Cell C fixed-LTE users left without coverage following “ISPs not using the map”

Bradley Prior

Bradley Prior

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axxess - looking in your direction.....I'm still seeing display ads were they advertise their "updated coverage" - well I guess they have updated their coverage to remove the MTN roaming :):):)
 
I was in the same boat. Axxess told me that I have coverage. Even my local CellC store told me that I have coverage. I was even advised by the sales consultant that they have sold several fixed LTE packages. So it was not just the ISPs selling the deals without consulting the CellC map, their own store was selling it.
 
Have been experiencing issues with WebAfrica Fixed LTE since July 2018. They first blamed Internet Solution, then they blamed Cell C and it's still not working as promised. WebAfrica's after sales support is absolutely horrible. When I initially received the services my speeds were brilliant, now I will be lucky to get 2Mbps.
 
I order the Cell C fixed LTE to test before cancelling my Rain LTE. Glad I did this, because the Cell C speeds are horrible. If I get 1Mbps I am lucky.
 
Yeah, I was also a "victim" of this. Was working all good and everything for a few months then suddenly not registering on the Cellc network. Logged in to the router, did a manual search for networks it displayed Cellc 4G tried to connect multiple times and SIM didn't connect. Thought I must be crazy. Would've been nice is Axxess had let it's customers know beforehand. Eventually called Axxess and it seemed they vaguely new what they were talking about. Anyhow they said they'd refund me in full for the month and cancel my account with them. It's now the 11th of January and I'm still waiting for the refund, but hey at least they cancelled my account with them.
 
I'm not sure if I follow the logic of Cell C. It punts Fixed LTE in areas where they will be up against many other providers but in an area where they would have a captive and high take up audience, they rely on MTN roaming. Cell C's map did show fixed LTE coverage in my area but luckily I was busy and didn't take up the offer. I know of at least a dozen others who did and are now quite miffed with no coverage!! Guess what? The maps been fixed!!
 
Only in South Africa... screw the customer, we just need them for money, and give them little in return.
 
Anyone in a proper covered area... How is the product?
 
I'm sorry but this is a BS excuse from Cell C.

When I first took up the package I was under the coverage map, since then the map changed and I was left outside the area by 5m. Now every time I have an issue they want to immediately cancel my account because I am not under the coverage area.

I think its not best practice to use that map as a black and white yes or no. I might not be under the coverage according to them but I still get 20mbs and over 50mbs at times with the external antenna I bought.
 
I got a solution.
Do not sign up with roaming service provider
 
tp3to said:
I'm sorry but this is a BS excuse from Cell C.

When I first took up the package I was under the coverage map, since then the map changed and I was left outside the area by 5m. Now every time I have an issue they want to immediately cancel my account because I am not under the coverage area.

I think its not best practice to use that map as a black and white yes or no. I might not be under the coverage according to them but I still get 20mbs and over 50mbs at times with the external antenna I bought.
Click to expand...

Ah so an antenna can help - i am one street away from newly formed coverage map
 
tp3to said:
I'm sorry but this is a BS excuse from Cell C.

When I first took up the package I was under the coverage map, since then the map changed and I was left outside the area by 5m. Now every time I have an issue they want to immediately cancel my account because I am not under the coverage area.

I think its not best practice to use that map as a black and white yes or no. I might not be under the coverage according to them but I still get 20mbs and over 50mbs at times with the external antenna I bought.
Click to expand...
Which external antenna are you using?
 
The problem is that in areas where Cell C is roaming on MTN's network, the network ID still shows up as "Cell C 4G", so it's not obvious that they're roaming.
 
What I gather from this whole fiasco is that MTN & Vodacom offer roaming at prices they see fit so as to not allow any competition to themselves.

ICASA is proposing cost based access to Infrastructure , guess who the strongest opposition to it is ?

Cost plus 20% is more than fine with me.

True cost of Data is 0.68c a Gigabyte + 20% = R0.816 which is what the retail should be ?
 
I received Fixed CellC LTE from Afrihost and from day one I had no download speeds meaning no internet while my signal shows full. I contacted Afrihost regarding this and they are "resolving" my issue for the last 3 weeks. I want to cancel but they want me to pay them R900 to cancel the service and I've already paid for the month to be connected to the internet. They just want more money now while I received no services and is still offline.
 
Check which Cell C lease agreements have expired and for which tower.
Cell C are renegotiating leases due for expiry via a 3rd party. Maybe even early termination notices flying around??
Just my 2 cents of what I know.
 
The whole issue with this service is in areas with overlapping coverage. I think the "Fixed LTE coverage" is Cellc's own towers. Now the roaming agreement with MTN is causing issues as the MTN broadcasts Cellc's network ID too and if coverage overlap which is happening because Cellc don't want gaps in their coverage then if you have one of these deals from an ISP and your router prefers to stick to a roaming tower you are screwed because there will be no way to try any force it to a Cellc tower only.

I reckon Telkom will have the same issue once they fully implement their Vodacom roaming deal.
 
Would be nice if a user could switch roaming off, or have a different APN for different providers or something, but just to roam without the user's permision sucks :(
 
ProAsm said:
Would be nice if a user could switch roaming off, or have a different APN for different providers or something, but just to roam without the user's permision sucks :(
Click to expand...

That would be the ideal solution because even if you are out of coverage an antenna can solve your issue. Now you need to be close to the tower and hope the router does not pick a roaming tower. If it does then there is NOTHING you can do about it.

Cellc is filling the gaps in their own 4G coverage with Roaming and there is no way to distinguish from roaming and non roaming towers.
 
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