Data service & rural areas.

C

CellBel

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If you're in a rural area where the data service is very unstable, do not make the same mistake that i did. I've upgraded to a E220 USB modem with no ext antenna option, while i think a better option was the data card with antenna. The newer USB modem (7.2) seems to be a good choice because of the ext antenna option. (or integrated, not sure)
Most rural areas only have a GPRS/EDGE service, but unstable. It's only the MTN gprs that is stable in my area, the VC,VM & CellC EDGE is unstable.

So do your homework regarding these services in your area before upgrading/subscribing.

Sorry mod's wrong section please move.
 
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CellBel said:
Sorry mod's wrong section please move.
Click to expand...
Nothing wrong with this thread being here.

Have a look at the [searchforum]E272[/searchforum] thread, as well as [searchforum]E220 External Antenna Coupler from Poynting[/searchforum].
 
I occasionally use the Dell D620 with the embedded modem in rural area and moving within a distance of 10 meters I was able to move from GPRS 3G+.

GPRS is basically unusable, but tend to use more data
 
native said:
I occasionally use the Dell D620 with the embedded modem in rural area and moving within a distance of 10 meters I was able to move from GPRS 3G+.

GPRS is basically unusable, but tend to use more data
Click to expand...

B'cos i'm using my PC for data from the net i cannot move to 10m or 50m to check the signal strength, only option to determine that is by means of a ext antenna. I've tried the longer USB cable, but no luck.
 
CellBel said:
B'cos i'm using my PC for data from the net i cannot move to 10m or 50m to check the signal strength, only option to determine that is by means of a ext antenna. I've tried the longer USB cable, but no luck.
Click to expand...
The longer of the 2 USB cables that are boxed with the E220, is only ~1.83m long, the maximum length for USB cables is 5m, perhaps you could find a PC shop or similar that can supply you with a 5m USB2 cable with the appropriate mini-USB connector for the modem end.

Also, just being indoors will interfere with the signal strength & signal quality - this is due to the structure of the building your modem is surrounded by, if you had a notebook and took it and the E220 outdoors, you would most likely find that the signal strength increases drastically. This is why a fixed outdoors external antenna often makes a drastic difference - the antenna is mounted outdoors and unaffected by the structure of the building that the modem on its own experiences indoors.

I strongly suggest that you download and use [searchforum]"ginggs' application"[/searchforum] to monitor signal strength - there could be an indoors sweet-spot that the 1.83m cable can get to, your best way of finding out is to use ginggs' application.

If the 1.83m cable is not getting you anywhere, try a longer USB2 cable, to get the modem near a window or positioned somewhere else where the signal is less impeded - remember that the signal is not just from the base-station to the modem, but also from the modem to the base-station.

You should also run some on-network-speed tests to check both your download and upload speed - note that signal strength and quality does affect speed on a TCP connection.
 
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Yes ic i'll have to get a longer usb cable to test, my test was with 2×1.8m usb cables. The VC tower is about 400-500 meters from where i'm sitting in front of the PC, but if i look out in the direction of the tower there is a tree between me and the tower. Because of this i've setup my old PII in the small flat outside so that i can see the tower clearly, but no better speed. I did not check with "ginggs' application" to see if there is an improvement in signal strength but i will install it as soon as i can get hold of longer usb cables.
Thanks for your advice.
 
First monitor your signal strength as mentioned above before purchasing anything.

The maximum specified length for an unbuffered USB 2.0 extension cable is 5m (~R30) but you may be able to increase this to around 10m (2X5m) if you are lucky. If you have communication problems then the cable is probably too long. If you need to connect over longer distances (15~25m) then you can either use 3~5 buffered USB extension cables (5m length) (~R150 each) or a USB Cat5 extender (~R450) which can connect over Cat5 lan cable for up to 50m or so. Take a look at www.cables.co.za or www.sybaritic.co.za if you want more information. Alternatively you can also consider the previously mentioned coupler together with a suitable aerial. Space TV sells a suitable Yagi for around R299 excl. You would also need to buy a suitable pigtail/extension cable.
http://www.spacetv.co.za/stores/spacetv/articleimages/ASPC3G.pdf
 
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Yotch said:
First monitor your signal strength as mentioned above before purchasing anything.
Click to expand...

Hi Yotch, thx for the info on cables. It's the 1st time i use ginggs tool and it shows the following on VC,MTN & VM

VC -57dBm EDGE
MTN >=-51dBm GPRS (friend of mine recieves Edge in a higher area)
VM -59dBm Vodacom (Roaming) EDGE

I cannot see the % on the app
 
CellBel said:
Hi Yotch, thx for the info on cables. It's the 1st time i use ginggs tool and it shows the following on VC,MTN & VM

VC -57dBm EDGE
MTN >=-51dBm GPRS (friend of mine recieves Edge in a higher area)
VM -59dBm Vodacom (Roaming) EDGE

I cannot see the % on the app
Click to expand...
What happens to the signal when you set ginggs' app to use 3GOnly?
 
CellBel said:
All the text on the top goes blank. (the signal strength, the Vodacom as well as the EDGE text)
Click to expand...
And if you then slowly move the E220 about as far as the attached USB cable will allow whilst watching the what ginggs' app displays?
 
ic said:
And if you then slowly move the E220 about as far as the attached USB cable will allow whilst watching the what ginggs' app displays?
Click to expand...

I've moved it towards the window facing the tower and it changed to; -59dBm, -65dBm, -53dBm, -55dBm, -61dBm.
Thx ic something does happen by moving the E220.
 
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