HSDPA Modem Connection Speed

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Hi All
I cannot seem to get the modem to connect at more than 921Kbps. This is the maximum speed that I can choose in the connection speed dropdown when I configure the card. Is there another way of setting up the configuration?:confused:
 
I have also set my modem to that maximum but have just recorded a speed limit of 1.6Mb/s so that setting does not prevent you downloading at faster speeds - up to 1.8Mb/s which I have reached once.
 
I can set mine to a max of 230,4kb/s, but I tested the download speed at speakeasy (or whatever) and it downloaded at 672kb/s (84KB/s) and uploaded at 102 kb/s (7KB/s). So I guess the connection speed that it shows upon connect, and the max you can set it to have nothing to do with the actual speed you get while online.
I have a Merlin U740 HSPDA card btw.
 
Think there's a software bug. My connections says 230.4kb/s but I just got this:
Download time: 5.031 seconds
Size of file: 500 KiloBytes
Estimated line speed: 811 (kilobits/second)
Estimated line speed: 99.4 (kiloBytes/second)
 
I don't think it is a software bug, I think it has something to do with the fact that these connections are wireless. The connection speed is most likely simply the speed your connection was when the connection was made.
I am not too sure of this so please don't flame me if I am wrong :p
 
My 2cents:the option hsdpa card always only connects at 1.8mb/s even if you connect using gprs.So no problem.
Anyone with the option card having connecting speed problem or is it only the novatel cards?
 
On my old 3G card (an option card) it always connected at 340kb/s it never differed, and that is close to the speed of 3G. But now even with 3 bars my connection goes at 230.4kb/s but the actual speed while downloading and browsing is much faster than 3G, when I download from international sites I regularly get around 90KB/s (kilobytes) I haven't tried local sites yet though.

Edit* The 230.4 kb/s is on my new Merlin U740
 
The problem is with the firmware of the Novatel U740 card. Vodacom are awaiting the release of the new firmware. Best to report to 082 155 so they can log a request for you to be notified once the new firmware is available for download.
 
I am not too worried about the connection speed it displays, as long as the speed is there I have no problem. I have this thing against upgrading anything to do with my mobile connection. Eg. When I upgraded VMC to 7 all of a sudden my connections started being dropped again, and now if the connection is dropped and I try to reconnect I get an error 629 (or something similar) now that my connections aren't being dropped much anymore I am happy. I have learn't to see the signs for when the connection is going to be dropped (slow page loading, no connection for a few seconds etc..) and I disconnect it myself, then when I reconnect it works fine again.

If the error does happen, I remove the card, restart VMC and reinsert the card and it works fine again with my speeds up at 670kb/s, it doesn't have to tell me this speed when it connects, as long as it is achievable by my card I am happy.
 
Deiphos said:
I don't think it is a software bug, I think it has something to do with the fact that these connections are wireless. The connection speed is most likely simply the speed your connection was when the connection was made.
I am not too sure of this so please don't flame me if I am wrong :p
Click to expand...

It seems that the Novatel U740 will connect at a speed of 280 round about. It seems the solutuion to that is a patch for windows that is available from some of the vodacare shops...

I got that info from vodacom.. anyone to confirm if they got the same info

hic
 
I will go to my local vodashop and ask them, coz I am definitly not going to download it unless vodocom puts it on a server where your bandwidth usage doesn't get counted.
 
They havent put it on any web site yet, or so I have heard. However, please confirm this, as I am slightly reluctance to believe everything I hear from Vodacom ....

hic.. damn bottle is almost emtpy..
 
Right here :)

Been in meetings all day....

The so-called "Connected Speed" is a number given by the modem, but as you have realised by now is just a cosmetic thing. The current Novatel U740 is reporting 230Kb when it connects at HSDPA (firmware bug) and the Option reports 1.8Mb when on GPRS.

So ignore the reported "Connection Speed". Rather check the LED's to see the bearer you're attached to (GPRS/EDGE/3G/HSDPA) and then check the dash or use DUMeter (ET. AL.) to see your actual speed.

By the way, the shipment of the U740's nearly got stopped because of the incorrect speed reported. We decided to rather ship with the bug.
 
I see you guys all use DUMeter, I would just like to point everyone to a free option which in my opinion is much better with a cleaner interface, plus it is also very accurate.
NetMeter (http://readerror.gmxhome.de/)
Ignore the beta stuff, it works very well and I have been using to monitor my usage since I got 3G.

Since my card is plugged in at the back of my desktop pc (upside down aswell) I don't really see the flashes in daytime, only if my room is dark and my screen is off do I see the flashes, but I mean it doesn't take a rocket scientist to release you are using HSDPA if your download speeds are at about 90KB/s.

I must say, it had a bumpy start when I got my HSDPA card a few weeks ago, but it is only getting better and my connection drops are becoming less.
Good one Vodacom!
 
I guess it gives a good indication, but you must admit, most of your browsing is spent on international sites, so why determine your speed with a local site when you do minimal downloading and browsing locally. I prefer to measure my speeds internationally because that is where I do my downloading and browsing, I mean I am the developer of an online RPG, and I won't even offer a prize if you can guess where it is hosted.
I do a lot of uploading and managing of the forums that relate to this game, and they are all international.
It doesn't help that you pay for the potential of a 1.8mb/s connection when it is only local, and you get 128kb/s international. It would be great if we all lived in America (where almost all content is hosted) but we don't.
That is why I am pretty impressed by the fact that I get 90KB/s international.
 
I agree, but the international speed has nada to do with the speed of my 3G/HSDPA connection. That is a different bottleneck alltogether
 
Well, as v3g pointed out, it is a bug in the firmware and you should look at the flashes your card gives. But if the telkom site says you are downloading at 811kb/s then I guess you are connected at HSDPA. v3g also said the connection speed displayed is purely cosmetic and that is why they shipped the cards with the bug, but if you are getting the speeds you expect, then I guess there really isn't a problem, right?
 
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