Vodacom or MTN ... data is the key

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atomcrusher

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Very soon I have to make the decision whether to stay with MTN (who I have been with since GSM phones were introduced in SA), or move to Vodacom.

Given that all mobile phone operators seemingly collaborate on prices of phone & data packages, my sole criteria for either remaining with MTN or moving to Vodacom will be good availability of 3G / HSDPA signal at both my place of work, and at home (which are only 4.5 km apart).

My simple question is:

If I supply MTN / Vodacom with the precise GPS co-ordinates (accurate to 5 metres) of both my office and home locations, will they be able to supply details of the respective towers I should be receiving at least a 3G, and preferably a HSDPA signal from?

(The above question will be posted to both the MTN & Vodacom forums on My Broadband.)
 
atomcrusher said:
Very soon I have to make the decision whether to stay with MTN (who I have been with since GSM phones were introduced in SA), or move to Vodacom.

Given that all mobile phone operators seemingly collaborate on prices of phone & data packages, my sole criteria for either remaining with MTN or moving to Vodacom will be good availability of 3G / HSDPA signal at both my place of work, and at home (which are only 4.5 km apart).

My simple question is:

If I supply MTN / Vodacom with the precise GPS co-ordinates (accurate to 5 metres) of both my office and home locations, will they be able to supply details of the respective towers I should be receiving at least a 3G, and preferably a HSDPA signal from?

(The above question will be posted to both the MTN & Vodacom forums on My Broadband.)
Click to expand...

Have you had a look at the coverage map on vodacom.co.za?

Pass the GPS co-ords and I'll see what I can find out. But nothing beats a hand-on test.
 
vodacom3g said:
Have you had a look at the coverage map on vodacom.co.za?
Click to expand...

At the moment I cannot even access vodacom.co.za .... just a blue screen:( ... but when I last looked at it it showed I should have coverage of 3G ... but the maps cannot take into account the density of the homes, offices, etc.) I want to know where / which direction I can point an antenna, so the GPS co-odinates of the nearest 2 or 3 Voda towers would be useful to me.

vodacom3g said:
Pass the GPS co-ords and I'll see what I can find out. But nothing beats a hand-on test.
Click to expand...

I'll PM you my office and home GPS co-ords soon - thanks!

So far ..... Vodacom 1, MTN 0 ..
 
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atomcrusher said:
Very soon I have to make the decision whether to stay with MTN (who I have been with since GSM phones were introduced in SA), or move to Vodacom.

Given that all mobile phone operators seemingly collaborate on prices of phone & data packages, my sole criteria for either remaining with MTN or moving to Vodacom will be good availability of 3G / HSDPA signal at both my place of work, and at home (which are only 4.5 km apart).

My simple question is:

If I supply MTN / Vodacom with the precise GPS co-ordinates (accurate to 5 metres) of both my office and home locations, will they be able to supply details of the respective towers I should be receiving at least a 3G, and preferably a HSDPA signal from?

(The above question will be posted to both the MTN & Vodacom forums on My Broadband.)
Click to expand...


Good day,

Could you please supply me with the GPS co-ordinates and I'll check with coverage and advise you accordingly

Thanks MTNDD
 
atomcrusher said:
Will do so in a PM - thanks in advance

Score so far: MTN = 1 .... Voda = 1 .... one response from both.
Click to expand...

Good day,

I need to get your permission to draw CDR’s (call data records) and if you could also please advise on the two physical addresses as well via PM

Thanks MTNDD
 
OK, according to your GPS co-ords you'll have strong coverage in both areas. The Radio Planning team just got back with the following:

-----------------
Assuming the locations utilise the WGS84 datum the 3G coverage status are as follows:

1) Home: Yes (Indoor - simple structures)
2) Office: Yes (Indoor - simple structures)
------------------

They'll now do a drive-by test to confirm 100%, but they're pretty comfortable there won't be a problem.
 
Moderator note...

atomcrusher said:
...
(The above question will be posted to both the MTN & Vodacom forums on My Broadband.)
Click to expand...
2 threads merged with permanent redirects to the General Broadband Discussions forum [see the forum description for reasoning] :).
 
Siemens also did a detailed analysis and confirm good coverage at home but slightly marginal at your office.

To confirm, the guys then went to both your home and office and below their feedback and results.

-------------------------------
Both venues were checked for 3G coverage, the results are as follows:

Home -
serving site - Golden Harvest
RSCP levels - -85 to -90dBm outdoors
speed - 600 - 800 kbit/s

Office -
serving site - Kya_Sands_South
RSCP levels - -80 to -85dBm outdoors
speed - 500 to 800 kbit/s

Please note that these measurements were done outdoors as close as possible to the co-ordinates provided. This results may therefore differ for indoors depending on the building structure, exact location relative to the serving site, etc.

We could not check indoor coverage as no contact and address details were provided.
---------------------------------

If you want the guys to check indoors, mail me the actual physical addresses (I mailed you earlier today, so you should have my e-mail) and I'll get them to make contact with you to come around.
 
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vodacom3g said:
We could not check indoor coverage as no contact and address details were provided.

If you want the guys to check indoors, mail me the actual physical addresses (I mailed you earlier today, so you should have my e-mail) and I'll get them to make contact with you to come around.
Click to expand...

As at 08h55 today, Wednesday 15th November, no e-mail received from you. But I did get a PM from you. I also had an e-mail from Jannie / Gideon at VC. I appreciate the efforts so far, and have sent you a PM with the physical addresses of work & home.
 
Oops - sorry ... I did not get a PM from you either..... PM was from MTN. Apart from your feedback on this thread, I have only had the e-mail from your technical guys mentioned above.
 
E-mail was actually from me :)

Have sent you some more mails on the subject.

We've done an overview radio plan, then a more detailed radio plan and then the guys went to your two sites.

Next step would be to test indoors. If the coverage is not good indoors we can fit external yagi antennas for you. This will give around 15dB gain over the results posted above, so you should get very good throughput then.
 
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My original question yesterday (14 November) on data signal availability was directed to both MTN & Vodacom .....

In terms of responses and action taken, Vodacom has won the "prize" .....:D

In the very short time since my original post, Vodacom3G took up the challenge, and a technical guy visited my home and office premises, and checked for signal, and reported back to me. As they couldn't get access to the inside of the premises, they made arrangements to do this.

Today, Vodacom arranged with me to arrange access to inside my home and work premises, and, after arranging a time, the Vodacom tech came promptly to my home and work.

Signal strength & availability were tested, the nearest 3G towers identified, and technically sound advice given to me.

Vodacom signal at my office is pretty good, peaking at 1.2Mbps, average around 500 - 600 Kbps, but at home (a complex, surrounded with other complexes, and having flat concrete roofs) the signal was poor.

Vodacom have offered to test an antenna, to see if I can get decent signal / bandwidth at home. This we will arrange at a later date.

I could not have asked for more prompt, or efficient service from Vodacom.

Currently with MTN, I now know who is leading the pack, and to which provider I will move to very soon, along with all my company's contracted packages...... Vodacom.

Well done Vodacom .. I'll be sending a Thank You e-mail to all the guys that were involved in this testing and feedback.
 
Jaw-droppingly impressive (V3G, don't know what salary they're paying you guy, but it's not enough.) And all the staff - impressive. Also goes to the importance Voda place on this forum.
 
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