MTN Data Technical Thread

CeeBee said:
Hi MTNDD
Thanx for the reply... When in an area where there is both 3G AND HSDPA will the datacard attach to HSDPA signal first by default, since the software doesn't have a choice to prefer HSDPA???
If the speed is 350-380kbps (and assuming that HSDPA is available) how do we know if it is connected to 3G or HSDPA, since 3G speed also goes to 384? (which I have been achieving easily with Nokia 6680)
I was under the impression that HSDPA is a better quality connection, not just faster?
Still, 500-700kbps average is quite bad considering the marketing / advertising(and impressions) being made by MTN regarding the HSDPA abilities, if realistically you shouldn't even expect 40% of the speed most of the time :-(
Do you know if there are any plans to improve this?
I use several of the local (some international) websites that have bandwidth meters, to check the speed.
Click to expand...


Good day,

Sorry for the delay I was out of the office on Friday, If 3G preferred is selected if there is a stronger 3G presence then the card will more than likely logon to 3G, I’ve spoken to Huawei in terms of the software and if it’s possible to put in a option for HSDPA only and they are looking into that. If you getting speeds of 350-380 then it’s more than likely 3G and not HSDPA, If you can PM me with your physical address and what application you using to check your speed then we may need to get the coverage department out to come take a look at what’s up.

MTNDD
 
It makes sense, if 3G Preferred is set, and the 3G signal is stronger than the HSDPA signal, that the modem would attach to 3G.
That's why we need that option of HSDPA prefered, as the 3G signal might be the stronger, but if the HSDPA signal is still good enough to use, then it would still be preferable, and faster than 3G.

But it is a bit confusing though... if the 3G towers were upgraded to HSDPA to provide both, then my thinking is, that consider that there are no users at a particular time, then both 3G and HSDPA signal should be equal in strength.
And apart from that, considering that HSDPA is still rather new, and there are way more 3G users than guys with HSDPA modems, and the assumption that the more users, the lower the speed, then shouldn't HSDPA be the better connection??? Or is my logic on this screwed up, I don't really understand the system?
But isn't HSDPA a 'better quality' connection, not just faster than 3G?

I will pm you my address to check
 
Last edited:
CeeBee said:
It makes sense, if 3G Preferred is set, and the 3G signal is stronger than the HSDPA signal, that the modem would attach to 3G.
That's why we need that option of HSDPA prefered, as the 3G signal might be the stronger, but if the HSDPA signal is still good enough to use, then it would still be preferable, and faster than 3G.

But it is a bit confusing though... if the 3G towers were upgraded to HSDPA to provide both, then my thinking is, that consider that there are no users at a particular time, then both 3G and HSDPA signal should be equal in strength.
And apart from that, considering that HSDPA is still rather new, and there are way more 3G users than guys with HSDPA modems, and the assumption that the more users, the lower the speed, then shouldn't HSDPA be the better connection??? Or is my logic on this screwed up, I don't really understand the system?
But isn't HSDPA a 'better quality' connection, not just faster than 3G?

I will pm you my address to check
Click to expand...


Good day,

Okay the best way I can explain this is as follows, you get a 2G network and the you get a 3G network

On 2G you have GPRS and Edge – Edge is a enhancement of the 2G network so there’s no way to select Edge the network connects you to Edge automatically, the same with the 3G network other known as the WCDMA (UTMS) network you have 3G, HSDPA, HSUPA and so forth all enhancements of the 3G network no on the software it allows you to choice between the 2G network and the 3G network not between the enhancements of the networks.

HSDPA is a faster than 3G yes – expected speeds of 3G between 200 and 384 and HSDPA of 400 to 700 and a max of 1.8 but more than likely 1.4

MTNDD
 
aaaah.... thanx for the explanation, now I have better understanding.

still, if you can't choose between the enhancements, eg. choose GPRS if Edge is available, howcome the card can choose 3G if HSDPA is available?
That is, of course, assuming that there IS HSDPA available... we're told the 3G towers are upgraded to HSDPA, and I have, in rare occasions managed to get +-600kbps, so there's gotta be HSDPA available....

VodaCom has two different tarrifs for charging 3G and HSDPA, how is the network set up so it can choose on which connection to put you when connecting, based on your package? (if on prepaid where the price is the same, it 'should' give you HSDPA), perhaps MTN also has some way of allocating to 3G rather than HSDPA?
 
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CeeBee said:
aaaah.... thanx for the explanation, now I have better understanding.

still, if you can't choose between the enhancements, eg. choose GPRS if Edge is available, howcome the card can choose 3G if HSDPA is available?
That is, of course, assuming that there IS HSDPA available... we're told the 3G towers are upgraded to HSDPA, and I have, in rare occasions managed to get +-600kbps, so there's gotta be HSDPA available....

VodaCom has two different tarrifs for charging 3G and HSDPA, how is the network set up so it can choose on which connection to put you when connecting, based on your package? (if on prepaid where the price is the same, it 'should' give you HSDPA), perhaps MTN also has some way of allocating to 3G rather than HSDPA?
Click to expand...


VC do the speed selection and appropriate tariff at a network level not a card level. The network always allocates the highest speed technology available. The card does not choose between 3G and HSDPA – the card simply reports what technology is being used.

MTNDD
 
3G or HSDPA in my area?

Hey MTNdataDude,

I am currently on the SAVOY ESTATE repeater and would like to know if there are any plans to upgrade it to 3g or HSDPA as I would like to buy a MTN data card. There is coverage for vodacom.

Thanks
Gazza
 
Kya Sand - Randburg (3G / HSDPA coverage)

Further to Gazza's post above .... I work in Kya Sand Randburg .... I (very) occasionally get a 3G signal on my phone, mostly just GPRS and/or EDGE. How can I find out if the signal will be upgraded to HSDPA? Also why is the 3G signal so inconsistent?
 
aerial not needed after all

MTN DD

Thanks for the aerial info, but I moved the wires at the back of my pc out of the way and voila 2 bars to 4 bars!
 
Khodi said:
So if i need an aerial, where can i get it?
Click to expand...

In terms of the antenna, you can get them at most of our dealers and service centres what I would do is just call the dealer of service centre before hand to ensure they have stock available

In terms of coverage please could I ask you to log your query's as follows


011 301 2583 for faxed queries.

email: [email protected]

0839001212 toll free from 083 no.’s

Thanks MTNDD
 
Gazza said:
Hey MTNdataDude,

I am currently on the SAVOY ESTATE repeater and would like to know if there are any plans to upgrade it to 3g or HSDPA as I would like to buy a MTN data card. There is coverage for vodacom.

Thanks
Gazza
Click to expand...

There are no current plans yet

MTNDD
 
CeeBee said:
Hi MTNDD
Thanx for the reply... When in an area where there is both 3G AND HSDPA will the datacard attach to HSDPA signal first by default, since the software doesn't have a choice to prefer HSDPA???
If the speed is 350-380kbps (and assuming that HSDPA is available) how do we know if it is connected to 3G or HSDPA, since 3G speed also goes to 384? (which I have been achieving easily with Nokia 6680)
I was under the impression that HSDPA is a better quality connection, not just faster?
Still, 500-700kbps average is quite bad considering the marketing / advertising(and impressions) being made by MTN regarding the HSDPA abilities, if realistically you shouldn't even expect 40% of the speed most of the time :-(
Do you know if there are any plans to improve this?
I use several of the local (some international) websites that have bandwidth meters, to check the speed.
Click to expand...

What's your signal like? HSPDA AFAIK throttles down in speed as the signal strength decreases. A friend on mine on VC HSDPA only gets about 400 kbps with 3 bars of HSDPA.
Have you tried your connection anywhere else where the signal is better?
 
I've tried here near the Lanseria airport area.
I get between 3 bars and full signal. This is largely an open field/agricultural area, so not a lot of users at all.
Doing speed tests here I get between 1200kbps and >2.5Mbps (! see my thread somewhere else under title 2.5Mbps on HSDPA.... which I still achieve by the way... haven't done an actual 1-5Mb file download to see the credibility of the speed reading)
I was mainly sceptical that the card didn't work properly, but I have seen proof, by actual downloads at home)
I just get quite jealous looking at all that speed capabilities here in Lanseria with almost no users... if only I could get that at home :D
 
CeeBee said:
I've tried here near the Lanseria airport area.
I get between 3 bars and full signal. This is largely an open field/agricultural area, so not a lot of users at all.
Doing speed tests here I get between 1200kbps and >2.5Mbps (! see my thread somewhere else under title 2.5Mbps on HSDPA.... which I still achieve by the way... haven't done an actual 1-5Mb file download to see the credibility of the speed reading)
I was mainly sceptical that the card didn't work properly, but I have seen proof, by actual downloads at home)
I just get quite jealous looking at all that speed capabilities here in Lanseria with almost no users... if only I could get that at home :D
Click to expand...

Good day,

I have passed this onto the coverage manager and will advise ASAP

Thanks MTNDD
 
MAP and general FAQ

Hi MTNDD

Is there a HSDPA coverage map somewhere (i found nothing on mtn website and cannot search for "map" on this forum)

I live in Fourways, Magaliesig and want to know if there is HSDPA, before I get the E220 USB modem (is this available yet btw?)

I can currently connect via edge/3G via my jasjar, mainly for browsing and the odd online chess game...but I must say I am not very impressed with the speed, its completely useless for skype or MSN video calls and every now and then the connection drops, which is why I'm thinking of just getting ADSL.

Also, why cant we have more FAQ sticky's like the VC forum?

Thanks
 
Kompete said:
Hi MTNDD

Is there a HSDPA coverage map somewhere (i found nothing on mtn website and cannot search for "map" on this forum)

I live in Fourways, Magaliesig and want to know if there is HSDPA, before I get the E220 USB modem (is this available yet btw?)

I can currently connect via edge/3G via my jasjar, mainly for browsing and the odd online chess game...but I must say I am not very impressed with the speed, its completely useless for skype or MSN video calls and every now and then the connection drops, which is why I'm thinking of just getting ADSL.

Also, why cant we have more FAQ sticky's like the VC forum?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Here you go http://www.mtn.co.za/?pid=11789&mid=287220#

FAQ sticky what's that?

MTNDD
 
Data security.

How secure is a normal 3G, EDGE, GPRS & HSDPA connection thru your mobile's
modem? :confused:
 
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