Connected but no throughput

[GertB]

Connected with full strength signal WCDMA or HSPA+, but web pages doesn't load. Had trouble since Nov 2011, but it still worked 4 out of 5 times. Lately its NOT working 4 out of 5 times, becoming almost unusable.

When I look at the cell C dashboard just after connecting uploads are running, but downloads stay at 0.00
Using Huawei E1820 Speedstick 60GB.

I've been to the Cell C store, they just want to send the speedstick away for 3 weeks and I doubt if that will solve the problem. Called the technical support centre, they reset the sim the dongle uses and had me do manual registration of the isp in the dashboard. Did not solve the problem.

The most frustrating thing is that sometimes it does work at super speed, and then at other times nothing happens, no web page opens. There is no pattern for this, its like playing the lotto and hoping a page opens.

What can be the problem? If it is drop in signal why doesnt it "disconnect"? Why is uploads always running but downloads at 0.00?

I hope there is a CellC guru or any kind of guru that can help me with this problem. Any help or suggestions would really be appreciated.

 

[UnUnOctium]

Sounds a bit like an overloaded tower. Note the RSSI when there's no throughput and when there is, then post here.

 

[GertB]

Yesterday evening had no luck opening pages... tried constantly between 22:00 and 23:00. This morning since 7am everything is working like a charm, no throughput problems.

So can give you the RSSI when there is throughput: -79dBm

According to the RSSI post this is Good: "Good - Levels between -75dBm and -85dBm - normally no problem holding a connection with this sort of level (even with cell breathing) without the use of an external antenna".

Will post again when it is not working...

 

[dread]

This "no through" put happens to me from time to time - i normally know something is wrong when I ping either myself or my buddies in IRC and dont get a reply - then I simply disconnect and connect again. That normally solves the problem - but yeah - its a relatively new thing - and my cell was definately not overloaded - living on a farm and all

 

[sajunky]

What can be the problem? If it is drop in signal why doesnt it "disconnect"? Why is uploads always running but downloads at 0.00?

I had similar problem and posted here. I saw modem doing handover to different tower and the new one is not giving any data. When Cell_ID changes back data continues. Hudge delays, lost packets, in result pages are not loaded or loaded partially. In summary there is a faulty tower with strong signal, but not giving throuput.

You can read RSSI, assuming you have already downloaded MDMA. Make note of Cell_ID of the tower on the time of connecting. Delayes are usually associated with changing Cell_ID. Make note of Cell_ID not giving data. Try to re-orient modem to get the stronges signal from the Cell_ID giving data. If doesn't help, post here these 'fake' towers ID's or PVT to Cell-C rep.

 

[GertB]

Since this thread started a week ago I've been waiting to record here every single time I experienced no throughput, but...

after months of frustration for the first time I experienced no problems at all... for the past week I had the most satisfying internet experience. Each and every single time I connected, pages loaded and opened fast.

Now I don't know what happened, from my side I definitely did not change a thing to my setup... whether cell C heard and headed my sos signals or whether its the power of posting here, I don't know... all I know is I can use the internet again the way it was meant to be used.

For everybody that posted here, thank you very much. @sajunky I undstood what you wrote in your post, but I have no idea of how to do anything you suggested, except check the RSSI from the cell C dashboard. Would like to know more about MDMA though, is it a program that you download and if so where can it be downloaded?

 

[Solitude]

That's the exact same problem I have here in Honeydew Ridge! This has been a horrid year so far with the Cell C internet for me. I'll keep an eye on the Cell ID to see if it changes.

 

[sajunky]

Sorry, I made wrong assumption about RSSI reading. It should be clear you were using mdma.

Would like to know more about MDMA though, is it a program that you download and if so where can it be downloaded?

Here is link to a sticky mdma thread, follow link to the beta version.
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/59080