HSDPA shootout: MTN versus Vodacom

[rpm]

HSDPA shootout: MTN versus Vodacom

 

[lordnokon]

Vodacom for me (I've been a customer with them since they started), they've been in the market much longer and I’m always happy with the services rendered to me. I’ve had so many people complain about the coverage of MTN and speeds.

 

[xrapidx]

MTN - although there method of getting bundle information sucks... speaking of which, I need an update from ICASA.

 

[noemfie]

I suppose it also comes down to your reception where you use your 3g modem most . Here at work we were handed hsdpa modems from Vodacom and MTN , I had MTN and it worked great in one office , I moved 5 meters to another and only got Edge reception and had to switch to a Vodacom one . Both work pretty well but I must say I had fewer disconnects with the MTN modem when it worked on HSDPA speed. The other bad thing about MTN for me is their modem software and finding a reliable way to see how much data you have used ,if you forget to reset counters its a nightmare , Vodacoms software was better for me although I'm now using Huwei Mobile Partner which is super stable

 

[Mike_De_Lange]

I get the same signal for both @ work.
On MTN if we use 2 E220's on 2 different computers then the bandwidth gets splits between the 2 modems. Meaning the max our tower supports is 1 full connection on HSDPA connection which is total BS. 170KB for a area? wtf! Also MTN's data bandles are ridiculas to purchase. I had to buy R360 airtime to get a R280 databundle.

Haven't tested Vodacom as yet. But I know they have semi upgraded our area. We get 230KB a second with Vodacom and MTN we get 170KB.

 

[Syndyre]

I can get a 3G/HSDPA signal for Vodacom here, MTN just has EDGE so in that respect definitely Voda, they have better coverage generally as well and don't limit upload speeds to 64kbps like MTN do.

 

[rhp]

Vodacom's antivirus/spam/junkmail filter is not optimal. get at least 4 per day -"...Ecard..". Closing email account this month. 4 calls over 3 months and still no improvement.

 

[Syndyre]

Vodacom's antivirus/spam/junkmail filter is not optimal. get at least 4 per day -"...Ecard..".

Get Gmail.

 

[Tns]

Mtn and Vodacom signal is same for me in JHB , tested both of them and got the same speeds.i don't know what price differences are so it could go either way

 

[xrapidx]

Ooo.... neck to neck... and Vodacom is catching up.

 

[ic]

While it would be nice to have uncapped HS[D]PA at some distant point in the future when both Vodacom and MTN have extensive fibre optic networks of their own and direct access to international connectivity, IMO the first to offer [searchforum]Data Bundle Rollover[/searchforum] will quickly overtake the other ITO subscriber numbers and quite possibly loyalty as well.

I suspect MTN will offer DBR before Vodacom does.

 

[Pitbull]

My vote would be bias so I won't even try

I personally agree with Xrapidx. the customer service part of the data should improve drasticaly. The truth is that the MTN network vs Vodacom network is more reliable.

But that is just my bias take on it

 

[stix]

They are both crapolla !

Voda's can't even keep a simple service like ftp running

 

[Syndyre]

My vote would be bias so I won't even try

I personally agree with Xrapidx. the customer service part of the data should improve drasticaly. The truth is that the MTN network vs Vodacom network is more reliable.

But that is just my bias take on it

Now all you guys need is the coverage to back it up. Why does MTN limit upload speeds btw?

 

[diabolus]

I run both :

MTN do not always have the speed, but connection is reliable and stable .

Been playing WoW on both connections where even the slightest instability can cause major mess...Vodacom is horrible, slow ping and constant disconnects.

Vodacom however, IF it's up and running it flies. Unfortunately with that comes a constant disconnect [minimum once an hour if i'm lucky] .

I've managed to keep an MTN connection open for 2 days [had to reboot] , not a chance i will get that with Vodacom.


I get about equal coverage where i am at for both [2-3 bars 3G] .


Service wise: MTN sucks balls, can't view your usage easily online [huge schlep and slow site..inaccurate and slow feedback] . Also no SMS mechanism to get reports/alerts.

Vodacom got a nice site, quick to get to your usage. Also got the SMS functionality.


On the "customer care" side, same crap different provider. If you have to talk to an operator, you are going to wait and will only get "basic" support..anything more complex and you will suffer.


I still however voted MTN, simply because stability and "uptime" is now more important than pricing [it is the same afterall] . The actual speed is a lesser issue, i rather get 300kbps CONSISTANTLY than 800kbps with constant reconnect and slowdown issues .

 

[Pitbull]

Now all you guys need is the coverage to back it up. Why does MTN limit upload speeds btw?

I might be way off but I'll give it a shot.

a Set tower will have a set transfer capacity. This being said:

1. Download IMHO is more needed then upload
2. So if one thinks about it for a second the restriction on let say 4 users uploading, would benefit 1 more person downloading on the same tower.

Like I said this is just a wild guess.

 

[redarrow]

Personally I can only get GPRS on Vodacom - yea not even EDGE..

On MTN I have HSDPA... and it's rock soild .. I get maybe 2 disconnects in a month ... and I often remain connected for the entire day..

So for me definitely MTN .. plus they where the first to offer PPDB - so they won my loyalty in that area long before Vodacom even entered the game.


And I can say that MTN does seem to be expanding their coverage .. I'm in East London right now and getting HSDPA .. last time I seem to remember only EDGE.. (where I'm staying that is)

 

[AirWolf]

I use VC more so I'll have to go with them Also I haven't had any hiccups in the last 2 to 3 weeks.

I receive better HSDPA signal from VC but occasionally have received better speeds from MTN.

MTN may have been the first to introduce PPDBs but they have lost the plot along the way with only allowing one bundle per month and top up airtime can't purchase data bundles

 

[Syndyre]

I might be way off but I'll give it a shot.

a Set tower will have a set transfer capacity. This being said:

1. Download IMHO is more needed then upload
2. So if one thinks about it for a second the restriction on let say 4 users uploading, would benefit 1 more person downloading on the same tower.

Like I said this is just a wild guess.

Ok was just wondering if it had anything to do with trying to restrict VOIP, P2P etc.

 

[AirWolf]

Interesting point since I heard that Skype needs 80 kbps up and down to work effectively.