New Vodacom Coverage Map

[vodacom3g]

How does one ask Vodacom to look into their coverage in a certain area?

I'm thinking particularly of a short (1km) stretch of road in an urban area where calls are dropped when driving thru.

Send me the exact details via PM and I'll forward it.

You'll most likely find that that there is some geographical anomaly there, like a dip or a hill.

 

[Knave]

pm on the way.

 

[MartinHattingh]

Signal weakening over time

In most cases, the coverage map is a bit on the conservative side to prevent giving people false hope. This is to prevent giving the sceptics another stick with which to beat Vodacom for false advertising or ripping the customers off, etc.

However, there are still cases where the map may indicate coverage but there is no coverage. The coverage predictions are done on a planning tool which takes into account the general terrain and clutter (trees, buildings, etc.) but this geographical information is not always 100% due to erection of new buildings, trees which have grown, etc. It is merely meant as an indication and it is still preferable to check the signal at one's residence before buying any 3G contract. This can normally be done using a 3G phone or a borrowed datacard, etc. and should give a indication of what sort of performance you can expect.

Checking the map puts my home in the centre of full 3G/HSDPA coverage in the middle of Claremont in Cape Town. I considered this, tested the access with a friend's card, and then took out a contract a couple of months ago. But recently, the signal's been getting weaker and weaker, up to the point where I have to go upstairs to even connect at all... And sometimes I can't even do that.

Nothing's wrong with the card, I get full bars and fast access in many other locations, but at home my access is dying a slow death

Is there anything at all I can do?

 

[AirWolf]

Checking the map puts my home in the centre of full 3G/HSDPA coverage in the middle of Claremont in Cape Town. I considered this, tested the access with a friend's card, and then took out a contract a couple of months ago. But recently, the signal's been getting weaker and weaker, up to the point where I have to go upstairs to even connect at all... And sometimes I can't even do that.

Nothing's wrong with the card, I get full bars and fast access in many other locations, but at home my access is dying a slow death

Is there anything at all I can do?

Depending on you modem, you could try an external antennae.

 

[odegos]

That sounds like a tower issue - perhaps you could Vodacom a call. We have reported towers in the past and it was speedily repaired in a rural area. Give it a shot, call the help desk.

 

[VodacomData]

That sounds like a tower issue - perhaps you could Vodacom a call. We have reported towers in the past and it was speedily repaired in a rural area. Give it a shot, call the help desk.

Hi

Please log a call with 155 as this needs to be sent to networks department , i will monitor the process as well if you Pm me the ref.

Regards
VodacomData

 

[milesd]

Coverage should increase RAPIDLY????

Historically the Great Trek was initiated out of the Cape by farmers who were pushed over the 'edge' by the local government.

As homage to these great pioneers the EDGE roll-out is following the same route. You can clearly see the progress on the coverage map.


Actually more a technology based reason with the kit used in Gauteng and Natal requiring a bit more work. But this is on-going and coverage should increase rapidly.

I notice this was posted back in 2006...how rapid was the increase in coverage supposed to be exactly? 3 years later and Natal still doesn't have EDGE coverage. MTN didn't seem to drag it out into such a lengthy process so why have Vodacom dropped the ball on this one?