Advice please - moving to area with weak 3G

[undesign]

Hi guys, need some advice please.

I'm moving in a few weeks to an area in Durbanville with little or no 3G. The whole surrounding area is fully covered by 3G, but there's a little white spot right in the middle on the coverage map not covered. Phone calls are a complete frustration, every single call drops or breaks up so badly it is useless for communicating. You can guess how stable the internet is. Our new place is on a hill, I imagine that's the issue with coverage.

Any suggestions/advice in terms of strengthening the signal or getting Vodacom to help?

Thanks!

 

[StonerStuart]

you can try poynting.co.za they have some products that will help but you are going to pay arround R1300 for it

 

[undesign]

you can try poynting.co.za they have some products that will help but you are going to pay arround R1300 for it

Thanks, will look them up. R1300 will be totally worth it if it means I can actually use my phone.

 

[morkhans]

You could look at a B970 with a twin-sim along with the above mentioned antenna. Attach a cordless phone to the B970 and when you are home start-up the B970 and your cell calls will divert to the twin-sim.

Uniterm also have a cheaper option: http://www.dbg.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=32_38&products_id=662

 

[undesign]

You could look at a B970 with a twin-sim along with the above mentioned antenna. Attach a cordless phone to the B970 and when you are home start-up the B970 and your cell calls will divert to the twin-sim.

Uniterm also have a cheaper option: http://www.dbg.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=32_38&products_id=662

Thanks, will follow up. Ideally looking for solution that offers a "3G blanket" over my house so we can use our mobiles anywhere for calls - and internet the few times my ADSL/wifi isn't working properly.

 

[HavocXphere]

ADSL?

I you're on a hill then it shouldn't be too difficult. Presumably you can see the nearest tower with binoculars, so if you get a directional antenna and aim it straight at the tower then it should work. That means it has to be a fixed installation though, so you'll probably need a 3G router that can get the interwebs to the devices via wifi.

Also google femtocells.

 

[undesign]

I you're on a hill then it shouldn't be too difficult. Presumably you can see the nearest tower with binoculars, so if you get a directional antenna and aim it straight at the tower then it should work. That means it has to be a fixed installation though, so you'll probably need a 3G router that can get the interwebs to the devices via wifi.

I'll check, but it is a rather large, flat hill.

Also google femtocells.

This looks like the bomb!

Going to PM the Vodacom dude and see what he would suggest.

Thanks for all the replies guys.

 

[OMB]

my advice, don't move, find somewhere else

also in an area with crap 3G coverage, doesn't matter whether it's CellC, Voda or MTN, have to keep stepping out of the house to take calls, external antenna for data etc it's a bloody headache

 

[morkhans]

Thanks, will follow up. Ideally looking for solution that offers a "3G blanket" over my house so we can use our mobiles anywhere for calls - and internet the few times my ADSL/wifi isn't working properly.

For that you need a repeater and legally only the operators can install them.

 

[undesign]

my advice, don't move, find somewhere else

also in an area with crap 3G coverage, doesn't matter whether it's CellC, Voda or MTN, have to keep stepping out of the house to take calls, external antenna for data etc it's a bloody headache

I can just imagine this conversation with my wife. Honey, we've just spent the last 6 months building our dream house...but let's move somewhere else.

For that you need a repeater and legally only the operators can install them.

Thanks, I've PM'd VodacomData, will see if he can suggest options.

Just noticed it's actually a fairly large portion of an established area without 3G. Maybe VcD can organise a new tower for us.

 

[OMB]

I can just imagine this conversation with my wife. Honey, we've just spent the last 6 months building our dream house...but let's move somewhere else.

LOL, I moved in November last year, my conversations with my wife are more like "why didn't you check 3G cover before we moved and what are you doing to fix it?", like I can just go and erect a new tower in the back garden

 

[undesign]

LOL, I moved in November last year, my conversations with my wife are more like "why didn't you check 3G cover before we moved and what are you doing to fix it?", like I can just go and erect a new tower in the back garden

I'm still safe, dodged a big bullet this morning. Telkom told me last week that there are now lines available from the exchange - and the missus works from home and VPN's into the office. Dropped by this morning and they informed me that a line is actually available and booked for installation next week. Almost kissed the Telkom lady.

 

[dadiggle]

Phone calls got nothing to do with 3G coverage. If the phone calls drop then it might be the pass on thats not correctly configured

 

[HavocXphere]

Phone calls got nothing to do with 3G coverage. If the phone calls drop then it might be the pass on thats not correctly configured

Same difference really. If calls are dropping though then 3G is probably not salvageable even with a poynting.

 

[undesign]

Some feedback. A techie from Vodacom was here to test the signal. He confirmed that it is pretty bad and that he would revert back to me with some options.

I glimpsed his job card, said "low priority" though...