Cell C internet connectivity during loadshedding

J

joker247

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I noticed that the Cell C network deteriorates considerably the moment load shedding starts in my area. Internet connectivity drops to levels from being so slow it is barely usable to being completely dead. You cannot even call an Uber during load shedding. Surely the Cell C towers have backup generator/batteries. I can understand that after a few hours even batteries will go dead but in my area, the network deteriorates immediately once load shedding starts. I'm curious to know if this is the same on the other networks.
 
As soon as our power goes down cell c goes dead. No broadband, zero bars.
I have called them twice about this and they say they will investigate. That was months ago.
 
joker247 said:
I noticed that the Cell C network deteriorates considerably the moment load shedding starts in my area. Internet connectivity drops to levels from being so slow it is barely usable to being completely dead. You cannot even call an Uber during load shedding. Surely the Cell C towers have backup generator/batteries. I can understand that after a few hours even batteries will go dead but in my area, the network deteriorates immediately once load shedding starts. I'm curious to know if this is the same on the other networks.
Click to expand...

It's a common problem. Strangely enough I get it with Vodacom in my area, but Cell C used to stay up - so at least I had some way of contacting the outside world. When we get load shed, Vodacom loses both voice as well as data - so my cellphone as well as router become useless bricks until power comes back on. We live in a fairly remote area, so it's always a bit worrying knowing that in an emergency you're stuffed.
Each tower is supposed to have some form of back-up - either batteries or a generator in some cases. The batteries need a minimum of 12 hours to full recharge, I think, so if load shedding is too frequent, they don't charge properly and don't last as long. But what you're describing is pretty much what happens by us - so I'm guessing those batteries are either dead or have been stolen - the great SA pasttime. I also tied to explain the situation to Vodacom, but was met with a brick wall of incomprehension - unfortunately most of the so-called help desk people have only been trained to reply off a standard set of explanations, so they just regurgitate the stock-standard "We have back-up plans for load shedding" .
 
Cell_C said:
Hi there,

We are aware of the network outage during load-shedding

Sorry for the inconvenience. All of the answers to your questions can be found here:

https://www.cellc.co.za/cellc/static-content/PDF/CellC_Load_Shedding_Guide.pdf


^NZ
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply Cell C. The response however leaves much to be desired. The fact that your tower/base stations etc are being vandalised and have missing batteries.generators is not really your customers problem but your own. Put better security measures in place and insure your equipment so that they can be replaced when stolen.We are paying for a montly fee to use a service which is available and usable for period for which we have paid. Load shedding is a daily occurrence and you should be putting the necessary in place to ensure that your network is running when it should be. Trying to highlight other networks have similar issues does not absolve you from providing a service for which your customer is paying. I am signed up with Cell C..not the other networks.
 
joker247 said:
I noticed that the Cell C network deteriorates considerably the moment load shedding starts in my area. Internet connectivity drops to levels from being so slow it is barely usable to being completely dead. You cannot even call an Uber during load shedding. Surely the Cell C towers have backup generator/batteries. I can understand that after a few hours even batteries will go dead but in my area, the network deteriorates immediately once load shedding starts. I'm curious to know if this is the same on the other networks.
Click to expand...
HI @joker247 ,are you still experiencing this? It's happening to me too often. And do you know if one can cancel one's contract(data Sim only) with Cell C on this grounds alone?
 
Good day

Thank you for reaching out to us.

Wireless internet access relies on devices that require power such as our towers in the field or routers in the home. When the power goes out, those devices stop working, which means you'll lose your connection.

^SM
 
Cell_C said:
Good day

Thank you for reaching out to us.

Wireless internet access relies on devices that require power such as our towers in the field or routers in the home. When the power goes out, those devices stop working, which means you'll lose your connection.

^SM
Click to expand...

Do you guys not have battery backups? :oops:
 
Here in Vereeniging, it's both Cell C and Vodacom. Internet is dead during loadshedding.
 
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