Virgin Mobile Connection Problems (D900/k300i)

[snugam]

Hello Broadband Friends

I am at the point of eating my hat - below is a letter that I sent to Virgin Mobile this morning trying to get connected using there "superfast" - not - EDGE ability in Pretoria; only to find that I connect faster using MTN's GPRS facility than Virgin's EDGE.

I do get responses from them; but I dont get resolutions; I have done a lot of testing trying to find out what could be wrong - but alas; I have not yet been able to even properly connect ont he Virgin network.

Read the letter; and let us know if anyone else has had the same problem

The letter below -

Regards
zabz

PS - Just something else that's interesting; when I connect using a GPRS phone (SE K300i) to Virgin; I have far less problems than when I connect with the Samsung D900 which is and Edge phone.
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Morning Virgin Mobile

SAMSUNG D900 & Virgin Mobile Connection Problems

My curiosity about this problem has increased. After I spoke to you yesterday I have done some testing. It originally started out that I wanted to compare the tx rates whether I am connected to MTN using GPRS on my Sony-Ericsson phone or to Virgin Mobile using EDGE technology which you advertise.

When I originally just got Virgin Mobile I didnt yet have the Samsung; so I used the SE to connect to the Virgin network; I sometimes work from home (like today) and I was able to connect on the internet via Virgin using the SE without any problem.

Last week I got the Samsung phone and after terrible deliberation I discovered that I have so much trouble trying to connect that I had to phone your support desk; at which point I met you. You quickly helped me to change the Connection String and helped me to check a few other things.

At this point I didnt have trouble getting connected to the Virgin Mobile network anymore; but... this presented another set of problems.

I don't know if Virgin Mobile restricts access to certain sites (I dont mean porn sites - haha); but comparitively some sites open fine and other sites dont open at all; but if I were to open these sites using my MTN GPRS connection; I dont have any problems.

In summary it seems that the Virgin Mobile Network doesnt seem to serve data all that well.

Initially I thought that this was a combination of factors; the New Samsung D900 that might not have been configured or the Virgin Mobile network; but I later on swapped the simcards; so that the SE now has the Virgin Mobile sim and the Samsung has the MTN sim; and to my suprise the connection on the Samsung (MTN) was without problems but the when I connected using the SE to the Virgin Mobile; the problem seems to persist.

Please note that there are some random factors here;

When I connected to www.mybroadband.com with the Samsung on Virgin; it never opens; but when I connect to www.google.com with the Samsung on Virgin mobile it connects 99% of the time.

If I were to do the same with either phones on the MTN network; I dont experience any problems; so this means that those sites are in perfect working order.

A summary of my testing -

My Success rate to connect with MTN to any site and either phones is say "99%"

My success rate to connect with Virgin Mobile using the Samsung on google is "99"% but with most other sites for some reason its less than 15%; they just don't open most of the time.

This mail that I typed; I connected to GMail using the Sony-Ericsson on the Virgin Network; and I am able to send data.

What is your recommendation?
Could it be that there are some problems on the Virgin Network that is stopping me to connect?
I dont think the signal strenth at this point is the culprint here; because then no sites will open right - with neither phones?
We've checked the settings on my PC and you mentioned that the settings on the phone is not really relevant; so it cant be that?

Basically I am saying that there is a problem connecting with Virgin Mobile; and I really need to get this resolved; as I need it to do my work online.

thank You for your time and effort so far.
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[snugam]

Just an Update

I still havnt heard from Virgin; despite my heartfelt email that I sent to them.

That is unfair

 

[Piesang]

I still havnt heard from Virgin; despite my heartfelt email that I sent to them.

That is unfair

Who did you send the e-mail to? You can forward me your details and I'll see what I can do for you.

 

[snugam]

Thank You Piesing; after some deliberation I met a very helpful chap who is willing to help you sort out any issues; names Derek; he responded to my queries however; Virgin Mobile failed to resolve the problems I have connecting to Virgin Mobile using my Samsun D900.

I did some more testing, and more actually want to puke from all the trying; the other day I went and bought a Vodacom sim just to test; they dont have edge in Pta but I am still able to connect using GPRS without any problems.

But... when I put that damned VM Sim in the Samsung; NOTHING WORKS; if I put the VM sim in my Sony-Ericsson and connect with GPS, no problems; actually get a nice speed at quiet times.

VM however cannot indicate that there are any compatibility issues regarding the Samsung D900 and their network; however... I think otherwise.

Thanks for follow up;

If there is anyone out there using a D900 and connecting to VM; please let me know if you have problems here in this post.

 

[snugam]

Just and Update - >>

I was able to connect Saturday and Sunday - without any problems; I couldn't believe it. Maybe I was wrong; because the Samsung D900 connected fine; I would only like to compare speeds now.

My local ping using an Edge Connection is around 400 - 700
My international ping using an Edge Connection is around 600-750

Anyone else using Edge - lets create a benchmark.

Thanks
zabz