiting final acceptance tests:
Guernsey, India, France, Indonesia, Netherlands, Hungary, Finland,
Sweden, Denmark, Austria & Switzerland

When I was last updated many months ago, MTN was concluding Data roaming agreements with 48 partners.
 
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All you need to know about launch.

MTN’s 3G services are now available for MTNers to test, provided you have a 3G handset. For customers, 3G services will be available and billed for from 22nd June onwards. MTN will officially launch 3G to the public on 26 June.



3G Handsets
The four handsets supported for the launch are the Nokia 6680, Sony Ericsson Z800, Samsung SGH-Z130 and Motorola V975. The Novatel U630 PC Data Card will also be available soon.
The Nokia 6680 is recommended for data users because it supports 3G and EDGE and therefore offers broadband speeds over a higher coverage area.
The Nokia 6630 support all 3G features but requires an additional camera accessory when using Videocall. The handset without the accessory does not have a camera in front to allow the other caller to see you!


Services offered
Voice calls (as normal).
Data connections. Like GPRS, only about 9x faster (maximum 384 kbps download). Seamlessly changes between 3G, EDGE and GPRS.
Videocalls.
These are currently on-net (MTN to MTN) only.
To activate videocalls, you need to have HSCSD loaded on your cellphone profile. #Help Staff Billing can load this for you.
Welcome to Y’ello 3G Video can be viewed on MTNLoaded.
Jamcams: Live video of selected traffic spots can be viewed on MTNLoaded.
Video clips can also be viewed from MTNLoaded. The costs of these are advertised on the site. The movie trailers are free.


Coverage Information
3G is offered in the following CBDs: Johannesburg, Midrand, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Bloemfontein.
Coverage maps will be posted on the internet shortly. Contact 1555 for details.


USIM
All 3G services can be accessed by MTN staff and subscribers using their existing 2G SIMs.
The benefit of a USIM to staff are that it has 128 kilobytes of storage and it supports international roaming.
A staff upgrade procedure to migrate from your SIM to a USIM will be circulated shortly. Please do not attempt to upgrade staff SIMs before this procedure is circulated later in the week. You can use all 3G services with your existing SIM until 27 June.


Video mailbox
This operates like a voice mailbox but accepts incoming videocall messages.
You must have a 3G handset before you can apply for a mailbox and you must have HSCSD loaded on your profile.
E-mail Takalani Thaba if you have a 3G handset already and want to be provisioned. Allow a 24 – 48 hour turnaround. An SMS will be sent to you when the video mailbox is provisioned. This manual provisioning process will be available until the end of Thursday 23 June.


Feedback
Please reply to this e-mail with any information on 3G services or if you want to make any comments or recommendations.


A Reminder about EDGE services
EDGE has been live on MTN’s network since November 2004.
EDGE offers data speeds of up to 236 kbps.
To use EDGE you need an EDGE enabled handset.
Coverage maps will be posted on the internet shortly. Contact Brian Seligmann for details.
If you have EDGE coverage your handset will register “Y’ello Broadband” on the cell broadcast.
If you have EDGE coverage or an EDGE handset it does not mean you have 3G coverage and a 3G handset.


Assistance and Support. Phone 1555 or e-mail CorporateHelpDesk


CHARGES

Voice
Exactly the same as current voice tariffs

Data tariffs
Exactly the same as current GPRS tariffs

Videomail
Free initially but will later have a monthly fee

Video Jamcams
R1 per 15 second view.
R1 per 15 second view.

Customer also pays for the data uses (see tariffs above)

Movie Trailers
Move Trailer is free on MTNLoaded when indicated but customers also pays for data used.

For example, a 180 kilobyte clip will cost around R1.80 for the data.

Videocalls (remember this is currently only possible for MTN to MTN calls)
R2/minute postpaid; R3/minute prepaid. Both incl VAT




Regards,



Y’ello 3G Team
 
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Kalvaer said:
Excuse my ignorance? But hmm what do you mean by Data Roaming Partners?
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These are other cellular companies (who also offer data services i.e. GPRS & EDGE etc.) in other countries.
 
dbnnet said:
These are other cellular companies (who also offer data services i.e. GPRS & EDGE etc.) in other countries.
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Thats what I thought. Is it possible that there are other counties not mentioned there that it still works with. I've used GPRS all the time on my MTN phone in Ekaterinburg in Russia before, so how would that work then?

Even If I threw the thing out the window this morning as its finally died on me, while I wait for the 6680 to be released... I'm now just stuck and dont know what to do :( .. wait or move :confused:
 
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