Tower Locations and Improving Signal Strength

[Sneeky]

I wonder what is going on, my Cell C experience has been awesome, but since Dec last year its very poor, despite the relentless efforts of Cell_C rep

Latency at 500ms +, blistering download speeds averaging 25Kb/s

Are ATC using these towers for something else since the sale?

http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52705

 

[TowerGuru]

I wonder what is going on, my Cell C experience has been awesome, but since Dec last year its very poor, despite the relentless efforts of Cell_C rep

Latency at 500ms +, blistering download speeds averaging 25Kb/s

Are ATC using these towers for something else since the sale?

http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52705

What else would they be using them for?

 

[Sneeky]

You're the 'guru', you tell me?

Were they only used by CellC before the sale and now maybe being shared, causing oversubscription or something.

All I know is my speeds/latency etc have gone to *****, with no solution in sight.
It took me about 30 seconds just to open this page and respond while downloading a file at 18Kb/s, black woosh no more.

 

[ginggs]

Were they only used by CellC before the sale and now maybe being shared, causing oversubscription or something.

I know some hosted MTN and Vodacom equipment before the sale, and as far as I know they still do.
Only the masts were sold, so oversubscription would mean the mast collapsed because too much equipment was mounted on it.

 

[Sneeky]

I know some hosted MTN and Vodacom equipment before the sale, and as far as I know they still do.
Only the masts were sold, so oversubscription would mean the mast collapsed because too much equipment was mounted on it.

Lol, fair enough but something is amiss somewhere. Oh well.

 

[TowerGuru]

You're the 'guru', you tell me?

Were they only used by CellC before the sale and now maybe being shared, causing oversubscription or something.

All I know is my speeds/latency etc have gone to *****, with no solution in sight.
It took me about 30 seconds just to open this page and respond while downloading a file at 18Kb/s, black woosh no more.

It's a cellphone mast used to mount cellphone antenna. What else would they use it for? That was my question. And when other operators co-locate they install all their own equipment which is completely seperate so there is no way it will interfere with your signal.

 

[TowerGuru]

Lol, fair enough but something is amiss somewhere. Oh well.

You should ask CellC if ZTE has changed the MW link to that site. If they changed the link and the new link has a lesser capacity could explain your problems - that is unless FTTS is in place. Then it wouldn't be MW link.

 

[Sneeky]

You should ask CellC if ZTE has changed the MW link to that site. If they changed the link and the new link has a lesser capacity could explain your problems - that is unless FTTS is in place. Then it wouldn't be MW link.

Thanks, and sry I was not trying to be sarcastic, just a bit tongue in cheek really.
I am really a big CellC fan, had great service in JHB.
Moved to DBN last year and all was well for a while, but since around Dec/Jan it went pear shaped.

Last night I just bought a 120gb 8ta package that I will use, it has good latency and fair speed in my area although it galls me to get involved with Telkom in any way form or fashion.

I will just have to wait till things improve in my area on the CellC front and try and use as much of the prepaid 20gb/pm data as I can when the connection allows.

 

[TowerGuru]

Thanks, and sry I was not trying to be sarcastic, just a bit tongue in cheek really.
I am really a big CellC fan, had great service in JHB.
Moved to DBN last year and all was well for a while, but since around Dec/Jan it went pear shaped.

Last night I just bought a 120gb 8ta package that I will use, it has good latency and fair speed in my area although it galls me to get involved with Telkom in any way form or fashion.

I will just have to wait till things improve in my area on the CellC front and try and use as much of the prepaid 20gb/pm data as I can when the connection allows.

Where in Durban are you if i may ask?

 

[Sneeky]

Hillcrest and according to the rep pretty close to a tower.

Like I said it used to be ok, but then it got bad. After midnight it seemed to come right, but after a while even that was no good.

Just recently things improved somewhat however I was getting capped at 45Kb/s down when it was working and I reported this a week or 2 ago.
Looking last night it does break through that barrier now, up to 200Kb/s (last night at least) but only for short bursts then drops right down.
So at least there is some progress.

So there is some improvement, just not the woosh I was used to if you know what I mean.
At least I can still use it if it stays like this, although it is now not my primary internet connection as before.
I'm patient though and still have lots of faith in CellC. Also believe there are some improvements coming in that area in the next quarter or 2 so not all bad.

 

[Sneeky]

Well, I had a call last week from CellC, wanting to come out and do some tests. I was not around much last week so they have not been here yet, but something has changed.
I tried my account again over the weekend and it seems my woooooosh is back, for now.

Thanks, a lot.
Download Speed: 5060 kbps (632.5 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 392 kbps (49 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 111 ms

 

[Clint Tarling]

Cell C tower locations

I have a cell c 3G contract with very poor signal. I have an external aerial, but don't know where to aim it in the Somerset West area, because the chops at Cell C don't want to let me know where they are. Can ANYONE help me with the locations please.....?

 

[ginggs]

I have a cell c 3G contract with very poor signal. I have an external aerial, but don't know where to aim it in the Somerset West area, because the chops at Cell C don't want to let me know where they are. Can ANYONE help me with the locations please.....?

See here:

Hey guys just came across a site which shows all the CellC tower locations, could be useful I think?

Click Here: http://www.americantower.com/sitelocator/default.aspx?country=south africa

 

[Ashblonde]

I have no issues with connection Cell C except the Network signal switching from HSUPA to UMTS at times. I'm using a Vodafone modem though.

 

[ginggs]

I have no issues with connection Cell C except the Network signal switching from HSUPA to UMTS at times.

That is normal. HSPA+/HSDPA/HSUPA when the connection is busy and switching to 3G/UMTS when the connection is idle.

 

[Ashblonde]

That is normal. HSPA+/HSDPA/HSUPA when the connection is busy and switching to 3G/UMTS when the connection is idle.

Oh OK....but do get connection issues in general??

 

[kolya]

Hi,
I'm moving from a good reception Johannesburg suburb to a farm in the North Free State. I use a Huawei stick modem with an outlet for a pigtail. I also have a high gain A-LPDA-0092 Poynting antennae for outside, and about 30m of cable. I plug the dongle into a Wi-Fi router for the house. The coverage map shows that the closest 3g coverage is from 15 to 25 Km depending on what town I chose to aim at. The landscape is flat. The Poyinting site states it should pull in up to 35km.?? I have not moved in yet, but took my laptop and dongle out to test the signal in house. All I got was "Cell C Roaming Voda" on the screen, and no bars. I'll have to get set up after I move in with a tall pole. But anyone with suggestions? I noted in another thread it was suggested to put the router just inside the wall from the roof with a short cable. Is that the best bet? I'll prob have to sit on the roof with the laptop and check signal strength while aiming the ariel around for the best signal.
Cheers.

 

[ajax]

You probably won't get anything inside. Get on the roof with the modem and laptop.
Set the modem to use only the 3G WCDMA band, and then set the network selection to manual and search for Cell C.

If you don't get any 3G signal on the roof after a few minutes, then it is unlikely that an antenna would provide a stable 3G connection. You could consider trying to search for other networks using maybe a MTN or Vodacom sim.

The cable of the antenna should be kept as short as possible, therefore putting the router in the roof as close to the antenna as possible is desired.

What model modem do you have?

 

[HideInLight]

Just a heads up that Bethlehem has CellC 3G, doesn't show on coverage map.

 

[sajunky]

30m HDF 195 cable? Check cable specification, I am sure it woould destroy antenna gain. You can order thicker, professional cable, expensive and problem remains, considering you can't pickup any signal at ground level. +1 to:

If you don't get any 3G signal on the roof after a few minutes, then it is unlikely that an antenna would provide a stable 3G connection. [...] The cable of the antenna should be kept as short as possible, therefore putting the router in the roof as close to the antenna as possible is desired.