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

intermitant connection in Ceres

Location: Ceres, Western Cape
Date & Time of Issue:19 & 20 December 2011
Device Manufacturer & Model: ZTE MF190
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): Prepaid
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk:none yet
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): EDGE
www.speedtest.net results (if possible): 0.05Mbps down; 0.04Mbps up; Latency 540 ms (test does not always complete)
Cell ID (if possible): N/A
RSSI (if possible, see How to check signal strength (RSSI)): 4 to 5 bars (signal = 70 to 80) according to Cell C Connector ver. 1.0.1.53
Any other information relevant to the problem: Connectivity is intermittent although connection is never reported as dropped. DNS does not always resolve. In general the connection is not usable.
 
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Same as Murmaider a couple of posts up: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...-Report-Here?p=7361559&viewfull=1#post7361559
Location: Honeydew Ridge (Radiokop)
Date & Time of Issue: over the last month, at its worst over the last couple of days.
Device Manufacturer & Model: ZTE MF688
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): Prepaid 5gb
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: N/A
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible):
RSSI (if possible, see How to check signal strength (RSSI)): -53dBm
Any other information relevant to the problem: Exactly like Murmaider, I get so much packet loss between 6 and 10 every evening that it's just about impossible to browse. In the mornings everything is perfect.
 
Location: Weltevreden Park
Date & Time of Issue: 2012/01/10 and 11 @ 17:00
Device Manufacturer & Model (e.g. Huawei E1820, ZTE MF190, Not: Black Modem, White Modem): ZTE668
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): post-paid
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: None
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible): http://www.speedtest.net/result/1700504751.png
Cell ID (if possible): On request
Any other information relevant to the problem: Internet has been very slow over the last 2 days. Please check if you can see a problem. Its actually VERY bad! Thanks!
 
3G network disappearing

Location: Waterkloof Glen
Date & Time of Issue: Since early December
Device Manufacturer & Model: Huawei E1820, E1752
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): Prepaid x 2 (5GB)
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: 1519608
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible): http://www.speedtest.net/result/1708987047.png (when it works), EDGE speeds when it doesn't
Cell ID (if possible): 20881/2
RSSI (if possible, see How to check signal strength (RSSI)): Usually around -55db
Any other information relevant to the problem:

Since early December, the 3G network in Waterkloof Glen disappears regularly for long intervals. It seems like the network is falling over, as all the Cell C devices in my house revert to EDGE (Blackberry and 2 x sticks). A network search only shows up 2G for Cell C, so the 3G radios are not on the air. It is not a signal strength issue as I am across the road from the tower I connect to.

Phoning the call centre is useless as they will only eventually admit that there is a network problem and that "it is being worked on." In time the network comes back.

In early December I noticed this happening around twice a week, usually for an hour or two at the time. This past week, the 3G has disappeared every day. Today it is up and down all the time. I know that there is a CellC problem. The engineer in me wants to know why this is happening and what is being done regarding a permanent fix. Is this just a problem in Waterkloof Glen or is it more widespread?

Cell C rep can you do some investigation and respond?
 
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Tower 10761

Location: Reunert Dr, Roosevelt Park, Johannesburg
Date & Time of Issue: 2012/01/14 11:30
Device Manufacturer & Model ZTE MF668
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): pre-paid (60Gb promotion)
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: not reported.
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible):

Location: Reunert Dr, Roosevelt Park, Johannesburg
Date & Time of Issue: 2012/01/14 11:30
Device Manufacturer & Model ZTE MF668
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): pre-paid (60Gb promotion)
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: not reported.
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible):

Test conducted on 14 January 2012 11:34:56 AM
Download Speed: 563 kbps (70.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 7 kbps (0.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 555 ms
197.108.208.240
Cell ID (if possible): 17281
RSSI -73dBm

Test conducted on 16 January 2012 02:50:47 PM
Download Speed: 446 kbps (55.8 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 174 kbps (21.8 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 85 ms
41.52.123.228
Cell ID (if possible): 12623
RSSI -79dBm

Any other information relevant to the problem: I normally connect to tower 10761. Latency is usually between 60 and 90 ms, download speed varies between 2Mbps and 4Mbps with occasional 7Mbps and signal strength is between -59dBm and -63dBm. (Until mid-October download speed was up to 10Mbps)

In mid-October I found I was connecting to tower 17281 instead of tower 10761. Connection speeds were slower than via tower 10761 but were still acceptable. Shortly after that I found that I was no longer connecting to tower 17281 either and the connection was virtually useless. Cell_C took an interest and a while later tower 17061 was back on line although the maximum speed at quiet times on the network was down from 10Mbps to 7Mbps. During the day speeds still varied between 2Mbps and 4Mbps which I find quite acceptable.

History is repeating itself! Towers 17061 and 17281 have disappeared and surfing the net is like watching paint dry! I would appreciate it if Cell_C would once again light some fires. :)

Is the network monitored so that faulty towers are picked up automatically or does the company rely on customer reports?


Update : It's now 18th January and tower 10761 is back up and running. Download speed seems to be a little lower than before but that's hard to quantify as it does vary depending on load. Bottom line though is that I'm a happy camper once more. :0
 
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Location: Weltevreden Park
Date & Time of Issue: 2012/01/10 and 11 @ 17:00
Device Manufacturer & Model (e.g. Huawei E1820, ZTE MF190, Not: Black Modem, White Modem): ZTE668
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): post-paid
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: None
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible): http://www.speedtest.net/result/1700504751.png
Cell ID (if possible): On request
Any other information relevant to the problem: Internet has been very slow over the last 2 days. Please check if you can see a problem. Its actually VERY bad! Thanks!

I'm still having the same problem... I wonder if there's anyone still looking at this thread.
 
Location: Atterbury Value Mart, Faerie Glen, Pretoria (general area)
Date & Time of Issue: Since start of 2012
Device Manufacturer & Model Huawei E1820
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): Prepaid and Postpaid ( 5gb speedstick + cellphone contract)
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: N/A
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible):

Cell ID (if possible): N/A
RSSI (if possible, see How to check signal strength (RSSI)) : -83dBm

The problem is lag spikes.

For more information go to:
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/396873-Lag-Spikes
 
I'm having major issues with Cell C speed since the begining of January. Tower ID: 12551. I get max download speed of 256kbps even during the night. During the day is even worse. ANd I have a directional antenna and the signal is still very strong - 69dBm. Cell_C, I've sent you a PM with all details. Please investigate and resolve the issue! Whn I use the same modem on the same PC but connect to 8ta the speed excellent. So there is no problems with my equipment.
 
constantly dropping connections / connect but no throughput

Cell ID: 13502

Location: Jukskei Park, Johannesburg
Date & Time of Issue: 27 Jan 2012 --> today
Device Manufacturer & Model Huawei E1820
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): pre-paid (60Gb promotion)
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: not reported.
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): HSPA+
RSSI: -83dBm
www.speedtest.net results (if possible):

Any other information relevant to the problem:

1. drops connections every few minutes (when connected very slow) OR
2. connected without any throughput

Please help with this.
 
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Cell ID: 13502

Location: Jukskei Park, Johannesburg
Date & Time of Issue: 27 Jan 2012 --> today
Device Manufacturer & Model Huawei E1820
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): pre-paid (60Gb promotion)
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: not reported.
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): HSPA+
RSSI: -83dBm
www.speedtest.net results (if possible):

Any other information relevant to the problem:

1. drops connections every few minutes (when connected very slow) OR
2. connected without any throughput

Please help with this.

Good day gkn

i have PM you.
Request some info, for our network guys.

Regards
~AM~
 
constantly dropping connections / connect but no throughput

Location: Kensington - Cape Town
Date & Time of Issue: Intermittent for the past 4 days.
Device Manufacturer & Model : Huawei E1752
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): Post paid
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: n/a
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+):HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible): not possible
Cell ID (if possible):
RSSI (if possible) : -75dBm
Any other information relevant to the problem: Usage was fairly decent up until now, however the past four or five days have seen constant disconnects or no throughput. I would estimate this occurence at approx every 5 mins.

Could the CellC rep please have a look and respond accordingly.
 
Good day fahieme

I have sent you a PM.
Will assist as best possible.

Regards
~AM~
 
No WHOOOOOSH

Location: Reunert Dr, Roosevelt Park, Johannesburg
Date & Time of Issue: 2012/02/01 08:00
Device Manufacturer & Model ZTE MF668
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): pre-paid (60Gb promotion)
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: not reported.
EDIT: Reported 2012/02/02 07:45 1530714
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible): Connection too slow to load page.
Cell ID (if possible): 10761
RSSI -61dBm

CellC dashboard connects at HSPA+ but there is no throughput. I have had to force a 2G EDGE connection to connect.
 
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Location: Langenhoven Park, Bloemfontein, Free State
Date/Time: 02/02/2012 21:30
Modem model: Huawei E1752
Contract: Pre-paid
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): 3G
RSSI: -95dBm
Speedtest: Unable to load any website
Cell ID: 49413

Haven't it reported to the cellc helpdesk yet.

Unable to get any throughput. Connects fine, just can't load anything, not even the cellc speedtest which is via an IP address (so probably not DNS issue)
 
Location: Langenhoven Park, Bloemfontein, Free State
Date/Time: 02/02/2012 21:30
Modem model: Huawei E1752
Contract: Pre-paid
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): 3G
RSSI: -95dBm
Speedtest: Unable to load any website
Cell ID: 49413

Haven't it reported to the cellc helpdesk yet.

Unable to get any throughput. Connects fine, just can't load anything, not even the cellc speedtest which is via an IP address (so probably not DNS issue)

Good day Praeses

I have PM you.
Let get the networks to investigate.

Regards
~AM~
 
Location: Langenhoven Park, Bloemfontein, Free State
Date/Time: 02/02/2012 21:30
Modem model: Huawei E1752
Contract: Pre-paid
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): 3G
RSSI: -95dBm
Speedtest: Unable to load any website
Cell ID: 49413

Haven't it reported to the cellc helpdesk yet.

Unable to get any throughput. Connects fine, just can't load anything, not even the cellc speedtest which is via an IP address (so probably not DNS issue)

Thank you Armondo. The problem has been resolved and my WHOOOOSH is back. :) 2010/02/03 09:30

EDIT. Sorry, this was written before the second cup of coffee this morning. :) Any confusion caused is regretted.

I'm afraid I've hijacked Praeses' message for the quote instead of using my own. I was so glad to get the WHOOOOSH back I wasn't concentrating properly.
 
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Same story here in Honeydew Ridge. 100% signal strength but very slow when it does work. Whoosh is gone!! Very frustrating. I'm right next door to the Radiokop tower in the Sentech Complex. Used to work great till about the beginning of Jan.
 
Same story here in Honeydew Ridge. 100% signal strength but very slow when it does work. Whoosh is gone!! Very frustrating. I'm right next door to the Radiokop tower in the Sentech Complex. Used to work great till about the beginning of Jan.

Axis, that's where I am. Armando said it's because of congestion. However mine also stopped working at the same time as yours and I just can't see how congestion can suddenly become a problem in such a short timespan. Something is wrong with that tower. It was working fine up until the beginning of January and then it stopped working. I'm sorry Armando but I just don't believe that it's suddenly because of congestion.
 
Axis, that's where I am. Armando said it's because of congestion. However mine also stopped working at the same time as yours and I just can't see how congestion can suddenly become a problem in such a short timespan. Something is wrong with that tower. It was working fine up until the beginning of January and then it stopped working. I'm sorry Armando but I just don't believe that it's suddenly because of congestion.

Hi Solitude

I will re-escalate it.
And see what they say.
That's what i was informed.

Regards
~AM~
 
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