Signal Boosters

Marz

Marz

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2010
Messages
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Location
Joburg
I recently bought an advanced bundle pack to try see wot HSDPA speeds i could reach but it didnt seem to change.

Im almost 100% sure its due to lack of signal so I managed to organise a signal booster. Only problem now is I dont know where to point it :o

Is there anyone I can PM with location details for help?
 
Hi

Am waiting ...lol..send me the details.


Regards
VodacomData
 
Signal boosters isn't necessarily the solution especially when it comes to 3G/HSPDA, you'll end up amplifying more noise than anything else giving you an even worst connection performance. Just out of curiosity, was your booster supplied by Vodacom - because apparently it's illegal to install one if it wasn't done by Vodacom itself with their approved units:confused:
 
I recieved the number for 2 companies to purchase my booster from the vodacom customer care line. I hope by using the product Im not violating any laws as they were the initial people to recommend I do this in the first place
For those wondering I dont have the referance number for this call as it was about September last year and I happened to save the numbers.
 
Monkey D Luffy said:
Signal boosters isn't necessarily the solution especially when it comes to 3G/HSPDA, you'll end up amplifying more noise than anything else giving you an even worst connection performance. Just out of curiosity, was your booster supplied by Vodacom - because apparently it's illegal to install one if it wasn't done by Vodacom itself with their approved units:confused:
Click to expand...

Riiiiight.....

Marz said:
I recieved the number for 2 companies to purchase my booster from the vodacom customer care line. I hope by using the product Im not violating any laws as they were the initial people to recommend I do this in the first place
For those wondering I dont have the referance number for this call as it was about September last year and I happened to save the numbers.
Click to expand...

If anything it needs to be ICASA approved. That's it. Have you used something like MDMA to peform an accurate reading of your signal before rushing out to buy an antenna? What are your results from speedtest.net and speed.vodacom.co.za?
 
Monkey D Luffy said:
Signal boosters isn't necessarily the solution especially when it comes to 3G/HSPDA, you'll end up amplifying more noise than anything else giving you an even worst connection performance. Just out of curiosity, was your booster supplied by Vodacom - because apparently it's illegal to install one if it wasn't done by Vodacom itself with their approved units:confused:
Click to expand...

If the quality of the signal is decent enough to start with and you have the proper equipment. The noise boosted shouldn't have that much of an effect. You do know that a signal booster is only illegal if it exceddes a certian wattage. If you have the right wattage device even if it is not from Vodacom then it is not be against the law.
 
Monkey D Luffy said:
Signal boosters isn't necessarily the solution especially when it comes to 3G/HSPDA, you'll end up amplifying more noise than anything else giving you an even worst connection performance. Just out of curiosity, was your booster supplied by Vodacom - because apparently it's illegal to install one if it wasn't done by Vodacom itself with their approved units:confused:
Click to expand...
I think the OP actually means an antenna for boosting his signal, not an electronic device that re-broadcasts the signal.
 
morkhans said:
If anything it needs to be ICASA approved. That's it. Have you used something like MDMA to peform an accurate reading of your signal before rushing out to buy an antenna? What are your results from speedtest.net and speed.vodacom.co.za?
Click to expand...

MDMA and the Vodafone Mobile Connect software seem to show the same readings. They show Im at half signal strength of 3g.
Vodacom Speed test was actually the thing that convinced me to buy the booster as I noticed there was alot more potential for my connection and I want to get my full moneys worth. During offpeek times i get 1.99Mbps download and 0.31Mbps upload.
Im still waiting on VodacomDota to send me a message but i did reply to him quite late yesterday :D

Im actually wondering at this point if my equipment is not faulty but ill reserve that judgment till I know where to face the equipment
 
Marz said:
MDMA and the Vodafone Mobile Connect software seem to show the same readings. They show Im at half signal strength of 3g.
Click to expand...
MDMA gives you a numerical value rather than a X out of 5 bar reading. What is it?

Marz said:
Vodacom Speed test was actually the thing that convinced me to buy the booster as I noticed there was alot more potential for my connection and I want to get my full moneys worth. During offpeek times i get 1.99Mbps download and 0.31Mbps upload.
Im still waiting on VodacomDota to send me a message but i did reply to him quite late yesterday :D

Im actually wondering at this point if my equipment is not faulty but ill reserve that judgment till I know where to face the equipment
Click to expand...

1.99Mbps is actually plenty, I would not spend money on an external antenna if that was my speed test result.
 
Marz said:
MDMA and the Vodafone Mobile Connect software seem to show the same readings. They show Im at half signal strength of 3g.
Vodacom Speed test was actually the thing that convinced me to buy the booster as I noticed there was alot more potential for my connection and I want to get my full moneys worth. During offpeek times i get 1.99Mbps download and 0.31Mbps upload.
Im still waiting on VodacomDota to send me a message but i did reply to him quite late yesterday :D

Im actually wondering at this point if my equipment is not faulty but ill reserve that judgment till I know where to face the equipment
Click to expand...

Replied to your pm

Regards
VodacomData
 
Marz said:
MDMA and the Vodafone Mobile Connect software seem to show the same readings. They show Im at half signal strength of 3g.
Vodacom Speed test was actually the thing that convinced me to buy the booster as I noticed there was alot more potential for my connection and I want to get my full moneys worth. During offpeek times i get 1.99Mbps download and 0.31Mbps upload.
Im still waiting on VodacomDota to send me a message but i did reply to him quite late yesterday :D

Im actually wondering at this point if my equipment is not faulty but ill reserve that judgment till I know where to face the equipment
Click to expand...

If you peek less your speed will improve! ;)
 
morkhans said:
1.99Mbps is actually plenty, I would not spend money on an external antenna if that was my speed test result.
Click to expand...
Remember that Marz is paying for Broadband Advanced, so he's expecting >3.6Mbps.
It sounds to me like he a has a reasonable signal, I don't think any antenna is going to double his speeds.
 
morkhans said:
Have you used something like MDMA to peform an accurate reading of your signal before rushing out to buy an antenna? What are your results from speedtest.net and speed.vodacom.co.za?
Click to expand...

+1 - your issues may be congestion on simply needing a bigger antennae. The best (although not cheapest) solution is to get a 3G router and mount it in a weatherproof box on an aluminium pole (the kind you get at the TV aerial supplier) outside with a lan cable to your PC/hub. Even better, add power over ethernet and only have one cable running into the box for power and network.

This will ensure your harveytile or galvanised iron roof etc. aren't hampering signal in your house somewhere (among other things). You can easily add a better antennae to the above. Boosting signals is not the most efficient way of solving these things and should only be used as a last resort as it can introduce more noise.
 
ginggs said:
Remember that Marz is paying for Broadband Advanced, so he's expecting >3.6Mbps.
It sounds to me like he a has a reasonable signal, I don't think any antenna is going to double his speeds.
Click to expand...

I don't believe you can realistically expect that from the service even if you are within a couple of blocks of the tower - correct me if I am wrong. Unfortunately advertising in the 3g sphere leaves much to be desired.
 
morkhans said:
1.99Mbps is actually plenty, I would not spend money on an external antenna if that was my speed test result.
Click to expand...

Just saw this now - my advice? be thankful! You are getting more than the majority afaik!!!
 
ginggs said:
I've got 5.5Mbps from my tower on Broadband Advanced, but that's only when their system doesn't revert my bundle to Broadband Standard.
Click to expand...

You say 'you've got' - is it consistent, as in, can you expect to do a test at any time of the day and get that more times than not? Is it not also perhaps related to the number of subscribers using your tower? It's possible you are lucky.

I am willing to bet there aren't many subscribers like yourself in Goodwood from my days at Wingfield... (although it's likely changed alot since then!)
 
MrsBBL said:
You say 'you've got' - is it consistent, as in, can you expect to do a test at any time of the day and get that more times than not?
Click to expand...
I cannot say, since July 2009 my bundle has spent more time being Broadband Standard than it has being Broadband Advanced.
MrsBBL said:
Is it not also perhaps related to the number of subscribers using your tower?
Click to expand...
I'm sure it is, and the backhaul, and the weather conditions, etc. I can say I consistently get close to 4Mbps on Broadband Standard though.
 
Look im gratefull that I have my speeds but its human nature to want the best you can be offered. I bought the booster and the bundle in the hopes of maximizing my speeds.
Im sure that many of you will agree that If you see your connection has the potential to be better and you had the chance to increase that you actually would.
With VodacomData's help ive managed to do so, although the increase was minor, it was well worth the effort.

Thanks VodacomData :)
 
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