Coverage drops out on the N1

impracticaldogg

impracticaldogg

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Vodacom coverage drops out in patches between Colesberg and Bloemfontein. Not only this last December, but in 2021 as well. So it isn't just load shedding.
This from the original cellular network that advertised itself on the basis of full coverage on the N1 before any of it's competitors. What can you do if you need to be on business calls while travelling?
 
@impracticaldogg - Vodacom does not monitor this forum and has not done so for many years. The following method has a reasonable prospect of success.
Providing GPS positions of the N1 route where coverage is a problem, would be of assistance in resolving.

1) Compile a message clearly explaining this problem which should include past service references to [email protected] allow for ± 7 business day to responses ensuring you get a SR number.
2) If no response to your satisfaction after 7 business days. Compile a properly and clearly constructed message containing all SR in the title to [email protected]. We are sure that you should receive contact from advanced support with a resolution.
3) This has been most effective method to resolve ALL or ANY other issues in general.
 
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impracticaldogg said:
Vodacom coverage drops out in patches between Colesberg and Bloemfontein. Not only this last December, but in 2021 as well. So it isn't just load shedding.
This from the original cellular network that advertised itself on the basis of full coverage on the N1 before any of it's competitors. What can you do if you need to be on business calls while travelling?
Click to expand...
FWIW MTN isn't much better, multiple data outages. It's undoubtedly the kakest stretch of so-called highway between Kabookie and Pretoria, not only the road itself, lack of overtaking opportunities, and non-existent emergency lane, but also cellphone data coverage and the most speedtraps.
 
impracticaldogg said:
Vodacom coverage drops out in patches between Colesberg and Bloemfontein. Not only this last December, but in 2021 as well. So it isn't just load shedding.
This from the original cellular network that advertised itself on the basis of full coverage on the N1 before any of it's competitors. What can you do if you need to be on business calls while travelling?
Click to expand...

It almost certainly is load shedding. Coverage is suffering everywhere due to towers being vandalised for batteries and not enough time between loadshedding cycles to charge the backup batteries in time for the next outage.
 
The rural and boondocks areas have much less towers than an urban built-up area, but broadcast from that single tower in the boons for a larger area to receive. If there's extended load-shedding, then those few or single towers will def die, leaving you with no signal.
 
Aghori said:
The rural and boondocks areas have much less towers than an urban built-up area, but broadcast from that single tower in the boons for a larger area to receive. If there's extended load-shedding, then those few or single towers will def die, leaving you with no signal.
Click to expand...

Even in Cape Town where I stay, a little suburb on the south peninsula of Cape Town surrounded by mountains and sea, we only have 1 cellphone tower that services our entire suburb, and all the network providers use that same tower. Unfortunately the tower has stopped working during loadshedding for the past 2 years and none of the network providers seem in the least bit interested in fixing the problem.
 
deweyzeph said:
Even in Cape Town where I stay, a little suburb on the south peninsula of Cape Town surrounded by mountains and sea, we only have 1 cellphone tower that services our entire suburb, and all the network providers use that same tower. Unfortunately the tower has stopped working during loadshedding for the past 2 years and none of the network providers seem in the least bit interested in fixing the problem.
Click to expand...

There's quite a few spots here too in KZN. I remember when I went to the Underberg/Drakensberg area, the resort had no cellphone coverage at all. You had to walk 5 mins out of the resort to get 1 bar of coverage.
 
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