Dropped calls - mtn vs vodacom

[plofstof12]

I've been with MTN since I can remember. Over the past two years I experienced a dramatic increase in the number of calls that drop unexpectedly.

The handset I've been using over the past year is a Sony Ericsson X1. The last ROM upgrade for the X1 hugely improved its reception. So I don't think the handset is to blame. But over the last month or so dropped calls again just increased at an alarming rate.

In fact, when driving on the N1 in Gauteng's rush hour (or should I say, when parking on the N1), I find that more than 1 out of 2 calls drop. This includes even my voicemail calls, which to me means that I cannot blame the network on the other side. Which is a shame because I use my rush hour traffic time to deal with phone calls and voicemails...

So, my contract is up for renewal and I am considering the painful process of switching networks and going to vodacom (keeping my number, of course). But before I go through with the credit checks and red tape and what not, I thought to ask about the experience of other users on this forum.

Is it just me, or is it just MTN? And, are the others (like Vodacom) any better?

I'd love to see some real research on dropped call rates - but I guess for now all I can do is ask for this forum's subjective/anecdotal views...

 

[Ecco]

Akia (sp?) from 702 did some sort of test on cellphone reception last year some time. Try see if you can find that. Might give you some insights.

I was a Vodacom subscriber and ported to Mtn (reason, got the N95 cheaper through Mtn) and i noticed no real difference between the two.

 

[plofstof12]

Thanks cat
Anyone got a link to the research? Can't find it...

 

[SteveO]

In fact, when driving on the N1 in Gauteng's rush hour (or should I say, when parking on the N1), I find that more than 1 out of 2 calls drop. This includes even my voicemail calls, which to me means that I cannot blame the network on the other side. Which is a shame because I use my rush hour traffic time to deal with phone calls and voicemails...

yuo cant moan about dropped calls on the highway in peak traffic when you are "parked" Simply think about how many people are making calls in their cars on a 2km stretch of highway.In that 2 km strip there might be 2 towers.Its simple your calls are being dropped because of congestion. The sites cant handle all the users in one area, and mtn cant upgrade all the sites along the highway simply to cope with traffic for 1/8th of the day

 

[plofstof12]

yuo cant moan about dropped calls on the highway in peak traffic when you are "parked" Simply think about how many people are making calls in their cars on a 2km stretch of highway.In that 2 km strip there might be 2 towers.Its simple your calls are being dropped because of congestion. The sites cant handle all the users in one area, and mtn cant upgrade all the sites along the highway simply to cope with traffic for 1/8th of the day

Can't really agree with that, for the very reason that you state there - "simply think about how many people are making calls in their cars."
If thats true, cellphone networks should be jumping to provide capacity for those calls. Not only can they generate income out of the calls, but they will also retain customers like me who use that time of the day to do business.

The profit margins of both networks are high enough to justify additional CapEx.

If network A takes a view that they will increase highway coverage capacity to cope with rush hour traffic and network B does not, then A deserves my (sizeable) monthly subscription fee and B does not.

That's why any form of market research into dropped calls will benefit not only consumers but also service providers.
It is very important that networks running over their capacity be exposed so that they can take the necessary steps to improve.
Simple competitive market mechanics and symmetry of information.

I'm still very interested in any such research (the 702 one referred to above?), if anyone can provide a link.