Afrihost Mobile Feedback Thread

[spiff]

Does the device connect to 2G or 3G?
All the settings on Auto on the device and not forced to 3G only?

when its red I get 0 > 2 bars 3g (oscillating)

when its green I get 4 bars 2g

connection made = auto

network = auto

 

[AfriGuy]

when its red I get 0 > 2 bars 3g (oscillating)

when its green I get 4 bars 2g

connection made = auto

network = auto

And you didn't experience this with your previous SIM card? How long ago was this when you did a last test?

 

[spiff]

And you didn't experience this with your previous SIM card? How long ago was this when you did a last test?

no, previous mtn sim worked fine - could even watch a video without buffering.

had this problem since I switched over to afrihost. as I explained in my pm's to you previously, it's been like this from day one.

 

[AfriGuy]

no, previous mtn sim worked fine - could even watch a video without buffering.

had this problem since I switched over to afrihost. as I explained in my pm's to you previously, it's been like this from day one.

The SIMs will run through exactly the same GSM towers though, there isn't any difference here at all Could you perhaps run some comparison tests? Or even put the SIM in a different device to test.

 

[spiff]

The SIMs will run through exactly the same GSM towers though, there isn't any difference here at all Could you perhaps run some comparison tests? Or even put the SIM in a different device to test.

yes I agree same SP / same tower, there should be no difference, that's why when I still had my other (2yr contract) 3g usb dongle from mtn and my MiFi device from afrihost I could see already there was a difference. I mentioned this numerous times on this forum.

the 2yr contract expired last month so I can only put afrihost sim into the old 3g dongle and test that.

 

[AfriGuy]

yes I agree same SP / same tower, there should be no difference, that's why when I still had my other (2yr contract) 3g usb dongle from mtn and my MiFi device from afrihost I could see already there was a difference. I mentioned this numerous times on this forum.

the 2yr contract expired last month so I can only put afrihost sim into the old 3g dongle and test that.

Please do

 

[SlowInternet]

They installed this Antenna at my house today, but I'm still not impressed. Looks like I am connecting to congested antennae.

I also bought myself a directional antenna to see if I can get better signal....now to try and find out where the tower is situated so I can point it in the right direction.

 

[Azimuth]

No need to do that. Just do small rotations until you get full deflection. Then fine tune from there.

 

[spiff]

Please do

Afriguy check your mail

 

[Azimuth]

For starters, you should post Speedtests here: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=555363

Those speeds aren't too bad for average 3G but to get to the bottom of your results, signal strength and signal bars need to be posted. It really is all relative - distance from the tower and tower congestion.

 

[SlowInternet]

No need to do that. Just do small rotations until you get full deflection. Then fine tune from there.

Don't think I have the time or patience to get on the roof and do small rotations until I get a good signal. Best way is to have the tower location and from there to fine tune. I can't understand why it is such a slep to get tower locations from service providers. We want to use their service but when it is not good we just need assistance (tower location) so we can improve our signal and keep using their service...as simple as that. Or are they afraid we might steal their equipment from the towers?

I had no problems getting the tower locations from Telkom Mobile. I'm not even using an antenna yet for TM but my speeds are great compared to my Afrihost speeds. I really like Afrihost and have several packages with them.......just need my tower location

 

[Azimuth]

Did you try that dodgy OpenSignal app? Maybe just maybe it is useful to one person at least.

 

[spiff]

For starters, you should post Speedtests here: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=555363

Those speeds aren't too bad for average 3G but to get to the bottom of your results, signal strength and signal bars need to be posted. It really is all relative - distance from the tower and tower congestion.

thanks will do.

 

[JazzeD]

Look at the coverage map on afrihost website.
Set only to 3G and you might be able to see the "circle" coverage closest to you, just point to the center of it.

http://www.afrihost.com/tools/network_coverage_map/

Don't think I have the time or patience to get on the roof and do small rotations until I get a good signal. Best way is to have the tower location and from there to fine tune. I can't understand why it is such a slep to get tower locations from service providers. We want to use their service but when it is not good we just need assistance (tower location) so we can improve our signal and keep using their service...as simple as that. Or are they afraid we might steal their equipment from the towers?

I had no problems getting the tower locations from Telkom Mobile. I'm not even using an antenna yet for TM but my speeds are great compared to my Afrihost speeds. I really like Afrihost and have several packages with them.......just need my tower location

 

[SlowInternet]

Look at the coverage map on afrihost website.
Set only to 3G and you might be able to see the "circle" coverage closest to you, just point to the center of it.

http://www.afrihost.com/tools/network_coverage_map/

What "circle" coverage are you talking about ? On a app ?

 

[SlowInternet]

Can anybody please help me with a tower location so I can point my directional antenna in the right direction.

This is the details I get when using Ginggs app - LAC 11326 RNC ID 1326 Cell ID 2609

I havent used my Afrihost simcard for a few days because the speeds are so slow. I did a speedtest now and this is what I get

http://www.speedtest.net/result/3113526780.png

http://www.speedtest.net/result/3113528480.png

compared to my Telkom Mobile speeds

http://www.speedtest.net/result/3113541188.png

http://www.speedtest.net/result/3113544899.png

 

[JazzeD]

The map in the link below.
If you only enable 3G(2100) by clicking on it at the top, you will see blue patches when zoomed in on your location.
If you need a antenna to assist with you speed then you are probably on the edge of a tower, the coveridge looks almost like a circle if the land is flat and no high buildings around for only one tower.

Then you can just point in that direction.

http://www.afrihost.com/tools/network_coverage_map/

What "circle" coverage are you talking about ? On a app ?

 

[Azimuth]

Can anybody please help me with a tower location so I can point my directional antenna in the right direction.

I honestly have to advise people to empower themselves here. You have a directional antenna and an app to provide you with signal strength.

Divide the direction into four quadrants and check signal gain in each direction. It's not like you have to make micro adjustments. I moved my antenna like 1m to the left and lost 1dBm.

You want massive gains, not a couple dBm. Example: I had my antenna pointed in the wrong direction. Flipped it around and gained 30dBm. From there I could make very small gains which are hardly worth the effort.

Other stuff will naturally count - like a 3m mast and no direct blocks like buildings.

 

[AfriMan]

I honestly have to advise people to empower themselves here. You have a directional antenna and an app to provide you with signal strength.

Divide the direction into four quadrants and check signal gain in each direction. It's not like you have to make micro adjustments. I moved my antenna like 1m to be left and lost 1dBm.

You want massive gains, not a couple dBm. Example: I had my antenna pointed in the wrong direction. Flipped it around and gained 30dBm. From there I could make very small gains which are hardly worth the effort.

Other stuff will naturally count - like a 3m mast and no direct blocks like buildings.

This is very helpful. A little trial and error and common sense

 

[AfriMan]

Can anybody please help me with a tower location so I can point my directional antenna in the right direction.

This is the details I get when using Ginggs app - LAC 11326 RNC ID 1326 Cell ID 2609

I havent used my Afrihost simcard for a few days because the speeds are so slow. I did a speedtest now and this is what I get

http://www.speedtest.net/result/3113526780.png

http://www.speedtest.net/result/3113528480.png

compared to my Telkom Mobile speeds

http://www.speedtest.net/result/3113541188.png

http://www.speedtest.net/result/3113544899.png

Unfortunately we don't have that info - as mentioned here, the best way to figure this out will be to test in your location where you get the strongest signal