Network problems in Pretoria

[vodacom3g]

You can try two things:

1) Download the latest V5 dash. Always good to upgrade but I don't think it'll fix your problem, might improve it though. Check the FAQ for download details.

2) More importantly, use a GPRS-Only profile. It might be that your card sniffs a 3G signal and tries to switch. If you're sure you've got 3G coverage, use a 3G-Only profile.

Do you have a 64K SIM, by the way? And an external antenna?

 

[adsl3g]

2) ....... If you're sure you've got 3G coverage, use a 3G-Only profile.

as mentioned in post http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showpost.php?p=262549&postcount=9
Riveria will only get 3G coverage end August.

 

[wizard]

Speed and performance have still not be address in Centurion area, As a ISP the performance and Internet access / bandwidth offered to people at a monthly premium are getting a bit ridicules. Every Month it appears that this forum is getting more and more complains about the reliability of the network and hardware been used to access a 3G service.

My current speed measurement from Telkom site:

Below is the data used to calculate your download speed:

Download time: 75.178 seconds
Size of file: 500 KiloBytes
Estimated line speed: 54.3 (kilobits/second)
Estimated line speed: 6.7 (kiloBytes/second)

This are a Joke, Please get the Techs to start working on the problems and stop looking at it as it have been a problem since Wednesday and the problem have NOT been solved.

 

[trws]

BBSA, I sympathise with you - consistently slow speeds are horrible, and you've had this problem for a while now, it should not be taking so long to sort out...I don't think that anyone is trying to underplay the problems you are experiencing...

Hi IC

It does look if V3G want to create a perception that the problem is small, but from what I have read it does not seems to be the case.

I have also noticed you go out of you way to defend Vodacom. Is this just blind loyalty or is Vodacom paying you?

As a moderator should you not be unbiased?

 

[vodacom3g]

trws,

It's important to see these problems in context. As stated before, there will always be problems in the network. This is the nature of technology, especially with complex environments such as radio systems.

It is the responsibility of the network provider (Vodacom) to keep these to a minimum and to respond and correct faulty systems as quickly as possible.

We know there are problems in certain cells in the Pretoria area, with Centurion being the first one and have never denied this. Upgrades were done on the evening of the 16th and BBSA (orginally reported the Centurion problem) saw a massive (25Kb/s to 42Kb/s) increase in throughput on the radio / transmission network.

Wizard, what is your experience at the moment?

Moreletta Park, I need to check the status.

The internet bandwidth will (very shortly) get a big upgrade as well.

So, we are aware of the problems and do address them. Sometimes it takes a bit longer, waiting for equipment, Telkom lines, etc. Obviously for the people in the affected area, the problem is HUGE, and therefore these problems are taken seriously and resolved asap.

Hope this helps.

PS. ic is in no way affiliated to Vodacom and often beats Vodacom up as badly as the rest of you bunch.

 

[trws]

Thanks V3g

Yes, it does help!

I will put my purchase on hold until I'm sure everything is stable.

Will you keep us informed?

 

[BBSA]

We know there are problems in certain cells in the Pretoria area, with Centurion being the first one and have never denied this. Upgrades were done on the evening of the 16th and BBSA (orginally reported the Centurion problem) saw a massive (25Kb/s to 42Kb/s) increase in throughput on the radio / transmission network.

V3G; you forgot to mention that I only get 14kb/s outside the Vodacom network(on the real Internet)

I'm sure you wanted to mention that little fact, but just forgot

 

[vodacom3g]

BBSA, not at all....

As I've stated numerous times, the (lack of) internet access speed affects everyone.

In addition, you had a local problem, compounding your throughput issues.

Using just the internet test will mask any such local issues. Testing the local network (using smtp.vodacom.co.za) shows up these local issues that can then be resolved. This was done earlier this week for your area.

For example, using the 115Kb/s (14KB/s), you got with the myADSL test would have masked the improvement the changes achieved in your area (from 200Kb/s to 338Kb/s).

Btw, your continuous feedback on this will greatly help to monitor the performance / stability over the next few days. If you don't mind, mail or post some results from smtp.vodacom.co.za as well as the myADSL test.

The work to improve the internet bandwidth (basically upgrades) is (and has been for a while) happening in parallel with other work done. We're very close to turning on the first lot of extra bandwidth.

So, once again, it's important to isolate all bottlenecks and resolve them individually. This way all areas that need attention will be attended to.

 

[BBSA]

BBSA, not at all....

Just keeping you honest

Using just the internet test will mask any such local issues. Testing the local network (using smtp.vodacom.co.za) shows up these local issues that can then be resolved. This was done earlier this week for your area.

I understand using smtp.vodacom.co.za helps with debugging, but I surf on the real internet.

For example, using the 115Kb/s (14KB/s), you got with the myADSL test would have masked the improvement the changes achieved in your area (from 200Kb/s to 338Kb/s).

There is an improvement but the Capital of SA and home of the Curry Cup need more speed

Btw, your continuous feedback on this will greatly help to monitor the performance / stability over the next few days. If you don't mind, mail or post some results from smtp.vodacom.co.za as well as the myADSL test.

Will do, but my bandwidth is almost completed with all the testing

The work to improve the internet bandwidth (basically upgrades) is (and has been for a while) happening in parallel with other work done. We're very close to turning on the first lot of extra bandwidth.

The sooner the better

 

[ic]

Hi IC

It does look if V3G want to create a perception that the problem is small, but from what I have read it does not seems to be the case.

I have also noticed you go out of you way to defend Vodacom. Is this just blind loyalty or is Vodacom paying you?

As a moderator should you not be unbiased?

I should be unbiased, perhaps I am not sufficiently unbiased, but I welcome fellow forumites setting me straight .

 

[wizard]

I’m one with BBSA the speed on your internal network have improve dramatically since my last test, But as soon as you break from vodacom network its DEAD,

First test :

3G
Below is the data used to calculate your download speed:
• Download time: 102.548 seconds
• Size of file: 500 KiloBytes
• Estimated line speed: 39.8 (kilobits/second)
• Estimated line speed: 4.9 (kiloBytes/second)
GPRS
Below is the data used to calculate your download speed:
• Download time: 115.526 seconds
• Size of file: 500 KiloBytes
• Estimated line speed: 35.3 (kilobits/second)
• Estimated line speed: 4.3 (kiloBytes/second)


Ping Test :

Pinging smtp.vodacom.co.za [168.210.129.147] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 168.210.129.147: bytes=32 time=292ms TTL=253
Reply from 168.210.129.147: bytes=32 time=316ms TTL=253
Reply from 168.210.129.147: bytes=32 time=349ms TTL=253
Reply from 168.210.129.147: bytes=32 time=293ms TTL=253


Pinging smtp.isdsl.net [196.26.208.190] with 32 bytes of data:

Request timed out.
Reply from 196.26.208.190: bytes=32 time=302ms TTL=58
Request timed out.
Reply from 196.26.208.190: bytes=32 time=273ms TTL=58


Pinging smtp.saix.net [196.25.240.94] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 196.25.240.94: bytes=32 time=884ms TTL=117
Reply from 196.25.240.94: bytes=32 time=598ms TTL=117
Request timed out.
Request timed out.


Its all nice and cozy on vodacom but we need to access international sites, local sites rather, get a newspaper than opening www.iol.co.za or banking sites, the speed are so frustrating and I can see why the members of the forum start bombarding the 3G forum as 3G have started it’s 9th moth as a paid service and we as subscribers still have to sit and wait for pages to load, I notice and all the other members also appreciate the effort vodacom and V3G is pusshing for a better service and more towers and performance to outshine the competition, but as V3G have said the problem are with bandwidth breaking OUT of vodacom and until they start doing something about that service we will not have a proper GSM broadband service. Vodacom have to start get there act together and notice Telkom ADSL service might be the start of broadband investigation, by ICASA. If you make a service available and ask the subscribers to pay for a promise service they have to deliver, sooner or later, we are at the gates of later, after 9 month of development, trails and testing vodacom have to start supplying what was promised with the 3G technology.

The bugs in the software, “Dashboard”, PCMCIA firmware issue’s all have been dealt with and all errors regarding speed and connectivity was pushed as software errors, Now that have been resolved the towers are next, when will vodacom admit they have to expand the international local bandwidth and when will they implement this additional bandwidth and with how much.

Please V3G I know you can help please get the technical and management of Vodacom to get this ball rolling before 3G get a “UNUSABLE” “WORKS WHEN YOU CAMP NEXT TO THE TOWER” service status. This will be a tragedy for future innovations from vodacom in the years to come.

 

[ic]

Ummmm, the localised pockets where there is a lack of speed after breaking out of the core 3G network, instead of relying on Telkomonopoly to upgrade links, would it not be better if Vodacom had a plan to replace their dependency on Telkomonopoly links, with links that Vodacom has a legislated right to do since 2005-02-01?

I'm saying that Telkomonopoly are in no great rush to improve a competitor's throughput, even if Telkomonopoly own 50% of Vodacom, Vodacom is still competing with ADSL...

 

[vodacom3g]

when will vodacom admit they have to expand the international local bandwidth and when will they implement this additional bandwidth and with how much.

As posted a few times, the local / international upgrades are happening as we speak. The lines are already in and are currently being tested for stability. It's days, not weeks, away, giving at least a doubling in capacity. Even more to follow.

 

[ic]

@v3g, just wondering how the whole [post=277828]peering links argument between Telkomonopoly/SAIX and IS[/post] affects the 3G service itself?

 

[BBSA]

@v3g, just wondering how the whole [post=277828]peering links argument between Telkomonopoly/SAIX and IS[/post] affects the 3G service itself?

- Very interesting; think Vodacom must use their influence to sort out their major share holder!

 

[jbad]

I am crying out loud, why must I always wait until after midnight to get constant connectivity - before that time my line drop so many times that it feels like as if it should be that way and that it is the standard.
If I dont pay, Vodacom will cut my service, if I pay they dont mind giving a poor service.
V3G can I ask if the 3G service is running in second priority to the voice service. So when in midnight when the voice service is low, my connectivity is stable?

 

[ic]

I am crying out loud, why must I always wait until after midnight to get constant connectivity - before that time my line drop so many times that it feels like as if it should be that way and that it is the standard.
If I dont pay, Vodacom will cut my service, if I pay they dont mind giving a poor service.
V3G can I ask if the 3G service is running in second priority to the voice service. So when in midnight when the voice service is low, my connectivity is stable?

The 3G network is a separate network from the 2G network - even though the equipment resides on the same fake palms trees...so theoretically high 2G volume should only affect GPRS and EDGE, but not 3G...theoretically...what's more likely is that there is contention from lots of 3G customers trying to consume data simultaneously on the same 3G towers...or the fibre links between towers and the core network will suffer from contention if there is a high volume of either 2G or 3G traffic - assuming that the data from both 2G and 3G travels over the same fibre links...

 

[vodacom3g]

@v3g, just wondering how the whole [post=277828]peering links argument between Telkomonopoly/SAIX and IS[/post] affects the 3G service itself?

Very good point, and one I keep on wanting to make. Because the data network connected only (note past tense ) through IS, it was a big problem as experienced by everyone.

Can we get some feedback on performance experience, please?

 

[adsl3g]

1. Wonderboom South – Site Commissioned, to be optimised, Live mid August
2. Rietfontein - Site Commissioned, to be optimised, Live mid August
3. Eloffsdal – End of August
4. Riviera - End of August
5. Les Marais - Site Commissioned, to be optimised, Live mid August
6. Villeria - End of October

vodacom3G (My ADSL Master )
Any updates on 3G on the sites mentioned?? Nothing yet in the areas listed for mid August.

 

[BBSA]

Very good point, and one I keep on wanting to make. Because the data network connected only (note past tense ) through IS, it was a big problem as experienced by everyone.

Can we get some feedback on performance experience, please?

Seems to be better
but let me give it a stres test for a week

Did you guys boot IS?