3G speed: Phone vs. data modems

[Michael 3G]

I have a strange question:

I am using my Nokia E51 and a modem 3G HSDPA Data card on cellular networks. I upgraded to the latest software available from Nokia and for my Data card. With 3G HSDPA 3.6Mbits switched on, I surf the internet.
With the E51 I get a download speed of around 15KB/s and with the data card I get around 100KB/s. I tried even a Nokia 73 and a Huwai 3G HSDPA usb modem, all upgraded to the latest software and tested all with even different sim cards for which some are contract and prepaid. So, just to try every possible way of testing, I even went to the same website downloading the same stuff all within about 5 minutes between phones/modems and sim cards. I swopped the cards very quickly to do this. I used a download meter to give me accurate results. I tested it in various provinces and towns in SA!

Now, I think by myself why buy a 3G Phone when I can't get 3G speeds? The datacards and usb modems are much faster and more to 3G speeds.
Ok, I went even further and did the same test on the 2 biggest SA cellular networks with their sim cards! NO DIFFERENCE! I got the same results!!

Question I ask, is the South African cellular networks bull****ing us as soon they detect a cellphone with 3G capability? Do they have not enough bandwith to accommodate all, only the real data modems? Or is there newer technology available on newer model cellphones, can you tell me what to look out for?

Nice question hey? Please explain if you can.

Regards:
Michael 3G

 

[KhoisanX]

Check that you are connecting via 3G from your 'phone, you should get pretty much the same speeds from your 'phone and modem provided they aren't limited to a certain speed.

 

[dj_jyno]

Hi Michael

It's a setting on the phone in all probability. Have tested both an N82 and my E51 on MTN here in Cape Town, and both reached HSDPA speeds while downloading. Force UMTS mode on the phone and see whether that helps. The N73 will be slower than the modem, since it can only connect at 384kb/s max.

 

[InTheCube]

I know that on most of the newer Nokias with HSDPA, when the phone is downloading data in HSDPA mode, there will be a small icon that says 3.5g just under the network signal bar.

If it is not showing 3.5g, then you are not connecting via HSDPA

 

[InTheCube]

Also, remember that the data cards have chips inside that are specifically designed and tuned for networking, data transfer, and HSDPA. They are high performance chips, with only one purpose. Cell phones have a lot more to do, like running a whole OS, monitoring GSM, SMS, battery life, etc etc...

Also, the Data Cards will have better antennas and will probably be getting better signal.

Another thing to consider is that data cards have a direct power source from the laptop or USB port, while cell phones have to rely on the battery. They can't just consume the entire battery, so there will be performance VS battery life issues that the OS has to deal with.

OK.. most of the above I sucked out of my thumb, but it sounds logical to me, and I'd consider it an educated guess.

 

[pulling wire]

I also own a Nokia E51. I was using a Huawei E220 in the past on vodacom and got good speeds. The modem has been damaged so I can no longer use it. I cancelled my 1 gig Vodacom contract and now am using my Nokia E51 and a MTN prepaid sim. I was also getting slow download speeds of 15Kbs with the Nokia DKE-2 USB Cable. I am now using the cable that came with my Verbatim External Hard Drive and am getting speeds of 80Kbs. So my opinion is that it has much to do with the usb cable. I also find that if I am browsing the net using my phone only, the process is laboured and slow and struggles to load pages, so I really only use the phone as a modem.

 

[ObeyTheDiode]

I have a Nokia 6110 and recently a 2nd hand Huawei E220.

I also found the modem to have an appreciably faster connection even though both are connected in HSDPA.

The only logical explanation I can filter from the above is that data modems have a better antenna which means stronger signal = faster connection.

It does not make sense that the cellphone's connection speed is restricted by its battery/OS/chips because what is the point in having a HSDPA capability if the supporting hardware cannot sustain it.