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

[rynovz]

In my opinion I don't think CellC infrastructure can handle the traffic (peak times) in certain parts of Gauteng, if not all of Gauteng. I lived in Bloem for a couple of years and have been with cellC now for a year and a half. I have never experienced the slow speeds I experience here in Centurion. When I run a traceroute to a website, the first hop always times out. ALWAYS!!! whether I use the domain name or the IP address of the site. I ran a traceroute to cellc's own website and reached it after 22 hops. all the time replying through a magnitude of connections. The signal strength is fine, but to get to the website is a problem. Currently this is what it looks like to cellc.co.za and below that to google.co.za and gamespot.com. I contact them via their website and gave the traceroute output. They told me I had to switch off my handset/speedstick for 1 minute and then it will be fine. I will be able to sms again. And they attached a network coverage form to complete.

1 * * * Request timed out.
2 108 ms 95 ms 124 ms 41.50.20.1
3 133 ms 100 ms 100 ms 10.220.229.23
4 118 ms 100 ms 109 ms 10.220.231.70
5 104 ms 149 ms 119 ms 41.50.16.1
6 180 ms 140 ms 169 ms 41.50.0.3
7 194 ms 274 ms 202 ms 41.48.253.6
8 441 ms 499 ms 479 ms 41.50.7.35
9 205 ms 179 ms 259 ms 41.50.7.33
10 460 ms 510 ms 439 ms if-15-0-1.mcore3.L78-London.as6453.net [195.219.
144.25]
11 443 ms 852 ms 677 ms if-1-0-1-0.tcore2.L78-London.as6453.net [80.231.
131.33]
12 * * 558 ms Vlan756.icore2.LDN-London.as6453.net [80.231.131
.26]
13 432 ms 417 ms 229 ms te4-2-10G.ar7.lon3.gblx.net [64.215.195.237]
14 278 ms 279 ms 269 ms MTN-DUBAI-LIMITED.TenGigabitEthernet8-2.ar6.LON3
.gblx.net [208.48.238.186]
15 402 ms 669 ms 562 ms ls-cr-2.uk--ls-pr-1.uk-a.mtn.net [209.212.111.20
0]
16 500 ms 469 ms 499 ms rb-cr-1.za--ls-cr-1.uk-D.mtnns.net [196.44.31.16
4]
17 317 ms 329 ms 290 ms jh-dca-2.za--jh-cr-1.za-a.mtnns.net [196.44.0.22
1]
18 300 ms 300 ms 319 ms ge4-0-0.gw17.jnb6.za.mtnbusiness.net [196.30.1.3
7]
19 295 ms 270 ms 259 ms vlan9.hr3.jnb6.za.mtnbusiness.net [196.30.156.13
6]
20 276 ms 269 ms 259 ms core-router1.jnb2.host-h.net [196.30.213.108]
21 292 ms 279 ms 279 ms firewall5.jnb2.host-h.net [41.72.136.23]
22 272 ms 269 ms 259 ms 41.72.157.60
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


1 * * * Request timed out.
2 112 ms 80 ms 99 ms 41.50.20.33
3 116 ms 89 ms 72 ms 10.220.229.23
4 116 ms 59 ms 79 ms 10.220.231.70
5 72 ms 150 ms 79 ms 41.50.16.1
6 73 ms 99 ms 59 ms 41.50.0.3
7 91 ms 99 ms 90 ms 41.48.253.33
8 90 ms 79 ms 60 ms 41.48.4.45

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


1 * * * Request timed out.
2 99 ms 79 ms 140 ms 41.50.20.33
3 112 ms 80 ms 129 ms 10.220.229.23
4 78 ms 109 ms 100 ms 10.220.231.70
5 125 ms 149 ms 89 ms 41.50.16.1
6 74 ms 79 ms 100 ms 41.50.0.3
7 98 ms 109 ms 109 ms 41.48.253.34
8 256 ms 249 ms 249 ms 83.231.233.141
9 347 ms 1559 ms 1449 ms as-0.r22.nycmny01.us.bb.gin.ntt.net [129.250.3.2
54]
10 438 ms 389 ms 359 ms ae-0.r23.nycmny01.us.bb.gin.ntt.net [129.250.3.7
3]
11 386 ms 369 ms 399 ms ae-1.r20.asbnva02.us.bb.gin.ntt.net [129.250.2.9
]
12 379 ms 410 ms 389 ms ae-1.r00.asbnva02.us.bb.gin.ntt.net [129.250.3.1
10]
13 399 ms 390 ms 349 ms ae-4.amazon.asbnva02.us.bb.gin.ntt.net [168.143.
232.50]
14 422 ms 379 ms 350 ms 72.21.220.61
15 379 ms 349 ms 349 ms 72.21.222.149
16 * * * Request timed out.
17 * * * Request timed out.
18 * * * Request timed out.
19 398 ms 390 ms 369 ms ec2-107-23-164-106.compute-1.amazonaws.com [107.
23.164.106]

 

[ActivateD]

Location: Stellenbosch
Date & Time of Issue: 31 January ALL DAY
Device Manufacturer & Model: Huawei E1820
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): Contract
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: none
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible): cannot even load
Cell ID (if possible): 44002
RSSI: -54 dBm
Any other information relevant to the problem: All day I cannot surf the internet. Connection is fine but pictures and websites take forever to load. As you can see below the traceroute to google I get insane delay and request time outs.

Tracing route to google.com [41.48.4.19]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 * * * Request timed out.
2 * * 2467 ms 41.50.20.33
3 131 ms 159 ms 559 ms 10.220.231.99
4 658 ms 658 ms 1297 ms 10.220.231.70
5 * * * Request timed out.
6 * * * Request timed out.
7 * * * Request timed out.
8 * * * Request timed out.
9 * * * Request timed out.
10 * * * Request timed out.
11 * * * Request timed out.
12 * * * Request timed out.
13 * * * Request timed out.
14 * * * Request timed out.
15 ^C

 

[Solitude]

Location: Radiokop, Roodepoort, GP
Date & Time of Issue: 19:00 - 23:00 during weekdays (basically anytime during peak time)
Device Manufacturer & Model: ZTE MF668
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): Pre Paid: 100 GB deal. 98 GB remaining.
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: none
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible): Not possible. Can't even google.
Cell ID (if possible): 12791
RSSI: -71 dBm
Any other information relevant to the problem: I can connect without any problems, but get no response from any website I try to access. I orginally came on board Cell C in Nov 2011. I had very few problems back then. Over the last couple of months, at regular intervals, I have experienced no throughput on my connection. It has now reached a point where I cannot access the Internet at all early in the night. I have to connect late at night or in the early hours of the morning to get any throughput. During these times the connection is fantastic. Seems like a congestion issue which Cell C has not been addressing. Posting this from my Vodacom cell phone.

I'm in the same area. 8pm strikes and I can't even browse anymore. Damn and I just left 8ta for CellC and that looks to have been a mistake.

 

[rynovz]

I just phoned Technical helpdesk at cell C and they said that there is a "challenge" :wtf: (it seems everything with them is a challenge) logged on their system for Gauteng region. Some of the sites do give problems, it seems. They are busy repairing the problem. I am also peeved because I have to submit assignments.

I also had to change my registration mode from auto to manual. Can't say whether that helped or not.

 

[Oakavenue]

I have had a shocking experience. Worse than in 96. And before you laaities jump on me.

Bump me, trash me, do what you want. I am at your mercy anyway.

I am trying to generate an income, but with this connecting................disconnecting..........it is not possible.

I do not waste time to complain anymore. Maybe just go with the monopoly.

And you laaties who have the state of the art equipment that you daddies paid for..........I am sure you don't have network issues.

There is it.....tell me how bad I am. Is a CellC rep here because they are doing us a favour.

I am paying for a service I expect. I don't want favours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At these speeds I will be bankrupt in a day or so.

Let me just copy this before I get disconnected again...............................................

 

[ginggs]

I have had a shocking experience. Worse than in 96. And before you laaities jump on me.

Bump me, trash me, do what you want. I am at your mercy anyway.

I am trying to generate an income, but with this connecting................disconnecting..........it is not possible.

I do not waste time to complain anymore. Maybe just go with the monopoly.

And you laaties who have the state of the art equipment that you daddies paid for..........I am sure you don't have network issues.

There is it.....tell me how bad I am. Is a CellC rep here because they are doing us a favour.

I am paying for a service I expect. I don't want favours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At these speeds I will be bankrupt in a day or so.

Let me just copy this before I get disconnected again...............................................

Please see first post.

 

[maumau]

Cell C 3gb prepaid data on samsung GT2. Northcliff area in JHB won't connect. Something about connecting to proxy server failed.

 

[Sirius]

I have 500MB prepaid data on Galaxy note but I have major issues when connecting or browsing on my phone. At 8pm, my 3G drops. After about 10 minutes, it starts to "seep" in. The speeds are not great and always time out. At times it's 5pm and my connection is dead. At times when I wake up early around 4.45am, I can receive mails and send but at exactly 5am, I am thrown out. I am in Bellville area in Cape Town and now in to 3 weeks like this. The signal is horrible and when a friend sent me a picture via whatsapp (43KB), I cannot even down load it! Cheap data but service definitely not great.

 

[rynovz]

I have been to the Cell C shop at Centurion, complaining. The problem is that they don't understand this "technical stuff". They can only help you as far as authenticating you to the network in other words I have great signal strength but no internet. I spoke to 3 different people and in the end it came down to the fact that they won't be able to find out what is going on at that moment, because the technical people or helpdesk do not work on weekends.

I had to go to vodacom and buy a prepaid package and put some data on just to complete my assignments over the internet. I still have some 2Gig left on Cell C.

So OakAvenue, I do understand your frustration. It is actually a week now since my Cell C connection started to go blank. Hey but at least I have excellent signal strength!!!! I have to be positive about something.

 

[Sirius]

I am actually thinking of buying either an MTN or VodaCom prepaid line as my neighbors can browse easily with no hassles. The rates at CellC are low. Data is cheap but the service.....*sigh*

 

[Cloud]

Not sure if this is the right place, but here goes.

Planning a trip to Tulbagh soon and would like to know if there is 3g coverage there as I need to be online.

The coverage map seems to indicate that it does, but would like to get confirmation from other members.

 

[PSi_ENTiTY]

I've had sooooooo many issues with Cell C since i got back from holiday (15 Jan 2013)! I have almost perfect signal but i can't even open up google! WTF! Seriously?! If they don't sort it out, I'm cancelling my contract and going back to Vodacom, I never had these issues with them!

Guess what?! Same issue after almoast 3 weeks. Feedback from Cell C: "We're looking into it..."
http://postimage.org/image/cdw9xaplb/

 

[rynovz]

I am actually thinking of buying either an MTN or VodaCom prepaid line as my neighbors can browse easily with no hassles. The rates at CellC are low. Data is cheap but the service.....*sigh*

Where I live (Centurion) I found MTN prepaid faster than Vodacom but MTN is more expensive in General. Vodacom will get LTE for their prepaid and Topup customers soon, though.

 

[Leitmotif]

3g service in my area - Centurion, near Laerskool Bakenkop - has been going downhill since late last year. It's basically unusable at the moment, to the point where I've ordered an ADSL line again. Disconnects every half an hour or so, packet loss on the scale of 40%, despite the router showing high strength signal.

Sent in the requested details to Cell C tech support a couple of times already. Got no acknowledgement, much less resolution. Poor show.

 

[Jola]

Weekday again : Cell C dead near Wanderers, can't even run speedtest.

Posting this via Vodacom (also congested, but at least it still works !).

 

[Sm00thSm0k3]

Location: Radiokop, Roodepoort, GP
Date & Time of Issue: 19:00 - 23:00 during weekdays (basically anytime during peak time)
Device Manufacturer & Model: ZTE MF668
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): Pre Paid: 100 GB deal. 98 GB remaining.
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: none
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible): Not possible. Can't even google.
Cell ID (if possible): 12791
RSSI: -71 dBm
Any other information relevant to the problem: I can connect without any problems, but get no response from any website I try to access. I orginally came on board Cell C in Nov 2011. I had very few problems back then. Over the last couple of months, at regular intervals, I have experienced no throughput on my connection. It has now reached a point where I cannot access the Internet at all early in the night. I have to connect late at night or in the early hours of the morning to get any throughput. During these times the connection is fantastic. Seems like a congestion issue which Cell C has not been addressing. Posting this from my Vodacom cell phone.

Also in Radiokop and having the same issues. Awesome signal strength but internet is practically dead. Continuous timeouts.

I ported from Vodacom just a few days ago and now this....if this continues I'll have to go back to Vodascum. It's very nice paying half the price for data bundles but whats the point if you can't actually use it.

Very disappointing.

 

[Myboom]

Location: Secunda Mpumalanga
Date & Time of Issue: 2nd February 2013
Device Manufacturer & Model: Huawei E683
Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): Pre paid SIM i.e. Gigga 200
Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: Helpdesk said there were no reported errors and that I should wait to see if it improves.
RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): HSPA+
www.speedtest.net results (if possible):
Cell ID (if possible): Not possible
RSSI (if possible, see How to check signal strength (RSSI))

Any other information relevant to the problem:

 

[wjkotze]

I am living in central Stellenbosch and I have used Cell C as my primary internet service provider for the past 18 months. The service has been reliable and relatively fast ( typical: ping: 80ms, download: 2750 kbps, upload: 1250 kbps ) Since the middle of January 2013 the service has just collapsed. Despite a strong 3g signal I can get virtually no internet service at all. About 50% of the time I cannot even use speedtest.net. Just outside Stellenbosch I am getting download speeds of up to 7250 kbps on my iphone which confirms that it is not a device problem.

I will appreciate some feedback from a Cell C representative.



Location: Central Stellenbosch

Date & Time of Issue: Since mid January 2013

Device Manufacturer & Model : ipad 2; ipad 3; iphone 5; e1752 modem

Contract Type (pre- or post-paid): prepaid

Existing reference numbers from Helpdesk: 1737188

RAT (2G/3G/HSPA+): 4 to 5 bar 3g signal

www.speedtest.net results (if possible):

worst result: ping 1750ms,download 85 kbps, upload 2kbps
best result: ping 225ms,download 625 kbps, upload 65kbps
50% of the time you cannot even get a speedtest result.

 

[Sm00thSm0k3]

If AKC was right a couple of months ago in saying that they're signing up thousands of new customers each month then I guess this is the aftermath...it would seem their "next generation network" can't handle the load.

I would like to see something official come from AKC or Cell C. Admitting that they're having congestion issues would be a good start.

 

[scuzzy]

If AKC was right a couple of months ago in saying that they're signing up thousands of new customers each month then I guess this is the aftermath...it would seem their "next generation network" can't handle the load.

I would like to see something official come from AKC or Cell C. Admitting that they're having congestion issues would be a good start.

+1

No use selling data at 15c/mb when you can't even download a single byte...both sides lose!