Cell Networks vs ADSL

[fiekie7]

Hi,

Something which has been a bit of a bother, why is it that 3G data is chowed up much more quicker than when using a fixed line ADSL, this is a definite reason why i have not thought of implementing 3G as a failover service, another thing which seems to bother me.... does vodacom, MTN and Cell C block ports on there network, these would include port 5060 and 3389 .....

Looking forward to some light shedding ....

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Hi,

Something which has been a bit of a bother, why is it that 3G data is chowed up much more quicker than when using a fixed line ADSL, this is a definite reason why i have not thought of implementing 3G as a failover service, another thing which seems to bother me.... does vodacom, MTN and Cell C block ports on there network, these would include port 5060 and 3389 .....

Looking forward to some light shedding ....

It most probably feels like it is being used up more quickly because it is generally faster thank most fixed lines. Not sure there could be that much difference though in usage.

About blocking ports, I know that Vodacom completely blocks incoming connections and you have to send a request through to open up access (search unrestricted apn), then everything is open.

 

[chrisc]

I cannot see why there should be any difference, unless the phone or whatever device uses a 3G connection does updates in the background

Once I found someone's 3G modem attached to a router where there was a weak password and some neighbour in a block of flats was helping himself to data.

I cannot answer you about the ports. What are ports 5060 and 3389 used for? I used CellC for a year and never found anything that would not work. I also used a program called Networx to monitor the useage via the LAN port and it always corresponded with what the CellC dashboard told me.

 

[MKFrost]

Been on mobile data only for about a month now (dropped my ADSL as it was worse than a dial-up).

I have around 4 apps that run 24/7 and the data usage for the mobile connection is exactly the same as for the ADSL.

My overall data usage has however increased with around 30% but this is due to me streaming more video on the mobile as it's so much faster. On ADSL it was a royal pain, even at 1Mb.

So usage is the same when the same apps run over the same time periods.

 

[ginggs]

Something which has been a bit of a bother, why is it that 3G data is chowed up much more quicker than when using a fixed line ADSL...

I think that's simply because 3G is faster. If you download a 200MB file, it is going to use 200MB of your cap whether you are on 3G or ADSL, it's just that it will come down in less time on 3G.

does vodacom, MTN and Cell C block ports on there network, these would include port 5060 and 3389 .....

Yes, but if you need incoming ports open, you can alwaysrequest to be provisioned for the 'unrestricted' APN.

Looking forward to some light shedding ....

You should see my cats.

 

[Cassady]

Apologies the the hi-jack and noob question - but anyone care to explain things to someone who's clearly had his head up you know where for the past months...

I've never even considered 3G/mobile options, since I always assumed ADSL would be quicker... It came as quite a shock seeing the articles on the homepage, explaining that this is increasingly not the case... With this being said - what I cannot get my head around, is surely the faster speed of 3G is offset by connectivity issues?

By this I mean simply, my iPhone tries to run on 3G during most of the day, since I don't connect it to any WiFi at work (Ipad & MBP do connect via WiFi)... I'm almost always on Edge at the office because of the old building with seriously old-skool thick walls... Even when I step out - it takes a while for the phone to move across to 3G from Edge... At home, if I'm downstairs and far away from the Wifi router, the phone drops Wifi and tries to hook-up 3G, but invariably loses it again and drops to Edge. It's probably because we're in the shadow of the mountain, and 3G connectivity is a bit of an issue...

So having said all of this - would it even make sense to investigate 3G as a viable option? At the risk of sounding like a complete retard, am I correct in assuming that if my phone battles to pick up 3G in the areas where I would ordinarily use the laptop and tablet, then moving over to a mobile 3G modem is not going to help? It's not as if the 3G modem will pick up a signal easier than my phone - or is this in fact a possibility?

Any thoughts?

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Apologies the the hi-jack and noob question - but anyone care to explain things to someone who's clearly had his head up you know where for the past months...

I've never even considered 3G/mobile options, since I always assumed ADSL would be quicker... It came as quite a shock seeing the articles on the homepage, explaining that this is increasingly not the case... With this being said - what I cannot get my head around, is surely the faster speed of 3G is offset by connectivity issues?

By this I mean simply, my iPhone tries to run on 3G during most of the day, since I don't connect it to any WiFi at work (Ipad & MBP do connect via WiFi)... I'm almost always on Edge at the office because of the old building with seriously old-skool thick walls... Even when I step out - it takes a while for the phone to move across to 3G from Edge... At home, if I'm downstairs and far away from the Wifi router, the phone drops Wifi and tries to hook-up 3G, but invariably loses it again and drops to Edge. It's probably because we're in the shadow of the mountain, and 3G connectivity is a bit of an issue...

So having said all of this - would it even make sense to investigate 3G as a viable option? At the risk of sounding like a complete retard, am I correct in assuming that if my phone battles to pick up 3G in the areas where I would ordinarily use the laptop and tablet, then moving over to a mobile 3G modem is not going to help? It's not as if the 3G modem will pick up a signal easier than my phone - or is this in fact a possibility?

Any thoughts?

Firstly, how much data do you consume per month?

Also, every cell provider may have completely different signal quality in your area so you will have to test out each one and see which is best.

 

[rorz0r]

Apologies the the hi-jack and noob question - but anyone care to explain things to someone who's clearly had his head up you know where for the past months...

I've never even considered 3G/mobile options, since I always assumed ADSL would be quicker... It came as quite a shock seeing the articles on the homepage, explaining that this is increasingly not the case... With this being said - what I cannot get my head around, is surely the faster speed of 3G is offset by connectivity issues?

By this I mean simply, my iPhone tries to run on 3G during most of the day, since I don't connect it to any WiFi at work (Ipad & MBP do connect via WiFi)... I'm almost always on Edge at the office because of the old building with seriously old-skool thick walls... Even when I step out - it takes a while for the phone to move across to 3G from Edge... At home, if I'm downstairs and far away from the Wifi router, the phone drops Wifi and tries to hook-up 3G, but invariably loses it again and drops to Edge. It's probably because we're in the shadow of the mountain, and 3G connectivity is a bit of an issue...

So having said all of this - would it even make sense to investigate 3G as a viable option? At the risk of sounding like a complete retard, am I correct in assuming that if my phone battles to pick up 3G in the areas where I would ordinarily use the laptop and tablet, then moving over to a mobile 3G modem is not going to help? It's not as if the 3G modem will pick up a signal easier than my phone - or is this in fact a possibility?

Any thoughts?

There's various factors but basically your phone should get a similar signal to a 3G modem. The biggest difference is the network that's used. eg. your phone is on vodacom but maybe there's awesome cell c signal. The only way to test this is to basically get a bunch of prepaid sim cards and load a bit of data on them so you can run some speed tests.

 

[Cassady]

Thanks all...


Read several pages back in the thread - and see this point being made over and over! Apologies!
I am on Vodacom. Wife is on MTN - so will start having a close look at her 3G usage. Will then consider the CellC & 8ta sim option to confirm...

Assuming I can get a very good signal - is that it then - will a properly connected 3G modem consistently nail ADSL on speed?

Oh - and not a heavy user. 10gig currently, that more often than not get topped up - was considering upgrading to a 20gig monthly data package through Helkom...

 

[HavocXphere]

will a properly connected 3G modem consistently nail ADSL on speed?

Consistently...possibly maybe. You can stack the odds by mounting a 3G antenna outside your house.

10gig currently, that more often than not get topped up - was considering upgrading to a 20gig monthly data package through Helkom...

Bit heavy for 3G...its gonna cost you quite a bit.

Also, 3G coverage isn't static. They sometimes change the towers a bit & then your screwed (but still bound by 24 month contract). Doesn't happen often, but it does.

I prefer ADSL. I need reasonable speed (>1mbps), near perfectl stability and heavy data usage. Getting that on 3G...no chance.