Big issues with Telkom roaming

Bradley Prior

Bradley Prior

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Big issues with Telkom roaming

Telkom mobile data subscribers who use the operator’s on-network data packages are reporting that they are being disconnected from the Internet, despite having more than enough data available.

The issue appears to be related to how Telkom has configured roaming connectivity on the Vodacom network, and comes after it switched from MTN to Vodacom as its roaming partner.
 
I am having big issues since this morning...
I work on a mine that is quite a distance out of town. We only have MTN signal at work and since this morning I have ZERO signal due to the switch... Cant make or receive calls... Emergency calls only....
 
Telkom should have just gone with MTN full roaming agreement.

Telkom would need to implement a ussd code which can be dialed to prevent the sim from switching to 65505 TelkomSA -R if they don't you will get stuck. Vodacom has way more towers than Telkom so you will get situations where Vodacom tower is closer ghan the Telkom tower and that will cause the router or phone to select the roaming instead of the Telkom network.

Problem when you use Telkom data or Telkom fixed lte contract because currently you can not disable it.
 
Anti-Chris said:
I am having big issues since this morning...
I work on a mine that is quite a distance out of town. We only have MTN signal at work and since this morning I have ZERO signal due to the switch... Cant make or receive calls... Emergency calls only....
Click to expand...

You will have to switch to Cell C or MTN.
 
I have 6gb expiring at the end of the month.
It used my out of bundle data, which expires next month. Poor from
Telkom side. As I now sit with 6gb tellom data.
 
Randux said:
Telkom really must provide a solution to this. Maybe the ability to disable roaming on a sim card.
Click to expand...

The ideal option would be a USSD code to enabled or disable it as you want because you don't want it permanently disable or enable sometimes. Even a sms shortcode to enable or disable. Should be easy to implement. If enabled it should just block you from registering on 65505. If enabled it will allow you to register on 65505 or auto mode.
 
cavedog said:
The ideal option would be a USSD code to enabled or disable it as you want because you don't want it permanently disable or enable sometimes. Even a sms shortcode to enable or disable. Should be easy to implement. If enabled it should just block you from registering on 65505. If enabled it will allow you to register on 65505 or auto mode.
Click to expand...
Screenshot_2019-06-28-11-29-29-969_com.miui.securitycenter.jpg
Why doesn't this work?
 
Would it not be possible to just force your phone to use the TelkomSA network & disable roaming

I do this on my phone - downside of this is when I leave a coverage area I have no service.
 
Xzib1t said:
Would it not be possible to just force your phone to use the TelkomSA network & disable roaming

I do this on my phone - downside of this is when I leave a coverage area I have no service.
Click to expand...
That doesn't work in this case.
 
Xzib1t said:
Would it not be possible to just force your phone to use the TelkomSA network & disable roaming

I do this on my phone - downside of this is when I leave a coverage area I have no service.
Click to expand...

It does not work because the roaming is not seen as roaming. The Vodacom tower is broadcasting the Telkom network name so the device "thinks" it's the Telkom home network and usually prefers the strongest signal. If the Telkom tower is further away and you have a Vodacom tower near you the device be it a phone or router will prefer the Vodacom tower.
 
With MTN previously my phone would stick to Telkom towers like its life depended on it. Even if there was a perfectly serviceable 4-bar MTN signal, it would insist to send data via Telkom when there was 1 or less bars, causing a very slow or non-existent connection. Only when it was REALLLY bad (e.g. no throughput for minutes on end or no signal at all) would it swop to MTN roaming.

Not so any more. Now it will pick Vodacom when the signal is just a tad better than the Telkom signal. And while it means I have better service in some areas, it also causes the problem that you end up using all-net data when there is perfectly adequate Telkom signal around.

I suspect there is still some tweaking that needs to happen. At least I hope so...
 
The MTN roaming is also completely disabled.

The only people that will benefit from this new roaming deal is Telkom Freeme deals.
 
cavedog said:
It does not work because the roaming is not seen as roaming. The Vodacom tower is broadcasting the Telkom network name so the device "thinks" it's the Telkom home network and usually prefers the strongest signal. If the Telkom tower is further away and you have a Vodacom tower near you the device be it a phone or router will prefer the Vodacom tower.
Click to expand...
So it had worked previously as we were on MTN's actual network, and forcing my phone to only use Telkom network forced it to use Telkom towers only.

I understand now. :)
 
Xzib1t said:
So it had worked previously as we were on MTN's actual network, and forcing my phone to only use Telkom network forced it to use Telkom towers only.

I understand now. :)
Click to expand...

Yes. Previously you were a guest on the MTN network so it would be the same as if you were out of the country. The phone would show 2 clocks too.

In that situation the phone will hold on to the Telkom signal until it just could not anymore then go no network and start search and eventually register on the MTN network. I think Telkom wanted a more seamless switchover but that comes with it's own issues again.
 
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