8ta Roaming question

Dolby

Dolby

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I bought an 8ta prepaid yesterday (no airtime though) ... and stuck it in my Cell C 21mbps modem. I loaded MDMA to check what I coulf see, and it listed operator as 'MTN' etc - so I figured there was no 8ta tower around me :/

However - when I do a manual scan on my cellphone, I see 655-02 ... so surely there IS a tower around? Why wouldn't the dongle pick it up?
 
Dolby said:
I bought an 8ta prepaid yesterday (no airtime though) ... and stuck it in my Cell C 21mbps modem. I loaded MDMA to check what I coulf see, and it listed operator as 'MTN' etc - so I figured there was no 8ta tower around me :/

However - when I do a manual scan on my cellphone, I see 655-02 ... so surely there IS a tower around? Why wouldn't the dongle pick it up?
Click to expand...
Currently the prepaid 8ta SIMs are set to default on the MTN network.
 
Thanks.

So apart from my phone picking up a signal (albeit with strength) - is there anyway of knowing if there's a 8ta tower close to me? I understand the coverage map simply shows 3G without differentiating between the towers?
 
8ta said:
Currently the prepaid 8ta SIMs are set to default on the MTN network.
Click to expand...
Set to default, or prohibited from using the Telkom 3G towers? Tried setting the network to SA-02 manually, but the phone just shows "No Access" and switches back to MTN.
 
Dolby said:
Thanks.

So apart from my phone picking up a signal (albeit with strength) - is there anyway of knowing if there's a 8ta tower close to me? I understand the coverage map simply shows 3G without differentiating between the towers?
Click to expand...

I think the Promo Coverage map has only the 3G 8ta Towers. I've got the same problem as you with my USB Dongle and my cel phone picking up 8ta. So we both can pick up a 3G tower, that's a fact.
Otherwise if there is no Tower, then it should not show up in a 3G network search :confused:

Which leads me into thinking it's either one of two problems:

1. The Tower is there but it is not active, one of the Towers which are not on "Air" so to speak.

2. 8ta mentioned that the prepaid sim's are defaulted to the MTN network, does that mean you can not force it to use the 8ta network ?

I see dj_jyno already asked about the second question :)
 
Last edited:
... and one can't see the signal strength either :/ So it *may* pick up a 8ta tower ... but it could be a useless signal from 3km away. Would be great to know :/
 
Dolby said:
... and one can't see the signal strength either :/ So it *may* pick up a 8ta tower ... but it could be a useless signal from 3km away. Would be great to know :/
Click to expand...

You can maybe try MDMA, when I put my 8ta sim in and force it to 3G, it displays the RSSI of the "Tower" which in my case is 71 Dbi I know that's 8ta's reading since Vod = 85 Cell C = 63. Just make sure you have it forced to 3G and leave it for a few minutes as well. I used to do this with the Cell C tower when it was not active, it also displayed 63 when it was "offline". When it came active last month it displayed the same RSSI (63) which I received when it was not on Air. Maybe give it a bash it may work for you, there's no harm in trying ;)

There's another program which also gives the signal strength of all the networks it picks up but for the life of me I can't recall the name right now. It will come to me later :)

Edit

Scrap what I just said above, it will not work for you since you have MTN 3G it will not give the 8ta reading. I don't have any MTN 3G in my area so it gives me the 8ta reading when I force it to 3G. Sorry !!

That other program which I mentioned is your best bet, I'll see if I can get that name.
 
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Last edited by NSB; 28-06-2011 at 04:19 PM. Reason: Being A Idiot!!

LOL ... thanks NSB ;)
 
MickeyD said:
Why not PM the 8ta rep your co-ords or exact address? They have a smart facility to determine coverage at a specific location....
Click to expand...

Thanks - will do that!

Eventually got airtime on this thing and popped it in my Cell C modem ... 94% HSPA MTN 8.ta signal .... -69 RSSI ... expected big things and - well - 0.4mpbs *sigh*
 
Network Coverage
Please navigate to the following link and see if you fall under the pink area:
http://www.8ta.com/coverage/i5promo/

If you do, then you qualify to sign up for the Internet 5 Promo deal.

If you do not have pink coverage, then you can email us your contact details with your physical address to [email protected].
 
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