Cell C network testing - Contract vs Vodacom and Prepaid vs MTN

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Cell C customers getting raw deal on network speeds

Network testing by MyBroadband Insights revealed that Cell C subscribers are getting significantly slower speeds on Vodacom and MTN’s networks than subscribers of those networks.

The testing followed complaints from Cell C subscribers about poor network speeds after the migration of subscribers to Vodacom and MTN’s networks.
 
I still cannot understand why they had to migrate contract subscribers to Vodacom. Worst decision ever, when it was roaming on MTN everything was fine. I am in process of terminating my 2 Cell C contracts and porting to MTN.
 
I'm guessing that Cell-C operates their own back-haul network and only piggyback on Vodacom and MTN's radio infrastructure. So it is entirely likely that Cell-C's backhaul capacity is less. (Or am I misunderstanding how these radio-sharing agreements work?)
 
Gaz{M} said:
Each roaming provider obviously gives a small slice of their network to Cell C and deprioritises Cell C customers. Same thing on Telkom with Vodacom roaming. It's disgusting and ICASA should fine MTN and Vodacom.
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Why is that? Perhaps Cell C only pays for a finite amount of capacity. They are cheaper than the others and them paying less for capacity is where they can bring the savings to you?
 
sgs said:
I'm guessing that Cell-C operates their own back-haul network and only piggyback on Vodacom and MTN's radio infrastructure. So it is entirely likely that Cell-C's backhaul capacity is less. (Or am I misunderstanding how these radio-sharing agreements work?)
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Also thought this is the most likely explanation. They are still using their own spectrum and core network as well. Apparently the transmission network and radios at the towers have been "logically partitioned".

Edit: They actually do mention Cell C using different routing in the article. Missed it on the first read.

A bit silly for someone to expect to get the same speeds as MTN and/or Vodacom..

In my personal experience, the speeds I get on Cell C are perfectly acceptable and reasonable for the price. For what it's worth, I have never struggled with the connection.
 
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Louis72 said:
Why is that? Perhaps Cell C only pays for a finite amount of capacity. They are cheaper than the others and them paying less for capacity is where they can bring the savings to you?
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I suspect Cell C is able to keep costs down on the core network side of things. I have noticed for example all my Cell C traffic routes to JHB while on the same physical tower MTN would have local routing in the Western Cape. Can imagine that will have some impact on ping and speeds. But still overall I would say acceptable for the price.
 
Since using CellC I have noticed a gradual reduction of speed, some SMSs don't get delivered (+-50%).
Calls have started to break-up with 5 bars of signal (full signal).
Something that gets to me badly is I start a download of a file, lets say file size of 300mb, then for some reason the download stops.
I run an app that allows me to resume the download, the server supports resume.
On beginning the download, all 300mb data is deducted from my prepaid data.
On resuming yet another full 300mb data is deducted, if I have to resume again then a 3rd 300mb is deducted and so on.
As I have found the hard way, it is useless contacting the call center, it is like dealing with Telkom - nothing changes.
As a result, I am considering moving to Vodacom, MTN is not an option as they where expiring data and airtime within 30 seconds, NOT DAYS - SECONDS after I loaded it.
No resolution there.
 
Not bad speeds at all. I’m the generation that lived through Edge and 3G. We were counting in kilobits and smiling from ear to ear
 
I canceled my contract last payment this month not going contract again it started with R79 a month now R450 a month i dont need data most of the day i am at wifi so i can buy bit of data and airtime when needed.Also speeds have dropped i use to get around 70 mb now maybe 40 which is still oky.
 
MRTOM said:
I canceled my contract last payment this month not going contract again it started with R79 a month now R450 a month i dont need data most of the day i am at wifi so i can buy bit of data and airtime when needed.Also speeds have dropped i use to get around 70 mb now maybe 40 which is still oky.
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Have you tried the new virtual network on prepaid? Might give you a better experience if Vodacom sucks in your area.
 
Schlandower said:
Since using CellC I have noticed a gradual reduction of speed, some SMSs don't get delivered (+-50%).
Calls have started to break-up with 5 bars of signal (full signal).
Something that gets to me badly is I start a download of a file, lets say file size of 300mb, then for some reason the download stops.
I run an app that allows me to resume the download, the server supports resume.
On beginning the download, all 300mb data is deducted from my prepaid data.
On resuming yet another full 300mb data is deducted, if I have to resume again then a 3rd 300mb is deducted and so on.
As I have found the hard way, it is useless contacting the call center, it is like dealing with Telkom - nothing changes.
As a result, I am considering moving to Vodacom, MTN is not an option as they where expiring data and airtime within 30 seconds, NOT DAYS - SECONDS after I loaded it.
No resolution there.
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That is unfortunate and unacceptable. I wonder if your area is served by a legacy tower and not the new virtual network? I only moved to Cell C in February and by then the towers in my area were already switched to the virtual network on MTN infrastructure. Family who have been with Cell C for years tell me it used to be crap before this new network. Apparently most of Gauteng and Western Cape still on the legacy infrastructure right now which I imagine could be crap in some places. :(
 
plutobirds said:
That is unfortunate and unacceptable. I wonder if your area is served by a legacy tower and not the new virtual network? I only moved to Cell C in February and by then the towers in my area were already switched to the virtual network on MTN infrastructure. Family who have been with Cell C for years tell me it used to be crap before this new network. Apparently most of Gauteng and Western Cape still on the legacy infrastructure right now which I imagine could be crap in some places. :(
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It is quite possible that we are still on the legacy system, if I get 300k/s it is a really good day, most of the time 45 to 100k.
A real pain.
 
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