Random Disconnects

I

icepick

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Hi,

Visiting from overseas and brought my 3G card with (Vodafone Mobile Connect: Novatel Merlin U630) and have been having endless trouble trying to maintain a connection for a reasonable amount of time.

The longest I've maintained a connection for is 30 minutes - it doesn't matter if I'm using a 3G or GPRS only profile. Most times it seems to be related to data transfer. If I keep the connection idle it appears to stay up a bit longer - I'm not sure if this is a coincidence or not.

I've tried various different versions of the VMC software and have upgraded to firmware version 14.2 (the latest apparently), it hasn't made a difference.

Is there some kind of issue with Vodacom's GPRS/3G network or is this a problem with my setup? I'm running WinXp SP2 on an ASUS M6Va notebook.

Any ideas on how to solve this problem? It doesn't appear to be signal strength related - I'm currently on 4/5 bars on GRPS and just got disconnected again a few minutes ago. It a pain-in-the-ass especially since I'm using a VPN and have to reset the connection each time.

Any help appreciated!

(Edit: Using VMC version 6.01.0001, Firmware 14.2, HW Rev 2)
 
It's a pre-paid SIM card (new 32k). Areas I had problems in (which is all the areas I've been in!) are: Cape Town (Hout Bay), Hermanus and Port Owen, also Pretoria - Willows area. So I'm pretty sure this is not related to a specific area (unless I have extremely bad luck of course)

(Oh and thanks for the welcome :) )
 
I'm also in Cape Town, and on either a 3G only or GPRS only profile, have been experiencing these disconnects too (similar to the problem from a year ago) you'd be busy with something, and then the connection dies, and around 30-45 seconds later disconnects.

I'm using a 64k SIM in an Option card (latest firmware and smashboard versions running too) so I think that kind of rules out a PC/notebook hardware issue, seeing as icepick is using a Novatel card... so there must be something on the network that's bumping us all off randomly?

The connection has been up for over 6 hours now with no problem, but during the day, and this past week it has been disconnecting a couple of times, and seems worse on a GPRS connection than a 3G connection.

V3G not sure if your network monitoring software is picking it up or not, but I put in a call with 155 and they were unaware of a problem, but it sounds similar to the guys in Pretoria's problem, except when it is connecting (and staying connected), throughput is no problem at all.
 
I'll definitely forward your observations. The guys did see the Pta disconnects in the stats, not sure what they saw for Cpt.

Any others around the country seeing these random disconnects? If so, won't you let me know the area?

As background; When the network was first built there was only one SGSN (connecting you to the network) and one GGSN (connecting you to the IP network). Today there are a large number of SGSN's and a few GGSN's.

So nowadays your area plays a vital role in finding a problem as you'll be attaching to specific SGSN/GGSN's as well as specific APN's.

So if you do pick up a problem, please include the area and APN if you'd like to report it.

Btw, these reports are always appreciated and always forwarded to the relevant people.
 
Disconnects

Sandringham, could not stay on for more than a couple minutes at a time yesterday. Frequent switching between GPRS and 3G. APN: InternetVPN Cell ID's Linksfield and Sandringham
 
Constant Disconnects

I have the same problem here in Centurion

I have been told that its because of "Cell Breathing" that causes me to be kicked of the network.

Well they said i must get an external antenna, which i went and baught for hundred's of rands ,,
And it is still doing the same. The Antenna boosted my signal strength from 2 to 3 bars but it still disconnects me constantly.

I'm getting absoluetly crazy of this , I pay over R600 p/month for this 3G connection that's not working anymore , plus I spend Over that amount on an external outdoor antenna, and i'm still stuck with the same problem.

If this goes on like this, I will kick Vodacom of my bank account like they kick me off their wonderful superfast network .

Desperate
Bauwermeister
 
Constant disconnects

I have the same problem of constant disconnects here in Centurion

I have been told that its because of "Cell Breathing" that causes me to be kicked of the network.

Well they said i must get an external antenna, which i went and baught for hundred's of rands ,,
And it is still doing the same. The Antenna boosted my signal strength from 2 to 3 bars but it still disconnects me constantly.

I'm getting absoluetly crazy of this , I pay over R600 p/month for this 3G connection that's not working anymore , plus I spend Over that amount on an external outdoor antenna, and i'm still stuck with the same problem.

If this goes on like this, I will kick Vodacom of my bank account like they kick me off their wonderful superfast network .

Desperate
Bauwermeister
 
I'm starting to experience the same problem although in my case I get a maximum signal. My disconnects used to be less frequent. I haven't had time to investigate further that's why I haven't complained yet:D
I live in PTA North
 
Same story here. Been using my card today for the first time in a week (in Bloemfontein). Had no problem previous time I used the card, but today I've been having a hard time establishing a connection and once connected, the connection doesn't last more than 5 min. When trying to re-connect, I get Error 619, or "TCP/IP reported error 718. The Remote Computer did not respond in a timely manner".
 
Last edited:
Cell Breathing

w1z4rd said:
what is "cell breathing"?
Click to expand...

I'll try to expaining "Cell Breathing" in a simple way.
3G uses a technology called CDMA.
The number of users and the throughput of each cell is dependent on the level of radio interference in a cell.
Radio interference increases as the number of active users (or traffic) on the cell increases.
CDMA also supports power control - where the strength of the radio signal from the base station and your data card (or cellphone) is adjusted to minimise interference and to ensure a good signal.
If the number of users in a cell is too high the interference in a cell will increase. The base station will therefore drop some users (by shrinking the size of the cell) to ensure that the remaining users receive an acceptable quality of service.

That's it in simple terms. An external antenna is not going to help!
Radio network design/optimisation to accomodate the growing number of users in certain areas is the answer - this could mean that Vodacom may also need more 3G base stations (Node Bs) in your area.

Anyway - even with cell breathing on the 3G network - when you loose 3G coverage because the 3G cell shrinks you should get a handover from the 3G network onto the GSM/GPRS network and not be disconnected. If the handovers do not work then 3G to GPRS handovers are not supported or there is another problem.

Data compression technologies - may also help to reduce the traffic and hence interference (but that's another story!).

Cheers,
WireFree
 
Last edited:
WireFree said:
If the number of users in a cell is too high the interference in a cell will increase. The base station will therefore drop some users (by shrinking the size of the cell) to ensure that the remaining users receive an acceptable quality of service.

Cheers,
WireFree
Click to expand...
The cell does not physically shrink, rather because the interference goes up, users on the outer edge of the cell will loose connectivity first (as they fall below the base level), thus creating the impression that the cell is shrinking.
 
So if i understand correctly, the external antenna i bought will help squad.
Great
Is there any solution to this problem ??

From what i read, i think there's serious problem if so many people is experiencing disconnnects.

What can I do to get these techie guys from Vodacom to come and check it out?

I mean this is ridiculous , one cannot work like this , with no internet connection.

:mad:
 
vodacom3g said:
The cell does not physically shrink, rather because the interference goes up, users on the outer edge of the cell will loose connectivity first (as they fall below the base level), thus creating the impression that the cell is shrinking.
Click to expand...

That's correct. :)
 
Also getting disconnected at random, which is frustrating as I use gprs for basic web access and msn.

Both PMB (blackridge, during December) and PTA (sunnyside east, usually) aren't very stable.

I don't encounter the problem as much with mtn (my contract phone), although the MTN network sometimes also gives me uphill (i can see data being sent, but nothing coming back)
 
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