Connection gets dropped // help

[Bauwermeister]

Hi There

For some reason my 3g connection gets dropped for no reason while surfing online.
This is extremely frustrating because I'm on the net , thinking that i'm still online, then i'm not //

what could cause my connection to disconnect automatically like that?

Please help

thankls

Bmeister

 

[vodacom3g]

bmeister, you've got the Option Colt right? Have you upgraded to 3.1.8? Latest VMC is also on vodacom.co.za.

If all the above is fine, what are your signal levels? Do you find the situation only in specific areas or do you get it all over?

 

[mavx]

Also found that was the case with the Novatel U630, upgrading Firmware helped with quiet a few niggling problems, timeouts etc.

 

[Bauwermeister]

connection

bmeister, you've got the Option Colt right? Have you upgraded to 3.1.8? Latest VMC is also on vodacom.co.za.

Yes, and i did upgrade to 3.1.8

If all the above is fine, what are your signal levels? Do you find the situation only in specific areas or do you get it all over?

Signal levels: 1 - 2 bars, but varies a lot , sometimes no bars at all .

I figured its because of the weak signal , so I changed my profile to 3G prefered, so it goes over to GPRS ofcourse.
So I might 've solved the disconnection problem , not sure yet , but I'm not happy running on GPRS , thats for sure.
It's dog slow , and think of it I pay over R600p/m for a very weak 3g / GPRS
I might as well save all that money , and just surf on GPRS with my Nokia 9300.
Family of mine which stays in the same security complex where i am , just got himself 3g One contract and he doesnt even get a 3g signal at all !, he 's basically running on GPRS permanantly, so I guess I should consider my self lucky.

I'm sorry for griping , but I've had enough // I'm banging my head against the walls with frustration.

 

[Bauwermeister]

and yes i did upgrade to 3.1.8firmware on my card

 

[ajax]

Signal levels: 1 - 2 bars, but varies a lot , sometimes no bars at all .

That signal is quite weak. Have you tried other rooms in the premises or near the window? You may just be in a bad spot. Otherwise, an antenna may help.

 

[Bauwermeister]

Sorry I didnt answer whole question.
I think its specific my to my area , but a very small area though.
The only thing i can think of is that it could be the cellphone reception:
The cell reception in my house and complex is extremely bad, lot of the times i cant even make calls screaming "No network coverage" on my phone. the whole time (Have you ever seen somebody throw a brand new 9300 to pieces against a wall? i'm getting close )

Anyways , i drive out of my security complex , about 500m - 800m away and the cell phone reception is 100%.
I dont know if that's got something to do with my problem. Maybe the way my complex has been built?
It just doesnt make sense considering i stay in Centurion highveld which has excellent coverage according the 3g map

 

[Bauwermeister]

hey Ajax

I wish i could move , but problem is i'm running my 3G from a desktop PC, since MT development ( the developers of the complex) were so brightspark not to lay Telkom infrastructure when they built the complex //
Thank goodness for wireless .

So i'm pretty stuck where i am . I actually started to hunt down where i can find a antenna myself,
but the the one I need is not available yet , same one Biometrix is testing.

i'm deperate for any antenna
(Maybe i can convert one of those old bunny arial, )

 

[ajax]

hey Ajax

I wish i could move , but problem is i'm running my 3G from a desktop PC, since MT development ( the developers of the complex) were so brightspark not to lay Telkom infrastructure when they built the complex //
Thank goodness for wireless .

So i'm pretty stuck where i am . I actually started to hunt down where i can find a antenna myself,
but the the one I need is not available yet , same one Biometrix is testing.

i'm deperate for any antenna
(Maybe i can convert one of those old bunny arial, )

Hmm, that means the antenna is sitting right next to the metal of your pc, quite close to the floor right? Well, you can try and move the pc a meter or 2 maybe? I find the signal can vary by a few bar by just moving around within the area of about 1 square meter.
Do it slowly though as the signal is always averaging over time so it needs time to adjust.

You've got nothing to lose playing around with the bunny ears. Also if you have some copper wire lying around, you can take a chance and stick it into the antenna port. It will be by no means be an optimal solution, but worth a shot in a desperate situation
Just don't break anything!

 

[fingers121]

I actually started to hunt down where i can find a antenna myself,
but the the one I need is not available yet , same one Biometrix is testing.

i'm deperate for any antenna
(Maybe i can convert one of those old bunny arial, )

You should contact the Help Desk, and get them to get one of the radio planners out to your site. I am also in a fringe coverage area, it took some time to happen, but Vodacom installed one of the 3G cell extenders for me, and have had no hassles with the 3G reception since...

 

[Bauwermeister]

Ok, that sounds like a plan .

For who do you ask exactly , because i find these people at 155 to be like computers, thy only have pre-programmed answers , anything outside of that will be something like "Sorry sir we dont do that" or "unfortunetaly that is not possible"
Did you just ask for technical support first? and then for a Radio planner

Then my next challenge would be, to actually make a successfull cellphone call. Its one of the "bonus" features on my Talk 500 contract

 

[ajax]

You should contact the Help Desk, and get them to get one of the radio planners out to your site. I am also in a fringe coverage area, it took some time to happen, but Vodacom installed one of the 3G cell extenders for me, and have had no hassles with the 3G reception since...

That's a good idea.

If you can get enough signatures from neighbours in the building with the same complaint about bad signal/dropped calls, Vodacom will consider improving the coverage in your area. But this solution will not happen overnight.
Maybe if MTN's coverage is better, you can also let them know about that

 

[Bauwermeister]

I havent tried the signiture thing, but i have laid an complaint twice with Vodacom, and some kind of manager eventually came back to me , told me
The problem is that Vodacom does not have nearby tower , and they looking at sharing with the MTN tower , but he said that will probably will not happen in the near future.

What i dont get , i drive out of my complex , and i have perfect reception?

I asked them if they cant install something like fingers 121 is talking about , an extender . / booster
But no they cant do that. blablabla.... the usual stuff

but i think i'm going to try to push to get a radio planner out here. and the signiture thing is maybe not such a a bad idea.
thanks

 

[Soulcode]

Bauwermeister, i have been complaining about this for almost a year now. All the techies' rubbish advice boils down to: Sorry, we can't help you.

Vodacom's 3G/GPRS service sucks big hairy inflamed testicles and thats the way it's gonna stay.

 

[vodacom3g]

Bauwermeister, two things you can possibly do:

1) Get an external antenna. I know you've been trying to get one but they are becoming more available. Will chase it up for you.

2) Use one of the new Littlebox 3G Access Points, mount it high up in your home and attach to it via WiFi.

3) Use a combination of the above, WiFi AP with an external antenna.

Getting to many PM's nowadays to store everything, so I don't have your physical address anymore. Won't you resend to me?

Soulcode, not to sure if I know (or remember!) the details around your situation. If you PM me, we can give it another bash.

There has to be an answer....I'm sure we can find it.

 

[Soulcode]

v3G, the problem is that you are the only Vodacom employ that gives a rats ass. One person can't carry the whole company.

 

[3G turtle]

disconnecting of 3g

Hello

I have experienced diconnecting as well on 3G prefered but when i changed my profile to 3G or GPRS only i never seem to drop connection anymore.

Thank you guys for the help and news on the forum

Regards from the 3G turlte

 

[vodacom3g]

v3G, the problem is that you are the only Vodacom employ that gives a rats ass. One person can't carry the whole company.

Soulcode, I tend to operate across the spectrum in Vodacom, from senior management right down to the real techies (read heroes) and can honestly say there is a deeply embedded culture of customer service in Vodacom. This forum, for example, is tracked by a fair number of Vodacom employees including senior management.

However, it is a large organisation, with thousands of employees and you will find that sometimes it's like banging your head against a brick wall and, by the sounds of it, you've experienced this. Especially on the call desk, there is a chance that you end up with a new, inexperienced guy. Nothing more frustrating when you've held on for 10 minutes and you know more than the guy on the other side.....it does happen.

MY advice is to not give up, log a call 10 times if you have to, use e-mail or the 4me portal to log a call if you don't want to hold on forever but log the call (numerous times, if you must). Insist on escalating your call. PM me.

Eventually you'll end up with someone who'll understand your problem and do whatever possible to sort it.

A number of forumites will be able to vouch for this, they had a problem, sometimes it got resolved quickly and sometimes not, but as long as someone is doing something at least we're all moving forward.

We have had a request or two that was just impossible to fulfill, but this will happen as well. As long as it's explained.

 

[vodacom3g]

I have experienced disconnecting as well on 3G preferred but when i changed my profile to 3G or GPRS only i never seem to drop connection anymore.

I believe most data card users end up using the 3G-Only or GPRS-Only profiles and control the GPRS/3G switching manually. Seems to work much better.

Over the weekend I tested to see how low a signal is needed before you loose the 3G connection and how the (new V6) dash will react. I'm in an area with only 2 bars and according to the map should not have coverage at all but can work at full speed most of the time.

I started wrapping tinfoil around the data card and eventually had no signal left at all on the dash but could still work. With 2 bars signal (no foil) I was getting 300Kb/s, eventually I got 11Kb/s (roll of tinfoil wrapped around the card!) but still no dropped signal.

Then on other days you sneeze and the connection drops....wireless comms, gotta love it....

 

[ajax]

Then on other days you sneeze and the connection drops....wireless comms, gotta love it....

Like one of my colleagues always say:"Dis nou my gat se deksel..."