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

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Modem: E620
IMEI: 357130000600456
Location: Garsfontein, Pta
Firmware: 11.16.09.00.11

Date: Now
Time: from around 7pm onwards
Problem: SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW. Huge Pings on WoW

Just pinged smtp.vodacom.co.za (I do not know how to copy and paste from a DOS window to here), and as follows:

Reply from 196.11.146.148: bytes=32 time=3897ms TTL=245

The average time is around 1350ms - 1500ms (I ran five ping tests). I experienced at least one time out in each test.

My main complaint is that this is becoming a regular feature at night. Connection is horrid until around 10 - 11pm.
 
An experience worse than Iburst

I never thought I would ever experience the day when I would beg for a 56k modem or even an iburst modem.

Using the vodacom data network has been one of the worst experiences I have ever had to go through. Its more flakey than a Mugabe/Mbeki promise.

If you are not been dropped (in full signal), your ports just stop working, or your latency increases and if you have more than a small handful of TCP/IP connections ... the connection chokes on you.

Whats worse is that it picks random times of the day to its flakeyness. There is no consistency and no reliability.

I am sure this service might meet the needs of people who simply browse and check their email, but if you intend running any type of constant connection (ssh, scp, etc) expect to be dropped more often then a pair of knickers in a ho house.

I seriously wish I had a simple 56k or iburst modem... at least then I could get some work done.

The last couple of days has made my top 3 list of worst Internet connection experiences. I wouldnt even give this internet connection away at a Zimbabwean charity.. it would be too cruel.

<fuming on this side like you would not believe>
 
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erm.. i had responded to your questions already. could moving the post have lost it? Oh well, its typically in line with how this week is going :(

anyways, once again.

Device is a nokia 6233
I do not have my modem on dual mode, i choose either the gsm network or the 3g network. (GSM is slighty more stable and even though I have the same amount of packet loss... tcp connections dont seem to drop so quickly... the 3G network is plan siff. If a port goes down .. it goes down for both networks ((even after i reboot my phone and pc))))

Its the same indoors and out. My phone has the latest firmware. I have full signal so have not bought any antenna enhancements.

My area is rondebosch, Cape Town.

No I have not reported the problem to that number. A couple of days I phoned to report my tower had issues (again), and the amount of time I had to wait to speak to a consultant was insulting. Once I got through I spoke to someone who obviously requires a lot more training. I still even have the reference number. By the time they got back to me the next the issue had resolved itself.

Why would emailing them be any different?
 
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w1z4rd said:
erm.. i had responded to your questions already. could moving the post have lost it? Oh well, its typically in line with how this week is going :(

anyways, once again.

Device is a nokia 6233
I do not have my modem on dual mode, i choose either the gsm network or the 3g network. (GSM is slighty more stable and even though I have the same amount of packet loss... tcp connections dont seem to drop so quickly... the 3G network is plan siff. If a port goes down .. it goes down for both networks ((even after i reboot my phone and pc))))

Its the same indoors and out. My phone has the latest firmware. I have full signal so have not bought any antenna enhancements.

My area is rondebosch, Cape Town.

No I have not reported the problem to that number. A couple of days I phoned to report my tower had issues (again), and the amount of time I had to wait to speak to a consultant was insulting. Once I got through I spoke to someone who obviously requires a lot more training. I still even have the reference number. By the time they got back to me the next the issue had resolved itself.

Why would emailing them be any different?
Click to expand...

Maybe PM me your contact details and I'll give you a shout. Some of the stuff you're seeing (like ports disappearing) does not make sense at all. We just don't have the capability in the network to do stuff like this, so something else must be causing the problem. I'll get the local guys to help sort it.
 
vodacom3g said:
Maybe PM me your contact details and I'll give you a shout. Some of the stuff you're seeing (like ports disappearing) does not make sense at all. We just don't have the capability in the network to do stuff like this, so something else must be causing the problem. I'll get the local guys to help sort it.
Click to expand...

okay. Its a bit late atm so I will send you through one tomorrow. Thanks for responding.
 
3G signal loss problems in Langebaan

I have also experienced the exact same problems as described by Pietpoors and one other. In the last 3 weeks the problem seems to have been getting worse. I never used to have reliability problems, but now it has become comical and debilitating.

I am experiencing these problems on both my 3G card and 3G phone, one minute there is a 3G signal(2bars) and then there isn’t, and it goes to GPRS.

I understand the problem as follows:
1. There are at least 3 users in Langebaan complaining about the same problem
2. It is something recent as none of us experienced this until a few weeks ago
3. It seems to be signal issue independent of device since we all have it and I experience it on both my phone and 3g card.

My details are
3G card Novatel HSDPA modem
Phone HTC tytn
Location: Langebaan, Longacres
Problem exists even after upgrading 3g card firmware
Problem exists using VMC ver 7.0 as well as a manual dialup connection
155 ref S2-JK72V-VSYR8
 
My problems sorted themselves out and VC let me know that they are putting up a new tower in my area but are just waiting for permission or something. I've had really great support from vodacom via e-mail! :)
 
Praeses said:
My problems sorted themselves out and VC let me know that they are putting up a new tower in my area but are just waiting for permission or something. I've had really great support from vodacom via e-mail! :)
Click to expand...

Communicate, Communicate. Thats what it's all about. :)
 
No 3G in North East of Joburg - Sydenham

I started getting a 619 error using my Huawei E620 HSDPA data card last night when trying to connect using 3G and, at first, also GPRS. Luckily GPRS eventually decided to cooperate. After 3 phonecalls to Vodacom, spanning yesterday and today, I eventually established that I needed to download a software upgrade which I did which took me approx. 3 hours using GPRS! At first 3G was once again reluctant but I finally managed to connect. However, after 5 minutes the connection was dropped. Any attempts to reconnect are once again resulting in a 619 error. GPRS is still OK.

I'm convinced that this is a Vodacom problem as I had the same problem about a month ago and, after a phonecall, lasting approx. 20 minutes and during which I was told that there was no problem on Vodacom's side, it 'miraculously' came right.

Can someone please tell me what could be happening, as Vodacom currently seems to be clueless? I've been with Vodacom now for over a year and a half and have had very few problems with the signal, but over the last month or so the connection has not been up to scratch and this latest problem is really the last straw! Also, is there any reason why Vodacom doesn't advise it's customers when they need to upgrade their software?
 
3gnut said:
I started getting a 619 error using my Huawei E620 HSDPA data card last night when trying to connect using 3G and, at first, also GPRS. Luckily GPRS eventually decided to cooperate. After 3 phonecalls to Vodacom, spanning yesterday and today, I eventually established that I needed to download a software upgrade which I did which took me approx. 3 hours using GPRS! At first 3G was once again reluctant but I finally managed to connect. However, after 5 minutes the connection was dropped. Any attempts to reconnect are once again resulting in a 619 error. GPRS is still OK.

I'm convinced that this is a Vodacom problem as I had the same problem about a month ago and, after a phonecall, lasting approx. 20 minutes and during which I was told that there was no problem on Vodacom's side, it 'miraculously' came right.

Can someone please tell me what could be happening, as Vodacom currently seems to be clueless? I've been with Vodacom now for over a year and a half and have had very few problems with the signal, but over the last month or so the connection has not been up to scratch and this latest problem is really the last straw! Also, is there any reason why Vodacom doesn't advise it's customers when they need to upgrade their software?
Click to expand...

As has been said before.
1) email [email protected] get a reference number.
2) call 155/082155 it is free from a Vodacom sim.
3) Report back on the Forum with above.

:cool:
 
No Connection

Thank you Vodacom for putting me out of work another night of the week last night. This month I lost about 30% of my production hours thanks to your good service. In the mean while I am still waiting (have been for two weeks) for your investigation to come up with results to see why you debited my account with over R600 last month while the invoice was only just over R300.

But even though I can only use your service every now and then for the past 3 weeks, I am sure I will have to pay the full fee this month.

Just for the record, if you phone 155, it takes you ten minutes to figure out which option to select. To send an email to vodacom results in somebody asking you some silly questions and then tell you they will investigate.

Last night at about 20h50 to 21h00 (after which I hit the computer with a hammer and went to bed) I had no data transfer.

From the screenshot below you can see that I had 4 bar of 3G signal. My PC tried send data, but none was returned.
After the screenshot I place my ping data.
http://www.hilux4x4.co.za/vodacom.jpg
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>ping www.vodamail.co.za
Ping request could not find host www.vodamail.co.za. Please check the name and t
ry again.

This morning it i working fine again. But I hope that today might be better than every other day the past three weeks where my connections (with 4 to 5 bar signal) keeps on disconnecting itself, switch to GPRS or have no connection.
 
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