Constant problems with Vodacom, recently

[Lino]

I have always loved Vodacom (perhaps even a fanboi), for many years I have used Vodacom as a prepaid solution for my cellphone. Even when I changed numbers, I still stuck with Vodacom, as I have found both their service and network to be reliable.

However, in the last 3/4 months the problems I have had are starting to make me consider moving to another network provider.

I live in Somerset West (Western Cape), and the signal strength has been going down. Calls randomly hangup, sms's don't always go through and the 3g has become a joke.

Using anything on my phone such as mxit is slowly becoming pointless as I can not get a stable enough connection for the session to last.

My voicemail, is a hit and go. If I record a message on it, it won't save it. So anybody calling me doesn't hear my pre recorded message.

I thought that this could be my phone, but it happens on other phones.

 

[Lino]

Got a friend who lives in Somerset and he's got no probs, maybe its the tower close to you or something?

However i think its the fact that you run Ubuntu

Still can't quite understand what Ubuntu has to do with this but anyway.

Giving credit where its due, even though Vodacom were quite useless at even responding to my problem (call center anyone?)

The problem seems to have been rectified, signal strength is back to its old strength. Which makes me very happy as all the other network providers struggle to get any signal in my area.

Of cause the cheaper rates for Vodacom prepaid also makes me happy again

 

[Lino]

De-railing the thread back!

Ok just when I was praising Vodacom again. My connection problems have started again. Any ideas? Anyone, Vodacom rep?

 

[Lino]

Well I have to say thanks for the reply except that it has nothing to do with my problem. You know I don't want to be funny but I am sick and tired of Vodacom either ignoring it or acting like there is nothing wrong...

 

[ic]

Well I have to say thanks for the reply except that it has nothing to do with my problem. You know I don't want to be funny but I am sick and tired of Vodacom either ignoring it or acting like there is nothing wrong...

Some details would be helpful, for a start, have you tried setting the phone to use 3GOnly|UMTS, and what make & model of phone is it, and which APN is the phone set to use, and is this definitely pre-paid...?

 

[vodacom3g]

Well I have to say thanks for the reply except that it has nothing to do with my problem. You know I don't want to be funny but I am sick and tired of Vodacom either ignoring it or acting like there is nothing wrong...

Not sure how I can help if you don't give any information one can act on?

You first posted there was a problem, then you posted it was resolved and then it returned.

But nowhere did you give any information that could be used to check what your problem could be.

Iam3G is also somewhere in "Somerset West" and also battles with his 3G (and has been complaining here for a while). But only after he sent me his details (as per my sig) could we very quickly work out what the problem is that is affecting him (a site issue; we actually lost a site in Harbour Island due to residents).

You have to agree if you don't give the info there is little I can do, or say?

 

[Iam3G]

Not sure how I can help if you don't give any information one can act on?

You first posted there was a problem, then you posted it was resolved and then it returned.

But nowhere did you give any information that could be used to check what your problem could be.

Iam3G is also somewhere in "Somerset West" and also battles with his 3G (and has been complaining here for a while). But only after he sent me his details (as per my sig) could we very quickly work out what the problem is that is affecting him (a site issue; we actually lost a site in Harbour Island due to residents).

You have to agree if you don't give the info there is little I can do, or say?

Ja i am in Somerset West(Somerset Mall), and i have quite a few complaints from customers in the area(just outside the mall) about slow speeds and such. I'm beginning to think the site is on the premises of the mall(because its HSDPA Heaven there!).

Oneday those residents will also go sign up for 3G and then they'll also complain about these speeds

There's like an unused open field between Fleur Park, Harbour Island and Harmony Park. Why not just get permission to set the site up there? Or better yet, my backyard!

Download Speed: 133 kbps (16.6 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 147 kbps (18.4 KB/sec transfer rate)

 

[vodacom3g]

Ja i am in Somerset West(Somerset Mall), and i have quite a few complaints from customers in the area(just outside the mall) about slow speeds and such. I'm beginning to think the site is on the premises of the mall(because its HSDPA Heaven there!).

Oneday those residents will also go sign up for 3G and then they'll also complain about these speeds

There's like an unused open field between Fleur Park, Harbour Island and Harmony Park. Why not just get permission to set the site up there? Or better yet, my backyard!

Download Speed: 133 kbps (16.6 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 147 kbps (18.4 KB/sec transfer rate)

/* Stuck record warning */

It amazes me constantly that people think Vodacom DO NOT want your money.

Vodacom's sole income is from selling RF connectivity, be it for voice or data.

Would it not be obvious that if there is a sufficient need for connectivity, like in Somerset West, Vodacom would be putting up towers where-ever possible?

What do you think this is not happening?

 

[Iam3G]

/* Stuck record warning */

It amazes me constantly that people think Vodacom DO NOT want your money.

Vodacom's sole income is from selling RF connectivity, be it for voice or data.

Would it not be obvious that if there is a sufficient need for connectivity, like in Somerset West, Vodacom would be putting up towers where-ever possible?

What do you think this is not happening?

I know NOW why its not happening. And the irony of it... its those very people that doesn't want those towers erected, that complain about 'Vodacom's Poor Service'

 

[vodacom3g]

I know NOW why its not happening. And the irony of it... its those very people that doesn't want those towers erected, that complain about 'Vodacom's Poor Service'

Yup, if it was not so sad, we could have had a good laugh about it.

Like the Constantia example where there are two pressure groups formed by the residents themselves, one to stop towers going up and one to instigate class-action against the networks for not putting up enough towers.....

The problem affecting you is a whole comedy of events, from the original landlord going bust (there goes one tower) to the residents complaining in another area (there goes another one) forcing the guys to nail up a temporary tower, but with little transmission available (i.e. cr@p throughput).

So from having decent coverage and throughput, you suddently don't get either.

You bring us a relevant site with all the legalities and objections sorted, and you'll find the local guys very much in your debt. And they always give due where needed.

 

[Iam3G]

Yup, if it was not so sad, we could have had a good laugh about it.

Like the Constantia example where there are two pressure groups formed by the residents themselves, one to stop towers going up and one to instigate class-action against the networks for not putting up enough towers.....

The problem affecting you is a whole comedy of events, from the original landlord going bust (there goes one tower) to the residents complaining in another area (there goes another one) forcing the guys to nail up a temporary tower, but with little transmission available (i.e. cr@p throughput).

So from having decent coverage and throughput, you suddently don't get either.

You bring us a relevant site with all the legalities and objections sorted, and you'll find the local guys very much in your debt. And they always give due where needed.

Elaborate on...

1) Relevant Site
2) Legalities
3) Objections(wait i know this one... no anti-tower residents? )

 

[vodacom3g]

1) Relevant Site - Site where it makes sense to put up a tower.
2) Legalities - Read through the posts, one here
3) Objections(wait i know this one... no anti-tower residents? ) - amongst others, see above

 

[Iam3G]

During this LA process, adverts are required to be placed in the local papers informing the public of the intention to erect a mast and base station and inviting objections from "Interested and Affected Parties". All it requires is for ONE person to lodge an objection, and the whole process grinds to a halt. It is normal to receive numerous objections with varying reasons - these include amongst others, health concerns, property devaluation, unsightly appearance and increased crime rates.

I find this a bit unfair.

Hypothetical Scenario:

There's a great need for erecting a tower in an area. Say for example a user base of +-500 3G users.

Now 1 Environmentalist/Health Nut objects, just because he can, what about the +-500 users who need that tower and pays for that service?

 

[vodacom3g]

I find this a bit unfair.

Hypothetical Scenario:

There's a great need for erecting a tower in an area. Say for example a user base of +-500 3G users.

Now 1 Environmentalist/Health Nut objects, just because he can, what about the +-500 users who need that tower and pays for that service?

Yup, it's called "democracy".

You can obviously fight the complaint lodged but that takes years and in the mean-time your users suffer.

 

[Iam3G]

Yup, it's called "democracy".

You can obviously fight the complaint lodged but that takes years and in the mean-time your users suffer.

isn't 'Democracy' where the majority of Votes wins? That being 500 to 1?

Some Democracy...

And about a relevant site, there's an unused large open field between Harmony Park, Harbour Island and Fleur Park. Has Vodacom tried to erect a tower there?

 

[Cat011]

Actually democracy is about protecting the rights of all individuals, not just the majority.

Should I be forced to have some steel tower stuck up next to my house so that you can download porn? Are people not entitled to object to any developments that they feel affect their quality of life?

Developers are constantly trying to buldoze over the rights citizens to get their developments approved. You enjoy being a sheep and going along with the crowd. Some people like to think for themselves and take a cautious approach to developements that may affect their environment and health.

 

[CORY]

Its not so easy.. want screaming connectivity, but don't want to see a mast. I KNOW tht's a problem.
@cat011 sez >>>Actually democracy is about protecting the rights of all individuals, not just the majority>>>
They clash. I don't want a Teazers plukparlour in my 'hood, but no doubt many of my neighbours do
Maybe the answer is to have more subtle masts?And for the SPs to be more in touch w the communities?

 

[Iam3G]

Actually democracy is about protecting the rights of all individuals, not just the majority.

Should I be forced to have some steel tower stuck up next to my house so that you can download porn? Are people not entitled to object to any developments that they feel affect their quality of life?

Developers are constantly trying to buldoze over the rights citizens to get their developments approved. You enjoy being a sheep and going along with the crowd. Some people like to think for themselves and take a cautious approach to developements that may affect their environment and health.

And what about me? How is choosing the side of the objecting 'individual' protecting my rights? Where's the equality and democracy in that? I have rights too.

Its not so easy.. want screaming connectivity, but don't want to see a mast. I KNOW tht's a problem.
@cat011 sez >>>Actually democracy is about protecting the rights of all individuals, not just the majority>>>
They clash. I don't want a Teazers plukparlour in my 'hood, but no doubt many of my neighbours do
Maybe the answer is to have more subtle masts?And for the SPs to be more in touch with the communities?

That would be a better approach. Instead of having a handful of individuals completely halting a process like that for many years, the community(all parties) and the Service Provider can come together and find common ground to the situation at hand.

Hoo's GRU?

Ditto.

 

[vodacom3g]

And what about me? How is choosing the side of the objecting 'individual' protecting my rights? Where's the equality and democracy in that? I have rights too.

Have you not noticed it's often the rights of he-who-shouts-loudest that gets "protected".

That would be a better approach. Instead of having a handful of individuals completely halting a process like that for many years, the community(all parties) and the Service Provider can come together and find common ground to the situation at hand.

You'll be surprised how involved Vodacom is with the community. The regions all have people who get involved at all levels. Acquiring a site is much more of a negotiation that not.

Even if the 'community' agrees, one individual can still derail it.

 

[Iam3G]

Have you not noticed it's often the right of he-who-shouts-loudest that gets "protected".


You'll be surprised how involved Vodacom is with the community. The regions all have people who get involved at all levels. Acquiring a site is much more of a negotiation that not.

Even if the 'community' agrees, one individual can still derail it.

Exactly. It still comes down to that at the end of the day, no matter who shouts the loudest