Connect to a Different Tower

[Solitude]

After my Cell C internet has been working great for a couple of months, 2012 has just been horrible. In the evenings I can't even browse, except if I forcibly connect via EDGE then pages will sometimes load.

According to the Cell C rep here, it's because of high congestion in this area. It would seem that everybody got Speedsticks for Christmas.

So the broken tower is Cell ID 12903. Is there a way to make my modem, a ZTE MF668, connect to a different tower?

Even if another tower is far away, I don't know what else to try. I've got two 60GB sims and they are now going to waste. I hate this. I moved away from ADSL because of congestion problems and now the same thing is happening with Cell C. Pretty please help me. I just don't know what to do anymore.

 

[ginggs]

So the broken tower is Cell ID 12903. Is there a way to make my modem, a ZTE MF668, connect to a different tower?

Use a directional antenna, like the Poynting LPDA-A0044, aimed at a different tower.

 

[Solitude]

Thanks ginggs. Is there perhaps a way to set it via settings so long without having to use a directional antenna?

 

[Solitude]

Okay no, I've done some reading and it looks like that's the only option. I'm going to drive around a bit tonight to see whether it will be worthwhile getting an antenna.

Thanks for your help ginggs.

 

[ajax]

You could try to set the modem to use only the UMTS2100 band. That should get you a different tower if available in your area.

If unsure about the modem setting, maybe first put your sim in a phone that only supports UMTS2100 and check your signal.

 

[Solitude]

Using mdma now and I see that it uses different Cell ID's depending whether I connect via 3G or forcing it to use EDGE. Is that normal?

The RSSI for HSPA+ is -93dBm. It always used to be much better.

 

[sajunky]

Normal.

 

[Solitude]

Thanks sajunky.

And another question... Is it normal that the Cell ID is different during the day (when it's fast) compared to during the evening (when it doesn't work).

I'm currently connected to Cell ID 11025 and it's very fast. Normally I'm not here during the day though and then I'll look in the evenings where it normally connects to Cell ID 12903 which is the broken one.

 

[ajax]

11025 is UMTS2100 (ID's ending 4,5 and 6)
12903 is UMTS900 (ID's ending in 1,2 and 3)

 

[Solitude]

You guys are just a wealth of knowledge. Will see how the connection is tonight but if I can keep it connected to this Cell ID then that would be wonderful.

Thanks for the help so far everyone!

 

[KTMQuin]

I have the same problem. Suddenly this new year the best dl speed I get is 1.2mb with 220ms ping. All of last yr and december I was at dl of 8mbs and 30ms ping. Crappy network.

 

[sajunky]

And another question... Is it normal that the Cell ID is different during the day (when it's fast) compared to during the evening (when it doesn't work).

It is normal that Cell ID is changing, it depends on the propagation (moisture in the air, polution). Not a regular day/evening (it could be for medium radio frequencies though). There is another mechanism cutting you off from the working tower. It is called "cell breathing" which gives priority to the users with better signal. Solution is to improve your signal.

I'm currently connected to Cell ID 11025 and it's very fast. Normally I'm not here during the day though and then I'll look in the evenings where it normally connects to Cell ID 12903 which is the broken one.

You can try lock your modem to 2100MHz frequency, then 11025 Cell is more likely to stay. In MDMA - the latest - beta you can select frequency, there is an option "UMTS 2100 + GSM 900/1800 (Europe)" to chose. It is stored in the modem, remember return to automatic when you don't need restrictions anymore.

 

[Solitude]

Thanks everyone. I locked the modem to 2100MHz like you said, sajunky. And last night browsing was as it should be.

 

[sajunky]

I think it was ajax who pointed us in the right direction.

 

[sajunky]

It looks like we have a problem, discussed now in MDMA beta thread. It was reported that the same modem ignores the command to go back to automatic (all bands) mode and it was solved by warranty replacement. As long you are happy with 2100MHz tower - fine, but there is even no way to switch to 900MHz. If we can not find solution, I suggest to do the same (before warranty expires).

 

[Solitude]

Hmmm that's a difficult one. For now I'm happy with the 2100MHz tower. In fact my browsing has never been this great.. For the first time I was able to play an MMO last night. I can not express how happy I am.

I take it that the warranty replacement has the same problem? For now I will just hold thumbs that you guys can find a solution.

 

[sajunky]

I take it that the warranty replacement has the same problem? For now I will just hold thumbs that you guys can find a solution.

It is obvious that it wasn't even tried. But you can tell us if your modem accepts "automatic (all bands)" settings or returns error? It is better to know now.

 

[Solitude]

Cool I posted in the MDMA 1.0.0.31 Beta testing thread. Will set it back to automatic tonight to see if it works.

 

[Cell_C]

Cool I posted in the MDMA 1.0.0.31 Beta testing thread. Will set it back to automatic tonight to see if it works.

Hi Solitude

Its looks like all seems bit better ?
Please keep me updated.

Regards
~AM~

 

[Solitude]

Hi Solitude

Its looks like all seems bit better ?
Please keep me updated.

Regards
~AM~

Yes thanks Armando. Now that it's connecting to a different tower I'm very happy. It does look though that my modem can't be set back to connect to 900 MHz towers so I will go test this weekend whether the house that I'm moving to will have proper internet with the modem as it is now.

*holding thumbs*