USB Power for modems

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vodacom3g

Vodacom Representative
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I get the impression there's been more posts lately from forumites who say they battle with USB modems such as the E220 disconnecting frequently. Often it is indicated that a software/PC restart is needed to reconnect or you hear the USB connect/disconnect 'chime'.

Obviously there could be various reasons for this, like cell breathing but I want to focus on powering the modem in this thread.

I'd like to get more feedback / symptoms on this from you guys and especially would like to know how you power the modem. For example:

1) Plug it into a single USB port using a normal USB cable.
2) Plug it into 2 USB ports using the dual-plug cable.
3) External USB powered hub.

Maybe the mods can nail up a poll for this. Something like:

Options 1 - 3 ) I get disconnects and I'm using one of the above 3 methods to power the modem.

4 - 6) I don't get disconnects and I'm using one of the above 3 methods to power the modem.

7) I get disconnects but don't believe they're power related.

@ic, you're normally quite good at designing these polls. :)
 
Perhaps change the thread title to "usb power for 3g / hsdpa modems". Some might think you're referring to 56k dial-up stuff.
 
vodacom3g said:
Will ask ic, but I don't think you can use a 56K dial-up modem on the Vodacom network?
Click to expand...

No! But in the rss feed title one doesn't see what section the post is in. Also, 3g / hsdpa will show up in search results...;)
 
One other factor that people need to consider with modems (personal experience) is to make sure they are using there USB2 ports and not emulated USB1.1 ports. Many PCs and Notebooks still suffer from this dilemma. I also found that using a newer cable also resolved issues (I used my cable from my E272 on E220 and that stopped a lot of issues :) )
 
vodacom3g said:
Will ask ic, but I don't think you can use a 56K dial-up modem on the Vodacom network?
Click to expand...

You can - or could - just use the number they use for CSD username Vodacom and password also. I think they stopped doing that though...
 
vodacom3g said:
I'd like to get more feedback / symptoms on this from you guys and especially would like to know how you power the modem. For example:

1) Plug it into a single USB port using a normal USB cable.
2) Plug it into 2 USB ports using the dual-plug cable.
3) External USB powered hub.:)
Click to expand...

I use Option (2) and do not suffer the disconnecting problems.

Thanks V3g
 
Well i would believe that the capacitors for the USB ports could cause any USB modem to disconnect if it doesnt sustain enough charge, as have a friend that experienced a problem like that with his Computer, on my computer the USB GPRS modem worked fine but on his computer as soon as you started downloading and pushing alot of data thru the modem the lights just went off and disconnected.

Im currently using a E272 with option 1 - plugging the modem into singel USB port with 1.8m usb cable and i dont experience any problems, i only have 2 bars singel and dont get disconnected :-)
 
vodacom3g said:
Are you going to make one? I was thinking of buidling a few. Maybe we can do it together? (Read: You do the soldering, I drink the beer! :))
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I solder better while drinking beer, it stops the shaking.
 
I use a Novatel MC950D, experience frequent disconnects at varied times during the day and use a single USB port with the dual-plug cable. Good signal though, both at work and at home.
 
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SoTrue said:
I use a Novatel MC950D, experience frequent disconnects at varied times during the day and use a single USB port with the dual-plug cable. Good signal though, both at work and at home.
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It could be network related since using MTN on the same modem doesn't get so many.
 
Sackboy said:
It could be network related since using MTN on the same modem doesn't get so many.
Click to expand...

Won't you please publish the stats you base this on. :rolleyes:

Please include:

1) The number and type of units in your sample and control groups.
2) The distribution around the country.
3) The distribution between the 2 networks.
4) The relevant bearer / network: GSM / 3G / HSDPA.
5) The pre-paid / post-paid distribution.
6) The number of disconnect / network / time unit.

I'm sure Huawei will be very interrested in your stats.

/edit. Have just spoken to the local Huawei guys and they're very keen to see your detailed analysis on the topic.

So, please post your findings if you don't mind. I'm sure we'll all be very impressed with your masters-quality paper.
 
vodacom3g said:
Won't you please publish the stats you base this on. :rolleyes:

Please include:

1) The number and type of units in your sample and control groups.
2) The distribution around the country.
3) The distribution between the 2 networks.
4) The relevant bearer / network: GSM / 3G / HSDPA.
5) The pre-paid / post-paid distribution.
6) The number of disconnect / network / time unit.

I'm sure Huawei will be very interrested in your stats.

/edit. Have just spoken to the local Huawei guys and they're very keen to see your detailed analysis on the topic.

So, please post your findings if you don't mind. I'm sure we'll all be very impressed with your masters-quality paper.
Click to expand...

:cool:
 
HSDPA disconnecting, k*k slow speeds

I got one of those Vodafone HSDPA sticks with a gig prepaid data. I don't know if the problem is maybe my area (Hout Bay) but it seems to disconnect frustratingly frequently. The speed is also ridiculously slow - I'm lucky to get 386kbps, never mind HSDPA 3.6.

The thing that confuses me though is that I also have an HSDPA phone on Vodacom contract (Sony Ericsson C905) which I use as a modem and on this the speed is much higher and I never ever get disconnected.

Both Vodacom HSDPA modems, same area, so what's the problem here??
 
vodacom3g said:
Won't you please publish the stats you base this on. :rolleyes:

Please include:

1) The number and type of units in your sample and control groups.
2) The distribution around the country.
3) The distribution between the 2 networks.
4) The relevant bearer / network: GSM / 3G / HSDPA.
5) The pre-paid / post-paid distribution.
6) The number of disconnect / network / time unit.

I'm sure Huawei will be very interrested in your stats.

/edit. Have just spoken to the local Huawei guys and they're very keen to see your detailed analysis on the topic.

So, please post your findings if you don't mind. I'm sure we'll all be very impressed with your masters-quality paper.
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A childish response from someone who is supposed to be responsible and represents such a big company on a public forum.
 
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Sackboy said:
A childish response from someone who is supposed to be responsible and represents such a big company on a public forum.
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You made a clear statement:

"It could be network related since using MTN on the same modem doesn't get so many."

Why don't you back it up for once? Explain how you decided that SoTrue is seeing a different situation on MTN and that these modems have a general tendency to disconnect more on VC than MTN. Or can't you do that? Obviously not. A pathetic attempt at trolling......:rolleyes:

I understand in your Skeptikal nature, you cannot resist to have a go at Vodacom or myself, but please try and stay on topic and actually contribute to the actual discussion.
 
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