Vodacom Problems: Slow Throughput, trying to Connect, DNS, High Latency

[qdada]

I am in Germiston at the moment and having intermittent connection as well. I tought it was my proxy

 

[Csnoopy]

Oops. Sorry Vodacom. I have been fighting with VC coz I couldn't browse the web. Reason coz my start page is mybroadband.co.za and they were down. But VC's smtp server is definitely down. So which smtp server can I use now??

 

[emmanuel]

Internet is mission critical

Email is not working, again.

 

[emmanuel]

Internet is mission critical

If they (v3g or whomever) can just give me an approximation to when everything will be up and running CORRECTLY, it would be nice.

I guess they can't and besides in my view these services aren't considered mission critical by the providers, otherwise preventative measures would be in place.

Once it's down it's too late.

Once they consider their services mission critical this won't happen, because network would be up and stable 99.9999% of the time.

 

[Csnoopy]

General update on the problems seen on the Vodacom data network over the recent period:

There are 2 major categories of problems currently on the network:

1) Disconnects or no-connect when trying to access the network

This mostly affects pre-paid but there was some cases where it started affecting contract users as well. Resolution for this is to add extra capacity to handle the increase in number of subscribers trying to connect. Interim work was done to spread the load but this only gave a shobrtrelieve and the problem re-appeared last week.

The first of the upgrades, to permanently address this, happened on Saturday night and did add a substantial amount of capacity. However, I suspect when the next two (out of 11) systems are upgraded we'll see the problem finally resolved. This is expected to happen middle to late this week. (25/08)

2) Low international throughput

Good news on this one. Extra capacity is available and the upgrades should also happen in the next few days. Current planning is by middle of this week. (23/08)

3) A smattering of IP-type problems.

We've seen some FTP as well as DNS issues. Please keep on reporting these with as much detail as possible, if still relevant.


Below the original test in this post
---------------------------------------
This thread is to get feedback from those of you who are seeing extremely slow (to no) down-link speed. This seems to come and go.

Typically your download will drop right down to zero, or very close but you'll have a good signal and won't get disconnected.

If you do see these symptoms, please post the following info.

- Your area (Pta - Mooikloof, for example)
- Your type of modem (Huawei E220, etc.)
- The modem's EMEI - (35182701019544, for example)
- The modem's firmware revision.
- apn you're on.

Also, if you can, while still connected, do a ping -t smtp.vodacom.co.za and see if you get a response. Then do a ping -t -l 500 smtp.vodacom.co.za and then a ping -t -l 1000 smtp.vodacom.co.za.

(I'm trying to see if you see different symptoms with larger packet sizes)

If you're seeing different symptoms, please give the above details with a full description of what you see/experience.

See updated dates in post 1 & also the procedure to assist v3g/vodacom to resolve some issue's.

@ic. Does an edit to a post like this one also send an e-mail to inform subscribers to the thread ??

 

[Csnoopy]

No, in my experience editing a post to update it, does not generate a thread subscription email - only new posts in a thread generate thread subscription emails.

@ic
v3G referred me to this post because he had made or added some date changes, what is the point if we do not get notified.

 

[vodacom3g]

@ic
v3G referred me to this post because he had made or added some date changes, what is the point if we do not get notified.

I'll bump the thread everytime I update the first post.

 

[vodacom3g]

bump: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showpost.php?p=932410&postcount=1

 

[Csnoopy]

I'll bump the thread everytime I update the first post.

What ever that means.
Thanks.
I am sure it will also help the other Forumites to understand what is cooking.

 

[feo]

What ever that means.
Thanks.
I am sure it will also help the other Forumites to understand what is cooking.

Below is an example of a classic bump

bump: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showpost.php?p=932410&postcount=1

 

[hschutte]

So I take it theres still a problem with 3G connection?

Just phoned 155 and they cant say when it will be fixed... pathetic!

 

[Csnoopy]

To whom it may concern​

Location Doringkloof Centurion
Modem Amoi H01 usb Modem
IMEI Not available
Firmware Not available
APN Internet

C:\Documents and Settings\Leon.CCSM\Desktop\Net_Tools>ping -n 10 smtp.vodacom.co
.za

Pinging smtp.vodacom.co.za [196.11.146.148] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=344ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=93ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=102ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=100ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=110ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=118ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=396ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=125ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=103ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=122ms TTL=247

Ping statistics for 196.11.146.148:
    Packets: Sent = 10, Received = 10, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 93ms, Maximum = 396ms, Average = 161ms

C:\Documents and Settings\Leon.CCSM\Desktop\Net_Tools>ping -n 10 -l 500 smtp.vod
acom.co.za

Pinging smtp.vodacom.co.za [196.11.146.148] with 500 bytes of data:

Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=169ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=170ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=169ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=168ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=177ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=165ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=163ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=172ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=170ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=179ms TTL=247

Ping statistics for 196.11.146.148:
    Packets: Sent = 10, Received = 10, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 163ms, Maximum = 179ms, Average = 170ms

C:\Documents and Settings\Leon.CCSM\Desktop\Net_Tools>ping -n 10 -l 1000 smtp.vo
dacom.co.za

Pinging smtp.vodacom.co.za [196.11.146.148] with 1000 bytes of data:

Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=244ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=237ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=237ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=235ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=244ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=232ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=250ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=249ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=518ms TTL=247
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=247ms TTL=247

Ping statistics for 196.11.146.148:
    Packets: Sent = 10, Received = 10, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 232ms, Maximum = 518ms, Average = 269ms

C:\Documents and Settings\Leon.CCSM\Desktop\Net_Tools>ping www.telkomsa.net

Pinging www.telkomsa.net [196.25.211.40] with 32 bytes of data:

Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.

Ping statistics for 196.25.211.40:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss),

C:\Documents and Settings\Leon.CCSM\Desktop\Net_Tools>ping www.telkom.co.za

Pinging ctb-cache3-vif1.saix.net [198.54.202.4] with 32 bytes of data:

Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.

Ping statistics for 198.54.202.4:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss),

C:\Documents and Settings\Leon.CCSM\Desktop\Net_Tools>nslookup  0<exit.txt
Default Server:  dns2-vop.3g.vodacom.co.za
Address:  196.207.32.69

>
C:\Documents and Settings\Leon.CCSM\Desktop\Net_Tools>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

        Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Leon
        Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
        Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
        IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
        WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

PPP adapter HSDPA Connection:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-53-45-00-00-00
        Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
        IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 10.48.229.197
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 10.48.229.197
        DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 196.207.32.69
                                            196.43.45.190
        Primary WINS Server . . . . . . . : 10.11.12.13
        Secondary WINS Server . . . . . . : 10.11.12.14
        NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

C:\Documents and Settings\Leon.CCSM\Desktop\Net_Tools>tracert smtp.vodacom.co.za


Tracing route to smtp.vodacom.co.za [196.11.146.148]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

  1     *        *        *     Request timed out.
  2     *        *        *     Request timed out.
  3     *        *        *     Request timed out.
  4     *        *        *     Request timed out.
  5     *        *        *     Request timed out.
  6     *        *        *     Request timed out.
  7     *        *        *     Request timed out.
  8     *        *        *     Request timed out.
  9     *        *        *     Request timed out.
 10    87 ms   129 ms   120 ms  196.11.146.148

Trace complete.

C:\Documents and Settings\Leon.CCSM\Desktop\Net_Tools>pause
Press any key to continue . . .

Vodacom pings are fine but outside Vodacom not so good.

 

[Csnoopy]

So I take it theres still a problem with 3G connection?

Just phoned 155 and they cant say when it will be fixed... pathetic!

Follow the instructions in post 1 & post the info so the Vodacom techs can see what is cooking.

 

[Csnoopy]

@v3g in post 1 you suggest to use the -t with ping. That allows ping to run for ever. I used -n 10. I hope that is good enought.

I have changed to InternetVPN and I am getting a much better web page update speed. No timeouts on the web pages. Maybe with InternetVPN apn there a lot less IP's to work with for the DHCP Server than with Internet apn. Is it possible ?

 

[Jase]

Sigh .....

If I don't pay my 3g and cellular accounts, VC responds by blocking my outgoing calls until I have paid.

Trevor Manual grinds my butt if I do not pay my tax.

Yet we have to just take it when networks are down, calls are dropped. 155 is on voicemail with 'we are currently experiencing technical difficulties with GPRS and 3G'.

Imagine if you called me for a medical emergency and I responded 'Sorry but my ambulance is experiencing mechanical difficulties, we are working on it'.

Sorry to rant but this is getting tiresome, I've had stability for a week and a half now and absolute poor service for 3 weeks prior to that, yet I must still pay for it.

=====

Phoned 155 and after the 'problems with 3G and GPRS ... it goes on to say ... PLEASE TRY AGAIN LATER!!!!'

 

[AirWolf]

F@#$ this I'm stuck on GPRS trying to use up my bundle --> HSDPA is pissing 619s

 

[vodacom3g]

Follow the instructions in post 1 & post the info so the Vodacom techs can see what is cooking.

The info in the first post was originally for a specific problem we had quite a long time ago and does not really apply. For historical reasons I did not want to delete it but did so now as it seems to be confusing.

If you want to do relevant tests, you could test your local vs. international throughput.

The disconnect issue is really a jay or nay thing.

 

[vodacom3g]

F@#$ this I'm stuck on GPRS trying to use up my bundle --> HSDPA is pissing 619s

What's the 3G signal like? The only difference between 2G and 3G is at the radio level. After that it's all the same infrastructure.

Which apn, btw?

 

[BeVonk!]

Hennopspark Centurion = really bad tonight = no throughput = unusable.

 

[hermansteyn]

Location: Midrand Johannesburg
Modem Huawei E220
IMEI 351827018745084
Firmware Not available
APN Internetvpn

C:\Documents and Settings\Herman Steyn>ping -n 10 smtp.vodacom.co.za

Pinging smtp.vodacom.co.za [196.11.146.148] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=379ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=98ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=106ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=85ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=103ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=82ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=101ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=79ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=108ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=106ms TTL=253

Ping statistics for 196.11.146.148:
    Packets: Sent = 10, Received = 10, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 79ms, Maximum = 379ms, Average = 124ms

C:\Documents and Settings\Herman Steyn>ping -n 10 -l 500 smtp.vodacom.co.za

Pinging smtp.vodacom.co.za [196.11.146.148] with 500 bytes of data:

Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=162ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=166ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=164ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=163ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=152ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=170ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=439ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=167ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=176ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=500 time=175ms TTL=253

Ping statistics for 196.11.146.148:
    Packets: Sent = 10, Received = 10, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 152ms, Maximum = 439ms, Average = 193ms

C:\Documents and Settings\Herman Steyn>ping -n 10 -l 1000 smtp.vodacom.co.za

Pinging smtp.vodacom.co.za [196.11.146.148] with 1000 bytes of data:

Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=239ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=238ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=236ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=235ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=223ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=231ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=221ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=239ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=248ms TTL=253
Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=1000 time=236ms TTL=253

Ping statistics for 196.11.146.148:
    Packets: Sent = 10, Received = 10, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 221ms, Maximum = 248ms, Average = 234ms

C:\Documents and Settings\Herman Steyn>ping www.telkomsa.net
Ping request could not find host www.telkomsa.net. Please check the name and try
 again.

C:\Documents and Settings\Herman Steyn>ping www.telkom.co.za

Pinging ctb-cache3-vif1.saix.net [198.54.202.4] with 32 bytes of data:

Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.

Ping statistics for 198.54.202.4:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss),

C:\Documents and Settings\Herman Steyn>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

        Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : herman
        Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
        Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
        IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
        WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

        Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : National Semiconductor Corp. DP83815
/816 10/100 MacPhyter PCI Adapter
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0D-9D-5D-E2-2B

PPP adapter Vodacom:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-53-45-00-00-00
        Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
        IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 10.52.212.224
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 10.52.212.224
        DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 196.207.32.69
                                            196.43.1.11
        Primary WINS Server . . . . . . . : 10.11.12.13
        Secondary WINS Server . . . . . . : 10.11.12.14
        NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

My connection tonight is utterly crap..can't browse properly, get constant timeouts on websites.