Do I have 8TA coverage?

[Rubberpigg]

I got a 8TA sim on Wednesday.
I put a data bundle onto the sim and tried the sim with a Vodacom modem.
It has been working great with no disconnects and decent speeds.
I would like to get the 120 Gigs promo for R1800.

But according to 8TA's coverage map i am not covered.
I am out by a km or so.

The Vodacom software gives the following details on the connection:

Telkom SA HSDPA
Telkom SA 3g

It switches between the two.
Do I have 8TA coverage or not?
Could the modem be connecting to an MTN tower?

Thanks.

 

[Telkom]

I got a 8TA sim on Wednesday.
I put a data bundle onto the sim and tried the sim with a Vodacom modem.
It has been working great with no disconnects and decent speeds.
I would like to get the 120 Gigs promo for R1800.

But according to 8TA's coverage map i am not covered.
I am out by a km or so.

The Vodacom software gives the following details on the connection:

Telkom SA HSDPA
Telkom SA 3g

It switches between the two.
Do I have 8TA coverage or not?
Could the modem be connecting to an MTN tower?

Thanks.

Hi
The normal 8ta prepaid SIM can roam on MTN and 8ta.
The 60GIG + 60GIG only work on the 8ta network.
Please ensure that you manually select the 8ta network and then test it.
Did you use this coverage map: http://www.8ta.com/coverage/8tanetwork/?
Thank you
8ta

 

[AstroTurf]

Hi
The normal 8ta prepaid SIM can roam on MTN and 8ta.
The 60GIG + 60GIG only work on the 8ta network.
Please ensure that you manually select the 8ta network and then test it.
Did you use this coverage map: http://www.8ta.com/coverage/8tanetwork/?
Thank you
8ta

lol, that map always irritates me.
I want 8-ta broadband but the map says there is coverage to the left of me, coverage to the right, but here I am, stuck in the middle with V. here I am, stuck in the middle with V

 

[Rubberpigg]

Thanks for the reply, 8ta.
I spoke to one of the guys at a 8ta shop.
He gave me a new sim and said that I should rather get the 2gig + 1gig promo first for R149.00 just to test if I do have coverage.
I'll check this weekend.
If I don't have coverage it isn't the end of the world.
I can always give the data to a mate who does have coverage.

 

[AstroTurf]

will have to try again because I really want it at home .

 

[Rubberpigg]

I tested the 2gig + 1gig promo over the weekend.
The modem reported a signal strength of about 20%.
But it connected and was stable.
Didn't disconnect once.
Speed was good enough.

Astro, it is worthwhile to check if you can pick up an 8TA signal.
A lot cheaper than the other cell providers.
Good luck.

Also the modem you use can also make a difference.
I could only get an EDGE connection with my Huawei 353 modem.
When I put the sim into my older Vodacom K3570-Z modem I get a 3G/HSDPA connection.

 

[ajax]

I tested the 2gig + 1gig promo over the weekend.
The modem reported a signal strength of about 20%.

That is quite poor. Even if it worked on the weekend, more users on the tower or weather could kill your signal.
Also the fact that one modem could pick up 3G and the other not shows how marginal the signal is.

 

[Rubberpigg]

Ajax, is it worth investing in one of those high gain external antennas?
Could I double the signal strength if I put an external antenna on the roof?

 

[Telkom]

An external antenna would help... but we will then be limited when you have signal/coverage issues.

If you can - stick to prepaid and use it while there still is coverage. As per ajax - cell breathing happens and you may fall out of signal the more users connect to the tower. The map on the site shows a worst case scenario with maximum users connected to the tower.

Regards,
Social Media Team