Cell C Network Issues: Disconnects, Coverage, Throughput Problems - Report Here

[ginggs]

Location: N1 City, Cape Town
Date & Time of Issue: 2011/08/16 19:30 (still down at 22:45)
Device Manufacturer & Model: Nokia N900 / Huawei E1820
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): Two diffferent pre-paid SIMs
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: None
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): Normally HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible): Not possible
Cell ID (if possible): Normally 40541/40544
RSSI (if possible, see How to check signal strength (RSSI)): Not possible, 3G/HSPA has just disappeared

 

[em0_llama]

Location: Rondebosh Cape Town
Date & Time of Issue: 2011/08/16 Entire day
Device Manufacturer & Model: Cell-C dongle
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): Pre-paid
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: None
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): Normally HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible): Not possible
Cell ID (if possible): N/A
RSSI (if possible, see How to check signal strength (RSSI)): Not possible, 3G/HSPA has just disappeared

Can only connect via EDGE.

 

[random_user]

Location: Burgundy Estate, Cape Town
Date & Time of Issue: 2011/08/16 18:20pm onwards (which is when i first tried to connect)
Device Manufacturer & Model: Cell C Black Dongle
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): Pre-paid
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: None
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): Normally HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible): Not loading
Cell ID (if possible): Don't know
RSSI (if possible, see How to check signal strength (RSSI)): -67dBm

Stuck on EDGE VODA Cell C (Roaming) but if i move around i lose signal completely

 

[ginggs]

Location: N1 City, Cape Town
Date & Time of Issue: 2011/08/16 19:30 (still down at 22:45)
Device Manufacturer & Model: Nokia N900 / Huawei E1820
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): Two diffferent pre-paid SIMs
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: None
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): Normally HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible): Not possible
Cell ID (if possible): Normally 40541/40544
RSSI (if possible, see How to check signal strength (RSSI)): Not possible, 3G/HSPA has just disappeared

3G/HSPA seems to have come back sometime between 01:30 and 02:30.
Cell ID 40541 is visible again, no sign of cell ID 40544.

 

[Schola]

Location: Elmapark, Edenvale, JHB
Date & Time of Issue: 5 pm - 10 pm
Device Manufacturer & Model : ZTE MF668
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): prepaid
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: never phoned helpdesk
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible): latest was http://www.speedtest.net/result/1437234523.png
there was a point where i actually got 10 mb/s down | 1.5 up
Cell ID (if possible): no idea
Any other information relevant to the problem: last 4 days it has been very slow, like most i would get on a speedtest would be 1 mb/s max down. the upload didnt even start. just to add to this i always have a full signal of 100% according to the connector app

 

[reactor_sa]

Location: Edenvale
Date, time: Thursday August 18, since +-5 30pm.
Device: E1820
Contract: R2999 prepaid

Usually super fast, first time having problems since got it 3months ago.

 

[GreGorGy]

Location: Fourways
Date Time: 19 Aug all day
Device: <any>
Contract: Prepaid

Current Profile - Cell C
MCC (Country): 655
MNC (Network): 07
RSSI (Raw / dBm) 7 / -99dBm
LAC: 50
Cell ID: 0-19863

ME Profile - huawei



I simply cannot get any connect to SOME international sites (eg, YouTube). Tried everything.

 

[user_r]

Location: Observatory, Cape Town
Date & Time of Issue: From 21:00 19 August (Yesterday)
Device Manufacturer & Model : Cell C E1752
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): Prepaid, 2GB Promo
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: n/a
www.speedtest.net results (if possible): n/a

I just bought this modem yesterdday, everything worked fine until around 9 pm. I'm only able to access the Cell C website.

 

[ginggs]

I just bought this modem yesterdday, everything worked fine until around 9 pm. I'm only able to access the Cell C website.

I don't think this is a network fault. Only being able to access the Cell-C website is a symptom of not having any data left (have you checked your balance? *101#) and these problems:
Only able to access Cell-C website (data services not enabled)
Still connected but only able to access Cell-C website
I suggest you have a read through these two threads and call the technical helpdesk on 084 155 5555 (free from a Cell-C SIM).

 

[user_r]

I don't think this is a network fault. Only being able to access the Cell-C website is a symptom of not having any data left (have you checked your balance? *101#) and these problems:
Only able to access Cell-C website (data services not enabled)
Still connected but only able to access Cell-C website
I suggest you have a read through these two threads and call the technical helpdesk on 084 155 5555 (free from a Cell-C SIM).

Yeah I've checked my balance and it's fine. The modem started working around 3 am and has had no problems so far. But from what I've seen posted here, I think this problem might come back.

 

[Windpomp]

Location: Melrose Arch
Date & Time of Issue: 14:00
Device Manufacturer & Model Huawei E1820,
Contract Type Pre Paid
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: N/a
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): G/HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible): N/a
Cell ID (if possible):
RSSI (if possible, see How to check signal strength (RSSI)) -77
Any other information relevant to the problem:


No internet access at all
Plugged directly into PC & 3G router

tested at home edenvale and it was working this seems only to be issue at melrose arch

 

[JimB]

Place Glenwood, Durban
Time 21:00 23rd August 2011
Modem Huawei E 1820 (latest software upgrade installed)
Contract type 60Gb package - October 2010
Call centre ref None this time
Connection HSPA+
Speedtest Ping 514, Download 2.06Mbs, Upload 0.02Mbs (Mybroadband speedtest - International connection)
Cell ID 30412
RSSI -67dBm
Laptop OS Windows 7 Home premium

Problem is ongoing exceptionally poor upload speeds making voice calls to my kids overseas impossible. I can always hear them but they frequently cannot hear me or else there are such great delays in the transmission from me so that they are replying to previous statements. This is not a once off problem and I have been in communication with Customer Service in May and with Armando (who represents CellC on another thread) since 4th August with no improvement to the situation. I will try to forward my last message on that thread to ginggs for your information.
When I started using the system in October 2010 results were perfect every time with lightning fast connectivity but after about six months it started to degrade and over the last couple of months I have been having problems with Skype more and more frequently and also increasing frequency of slow responses to other data downloads. (Google.co.za page taking >30 second to appear?????)

Below are some more speedtest results I took last Sunday 21st.

Time RSSI Ping Download Upload
08:00 -71dB 338 3.26mBs 0.53mBs
10:00 -75dB 333 3.47mBs 0.34mBs
12:00 -73dB 333 1.89mBs 0.10mBs
14:00 -73dB 420 1.92mBs 0.08mBs
16:00 -73dB 437 3.43mBs 0.04mBs
18:00 -73dB 400 3.06mBs 0.02mBs
20:00 -71dB 511 2.12mBs 0.02mBs

The improved RSSI on tonights test is because I am using a corner dipole reflector and have finally found the "sweet spot".

My whole take on the above is that the wireless connection is certainly not the problem with RSSI results in the high 60,s / low 70,s
Rather, taking the Sunday (and other days) results into account, the problem is most likely either server overload or fibre optic network overload when too many customers are trying to log in. In addition I have the feeling that upload speeds are being capped to release as much capacity as possible to maintain the download speeds. In other words the system cannot cope with the demand and Cell C is now selling a service which it cannot deliver in an acceptable manner. As my current package will expire in a month or so I am now looking for either a definite improvement to CellC's service levels or alternatively another ISP.

I would like to hear your responses to the above and sincerely hope that you can push some buttons in Cell C to fix the problem (or admit that they do not have enough system capacity).


JimB

 

[JimB]

Previous message to Armando referred to above

Hi Armando - this is about the very low upload bandwidth I have been experiencing in Glenwood Durban which is making Skype voice phone calls impossible. Last week you asked me to hold on until the middle of this week (today) to give you a chance to get a technician to check the towers I connect to. Subsequent to that you gave me details of how to download MDMA which I have done and used to determine two tower ID's which I sent to you.

I have also set up a dipole aerial reflector for the dongle which has improved the network RSSI numbers by about -10db and have used this in the bandwidth results shown below using Mybroadband Speed Test to check bandwidth when connecting to an overseas site.

Mon 15th
20h00, tower 30412, RSSI -73db, HSPA+
Speedtest Ping 523 Download 1.4Mb/s Upload 0.03Mb/s

21h00, tower 30412, -75db, HSPA+
Ping 512, Download 0.64Mb/s Upload 0.02Mb/s

Tues 16th
11h00, Tower 30412, -75db, HSPA+
Ping 517, Download 1.67Mb/s Upload 0.03Mb/s

14:00, Tower 30412, -79db, HSPA+
Ping 508, Download 1.60Mb/s Upload 0.02Mb/s

Wed 17th (today)
11h45, Tower 30412, -69db, HSPA+
Ping 510, Download 1.38Mb/s Upload 0.03Mb/s

The results are confirmed by readings in MDMA where I could get downloads in excess of 2Mb/s if downloading a movie etc but uploads remained between 0.02Mb/s and 0.03Mb/s. Although the download speeds vary the upload stays consistently between 0.02 and 0.03 which makes me suspect that this may be capped at that level. I specifically did testing during the day as I guess that the network loading may be less than in the evening. As you can see when using the dipole I always get tower 30412 so that is the one I request your technicians to check first.

Armando, I know that you are doing your best for me but if this problem has not been sorted out by Friday evening I request that you escalate the whole thing to the Head of Customer Services at Cell C and give me his or her contact details by Email. Please do not ask me to work through [email protected] as I Emailed them at 21h21 on 3rd May 2011 about the same problem and never got a reply.

Regards

Jim Binnie

 

[CellBel]

No signal sometimes, then gprs, then edge & sometimes show 3G. = disconnections & very unstable.

Location: Postmasburg - N/Cape
Date Time: 29 Aug from 10am
Device: NOKIA 6210 NAVIGATOR
Contract: Prepaid

Current Profile - Cell C
Net: 655 01 (GSM)
Signal: 100% -75 TO -63dBm
LAC: 508 (01FC)
Cell ID: 24732 (609C)

Test conducted on Monday, August 29, 2011 2:08:09 PM

Download Speed: 118 kbps (14.8 KB/sec transfer rate)

Upload Speed: 48 kbps (6 KB/sec transfer rate)

Latency: 813 ms

 

[CellBel]

Much better now......

Test conducted on Monday, August 29, 2011 2:41:28 PM

Download Speed: 1693 kbps (211.6 KB/sec transfer rate)

Upload Speed: 350 kbps (43.8 KB/sec transfer rate)

Latency: 261 ms

 

[Sentari]

Over the last 2 days i've seen this service go to a grinding halt. My download are slow as hell. I test with another providers stick and every works 100%.

100% sure its Cell C. Please let me know if you want more details. Info Below.

Location: Johannesburg / Weltevreden Park
Date & Time of Issue: 2011/08/29
Device Manufacturer & Model (e.g. Huawei E1820, ZTE MF190, Not: Black Modem, White Modem): ZTE688
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): Contract
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible):
Cell ID (if possible):
RSSI (if possible, see How to check signal strength (RSSI)) : Full Signal
Any other information relevant to the problem:

 

[TowerGuru]

Place Glenwood, Durban
Time 21:00 23rd August 2011
Modem Huawei E 1820 (latest software upgrade installed)
Contract type 60Gb package - October 2010
Call centre ref None this time
Connection HSPA+
Speedtest Ping 514, Download 2.06Mbs, Upload 0.02Mbs (Mybroadband speedtest - International connection)
Cell ID 30412
RSSI -67dBm
Laptop OS Windows 7 Home premium

Problem is ongoing exceptionally poor upload speeds making voice calls to my kids overseas impossible. I can always hear them but they frequently cannot hear me or else there are such great delays in the transmission from me so that they are replying to previous statements. This is not a once off problem and I have been in communication with Customer Service in May and with Armando (who represents CellC on another thread) since 4th August with no improvement to the situation. I will try to forward my last message on that thread to ginggs for your information.
When I started using the system in October 2010 results were perfect every time with lightning fast connectivity but after about six months it started to degrade and over the last couple of months I have been having problems with Skype more and more frequently and also increasing frequency of slow responses to other data downloads. (Google.co.za page taking >30 second to appear?????)

Below are some more speedtest results I took last Sunday 21st.

Time RSSI Ping Download Upload
08:00 -71dB 338 3.26mBs 0.53mBs
10:00 -75dB 333 3.47mBs 0.34mBs
12:00 -73dB 333 1.89mBs 0.10mBs
14:00 -73dB 420 1.92mBs 0.08mBs
16:00 -73dB 437 3.43mBs 0.04mBs
18:00 -73dB 400 3.06mBs 0.02mBs
20:00 -71dB 511 2.12mBs 0.02mBs

The improved RSSI on tonights test is because I am using a corner dipole reflector and have finally found the "sweet spot".

My whole take on the above is that the wireless connection is certainly not the problem with RSSI results in the high 60,s / low 70,s
Rather, taking the Sunday (and other days) results into account, the problem is most likely either server overload or fibre optic network overload when too many customers are trying to log in. In addition I have the feeling that upload speeds are being capped to release as much capacity as possible to maintain the download speeds. In other words the system cannot cope with the demand and Cell C is now selling a service which it cannot deliver in an acceptable manner. As my current package will expire in a month or so I am now looking for either a definite improvement to CellC's service levels or alternatively another ISP.

I would like to hear your responses to the above and sincerely hope that you can push some buttons in Cell C to fix the problem (or admit that they do not have enough system capacity).


JimB

where abouts in glenwood are you? Just give a street no numbers or anything not planning on stalking you. Will identify the possible sites u would be getting signal from and narrow it down for cell c. Could be a MW link that's gone wonky causing the transmission to drop.

 

[Sentari]

Over the last 2 days i've seen this service go to a grinding halt. My download are slow as hell. I test with another providers stick and every works 100%.

100% sure its Cell C. Please let me know if you want more details. Info Below.

Location: Johannesburg / Weltevreden Park
Date & Time of Issue: 2011/08/29
Device Manufacturer & Model (e.g. Huawei E1820, ZTE MF190, Not: Black Modem, White Modem): ZTE688
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): Contract
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible):
Cell ID (if possible):
RSSI (if possible, see How to check signal strength (RSSI)) : Full Signal
Any other information relevant to the problem:

My service seemed much better yesterday.

 

[Mr M]

It's been 4 days now and there is still no 3G signal coming from the tower at the EL IDZ. Edge is all that works.
Tested with multiple users using different pc's/laptops - nothing.

Phoned the help desk last night and the consultant insisted there was a nation wide problem and no one could connect using 3g. She didn't want to log a ticket nor give a reference number since she said that it was being attended to, however no ETA on when it would be resolved.

Yet the Cell C users in Beacon Bay have had no issues with the tower in their location!

Could the Cell C Rep please have a look at this?

Cell ID 35505 & LAC 551

Location : East London
Tower Site : Industrial Development Zone
Date of first occurrence : 30 Aug 2011

Thanks.

LOL @ Ginggs - 4G was Cell C's terminology

 

[Chriswrightza]

Extremely Slow connectivity Cell C Musgrave Area

Location: Musgrave Durban. (264 Vause Road)
Date & Time of Issue:Last 7 days
Device Manufacturer & Model Huawei E1820
Contract Type post-paid
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk:1444927
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+):3G/HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible):
Cell ID (if possible):
RSSI (if possible, see How to check signal strength (RSSI))Signal varies from 100% to no signal in space of seconds. Signal is normally around 95%
Any other information relevant to the problem:Speed is rediculously slow. Sending this from work as pages are unable to open. Problem has been hapenning for last 7 days. Tried another Cell C modem and different PC's. Same result. Updated software and drivers and same result.