FAQ Discussions - please read the sticky FAQ thread first

Ignore this post....after reading a bit, I answered the question myself.
 
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Some throughput tests on the commercial HSDPA network

FTP results done today on the live network:

1) 1048576 bytes received in 6.18Seconds 169.70Kbytes/sec.
2) 1048576 bytes received in 10.22Seconds 102.65Kbytes/sec.
3) 1048576 bytes received in 5.89Seconds 178.06Kbytes/sec.
4) 9437184 bytes received in 89.66Seconds 105.26Kbytes/sec.

1MB in 6 seconds! = 1.3Mb/s

To preempt the obvious question: I'm still awaiting dates! :)
 
1MB in 6 seconds means we get to (if not using a data bundle) blow through R20 a minute, or R1200 an hour! Talk about burning money. Very nice speeds, but is there any chance of a price decrease in the coming months? :p
 
Any news on card availability? April is pretty close....
Are prices set to stay at the same levels? People are literally going to max out their bundles within the first day of HSDPA usage....
 
its wonderful that we're getting such wonderful speeds, but the prices are too high. Telkom's prices are rediculous, Vodacom's prices are just stupid!

Bring down the prices to compete head on with telkom, then i'll gladly sign up
 
LabAnimal said:
its wonderful that we're getting such wonderful speeds, but the prices are too high. Telkom's prices are rediculous, Vodacom's prices are just stupid!

Bring down the prices to compete head on with telkom, then i'll gladly sign up

Reallistically, I don't think we can expect mobile operators to charge less per gig than fixed line operators. However, there is still scope to compete as mobile operators don't charge line rentals or ISP fees.

For example, if you want 1 Gig of data per month, mobile operators (currently) charge R500. On ADSL, at a slower speed of 192 kbps, you would pay R270 ("connectivity rental") + R87 (normal line rental) + ISP fees of say R75 (Webafrica). This equates to R449, quite close to what the mobiles charge, but with 3G it currently gives you double the speed and pretty soon 5-10 times the speed.

Of course, there are other issues like latency sensitive apps that one must also consider.
 
Longtongsa said:
Well there are so many questions about updating the firmware on our existing 3G datacards to support HSDPA well all people with an option fusion quad lite will be able to do a simple firmware upgrade to support HSDPA. Don't believe me well then follow this link.;) http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=5643
This is not quite correct.

The "quad lite" or "fusion quad lite" are GPRS/3G cards and are not firmware upgradeable.

BTW, the 'fusion' part of the card name indicates WiFi support.

The "Option's GlobeTrotter 3G/EDGE" and the "GlobeTrotter FUSION+" are new cards not yet release by Vodafone.

The Globetrotter 3G/EDGE will be rebranded by Vodafone as the Option Nozomi and will support GPRS/EDGE/3G and HSDPA with a firmware upgrade.
 
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ajax said:
Reallistically, I don't think we can expect mobile operators to charge less per gig than fixed line operators. However, there is still scope to compete as mobile operators don't charge line rentals or ISP fees.

For example, if you want 1 Gig of data per month, mobile operators (currently) charge R500. On ADSL, at a slower speed of 192 kbps, you would pay R270 ("connectivity rental") + R87 (normal line rental) + ISP fees of say R75 (Webafrica). This equates to R449, quite close to what the mobiles charge, but with 3G it currently gives you double the speed and pretty soon 5-10 times the speed.

Of course, there are other issues like latency sensitive apps that one must also consider.


So you say R500 for 1gig, I'm paying R470 for telkom, and R680 for AYCE for 30gig. that's roughly double the price and doesnt come close to 2gig for 3G @ R1000 and its not a matter of speed for me, its a matter of how much you get out. 3G is over-rediculously priced IMO.
 
vodacom3g said:
This is not quite correct.

The "quad lite" or "fusion quad lite" are GPRS/3G cards and are not firmware upgradeable.

BTW, the 'fusion' part of the card name indicates WiFi support.

The "Option's GlobeTrotter 3G/EDGE" and the "GlobeTrotter FUSION+" are new cards not yet release by Vodafone.

The Globetrotter 3G/EDGE will be rebranded by Vodafone as the Option Nozomi and will support GPRS/EDGE/3G and HSDPA with a firmware upgrade.

Well i don't know about you but my Fusion card does not support WiFi and i emailed option asking what the difference is between the globeTrotter FUSION+ and fusion quad lite. they replyed saying that they are both the same card but vodafone names it the quad lite and option markets it as Globletrotter fusion+. They do support firmware upgrades if you go to the 3G section on vodacoms website you will see firmware software to upgrade all there current cards. Option will be publishing a firware upgrade for this card not vodafone. we all know the reason for that and if your card is branded then you won't be able to download the firmware off options website because it will reject you IMEI number on the support page. So the whole thing is the card can support HSDPA but vodafone don't want this because they all want us suckers to buy new cards (so they can make more money) But if you are able to get hold of the option firmware it will work (only once vodacom have launched HSDPA) As well any one wishing not to use the very unsable Vodafone mobile connect dashboard there is another product just go to www.diginext.com and there you will find a much better application for free! it's name is MultiNet
 
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Longtongsa said:
Well i don't know about you but my Fusion card does not support WiFi and i emailed option asking what the difference is between the globeTrotter FUSION+ and fusion quad lite. they replyed saying that they are both the same card but vodafone names it the quad lite and option markets it as Globletrotter fusion+. Option will be publishing a firware upgrade for this card not vodafone. we all know the reason for that and if your card is branded then you won't be able to download the firmware off options website because it will reject you IMEI number on the support page.

OK, if you say so. The information I posted above came from the Vodacom 3G data card product manager.

Won't you forward me the mail you received from Option and I'll forward it for comment?
 
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vodacom3g said:
FTP results done today on the live network:

1) 1048576 bytes received in 6.18Seconds 169.70Kbytes/sec.
2) 1048576 bytes received in 10.22Seconds 102.65Kbytes/sec.
3) 1048576 bytes received in 5.89Seconds 178.06Kbytes/sec.
4) 9437184 bytes received in 89.66Seconds 105.26Kbytes/sec.

1MB in 6 seconds! = 1.3Mb/s

To preempt the obvious question: I'm still awaiting dates! :)

Any news on rollout dates yet? Looks like MTN may yet beat you to it.
 
Outdoor external antenna

Hi v3g.

I've not been following the threads that often and cannot find the original thread for the outdoor antenna. Do you know if it ever came to life and if so, where I could get one?

Since I joined on 3g I still cannot pick up a good 3g signal. But I'm sure my closest tower must be upgraded by now.

tHANX
rAD
 
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