Cool Ideas Fixed 5G/4G Feedback Thread

Jake45 said:
@ajax: Are you on the R359 or the R559 package ? I think that the download and upload speeds also vary depending on the package, not just the FUP. I would guess that the top level packages should have the fastest upload speeds. From my experience on Vodacom, the speeds also vary depending on the amount of traffic on the tower.
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I'm on R259 Vodacom. Actually this morning I did some tests. I placed my router basically on my roof with a UPS. Signal improved by about 10 dB. Upload speed test improved from about 30 Mbit/sec to 54 Mbit/sec using the same towers as when my router is indoors behind a window.
@susefan: Yes, it's on MTN. I am testing on desktop web browser. I don't know how to get signal stats.
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Log into the router at 192.168.0.1 (assuming you have the ZTE G5TS of course). Click on System -> Device Information. You should see 4G and 5G cell information.
 
CoolEscalator said:
Nah, mostly the upload ranges from 10-20% of what you get on the download, seems to be the common trend with these Fixed Cellular services, Upload will always be on the lower end. I wouldn't say its FUP/Package dependant
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OK many thanks for the clarification. Initially the packages were sold according to different speeds so I assumed this was the case although I see they are no longer advertised in this way. If I decided to change to a Cool Ideas MTN package in the future how much notice is required ? Would it be possible to return to Vodacom if the MTN service didn't perform any better ?

ajax said:
I'm on R259 Vodacom. Actually this morning I did some tests. I placed my router basically on my roof with a UPS. Signal improved by about 10 dB. Upload speed test improved from about 30 Mbit/sec to 54 Mbit/sec using the same towers as when my router is indoors behind a window.
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Many thanks for the feedback. Your upload speeds are *much* better than mine which is currently around 5Mbps during the day.

I'm sure that I would also see an improvement if I put my router in a weatherproof box on the roof but it's a bit inconvenient to use it like this ! From what I've read in another thread, connecting a single external antenna does not appear to improve things much due to the use of multiple bands/antennae.
P

Post in thread 'MTN fixed LTE allowed routers'

giepie.delport said:
Hey there

I was not successful in using the external antenna option...let me explain

Whilst waiting for the extended antenna to arrive, I installed the ZTE router on the pole, inside an IP65 enclosure. It worked OK, but wasn't ideal.

When the antennas arrived, I moved the router to the client's metal server enclosure (one of those outdoor ones sold by Scoop). From the router I ran 2x 5m cables to the outdoor antenna.....

I then configured the ZTE to use the external antenna, but couldn't get ANY signal! (Not on any of the 4x signal levels)

Moved the router outside, got signal on...
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We're you able to locate any 5G N78 carriers on the roof ? According to this press release from Vodacom they are currently rolling out high speed/capacity Dual Band Massive MIMO 5G towers using N78/B41 which might offer better performance.

@susefan: Do you notice any difference between the MTN and Vodacom (when it was working!) services ?
 
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I'm sure that I would also see an improvement if I put my router in a weatherproof box on the roof but it's a bit inconvenient to use it like this !
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Agreed, but I am always curious to see what the tower is capable of giving me.
I should actually redo the test at 3AM... :laugh:
 
Jake45 said:
If I decided to change to a Cool Ideas MTN package in the future how much notice is required ? Would it be possible to return to Vodacom if the MTN service didn't perform any better ?
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I don't believe we need a calandars months notice, as we do have customers who do this all the time. Feel free to query this with [email protected] and they can sort you out :)

But most likely a would be a month end cancellation to avoid billing descrepencies/ pro-rata refunds, etc
 
@CoolEscalator: Many thanks for the advice. I am still deciding whether or not to make a switch as I am reasonably happy with Vodacom apart from a few latency issues when playing some online games. I am sure that some other customers will also find the information very helpful.

@ajax: Let us know if you have any luck with improving your speeds (antenna, roof mounted router etc.). I have been hesitant to buy an antenna so far due to the lack of positive experiences from other customers.
 
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Chris_Auc said:
on for me PTA
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I'm in PTA and mine is not working. Full signal. Authenticates and get an IP but no throughput at all. Can't ping or trace anything. Maybe a Vodacom outage or something :unsure:
 
cavedog said:
I'm in PTA and mine is not working. Full signal. Authenticates and get an IP but no throughput at all. Can't ping or trace anything. Maybe a Vodacom outage or something :unsure:
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Mmm, all good here, PTA, Rietfontein.
Screenshot 2026-04-10 004258.png
Screenshot 2026-04-10 004206.png
 
I thought it was only my service ! My Vodacom 5G has been off since midday yesterday. I have rebooted multiple times and even tried a factory reset of my router with no improvement. Really hoping that CI support will be able to assist.

After getting accustomed to using large amounts of mobile data it is very difficult to survive on prepaid scraps !
 
I'm having problems today. Internet is barely usable. Speedtest gets stuck on this and fails:

1775806680188.png
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However a lot of sites seem to be working fine. Don't know what the problem is. I'm on Vodacom 5G in Morningside- Sandton. Can't do any work today.

Network mode is set to automatic:1775807407917.png
 
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@Forum Reader: From previous experience, don't try to reboot your router or do a band change or you might lose all connectivity like me ! I am currently without any Vodacom 5G service and back on Cell C !
 
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