MWEB and IOS updates - interesting info

[IamtheGB]

Finding it impossible to update to IOS 5.1 using official channels like iTunes or OTA with an MWEB account?

This could be why:

Dear ________ ,
Akamai content is currently retrieved over international links and we are aware that connectivity and speeds on these types of downloads can drop off from time to time, dependent on network load and external factors.

Unfortunately other network providers in SA do not make their Akamai nodes available via peering links, but we are working on this and hope to have an Akamai node on our local network in the near future.

Please contact us should you require any further technical assistance.

Kind Regards
Ashley ______________
MWEB Operations: E-mail Centre
Technical Support Team
Tel: 0860 112252/082 16100
Fax: +2721 5968724
E-mail: [email protected]

MWEB have admitted over the phone that they are experiencing issues with IOS updates, and the above email points it to being an Akamai issue, however I don't necessarily believe this to be the case. I don't technically know how IOS updates are served and I haven't investigated the process but I have no issues with any other services that use Akamai to distribute content. I have no issues with downloading other Apple content. Is there something else they are doing in the background perhaps?

Even if Akamai and peering links are the issue I find it strange that the biggest ISP in SA (assumption) does not have an Akamai node (most used distribution service - assumption) on its network after all these years.

This is a big issue for me and it will mean that i will be changing my ISP if i do not receive a reply from MWEB with an idea of time frames as to when this IOS update issue will be sorted.

 

[MWEBHelp]

Finding it impossible to update to IOS 5.1 using official channels like iTunes or OTA with an MWEB account?

This could be why:

Dear ________ ,
Akamai content is currently retrieved over international links and we are aware that connectivity and speeds on these types of downloads can drop off from time to time, dependent on network load and external factors.

Unfortunately other network providers in SA do not make their Akamai nodes available via peering links, but we are working on this and hope to have an Akamai node on our local network in the near future.

Please contact us should you require any further technical assistance.

Kind Regards
Ashley ______________
MWEB Operations: E-mail Centre
Technical Support Team
Tel: 0860 112252/082 16100
Fax: +2721 5968724
E-mail: [email protected]

MWEB have admitted over the phone that they are experiencing issues with IOS updates, and the above email points it to being an Akamai issue, however I don't necessarily believe this to be the case. I don't technically know how IOS updates are served and I haven't investigated the process but I have no issues with any other services that use Akamai to distribute content. I have no issues with downloading other Apple content. Is there something else they are doing in the background perhaps?

Even if Akamai and peering links are the issue I find it strange that the biggest ISP in SA (assumption) does not have an Akamai node (most used distribution service - assumption) on its network after all these years.

This is a big issue for me and it will mean that i will be changing my ISP if i do not receive a reply from MWEB with an idea of time frames as to when this IOS update issue will be sorted.

Good Morning IamtheGB, please DM me your MWEB account details and I will forward your request to the relevant management to see if we can have our network team do some more testing.

 

[Guantanamo]

The Apple servers are usually stupid busy for a few days after an update is released so I usually wait until the weekend at a time when most Americans are sleeping and the download is usually smooth. Have had it fail on me a few times the day after it is released when I try to download at 4pm.

 

[MikeCTZA]

I agree it should work - I'm not on MWeb to know - in the meanwhile ... even though the full firmware update will be bigger than the OTA ... have you tried downloading the full firmware manually and then using that to update? (is always useful to keep a copy of this incase you need to ever restore your phone anyway).
You can get the downloading links directly from here : http://iphoneza.co.za/content.php?150-iOS-5-1-Get-your-Direct-Download-links-here!-Changelog
Use a download manager to get the files helps too.
Not a solution but more of a workaround in the meanwhile.

 

[IamtheGB]

I agree it should work - I'm not on MWeb to know - in the meanwhile ... even though the full firmware update will be bigger than the OTA ... have you tried downloading the full firmware manually and then using that to update? (is always useful to keep a copy of this incase you need to ever restore your phone anyway).
You can get the downloading links directly from here : http://iphoneza.co.za/content.php?150-iOS-5-1-Get-your-Direct-Download-links-here!-Changelog
Use a download manager to get the files helps too.
Not a solution but more of a workaround in the meanwhile.

Thanks MikeCTZA, I have done the whole .IPSW thing a couple times before, the problem is that i am too much of an apple fan and I have too many devices spread all over my house, and I am too lazy to spend the time to manually update MWEB just needs to make this work.

My workaround at the moment is to use an AXXESS account and update my devices OTA - works brilliantly.

 

[IamtheGB]

The Apple servers are usually stupid busy for a few days after an update is released so I usually wait until the weekend at a time when most Americans are sleeping and the download is usually smooth. Have had it fail on me a few times the day after it is released when I try to download at 4pm.

I agree, this was experienced with the 5.0 release. The new issue is different and is directly caused by trying to update with an MWEB account, switch over to another ISP and no issues at all with the update.

 

[IamtheGB]

Don't expect a resolution any time soon if you are with MWEB:

Good day

Thank you for your e-mail.

I have been in contact with our Technical Specialists and they have informed that there is currently no resolution date on this query. It is currently being address by the relevant parties.

Please contact us should you require any further technical assistance.

Kind Regards
Ashley Anthony
MWEB Operations: E-mail Centre
Technical Support Team
Tel: 0860 112252/082 16100
Fax: +2721 5968724
E-mail: [email protected]