Roaming on Vodacom Network

[jb007za]

Hey all

I just spoke to a chap at Cell C (seemed very knowledgable) and he was adamant that Cell C customers can broadband roam on the Vodacom network. He was certain that this applied to EDGE, although 3G/HSDPA wasn't as clear cut as apparently the agreement stipulates that Cell C must actually offer the same services as those roamers are trying to access on the Vodacom network.

Do any of you (Cell C / Virgin Mobile subscribers ) have experience of data roaming on Vodacom? Anyone managed to establish a 3G/HSDPA connection?

This seems a grey area to me. Until now, I didn't think even EDGE roaming across S.A. networks was possible.

 

[Mams]

I have EDGE roamed on VC using VM sim - doesnt allow access to VCs 3G network - that is blocked ..doesnt really matter on the EDGE part as VM (CellC ) seems to have more EDGE (especially in Gauteng where i have not yet seen any VC EDGE )
By the way VCs EDGE is terrible - from my experience....used it in the Free State...

 

[C for yourself]

Hi jb007za

As described by Mams. Cell C's (and thus Virgin Mobile's) local roaming agreement with Vodacom includes both GPRS and EDGE.

In areas where you are roaming on Vodacom and EDGE is available you will be able to use it with your Cell C SIM card.

Cell C supports EDGE is most metropolitan areas countrywide where as I believe Vodacom EDGE coverage is mainly to be found in the Cape.

Cheers

C for Yourself

 

[jb007za]

Mams & C_for_yourself, thanks for the info. I tried to log on to Vodacom from my Cell C SIM card (in E620) last night, but it refused me access. Is this because the Vodacom towers in my area are also 3G/HSDPA enabled and that the network can't restrict access at those higher speeds?

Just out of interest, would the same roaming agreement apply to Virgin Mobile subscribers or is access strictly limited to the Cell C built network?

C_for_yourself, I will be sending you a PM in the next few mins. Please won't you check for mail once you've read this message.

 

[C for yourself]

Hi jb007za

The benefits of the roaming agreement can be enjoyed by both Cell C and Virgin Mobile subscribers.

Not being able to access Vodacom could be due your card being 3G enabled and the roaming agreement not including 3G services. I'm not familiar with the E620 but I know on the Novatel U740 card that you can choose the service (GPRS/3G) you wish to access.

Cheers

C for yourself

 

[adsl3g]

Just out of interest, would the same roaming agreement apply to Virgin Mobile subscribers or is access strictly limited to the Cell C built network?

Having read your post, I tested this. I manually selected Vodacom in the Huawei software and registered the sim - this was successful and I could log onto the network and browse with the VM sim. The Huawei software showed 'vodacom' in the signal area where Virgin is normally displayed. On the manual network selection I had Cell C (2g), MTN (2G) and vodacom (2G) networks to choose from (card set for GPRS/Edge) on 3G preferred setting Vodacom is displayed as (2G, 3G) but only connects at 2 g speeds. Selecting 3G only on the card and trying to connect to Vodacom fails to register.

 

[C for yourself]

Hi adsl3g

Thanks for your input and assistance on clarifying this. Much appreciated

Cheers

C for yourself

 

[Syndyre]

Logged onto a 3G/HSDPA Vodacom tower with a Virgin sim but only got GPRS.

 

[jb007za]

Hi guys

Thanks for the feedback. Fortunately, I'm in Vodacom 3G coverage area (i.e. shows on E620 as Vodacom (3g)). Irrespective of my data card settings, I can't seem to log on. Sounds odd, I know.

Will try again tonight.

jb007za

P.S. I'm using an MTN branded E620... doubt that will make any difference though.

 

[Piesang]

I use my Virgin Mobile sim in a MTN Huawei E620 Data Card and can log on to Vodacom's network.

My question now to you guys is, do I pay Virgin Mobile or Vodacom rates if I use my Virgin Mobile sim to roam on the Vodacom Network?

 

[Mams]

I use my Virgin Mobile sim in a MTN Huawei E620 Data Card and can log on to Vodacom's network.

My question now to you guys is, do I pay Virgin Mobile or Vodacom rates if I use my Virgin Mobile sim to roam on the Vodacom Network?

VM rates...guaranteed

 

[Piesang]

VM rates...guaranteed

Cool, becaue I get good speeds when I roam on Vodacom's network.

 

[blue-eye-boy]

Can anyone tell me how to force vm to use vodacom network? I use the vm sim in a gprs phone.

 

[jb007za]

Piesang, you're going a bit soft here. I always thought you were a die hard VM guy... Cell C network and all

 

[ajax]

Can anyone tell me how to force vm to use vodacom network? I use the vm sim in a gprs phone.

Settings, phone, network, manual, -->wait for search<-- select Vodacom.

 

[redarrow]

I'm missing something somewhere...
When using VM or Cell-C how do you tell if you're roaming on Vodacom or not?

 

[internaut]

My phone displays a triangle to say that Im roaming or it will simply say Vodacom instead of CC or VM.

 

[redarrow]

My phone displays a triangle to say that Im roaming or it will simply say Vodacom instead of CC or VM.

Oh ... I see.. so it's basically the same thing as roaming in another country... (from the phone's "perspective") ..

 

[internaut]

Correct but you still pay VM rates.

 

[Syndyre]

Correct but you still pay VM rates.

Incidentally when you roam on Vodacom with Virgin is it just me or does your traffic still at some point get routed over Virgin's network rather than Voda's through to the public net. Noticed I seem to get different IP's when roaming on Vodacom as opposed to using a Vodacom sim,, similar to what I get when I'm on Virgin itself. When I try and connect to Vodacom's internet apn with a Virgin sim it doesn't work either.

Also for some weird reason don't seem to be able to connect to irc.lagnet.org.za from Virgin, either on Virgin itself or roaming on Vodacom, whereas I can with a Vodacom sim.