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Sign up with GoogleSlow upload speeds in Cape Town
- Thread starter 1geoff99
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1geoff99
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What do i do if i'm experiencing slow speeds as well?
Purchased the 2GB Speedstick on Sunday. Getting between 10KB/s to 30KB/s download speeds.
Location: Harbour Island, Gordon's Bay.
Speed Test done about 30mins ago:
That's bad. First of all, you need to test against a JHB server. See here about doing speed tests.
What is your signal strength (RSSI)?
I will check again when i get home tonight. Might try it here at work later during the day too.
1geoff99
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RSSI: -93dBm
Speedtest Result to JHB server:
Will try again after 7pm.
Your signal strength is a bit low. I would aim for at least -85dBm. You can try moving your modem to different locations to see if you can improve your signal strength that way. MDMA and a good quality USB extension cable will help you to find a good location. I suggest you use the latest [-]beta[/-] version of MDMA.
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It is now. Just turned my laptop to the side.
The Cell C app shows Signal Strength as 98% and the Diagnostics -> Network Status shows -85dBm.
1geoff99
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If you are sometimes dropping down to EDGE, then you can use MDMA [-]beta[/-] to force a 3g only connection.
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Get a short USB extension and cradle. Putting the modem vertical will give you a few dB's more. And what 1geoff99 said, force 3G only.
The disconnections i can work with (and workaround) for now. Its the speeds thats killing me.
Thanks. I'll monitor it for another week or so and then do that if i see no difference.
1geoff99
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This is the kind of speed I get early in the morning...
And this is the kind of speed I get most afternoons and evenings...
So I think you are correct, the network runs out of capacity later in the day when it gets busy.
For me, this has been going on for about three months now. I have been given at least 4 reference numbers from Cell C, but I can't get any definitive answers out of them. I've been told at least twice that my issue has been fixed, but there was no change. I'm about to give up now because I don't know what else to do.
This is the kind of speed I get early in the morning...
And this is the kind of speed I get most afternoons and evenings...
So I think you are correct, the network runs out of capacity later in the day when it gets busy.
For me, this has been going on for about three months now. I have been given at least 4 reference numbers from Cell C, but I can't get any definitive answers out of them. I've been told at least twice that my issue has been fixed, but there was no change. I'm about to give up now because I don't know what else to do.
I went back 3 times to where I got my "speed stick", Tygervalley Cell C. They tried to fix it with no luck. They have sent it to JHB to 'get fixed' and given me a loan unit for me to put my sim in. But I am still getting slow speeds. This is after they did a sim swap.
So now will wait for it to come back and see what happens, not holding my breath. If that doesn't work its off to Head Office on the hill to throw a fit. Cell C needs to be carefull, once the new consumer act comes into full swing they could be looking at a lot of issues. And I'm not scared to use, they are quick to take ur money and slow to give service.
Will keep u posted.
Okinawaiso
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That's exactly what a Cell C technician told me.
Cell C has sold many speedsticks which has resulted in many areas being "oversubscribed". He said that Stellenbosch had a major issue with capacity (due to the obvious population density of students who purchased speedsticks).
The situation is hopeless
He also mentioned that many areas in Cape Town are over capacity and speed is taking a major knock as a result. Since the speedstick user is mobile, it’s hard for Cell C to calculate where they will be using the said speedstick, so Cell C can’t pre-empt network capacity shortages.
I asked him what Cell C was doing to fix the problem and he said that they are trying to install new towers in affected areas, but they are being met with a lot of red tape and resistance from local residents.
The solution
He also pointed out that some areas in Cape Town have very good speeds - such as low income areas (Think Bonteheuwel or Langa) - where residents would obviously not be able to afford to fork out R1500-3000 for a speedstick – hence the local transmitter would have plenty of spare capacity.
So basically, there are two options here:
Wait for Cell C to install more network capacity; [highly unlikely]
Move to a low income area;
Not a priority
I personally don’t think Cell C has a serious inclination to upgrade or install more towers in areas which are already covered. They could be focused on installing in areas that currently don’t have any coverage.
Take the money and run
It’s not as if the speedstick users are on a contract that they could cancel. The users have already handed over their cash and Cell C has obviously used it to fund their re-branding exercise and network rollout. The more Cell C speedstick users complain about speeds, the more Cell C will simply blow them off with the standard, "we are working on the issue" response.
Okinawaiso
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I'm not going to divulge any names here... I really don't want to get anyone into trouble.
PetrolHead
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Why not. Diamonds shine when you put a spot light on them and cockroaches generally run away or at least forced to run.
Lets shine a spot light on all service personnel.
If they are competent, diligent and worthy of their pay-cheques then they will shine like diamonds, if not they will run away.
I was helped by a gentleman named Simon from Cell C technical. He was professional and patient with me on the phone. Unfortunately, he was unable to get he problem sorted out and so I feel he should be front line staff and not technical.
I have given up on trying to sort it out with Cell C. I'm cutting my losses and moving on.
I feel that Cell C deliberatly conned the public on this one to get their foot into the broadband door.
Unfortunately for them they will only ever receive R1500 of my money and Vodacom will get the other R40 000 our company spends a year as well as the customers that we service who require broadband services.
It's name and shine time or name and shame time. Get back into your dark damp corner Cell C!
I do agree that Cell C should be sorted out but I think the problem is that if the techi is named and is used as a tool he could stand a chance of loosing his job. Large companies like this one feel nothing for booting somebody because they spoke the truth. Agree??
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