Coverage Queries

I also have picked up better signal with the white dongle - but I have picked up there is a little trick in order to get the black dongle to pick up 3 G signal, you have to open up the CELL C Dashboard, go under Settings - Options - NETWORK - network type - then go where it says BAND - change the setting to something else and click on apply and bang you might be lucky and receive WCDMA - I think the fault lays in the dashboard itself - nothing is wrong with the dongle at all as far as i know. Only complaint I have I am unable to download at full speeds over 10megs, receiving 2megs +- what a waste of money to cough up R1000 for the dongle :) but I am happy
 
I've tried different applications to connect to WCDMA (forcing it using '3G only' or just keeping it '3G preferred'). I've used the Cell C Dashboard, MDMA & MWconn and all of them give a best signal (WCDMA) that stays at <20%.

Anyways.. I've borrowed a laptop from work.. gonna put it in the laptop and check what happens to the signal in my area as I approach my home after work.. Maybe I will see something interesting that could help...

I'll most probably just check the RSSI and Cell-ID.. guess that is only important things...

There are 2 things I think that could happen if I'm correct:

1) The dongle will stay connected on WCDMA (gonna force it) and the signal will slowly degrade as I reach my home but will work everywhere else. - Dead Zone
2) Ill be FAR away from home and the signal will just drop dead (-100dBm) - Coverage / Tower issue

Correct? I think so... Will see..
 
I also tried using MDMA to force the connection to use 3G, but it didn't work for me had to actually leave the setting on the MDMA 3G Apply, close the application, then open up CELL C Dashboard, settings - options - network - network type - and change the band option then click apply, and then WCDMA came up, but you must remember I am at the EDGE of the coverage probably about 5KM from the base station or more. Also noticed if you do pick up 3G and your RSSI is around -99 + you are unable to do anything not even ping a website etc.

Possibly a notebook could do the trick if you do come right please tell us also move around the house/flat maybe you are able to find a sweet spot like me in the tv room.

1)Before you go war driving to find the 3G base station do as I told you under network - network type - band, choose the last option and click apply.

anything over -99 you wont be able to do jack s.... i tried that from my bedroom was unable to connect to any website or ping anything..

Best of luck and I hope you do come right to experience wooosh speeds
 
In my room I found that anything over -90 just sucks.. not stable... can't ping.. can't connect (have to reconnect all the time)... can't browse.. nada! (20% WCDMA in dashboard)

I'll try the band option thing but I'm pretty sure I've tried it... but I'll try it tonight.
 
Ohh yeah just to clarify.. I don't think there is something wrong with the dongle because I can connect with 98% WCDMA signal at work on the front USB of my work PC.

The only problem there could still be:

1) The dongle receiver is just bad...
2) The Cell C towers is faulty..
3) Both because my Nokia E71 picks up a better Cell C signal.
4) USB Power issue

Now to make sure its not an USB power issue I'm going to take my WORK pc back home.. use the same setup here with the front USB and test if it works there.. if it doesn't find anything it isn't an USB issue cause I know it works at my work.
 
So I finally narrowed down the problem here.

So I took a log of the Cell C 3G Tower signals from the east of Pretoria to the west of Pretoria as I drive home to determine if there are any problems with the signals strength.

DATE TIME MESSAGE RSSI RSSI (dBm) RSSI (%) RAT MCC/MNC LAC(HEX) RNC/CELLID(HEX) CELLID(DEC)
1/4/2011 17:28:28 CELLID 23 -67 74.19354839 3G 65507 00C8 00C952E7 21223
1/4/2011 17:28:32 RSSI 24 -65 77.41935484 3G 65507 00C8 00C952E7 21223
1/4/2011 17:28:35 RSSI 28 -57 90.32258065 3G 65507 00C8 00C952E7 21223
1/4/2011 17:28:47 RSSI 25 -63 80.64516129 3G 65507 00C8 00C952E7 21223
1/4/2011 17:29:02 RSSI 20 -73 64.51612903 3G 65507 00C8 00C952E7 21223
1/4/2011 17:29:14 RSSI 23 -67 74.19354839 3G 65507 00C8 00C952E7 21223
1/4/2011 17:30:26 RSSI 27 -59 87.09677419 3G 65507 00C8 00C953D6 21462
1/4/2011 17:31:05 RSSI 23 -67 74.19354839 3G 65507 00C8 00C953D6 21462
1/4/2011 17:31:17 RSSI 20 -73 64.51612903 3G 65507 00C8 00C953D6 21462
1/4/2011 17:31:23 RSSI 16 -81 51.61290323 3G 65507 00C8 00C953D6 21462
1/4/2011 17:31:23 CELLID 16 -81 51.61290323 3G 65507 00C8 00C953D5 21461
1/4/2011 17:31:32 RSSI 22 -69 70.96774194 3G 65507 00C8 00C953D5 21461
1/4/2011 17:31:59 RSSI 15 -83 48.38709677 3G 65507 00C8 00C953D5 21461
1/4/2011 17:31:59 CELLID 15 -83 48.38709677 3G 65507 00C8 00C953D7 21463
1/4/2011 17:32:05 RSSI 23 -67 74.19354839 3G 65507 00C8 00C953D7 21463
1/4/2011 17:32:14 RSSI 20 -73 64.51612903 3G 65507 00C8 00C953D7 21463
1/4/2011 17:32:23 RSSI 16 -81 51.61290323 3G 65507 00C8 00C953D7 21463
1/4/2011 17:32:35 RSSI 13 -87 41.93548387 3G 65507 00C8 00C953D7 21463
1/4/2011 17:33:06 CELLID 13 -87 41.93548387 3G 65507 00C8 00C95341 21313
1/4/2011 17:33:14 RSSI 16 -81 51.61290323 3G 65507 00C8 00C95341 21313
1/4/2011 17:34:05 RSSI 23 -67 74.19354839 3G 65507 00C8 00C95341 21313
1/4/2011 17:34:29 RSSI 19 -75 61.29032258 3G 65507 00C8 00C95341 21313
1/4/2011 17:34:35 RSSI 22 -69 70.96774194 3G 65507 00C8 00C95341 21313
1/4/2011 17:34:41 RSSI 18 -77 58.06451613 3G 65507 00C8 00C95341 21313
1/4/2011 17:34:44 RSSI 13 -87 41.93548387 3G 65507 00C8 00C95341 21313
1/4/2011 17:35:25 CELLID 13 -87 41.93548387 3G 65507 00C8 00C95341 21313
1/4/2011 17:35:26 RSSI 10 -93 32.25806452 3G 65507 00C8 00C95341 21313
1/4/2011 17:35:29 RSSI 14 -85 45.16129032 3G 65507 00C8 00C95341 21313
1/4/2011 17:35:43 CELLID 14 -85 45.16129032 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E8 21992
1/4/2011 17:35:44 RSSI 10 -93 32.25806452 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E8 21992
1/4/2011 17:35:46 CELLID 10 -93 32.25806452 3G 65507 00C8 00C9532D 21293
1/4/2011 17:35:48 CELLID 10 -93 32.25806452 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E8 21992
1/4/2011 17:35:54 CELLID 10 -93 32.25806452 3G 65507 00C8 00C95337 21303
1/4/2011 17:35:56 CELLID 10 -93 32.25806452 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E8 21992
1/4/2011 17:36:02 RSSI 14 -85 45.16129032 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E8 21992
1/4/2011 17:37:17 RSSI 20 -73 64.51612903 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E8 21992
1/4/2011 17:37:23 RSSI 24 -65 77.41935484 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E8 21992
1/4/2011 17:37:56 RSSI 17 -79 54.83870968 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E8 21992
1/4/2011 17:37:56 CELLID 17 -79 54.83870968 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E9 21993
1/4/2011 17:37:59 RSSI 21 -71 67.74193548 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E9 21993
1/4/2011 17:38:44 RSSI 17 -79 54.83870968 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E9 21993
1/4/2011 17:39:05 RSSI 20 -73 64.51612903 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E9 21993
1/4/2011 17:39:11 RSSI 23 -67 74.19354839 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E9 21993
1/4/2011 17:39:35 RSSI 18 -77 58.06451613 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E9 21993
1/4/2011 17:40:23 RSSI 15 -83 48.38709677 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E9 21993
1/4/2011 17:40:44 RSSI 9 -95 29.03225806 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E9 21993
1/4/2011 17:40:53 RSSI 12 -89 38.70967742 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E9 21993
1/4/2011 17:41:04 CELLID 12 -89 38.70967742 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:41:05 RSSI 5 -103 16.12903226 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:41:07 CELLID 5 -103 16.12903226 3G 65507 00C8 00C95369 21353
1/4/2011 17:41:11 RSSI 8 -97 25.80645161 3G 65507 00C8 00C95369 21353
1/4/2011 17:41:12 CELLID 8 -97 25.80645161 3G 65507 00C8 00C9532D 21293
1/4/2011 17:41:13 CELLID 8 -97 25.80645161 3G 65507 00C8 00C95369 21353
1/4/2011 17:41:21 CELLID 8 -97 25.80645161 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E9 21993
1/4/2011 17:41:27 CELLID 8 -97 25.80645161 3G 65507 00C8 00C955C1 21953
1/4/2011 17:41:29 CELLID 8 -97 25.80645161 3G 65507 00C8 00C95369 21353
1/4/2011 17:41:36 CELLID 8 -97 25.80645161 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:41:45 CELLID 8 -97 25.80645161 3G 65507 00C8 00C9532D 21293
1/4/2011 17:41:46 CELLID 8 -97 25.80645161 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:41:49 CELLID 8 -97 25.80645161 3G 65507 00C8 00C9532D 21293
1/4/2011 17:41:55 CELLID 8 -97 25.80645161 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:41:59 CELLID 8 -97 25.80645161 3G 65507 00C8 00C95369 21353
1/4/2011 17:42:00 CELLID 8 -97 25.80645161 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:42:05 CELLID 8 -97 25.80645161 3G 65507 00C8 00C95369 21353
1/4/2011 17:42:07 CELLID 8 -97 25.80645161 3G 65507 00C8 00C9532D 21293
1/4/2011 17:42:10 CELLID 8 -97 25.80645161 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:42:17 RSSI 12 -89 38.70967742 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:42:26 RSSI 9 -95 29.03225806 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:42:26 CELLID 9 -95 29.03225806 3G 65507 00C8 00C95369 21353
1/4/2011 17:42:27 CELLID 9 -95 29.03225806 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E9 21993
1/4/2011 17:42:29 RSSI 3 -107 9.677419355 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E9 21993
1/4/2011 17:42:29 CELLID 3 -107 9.677419355 3G 65507 00C8 00C9534B 21323
1/4/2011 17:42:30 CELLID 3 -107 9.677419355 3G 65507 00C8 00C9532D 21293
1/4/2011 17:42:32 CELLID 3 -107 9.677419355 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:42:38 RSSI 7 -99 22.58064516 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:42:40 CELLID 7 -99 22.58064516 3G 65507 00C8 00C9532D 21293
1/4/2011 17:42:42 CELLID 7 -99 22.58064516 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:42:45 CELLID 7 -99 22.58064516 3G 65507 00C8 00C9534B 21323
1/4/2011 17:42:48 CELLID 7 -99 22.58064516 3G 65507 00C8 00C9532D 21293
1/4/2011 17:42:53 CELLID 7 -99 22.58064516 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:42:55 CELLID 7 -99 22.58064516 3G 65507 00C8 00C9532D 21293
1/4/2011 17:43:03 CELLID 7 -99 22.58064516 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:43:12 CELLID 7 -99 22.58064516 3G 65507 00C8 00C95369 21353
1/4/2011 17:43:14 CELLID 7 -99 22.58064516 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:43:21 CELLID 7 -99 22.58064516 3G 65507 00C8 00C95369 21353
1/4/2011 17:43:23 RSSI 2 -109 6.451612903 3G 65507 00C8 00C95369 21353
1/4/2011 17:43:32 RSSI 1 -111 3.225806452 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:43:38 RSSI 8 -97 25.80645161 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:43:41 CELLID 8 -97 25.80645161 3G 65507 00C8 00C9534B 21323
1/4/2011 17:43:50 RSSI 2 -109 6.451612903 3G 65507 00C8 00C9534B 21323
1/4/2011 17:43:51 CELLID 2 -109 6.451612903 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:43:56 CELLID 2 -109 6.451612903 3G 65507 00C8 00C95369 21353
1/4/2011 17:43:59 RSSI 5 -103 16.12903226 3G 65507 00C8 00C95369 21353
1/4/2011 17:44:00 CELLID 5 -103 16.12903226 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:44:06 CELLID 5 -103 16.12903226 3G 65507 00C8 00C9534B 21323
1/4/2011 17:44:08 RSSI 1 -111 3.225806452 3G 65507 00C8 00C9534B 21323
1/4/2011 17:44:10 CELLID 1 -111 3.225806452 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:44:14 RSSI 4 -105 12.90322581 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:44:18 CELLID 4 -105 12.90322581 3G 65507 00C8 00C9534B 21323
1/4/2011 17:44:25 CELLID 4 -105 12.90322581 3G 65507 00C8 00C95369 21353
1/4/2011 17:44:35 RSSI 7 -99 22.58064516 3G 65507 00C8 00C95369 21353
1/4/2011 17:44:36 CELLID 7 -99 22.58064516 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:44:44 RSSI 3 -107 9.677419355 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:44:44 CELLID 3 -107 9.677419355 3G 65507 00C8 00C9534B 21323
1/4/2011 17:44:47 CELLID 3 -107 9.677419355 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:44:50 CELLID 3 -107 9.677419355 3G 65507 00C8 00C95369 21353
1/4/2011 17:44:51 CELLID 3 -107 9.677419355 3G 65507 00C8 00C9534B 21323
1/4/2011 17:44:59 RSSI 6 -101 19.35483871 3G 65507 00C8 00C9534B 21323
1/4/2011 17:45:03 CELLID 6 -101 19.35483871 3G 65507 00C8 00C95369 21353
1/4/2011 17:45:05 RSSI 3 -107 9.677419355 3G 65507 00C8 00C95369 21353
1/4/2011 17:45:08 RSSI 6 -101 19.35483871 3G 65507 00C8 00C95369 21353
1/4/2011 17:45:11 CELLID 6 -101 19.35483871 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:45:17 RSSI 3 -107 9.677419355 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:45:17 CELLID 3 -107 9.677419355 3G 65507 00C8 00C9534B 21323
1/4/2011 17:45:20 RSSI 6 -101 19.35483871 3G 65507 00C8 00C9534B 21323
1/4/2011 17:45:25 CELLID 6 -101 19.35483871 3G 65507 00C8 00C95369 21353
1/4/2011 17:45:29 CELLID 6 -101 19.35483871 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:45:31 CELLID 6 -101 19.35483871 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E9 21993
1/4/2011 17:45:32 CELLID 6 -101 19.35483871 3G 65507 00C8 00C9534B 21323
1/4/2011 17:45:33 CELLID 6 -101 19.35483871 3G 65507 00C8 00C95337 21303
1/4/2011 17:45:35 RSSI 3 -107 9.677419355 3G 65507 00C8 00C95337 21303
1/4/2011 17:45:40 CELLID 3 -107 9.677419355 3G 65507 00C8 00C9532D 21293
1/4/2011 17:45:44 CELLID 3 -107 9.677419355 3G 65507 00C8 00C9534B 21323
1/4/2011 17:45:54 CELLID 3 -107 9.677419355 3G 65507 00C8 00C955FD 22013
1/4/2011 17:45:59 CELLID 3 -107 9.677419355 3G 65507 00C8 00C9534B 21323
1/4/2011 17:46:16 CELLID 3 -107 9.677419355 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E9 21993
1/4/2011 17:46:20 RSSI 8 -97 25.80645161 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E9 21993
1/4/2011 17:46:23 RSSI 2 -109 6.451612903 3G 65507 00C8 00C955E9 21993
 
Okay so from the log one can clearly see the signal strength being almost NON EXISTANT the moment it starts connecting to CELLIDs: 21293, 22013, 21353, 21323.. Compared to all the other Towers / Cell IDs one can clearly say there AINT ANY 3G Signal even CLOSE to my house..

To give a better understanding of how seriously bad this is (which also forms part of my other post at http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/298523-West-Moot-Pretoria-Network-Issues) I'll try to include the "area of effect" this approximately have on the existing coverage map (not sure how to add a picture yet in this forum :( )

I seriously hope there is something wrong with all these towers (10km nothing working) or that they are making changes to them... Hopefully it will change in this week else I'll have no other choice but to cancel this Cell C contract.

Thanks alot Cell C.

Btw.. IF ANYONE IS LIVING IN THE PRETORIA WEST REGION .. Please let me know if you are experiencing the same problem??
 
Adjusted coverage map:

http://j.imagehost.org/0288/coverage.jpg

Everything in the blue circle should have bad signal if I understand it correctly.. obviously I'm not sure if there are other towers that do work but this just give a general idea of where I was when I tested the signal and from where it started to seriously degrade.
 
Last edited:
I just called Cell C and they too incompetent to understand my problem :(

Someone please help :( Cell C help?

Think I'll have to return it by friday then.
 
Don't know pretoria that well but there is a thread that ppl are having a problem in "Lynnwood road". I started having problems in Edenvale/edenglen area yesterfday think there is some sort of maintenance happening atm. Will look into it and get back to you if i find out anything
 
Yeah please help.. The signal clearly drops to a totally unusable state in the west of Pretoria compared to all the other towers I've tested.
 
I also had the same problem. I had a big fight with cell c regarding the coverage in my area, Randburg, Kyasands. It shows that I'm in the the bright red, in the meantime I don't have 3G cover! I logged this call about 2 weeks ago and finaly yesterday they came out to my area to do a test signal. And of coarse they said I've got no coverage, only 2g, Edge. The Cell C guy told me that I can cancell my contract with no extra charges. But then I read somewhere that you put your dongle close to a window, and using a Usb extention, this may just help. Before I only got 0.50 to 0.100Mbps. After using the Usb cabel and hanging the dongle out the window., I started to get 1.2Mbps to 1.6Mbps (3g coverage). A big improvement. I am happy with this speed at the moment. The technical devision of Cell C told me that they'll have another base station up in the Kyasands area by the latest March.
 
Park@82 said:
I have tested in Wonderboom South and can confirm that it does work there.
Click to expand...

Wonderboom South would be okay according to my tests... The areas that I think would be affected is Tuine, Booysens, Kirkney or Claremont in Pretoria... Thats about it.. Wonderboom is not "west" enough
 
Hi all, I stay in Pretoria East, Wingate park area, I have used my Cell C dongle for about 2 months now with out problems until a couple of days ago. Signal strength is good and connection can be made with no problem but most webpages time out, pages that work fine and respond quickly when connecting via my iBurst connection. I thought it might be my dongle but my house mate is experiencing the same problems. Is Cell C going to respond? They will take your money WHOOOOOOSH but if your connection hits the fan where are they?
 
Possible response from Cell C?

Ok so I got some email from Cell C asking my area where I live.. Towers that I pick up etc. etc. I filled it in.

Hopefully someone will help me now..

Just have to wait a bit longer
 
Silverton region

Can anyone tell me the status in Silverton pretoria, I have a vodafone k3565-z but will probably be using a nokia e63 i'll be buying since it can tether. Also what's the dial-up details for cell c, MTN it's *99#

Thanks
 
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