Before Signing A Contract?

[nuyork]

I'd like to find out from the forum about a certain topic.

Before you sign up for a contract for a wireless service provider, do you check the service providers website for the coverage map?

Or do you just blatantly expect that whoever you are signing up with to have sufficient coverage in your general area?

This has become a curious factor for me. Most service providers have a coverage map available for one to check if there is coverage in your area (and I realise that these maps are not always up to date, and most of the time reflect outdoor coverage and not indoor coverage):-

Vodacom Coverage Map:- http://spatial.vodacom.co.za/coverage/
MTN Coverage Map:- http://www.mtn.co.za/MTNServices/broadband/Pages/CoverageMap.aspx
Cell C Coverage Map:- http://www.cellc.co.za/coveragemap
8ta Coverage Map:- http://www.8ta.com/coverage/i5promo/

One would think that if you are signing any contract lasting 12 months or more that you do a little research before you sign the papers. Research like checking the coverage map & checking with a friends datacard and SIM card or pre-paid SIM?

I get the impression that the general public do not do this general research before signing a contract. But then after they have signed and been battling for a few weeks with frustrating service, low coverage, slow speeds, etc.

I understand that the sales rep (SP, Nashua, AutoPage, etc.) are supposed to actually check these things before signing any customer, but do they actually do this? Or do they sell blindly trying to make their quota for the month?

I recently seen a few people who have signed up with Vodacom 2GB R149 contracts, just because it's cheap. But when checking the Vodacom coverage map, it clearly shows that they are in a NO 3G Coverage zone or right on the edge of the cell coverage. Now who's fault is this? The sales rep for selling this product blindly? Or the customer for not doing their research and signing up for the cheapest option available?

 

[deweyzeph]

Don't sign up for a contract fullstop.

 

[Ockie]

Coverage maps are there to give you a idea...but cant be used as a definate. It might show you have signal..but it might not take into account the materials your house is built with or the design of the house and you might end up with a k@k signal even though the map shows you are covered.

We are all adults. Take responsiblility and give yourself peace of mind.

 

[al360]

i'd say a bit of both but more on the rep's side as they have to ensure the company keeps a good name and u do it by making sure u can provide the best service possible by making sure that u can cover the customer
as its kinda stoopid posting a package with a courier to durban but the courier company only goes as far PE from cape town in that scenario the company needs to inform the customer that they do not cover that area???
i speak under correction but thats my opinion.
but at the same time the customer cannot go all ape at the SP but they have to ask the SP to upgrade the tower in their area since all the SP's brag about haveing the widest and best coverage then they need to assist the customer as best as possible not just ignore them cause they have their money and their quota's sorted

 

[nuyork]

True. That's why I mentioned that the coverage maps actually give the outdoor coverage on street level, as opposed to indoor coverage.

You might live in a house with thick concrete walls and a large zinc roof. Even if the tower is outside your house, you will not get good signal indoors. I've seen this before. Step outside, perfect 4 bars of 3G, step inside, searching for network and switches to GPRS. In those types of situations, the cheapest option is to get yourself a long 5 meter USB extension cable and place your modem close to a window or section of the house where there is signal. Since is it the structure of your house that is the problem, I'm not sure how willing the service providers are willing to assist resolving these kinds of issues.

I also agree that if you signed a contract and you are on the edge of the cell coverage or outside of the cell coverage, one should try and request the service provider to provide an external antenna, or the customer should take it upon themselves to go out and purchase said antenna if they feel it's worth it. One shouldn't be surprised when the service providers don't want to provide you with a free antenna or booster, when you only spend R149 per month or are on pre-paid with small amounts.

On the other hand, if one is well within the 3G cell coverage and getting low signal, then I would actually expect the service provider to provide the free external antenna.

 

[AstroTurf]

I blatantly check coverage by getting a buddy to bring a device to the property.

Coverage maps are worthless, apparently we have awesome cellc coverage, got my bud to bring his 3g modem and he was getting 5 to 15 kbps downloads on it, edge only.

 

[al360]

tru so tru as i too had that issue with my cell c device the first 2 months was getting 7 - 14 mbps andn now 500 to 4 mbps and i've logged a call with them
and now they say the closest tower is not 3g so i'm getting my service from another tower and that 1 has obviously been flooded with users
hence i placed a request that my nearest tower be upgraded as i was told i had good coverage they called the next morning to say they at my place taking readings and wanted to verify my address etc.. (i was wowed) but alas that the last i heard of them .... need to call and follow up

 

[Dolby]

I used to always trust the coverage map - but I've seen how wrong it is. 150m from Olivedale Clinic - in the middle of Northriding where everything is supposed to be high speed, I get an slow EDGE on Vodacon in most my house.

In the study it won't even connect at all - and I've just paid R1,350.00 to cancel my contract Sadly to clear my other 3 contracts with Vodacom would also cost thousands and thousands and I just need to let them run and expire.

I remember an article once about getting everyone 3G signal at least - but if they're battling in areas like this, I doubt that'll happen