Vodafone Live

[Neo]

Sorry R500 for 1 gig of data from virgin that last me for 2 months.

I pay R399 for 1G of data on Vodacom AND I get much better performance and coverage than with VM!

 

[Spamhater]

But you got a 24 month contract i dont have.If you dont use the data that month you lose out.

 

[Neo]

But you got a 24 month contract i dont have.If you dont use the data that month you lose out.

No, I don't. I just buy the data I need every month. I do agree I have to use my complete bundle in one month. But with careful planning, it's not a problem.

So

1) I pay less than you. (About 20% less)
2) I get better throughput than you. (probably at least double)
3) I get better coverage than you. (Much better)
4) I have proper 3G. (you don't)

If you want to compare the sevices directly, you should calculate the price / performance ratio of each.

Vodacom scores more than double than Virgin.

Explain again why Virgin is better?

Unless you like to pay more for lower throughputs.

 

[vodacom3g]

http://www.vodacom4me.co.za/vodacom4me-personal/services.do?operation=init&rootTab=2Don't ask me what the difference is between an 'Ad-hoc' and a 'Bolt-on' data bundle - I still have no idea...

You think you're confused??

If I've got it right a 'Bolt-on' will run for 24 months, bolted onto another contract but you can change the size every month, right down to 0Mb.

An 'Ad-Hoc' bundle is once off, a bit like a top-up.

So you can buy data in 3 ways:

1) Normal data contract - fixed period, fixed size. You can 'top-up' with an ad-hoc bundle.
2) Normal phone contract with a bolt-on bundle - fixed period, variable size. (This is where we use the 4U concept to create a pre-paid like structure). You can 'top-up' with an ad-hoc bundle.
3) Ad-hoc on any type of contract - no period, once off.

 

[vodacom3g]

LOL, one thing I know for sure is that I am definitely confused .

Surely that 24 month period reduces down to 1 month in the case of a 4U contract?This was also my understanding of Ad-hoc ...

No, I think bolt-on runs for 24 months, but so what if you changed it down to 0Mb for R0?

4U = R0 / month
Bolt-on = R0 /month

Total monthly cost, if you don't use any data: R0 / month, just like pre-paid!

Maybe your first bundle can't be an ad-hoc? Now I'm also confused....

Will find out....

 

[vodacom3g]

On v4me, I first added an HSDPA 0, and then an Ad-Hoc HSDPA - unfortunately v4me is currently experiencing problems accessing my services, so I cannot see which HSDPA 0 I originally added...

You probably broke it, trying to load 'incorrect' services!!

I'll phone some people tomorrow.

 

[Prometheus]

No, I don't. I just buy the data I need every month. I do agree I have to use my complete bundle in one month. But with careful planning, it's not a problem.

So

1) I pay less than you. (About 20% less)
2) I get better throughput than you. (probably at least double)
3) I get better coverage than you. (Much better)
4) I have proper 3G. (you don't)

If you want to compare the sevices directly, you should calculate the price / performance ratio of each.

Vodacom scores more than double than Virgin.

Explain again why Virgin is better?

Unless you like to pay more for lower throughputs.

1. Pay only for what you use. I.e. use 800MB and pay for only 800MB.
2. Pay only 50c/MB for low or high usage. Sorry, that's a lie as you will see.
3. No contract.
4.
October - 587.69MB (down) 222.03MB (up) 809.72MB (total) = R322.71
November - 588.30MB (down) 273.27MB (up) 861.57 (total) = R345.58
December - 1071.14MB (down) 183.25MB (up) 1254.39MB (total) = R378.25-R4.54 (That's right, they actually paid me to use their internet)
5. V Rewards:
October - R105.01
November - R60.00
December - R60.00
6. Vodacom usually overcharges from some reports.
7. Flying on hsdpa at <1/4 the price.

Estimated cost 25c-33c per MB.

 

[Prometheus]

But has anyone else noticed that Vodacom's network has been running much more smoothly since the vlive loophole was closed? and yes a lot of the vlive freeloaders have probably moved over to VM at R0.50/MB, but keep in mind that VM uses the CellC network, and as Prometheus will tell you, CellC also uses Vodacom's network for data in areas where CellC doesn't have a network of its own...

I wonder how this actually works. Yes VM use/is the Cell C network which uses the Vodacom network, but Vodacom also uses the Telkom network which is presumably used by Cell C as well. So when you're on a Voda tower does your data get routed on the Cell C/Telkom network or on the Voda/Telkom network? I guess they are basically the same thing.

From my day with VM hsdpa I am now almost certain that Cell C has enough bandwidth for everyone. It seems as though their towers are the bottleneck not being able to handle the load and using Voda's towers isn't an option either as they only support CS1 and CS2 on non-edge towers and not CS3 and CS4 or gprs+ as MTN calls it. Complaining about it also doesn't help as Voda seems to only care about their 3G customers.

No, I think bolt-on runs for 24 months, but so what if you changed it down to 0Mb for R0?

4U = R0 / month
Bolt-on = R0 /month

Total monthly cost, if you don't use any data: R0 / month, just like pre-paid!

Maybe your first bundle can't be an ad-hoc? Now I'm also confused....

Will find out....

Legally it can't run for 24 months if you didn't sign a contract so it's probably monthly or Voda has everyone on a 0MB for R0. I would just love to see them hold someone's number for ransom after their contract has expired and they are still 'technically' on a 24-month data 'contract' according to Voda. Doesn't data contracts include an additional 'connection' fee and an extra fee every month with a modem where bolt-ons and ad-hocs don't? So a contract is like a cellphone contract where a bolt-on is more like a monthly after your contract has expired.

 

[SL20]

Sorry was replying to a post on page 3, thought it ended there.

 

[Prometheus]

Added 7. @ Neo

7. Flying on hsdpa at <1/4 the price.

 

[brad]

........Voda's towers isn't an option either as they only support CS1 and CS2 on non-edge towers and not CS3 and CS4 or gprs+ as MTN calls it.

Prometheus, not sure where you got this info from - I have just checked the configuration for the cells in the KZN portion of the network and out of 1272 cells, ONLY 40 of these do not support CS3&4 (0.031%) None of these exceptions are due to any limitation other than waiting for additional backhaul to enable it. I am not sure of the percentages in other areas, but the standard has been for some time (at least 2 years) to provision ALL cells where backhaul permits with CS3&4 and where backhaul did not permit, to order addtional E1's to allow for this upgrade. Sometimes, in cases of severe voice congestion it is necessary to temporarily remove CS3&4 to allow for a voice upgrade while waiting for additional backhaul.

In a similar manner, the GPRS usage is monitored on a daily basis to determine where usage levels require additional GPRS timeslots to prevent GPRS congestion. Again, on occasions when the backhaul links are fully utilised, these GPRS upgrades cannot always be completed until an additional E1 link is provided.

 

[vodacom3g]

.... using Voda's towers isn't an option either as they only support CS1 and CS2 on non-edge towers and not CS3 and CS4 or gprs+ as MTN calls it. Complaining about it also doesn't help as Voda seems to only care about their 3G customers.

I know we've discussed this before, but you REALLY should do some research before making statements like these.

Not only is your technical understanding of GPRS and EDGE flawed but your understanding of Vodacom's network is completely wrong.

Where did you get this 'info' ?

 

[vodacom3g]

Prometheus, not sure where you got this info from - I have just checked the configuration for the cells in the KZN portion of the network and out of 1272 cells, ONLY 40 of these do not support CS3&4 (0.031%) None of these exceptions are due to any limitation other than waiting for additional backhaul to enable it. I am not sure of the percentages in other areas, but the standard has been for some time (at least 2 years) to provision ALL cells where backhaul permits with CS3&4 and where backhaul did not permit, to order addtional E1's to allow for this upgrade. Sometimes, in cases of severe voice congestion it is necessary to temporarily remove CS3&4 to allow for a voice upgrade while waiting for additional backhaul.

In a similar manner, the GPRS usage is monitored on a daily basis to determine where usage levels require additional GPRS timeslots to prevent GPRS congestion. Again, on occasions when the backhaul links are fully utilised, these GPRS upgrades cannot always be completed until an additional E1 link is provided.

That's all on GPRS.

On EDGE most cells now run MCS9.

 

[Prometheus]

Prometheus, not sure where you got this info from - I have just checked the configuration for the cells in the KZN portion of the network and out of 1272 cells, ONLY 40 of these do not support CS3&4 (0.031%) None of these exceptions are due to any limitation other than waiting for additional backhaul to enable it. I am not sure of the percentages in other areas, but the standard has been for some time (at least 2 years) to provision ALL cells where backhaul permits with CS3&4 and where backhaul did not permit, to order addtional E1's to allow for this upgrade. Sometimes, in cases of severe voice congestion it is necessary to temporarily remove CS3&4 to allow for a voice upgrade while waiting for additional backhaul.

In a similar manner, the GPRS usage is monitored on a daily basis to determine where usage levels require additional GPRS timeslots to prevent GPRS congestion. Again, on occasions when the backhaul links are fully utilised, these GPRS upgrades cannot always be completed until an additional E1 link is provided.

Ok, might be mistaken on this. Can't find the post now but it was based on Vodacom's info that gprs cells only allow up to 64k/s where edge cells are 80k/s on gprs. I might have mistaken this to mean they only support CS1 and CS2 although I am almost sure it said something about that.

 

[nitro53]

You guys are fighting a losing battle with vodacom.they wont give anyone reasonable rates for gprs ! Only if you get a contract with them.lol its not worth it.go use vmoble ! Majority are pre paid users anyway on all s.a networks !

 

[Prometheus]

I don't see a contract as "reasonable" either. It's still a use it or lose it system and if you use it you end up paying even more, even Vodacom's R1.50 after-bundle rate is not nearly comparible to the 39c in bundle rate.

Now how do they justify punishing loyal users like that? A better system is like with Gogga where they charge you a fee for a certain rate. You still lose if you don't use, but at least you pay the same after-bundle rate than the in-bundle rate. It's still a rip-off for low usage with a R75 subscription charge for the standard R2 out-of-bundle rate.

 

[AirWolf]

In Europe tv stations offer wireless broadband internet at low monthly subscriptions. Here in SA everyone and his dog are jumping on a soap box about mobile internet. I was just wondering how come the SABC hasn't jumped on the bandwagon as yet?

 

[vodacom3g]

In Europe tv stations offer wireless broadband internet at low monthly subscriptions. Here in SA everyone and his dog are jumping on a soap box about mobile internet. I was just wondering how come the SABC hasn't jumped on the bandwagon as yet?

They have, it's called Sentech.

A few satellite services have been tried in the past. Not sure why they did not take off, as it's a good service for high bandwidth requirements, i.e. high throughput, high latency.

 

[AirWolf]

They have, it's called Sentech.

A few satellite services have been tried in the past. Not sure why they did not take off, as it's a good service for high bandwidth requirements, i.e. high throughput, high latency.

Ok, so I forgot about Sentech

Sparta 2048/512 abonentinis mokestis nuo 49.00 Lt./mėn.
Sparta 4096/1024 abonentinis mokestis nuo 69.00 Lt./mėn.

Reference: http://www.balticum.lt/?c=1&p=3&t=1&tt=38&pr=38

[TRANSLATION]
Speed 2048/512 subscription fee from 49.00Lt/month (+/- R100)
Speed 4096/1024 subscription fee from 69.00Lt/month (+/- R140)
[/TRANSLATION]

A possible reason why it didn't take off

 

[Prometheus]

They have, it's called Sentech.

A few satellite services have been tried in the past. Not sure why they did not take off, as it's a good service for high bandwidth requirements, i.e. high throughput, high latency.

http://www.sentech.co.za/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=77
Installation charges:
R3 990.00 (including VAT) once off installation fee for standard 1.2m installation and setup of the RCST.
All pricing is based on a mandatory 24 or 36 month contract period and excludes VAT.

PRODUCT	(36 months)	(24 month)	OUTBOUND MIN	INBOUND MIN	OUTBOUND MAX	INBOUND MAX	CONTENTION
128/128(15)	R 3,818	R 4,559	8.5	8.5	128	128	15
256/128(15)	R 5,357	R 6,269	17.1	8.5	256	128	15
512/128(15)	R 8,321	R 9,575	34.1	8.5	512	128	15

Not sure about this but maybe the price has a little something to do with it. Not much you can download with isdn speeds while sharing your connection with 15 other people. There have been options elsewhere in the world but because they were priced similar to adsl at ±300 most of those companies no longer exist.

Funny that where it's not too expensive too compete they kill it off with slow speeds and stupid contention ratios. EDIT: and as always the mandatory 2 or 3 year contract.