is virgin still the cheapest

[ajax]

I don't know how hard my download manager was lying to me but I downloaded a PDF File and the speed was 20-35(Max).

I don't think that is physically possible on EDGE is it?

You can get 236kbps max. on EDGE with most EDGE handsets. So 236/8 = 29.5 kByte/sec.

 

[brendonwp]

In my opinion, VM EDGE is actually just as fast as Vodacom 3G.

I can often get around 8kB/s average on a large file download on VM EDGE. I'm happy with that at the price.

But MTN HSDPA is definitely a LOT faster. I generally get an average of 25kB/s.

Don't have Vodacom, but I even saw 40kB/s when testing a Vodacom HSDPA card at the shop.... .

 

[-=WiK1d=-]

Ah ok. So that speed was possible.

But @ brendon...for HSDPA that is fairly slow. I mean isn't it supposed to be 1.8mbps? That is a max download speed of like 225kbps?

 

[ColinR]

I mean isn't it supposed to be 1.8mbps? That is a max download speed of like 225kbps?

If you're talking just maths, not actual throughput then:

1.8mbps = 1843.2kbps = 230.4KBps

of course you won't get anywhere near that, unless you're in the lab.

 

[-=WiK1d=-]

But seriously. That isn't good at all is it? 25-40kbps? I mean when I was still raping Vodacom I had speeds of +-50kbps constantly...

 

[brendonwp]

But seriously. That isn't good at all is it? 25-40kbps? I mean when I was still raping Vodacom I had speeds of +-50kbps constantly...

+-50kbs constantly!

Never seen that kind of speed sustained... I must have an overloaded cell tower I'm connecting to or something...

 

[Edwe]

I can often get around 8kB/s average on a large file download on VM EDGE.

Heck, I get that with GPRS using software compression.

 

[brendonwp]

Heck, I get that with GPRS using software compression.

My bad! I originally posted speeds in sustained kB/s, making that:

EDGE - 64 kb/s
HSDPA - 200 - 320kb/s

@Edwe - where did you get that GPRS compression software? I use a phone with GPRS connection for my desktop at home and I'm not getting anywhere near that...

 

[AirWolf]

Same here i get 5 kB/s max on a good day but usually only 2 to 3 kB/s.

 

[brendonwp]

My bad! I originally posted speeds in sustained kB/s, making that:

EDGE - 64 kb/s
HSDPA - 200 - 320kb/s

Well call me a liar

... this morning I did a download over HSDPA (while working away from the office) and got 800kb/s average for a 10MB file...

am thinking it is sometimes the tower and sometimes the speed of the site that makes a difference

 

[Edwe]

@Edwe - where did you get that GPRS compression software? I use a phone with GPRS connection for my desktop at home and I'm not getting anywhere near that...

It's an integrated function of Windows Mobile (Pocket PC) on my i-mate JAM. A "use software compression" and "use IP header compression" option on my connections menu. Sorry to disappoint.

 

[Jonny Two Shoes]

I have heard you can get good speeds with software compression. The only thing is I was told it only works with certain file formats and such. Downloading music and online gaming are not affected by software compression....is this true?

 

[Edwe]

I download at at an average of about 6.8KB/s with peaks of over 9KB/s, which is faster than GPRS Class 10 is supposed to be able to go, so it seems to be affecting my downloads as well. I'm not absolutely sure, though.