Vodafone K3765-Z 3G instability.

[Hymn]

Hi, I'm posting here hoping to get clarification on an issue.

I recently purchased a Vodafone K3765-Z USB Modem and have noticed that I have very slow and unstable connection speeds. What baffles me is that when using my iPhone 3GS as a modem (with the exact same sim card) I have a much more stable connection, albeit not as fast.

My main need for a stable connection is that I play World of Warcraft, so a lag spike in an inappropriate moment is quite bothersome, as is a random DC.

Now, being a total newbie to wireless adaptors I would appreciate some assistance.

1. Both the iPhone and the Vodafone modem have the same speed cap. (7.2mbps AFAIK) Why would one be faster/more stable than the other?

2. Is there any way I can improve stability or speeds on the USB modem?

3. Would my sim card be of any influence in this? I have a 32KB sim card and from reading around I have read mixed opinions on the 64KB cards improving 3G performance or not.

4. If the sim card is the issue, would it be possible to get a sim-swap while retaining the same number? (Really don't feel like jumping through hoops to re-register a new one).

I know, I have a lot of questions - I'm a newbie *shrug*. Feedback would be appreciated

 

[Ockie]

Have you tried switching your modem to the "3G ONLY" profile? This can do wonders in giving you a more stable connection. You do this in the VMC software.

As for the sim card being the culprit. I very much doubt it. 32K cards work just as well as 64K cards when it comes to the actual connection to the network. Only diff is storage space for phone numbers as far as I can remember.

 

[HPFM]

Also used to use 3G card for WoW, and unfortunately lag spikes will happen on the Vodacom network, as the speeds are influenced by the number of users on the network / type of traffic on the base stations / voice vs data etc etc...

So whilst most of the time 3G is fine for WoW, you will have issues if your raiding.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

One theory I have about the Vodacom 3G network is that they have preferential load balancing. Not so sure who gets into each queue and why.

I've never had issues connecting at full 3G at my place regardless of modem (E220, E272, K3765-Z - the 3 I have). But when I try my brother in laws 3G sim (64K just like mine) in anyone of these modems the signal is degraded even after forcing 3G only.

I've tested this under Linux which is way more reliable than Windows for resolving issues and still the same.

Just an observation!

 

[Ockie]

One theory I have about the Vodacom 3G network is that they have preferential load balancing. Not so sure who gets into each queue and why.

I've never had issues connecting at full 3G at my place regardless of modem (E220, E272, K3765-Z - the 3 I have). But when I try my brother in laws 3G sim (64K just like mine) in anyone of these modems the signal is degraded even after forcing 3G only.

I've tested this under Linux which is way more reliable than Windows for resolving issues and still the same.

Just an observation!

Did he maybe piss Vodacom off @ some point?

That is very strange. I dont see how that is possible. Obviously, someone that is doing data intensive tasks will be revved up to HSDPA, but I just cant see how two different sims being tested in the same modems in the same location can have a degraded signal? Odd.

Perhaps VD have a lightbulb floating above his head with this one. Lets see if he replies.

 

[Hymn]

Have you tried switching your modem to the "3G ONLY" profile? This can do wonders in giving you a more stable connection. You do this in the VMC software.

As for the sim card being the culprit. I very much doubt it. 32K cards work just as well as 64K cards when it comes to the actual connection to the network. Only diff is storage space for phone numbers as far as I can remember.

Hi, thanks for the feedback.

I have switched it over to '3G Only' (it was a mission finding the right setting, as the menu isn't too intuitive - but that's a story for a different thread). To be honest, I really don't see much of a difference. Running speedtest.net yields basically the same results as before when it was on '3G Prefered'.

I'm pretty dissapointed with the speeds. Sure, I wasn't expecting ADSL speeds, but something adequate for gaming when away from home would have done. Unfortunately, this is not what i was looking for

I'm thinking of returning the Vodafone Modem and perhaps trying to get another pre-paid wireless service such as iBurst? Anybody have any recommendations and experience with playing WoW?

I work away from home a lot so I would appreciate the feedback