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v3g

I have a strange situation with the new data card. Some times when I plug it in the card crashes and gives a simm card error, if I then remove the simm for a few seconds or minutes it works. Ever seen this before.
 
rabbiddog said:
v3g

I have a strange situation with the new data card. Some times when I plug it in the card crashes and gives a simm card error, if I then remove the simm for a few seconds or minutes it works. Ever seen this before.

No, not seen this before.

Which card / firmware / dashboard?
 
do both lights flash alternatively when it crashes? whats the response from the 'older' cards(assuming you have access to some?)
 
VodaGuy said:
do both lights flash alternatively when it crashes? whats the response from the 'older' cards(assuming you have access to some?)

Yes both lights flash alternatively. the strange thing is that it does not happen all the time.
 
v3g, When will the U740 be available in the Vodashops? For us normal people?;)

Is the U740 similar in size and design to the U630? I must be honest, I'm not so happy with the build quality of the Option HSDPA cards, the part where the red plastic and metal parts join are rather flimsy!

My U630 Novatel just seemed better build quality all round. I can;t find any problems with the OPTION card performance though! :D
 
The Novatel U740's are shipping to the shops as we speak, or within the next few days. I believe there are around 10 000 in the pipeline.

Some of them (based on a hw ID) require v7 of the dash, so that *might* be shipping with them, most of them work fine on v6.
 
VMC v7.00.0015.0 is available for download from the vodacom site.
I see they've shifted things around so you won't find the downloads on the regular place. I eventually tracked it down to Services, 3G, Downloads.
 
HSDPA Rollout strategy?

Sorry if this has been asked before..

Is it Vodacom's plan to eventually (even if over a very long time span) rollout 3G / HSDPA to all points where they currently have gprs coverage? IOW everywhere else..

Just wondering if I can ever expect HSDPA coverage ...
Especially since I just parted with R2k+ for a card :D

If I drive less than 2km out I can actually get a signal... so close and yet so far ;)

Thanks
 
redarrow said:
Sorry if this has been asked before..

Is it Vodacom's plan to eventually (even if over a very long time span) rollout 3G / HSDPA to all points where they currently have gprs coverage? IOW everywhere else..

Just wondering if I can ever expect HSDPA coverage ...
Especially since I just parted with R2k+ for a card :D

If I drive less than 2km out I can actually get a signal... so close and yet so far ;)

Thanks

The next phase (IV) already in roll-out, is putting out another 500 HSDPA stations.

To get the same coverage as GPRS we probably need around 7000 ~ 8000 HSDPA base stations, so that's not going to happen soon.

PM me your exact physical address and I'll ask what the plans are for your area. Obviously the higher the density is, the higher up on the list.
 
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redarrow said:
Sorry if this has been asked before..

Is it Vodacom's plan to eventually (even if over a very long time span) rollout 3G / HSDPA to all points where they currently have gprs coverage? IOW everywhere else..

Just wondering if I can ever expect HSDPA coverage ...
Especially since I just parted with R2k+ for a card :D

If I drive less than 2km out I can actually get a signal... so close and yet so far ;)

Thanks

Sounds like an externally mounted high gain antenna could work in your case?
 
With HSDPA phones around the corner, would one be able to select whether you want to use HSDPA or 3G only? With the new lower data rates on 3G, what if you want to use only 3G on your HSDPA phone? Would there be a way of selecting only 3G?

The way I see it, there wouldn't. Since HSDPA is just a new modulation scheme as EDGE is compared to GPRS, you would be "stuck" using HSDPA and thus pay the higher rate?
 
Was planning to ask the same, ajax! Since I get only 3G at home, and, due to signal weakness, not anything near HSDPA! How is Vodacom gonna differentiate between the two?
 
redarrow said:
It would be worth a try.. where would I get one?
Thanks :D

Poynting has them - http://www.poynting.co.za/productlist.php?id=2&view=all&app=0&type=0

A quick test to see what sort of 3G signal you have is to get on the roof of your building and set the HSDPA card or 3G phone to use 3G only, otherwise it will switch to the stronger GSM signal. Wait a minute or two for the device to find the signal. Sometimes you have to reset it (at least in the case of a handset AFAIK) or try to make a call as they sometimes go into a sort of power saving standby mode where they don't constantly search for signal.
 
ajax said:
Thanks for the link... what's the best type of antenna for 3g/hsdpa ?
There's quite a few in that list :confused:

ajax said:
A quick test to see what sort of 3G signal you have is to get on the roof of your building and set the HSDPA card or 3G phone to use 3G only, otherwise it will switch to the stronger GSM signal. Wait a minute or two for the device to find the signal. Sometimes you have to reset it (at least in the case of a handset AFAIK) or try to make a call as they sometimes go into a sort of power saving standby mode where they don't constantly search for signal.
Well I did try walking around outside waving my laptop in the air.. :D
But I haven't tried the roof yet..
 
You need one with high gain suitable for the 3G frequency.
Best you speak to Poynting directly about a recommendation. There's also the issue of how you will be connecting the antenna to your card.

I must stress if you can't get even get 1 bar of 3G on your roof, the chances are higher that the antenna won't work either. A 10 dB gain antenna typically gives you 2 bars of signal more than you had without the antenan at the same location.

Also see this post -
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showpost.php?p=505223&postcount=14
This dude is using an antenna from dartcom. Maybe pm him about his setup.
 
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