CeeBee
Expert Member
Just thought I'd share my experiences with Vodacom's 3.6 service, which may be of some value (or not!) to users wondering how much better u get for your R50pm extra. (of course this is just my experience, and it could be way different for somebody else, in a different area)
I need faster/backup internet for the office, and to increase our leased line costs a sh1tload more (don't need unlimited bw).
So I've got MTN and (at last) Vodacom "full" signal 3G/HSPA (using MTN dashboard). Don't want to use 2 of the same connections, since we understand every extra user on the network reduces the speed, so I connected with MTN and Vodacom. (tests with MTN B970 modem)
With MTN I get about 1100-1300kbps down and 700-1000 upload. (using speedtest.net to JHB)
With Vodacom I got about a bit faster downloads, but only 300-380kbps upload, which I gathered is coz I need to get the 3.6 service to get HSUPA.
So I subscribed to the 3.6 service, and loaded 75Mb bundle for now, to do some testing.
With 3.6 service enabled, and quite some tests I get averages : 1359kbps down, 1111 upload, with 84ms pings.
Question : does the non 3.6 service and 3.6 enabled service use the same connection or 'network' signal?? Reason why I'm asking is, with the different tests, it seems the pings are quite lower on 3.6 service than on standard HSDPA. maybe just the connections at the time?
I didn't expect to suddenly achieve 3.6Mbps down, now that I'm enabled on the 3.6 service... but I kinda expected it to be a wee bit faster than normal HSDPA? (would have liked closer to 2Mbps)
My feelings : if u need fast upload HSUPA and good pings (consistently 71-92ms... will try fps gaming this weekend) then its definately worth it, so I'll stay on the service.
But, if u do not have a HSUPA capable modem, or don't need HSUPA, then I don't see the worth of the extra R50 pm for the same kind of download speeds... in fact, remembering what speeds I got before the 3.6 service, I'm almost convinced the download speeds are now slightly slower. (thats another reason why I ask if the 3.6 and non 3.6 service use the same "connection".... of course it could just be coincidence with the speeds attainable today, which we all know can and do change all the time)
Will do more testing over the weekend (but I'll stick to 3.6 for the HSUPA)
(incidentally, I manage to pickup Telkom 3G too here now, but very sh1tty signal, zero signal bars on the meter, only manage 1674kbps ave down)
I need faster/backup internet for the office, and to increase our leased line costs a sh1tload more (don't need unlimited bw).
So I've got MTN and (at last) Vodacom "full" signal 3G/HSPA (using MTN dashboard). Don't want to use 2 of the same connections, since we understand every extra user on the network reduces the speed, so I connected with MTN and Vodacom. (tests with MTN B970 modem)
With MTN I get about 1100-1300kbps down and 700-1000 upload. (using speedtest.net to JHB)
With Vodacom I got about a bit faster downloads, but only 300-380kbps upload, which I gathered is coz I need to get the 3.6 service to get HSUPA.
So I subscribed to the 3.6 service, and loaded 75Mb bundle for now, to do some testing.
With 3.6 service enabled, and quite some tests I get averages : 1359kbps down, 1111 upload, with 84ms pings.
Question : does the non 3.6 service and 3.6 enabled service use the same connection or 'network' signal?? Reason why I'm asking is, with the different tests, it seems the pings are quite lower on 3.6 service than on standard HSDPA. maybe just the connections at the time?
I didn't expect to suddenly achieve 3.6Mbps down, now that I'm enabled on the 3.6 service... but I kinda expected it to be a wee bit faster than normal HSDPA? (would have liked closer to 2Mbps)
My feelings : if u need fast upload HSUPA and good pings (consistently 71-92ms... will try fps gaming this weekend) then its definately worth it, so I'll stay on the service.
But, if u do not have a HSUPA capable modem, or don't need HSUPA, then I don't see the worth of the extra R50 pm for the same kind of download speeds... in fact, remembering what speeds I got before the 3.6 service, I'm almost convinced the download speeds are now slightly slower. (thats another reason why I ask if the 3.6 and non 3.6 service use the same "connection".... of course it could just be coincidence with the speeds attainable today, which we all know can and do change all the time)
Will do more testing over the weekend (but I'll stick to 3.6 for the HSUPA)
(incidentally, I manage to pickup Telkom 3G too here now, but very sh1tty signal, zero signal bars on the meter, only manage 1674kbps ave down)
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