The unknown network

[pevans]

So, in the last few weeks I've noticed a trend when using GPRS (I still don't have that wonderful 3G feeling....)

I am browsing around happily with a good connection and 4 bars signal strength.

Suddenly the webpage stops downloading. I check the traffic and, sure enough, I'm sending stuff out, but nothings coming back.

I go to the dashboard and there on the bottom where it normally says "GPRS" and then "Vodacom-SA" it now says, "GPRS" and "Unknown Network".

Who is this "Unknown Network" and why won't they respond?

Or more importantly, why do I lose Vodacom-SA?

Note: This seems to happen most often during late afternoon and early evening, which I assume might be high usage times.

Note2: I use a Novatel card.

 

[Liposuck2004]

Ive also been expeiencing that...........heres a strange coverage problem i noticed in 2 areas now....i was in pta doing testing and had 3 bars of 3G signal and it was working wonderfully....i literally walked across the road and poof nothing all the way down to 1 bar of gprs...........2nd case at the mcdonalds on rivoia in sandton....(cnr grayston and rivonia) only gprs coverage ,full gprs signal at that.........exactly 100 m down the road where the cell c headoffice is i got FULL 3G signal............infact thats where im loged on right now?!?! kinda funny huh? just thought i'd add my little experience.shweet Lipo

 

[pevans]

Ok, just to add.

I have logged this issue with the Data helpdesk (155). I am currently on the - try this and see if it helps - phase of problem solving.

But if anyone knows a solution, this would save me some time.

I don't know really if it's a coverage issue or a software issue. Could even be a simcard issue.... who knows

 

[Diago]

I work up the road from the McDonalds and have never had 3G coverage in the Sandton City area, including Sandton City itself where another data card right next to me connects perfectly.

Seems to be a problem that no one can understand and or fix. I have had my card, sim and notebook changed in an attempt to fix this but to no avail.

 

[pevans]

Well, maybe it helps to log calls to 082155.

Today I connected as usual and went to go download a few new AI airlines for FS2004. Set the download and in less than 1 minute it told me my 2MB file was downloaded!

"That can't be right!" I thought....

Then I noticed the beautiful blue led glowing next to my laptop.

3G is here!

I only get 1 bar reception, but that doesn't seem to make much difference. 40K/s downloads, no problem!

Of course, i don't know whether my gprs problem is solved, but at least progress is being made.

P.S. My "unknown network" issue is now in the hands of the radio network guys...

 

[ic]

This might seem like a daft question from a 3G non-initiated person, but could it be a competitor's 3G network that is possibly being tested that comes up as "Unknown"?

 

[pevans]

I'm guessing there is a possability that they were test before activation. Maybe my card was picking up the Vodacom 3G, but wasn't allowed access somehow.

I know nothing about the technology or how they do things though so I may be totally wrong.