HSDPA rollout

Unfknblvable but true... on Saturday I had my 1st 3G signal from MTN. I had moved my PC a bit and had 0 signal, so I plugged in my headset and hooked the headphone over my indoor antenna I use for my TV card.

Using the E620 tool I got from one of the users I had 3 red bars for 3G/HSDPA or, I think, -111db coverage.
 
Unfknblvable but true... on Saturday I had my 1st 3G signal from MTN. I had moved my PC a bit and had 0 signal, so I plugged in my headset and hooked the headphone over my indoor antenna I use for my TV card.

Using the E620 tool I got from one of the users I had 3 red bars for 3G/HSDPA or, I think, -111db coverage.
 
MavChat said:
Using the E620 tool I got from one of the users I had 3 red bars for 3G/HSDPA or, I think, -111db coverage.
Click to expand...
Were you able to connect with the signal being so low?

I managed to get -101dBm 3G/HSDPA signal sitting on my roof with a Poynting High Gain All-Band Cellular LPDA-A0021 antenna (http://www.poynting.co.za/productdisplay.php?id=66&cat_id=2), but wasn't able to connect. The tower I was aiming for is about 4km away.

I didn't have the correct cable for the E620 card, the CAB-038 (http://www.poynting.co.za/productdisplay.php?id=147&cat_id=2), so I taped a Universal Cellphone Coupler (ADPT-022)
(http://www.poynting.co.za/productdisplay.php?id=76&cat_id=2) to the card.
 
ginggs said:
Were you able to connect with the signal being so low?

I managed to get -101dBm 3G/HSDPA signal sitting on my roof with a Poynting High Gain All-Band Cellular LPDA-A0021 antenna (http://www.poynting.co.za/productdisplay.php?id=66&cat_id=2), but wasn't able to connect. The tower I was aiming for is about 4km away.

I didn't have the correct cable for the E620 card, the CAB-038 (http://www.poynting.co.za/productdisplay.php?id=147&cat_id=2), so I taped a Universal Cellphone Coupler (ADPT-022)
(http://www.poynting.co.za/productdisplay.php?id=76&cat_id=2) to the card.
Click to expand...

I've decided I'm going to get a YAGI that's the only way I'm going to get 3G/HSDPA where I live...............

MTNDD
 
how much are YAGIs?

if i have a solid EDGE signal, what are the chances that a YAGI will push it to HSDPA? i know there are lots of variables involved but could someone perhaps shed some light...
 
ginggs said:
Were you able to connect with the signal being so low?

I managed to get -101dBm 3G/HSDPA signal sitting on my roof with a Poynting High Gain All-Band Cellular LPDA-A0021 antenna (http://www.poynting.co.za/productdisplay.php?id=66&cat_id=2), but wasn't able to connect. The tower I was aiming for is about 4km away.

I didn't have the correct cable for the E620 card, the CAB-038 (http://www.poynting.co.za/productdisplay.php?id=147&cat_id=2), so I taped a Universal Cellphone Coupler (ADPT-022)
(http://www.poynting.co.za/productdisplay.php?id=76&cat_id=2) to the card.
Click to expand...

Thanx for the tool btw... but yea I could connect and as I did a clean windows installation so I updated my anti-spyware and antivirus without any hickups or switches to EDGE. I think I should fasion my own antenna and see if it works. My Indoor antenna is pointing West so I figure my signal came from Southdale Shopping center. MTNDD can you check if they have 3G there? Then I can point my 2nd antenna there and see if that works.
 
MTN_Data_Dude said:
Guys,

Please bear in mind the end of the roll out will only be completed by July next year.

MTNDD
Click to expand...

Gr8 news, but... will MTN only wait until next year to start moving on this, or can we expect active action as from soon?
Anywhere on the MTN website where we can see the plans?
What happened to the coverage map on the MTN website? There used to be a great map app, where you can look at coverage on streetlevel, now all I can find when trying to check coverage is that crappy useless overhead map that doesn't go to streetlevel, only JHB, PTA etc? URL???
tks
 
kaeiou said:
how much are YAGIs?

if i have a solid EDGE signal, what are the chances that a YAGI will push it to HSDPA? i know there are lots of variables involved but could someone perhaps shed some light...
Click to expand...


Good day,

I haven't phoned POYNTING as yet not sure of the price for the YAGI

MTNDD
 
CeeBee said:
Gr8 news, but... will MTN only wait until next year to start moving on this, or can we expect active action as from soon?
Anywhere on the MTN website where we can see the plans?
What happened to the coverage map on the MTN website? There used to be a great map app, where you can look at coverage on streetlevel, now all I can find when trying to check coverage is that crappy useless overhead map that doesn't go to streetlevel, only JHB, PTA etc? URL???
tks
Click to expand...

Nope MTN have started this process some time ago and are in the process of the roll out as we speak

MTNDD
 
@MTNDD,

i know poynting will know more about antennas, but they won't know about MTN towers. could i PM you where i am, and you could tell me if the tower nearest to me even supports 3G/HSDPA?
 
kaeiou said:
@MTNDD,

i know poynting will know more about antennas, but they won't know about MTN towers. could i PM you where i am, and you could tell me if the tower nearest to me even supports 3G/HSDPA?
Click to expand...

Yeah sure,

Just do the whole cell info display thing and see what your Site name/Id? is and I'll be able to tell you if the tower supports 3G/HSDPA

MTNDD
 
CeeBee said:
What happened to the coverage map on the MTN website? There used to be a great map app, where you can look at coverage on streetlevel, ...
Click to expand...

Don't worry, the a*hole found it :rolleyes: .... it's on the same page as the normal (crappy :) ) map, it just takes longer to load up on the screen, that's why I keep missing it....
Would be great if we can get better coverage in Pretoria, Mayville & Montana. The MTN guys at Kolonade will be happy to sell some HSDPA cards, at the moment theres only little bit EDGE coverage, mainly only (slow) GPRS.
Keep up the good work! :D
 
kaeiou said:
@MTNDD,

i know poynting will know more about antennas, but they won't know about MTN towers. could i PM you where i am, and you could tell me if the tower nearest to me even supports 3G/HSDPA?
Click to expand...

kaeiou,

You can also go to Antronic in New Germany and they should be able to help you with a suitable antenna (they are also Poynting distributors).
 
HSDPA in Umhlanga

The other day I was on the Ridge(about two weeks ago) on business and could only get an edge signal. On Friday I was in Gateway and got a weak hsdpa signal using the antennae that I have (unipole on E620). When I unplugged the antennae the signal went back to Edge.

So looks like their is some new 3g/HSDPA tower in the area.

Today in the Durban airport their was good HSDPA signal, and even in the Maydon Wharf area I OK HSDPA signal. So MTN seems to rolling out more stations.
 
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