Which cellphone network is strongest in SA?

[Foxhound5366]

So I'm ready to make the switch with my next contract renewal.

I'm not looking for the very fastest 5G speeds ... rather the best and most reliable network coverage in real-world urban and rural environments in South Africa.

My current ISP is Vodacom, and I'm super happy with their client care in-store, but unhappy with the giant holes in their data network which means I can run into areas where pages just don't load in the middle of built-up environments.

I know Telkom is best in terms of bundles and the free Telkom-to-Telkom calls, but their "on-network" data is limiting because their network isn't that wide yet

Currently I'm leaning towards MTN honestly.

 

[3WA]

MTN.

I am occasionally sent to the most rural and undeveloped backwaters of the country for work. MTN card in phone, Vodacom in iPad, MTN almost always wins.

 

[ElaineVDW]

So I'm ready to make the switch with my next contract renewal.

I'm not looking for the very fastest 5G speeds ... rather the best and most reliable network coverage in real-world urban and rural environments in South Africa.

My current ISP is Vodacom, and I'm super happy with their client care in-store, but unhappy with the giant holes in their data network which means I can run into areas where pages just don't load in the middle of built-up environments.

I know Telkom is best in terms of bundles and the free Telkom-to-Telkom calls, but their "on-network" data is limiting because their network isn't that wide yet

Currently I'm leaning towards MTN honestly.

I would place a vouch for MTN because not only is their service good but also their network as a whole.

 

[Foxhound5366]

I would place a vouch for MTN because not only is their service good but also their network as a whole.

Dunno about the good service specifically ... my dealings with them have all been pretty generic. Did you have some really good experience with them?

 

[bwana]

MyBB does quarterly testing on all networks - try searching for those results.

 

[Foxhound5366]

MyBB does quarterly testing on all networks - try searching for those results.

As I recall, those test download speeds, not network strength over an entire journey. Connecting to the data network and downloading at a high speed is fine during the day, but it tells you nothing about network uptime, reach and congestion. Surely someone in tech locally has the equipment to do a pretty conclusive test? I just haven't seen the results.

 

[bwana]

Surely someone in tech locally has the equipment to do a pretty conclusive test? I just haven't seen the results.

You're not asking for that. You are asking individuals to vote subjectively based on their experience yet how many of them regularly use all the networks?

 

[NeonNinja]

Depends where you are. My area I get 180Mbps with Vodacom. MTN is a quarter of that.

 

[Foxhound5366]

You're not asking for that. You are asking individuals to vote subjectively based on their experience yet how many of them regularly use all the networks?

I deliberately asked which network is strongest, not fastest, and set the poll question to "best all-around network". So yes, I am asking for that. Noone will vote for a network unless they're personally happy with it ... and I think most of us have a few comparative experiences (especially with the proliferation of dual-sim phones locally).

 

[Gtx Gaming]

MYBB tests shows mtn runs fastest network in SA.

My personal experience mtn just works, I never see less than 4G.

 

[JonOpollo]

Always depends on location. Where I stay Vodacom and Telkom are in the lead. Mtn and cellc just cant keep up at all and rain is slowly getting back up to speed as everyone goes ftth.

 

[Foxhound5366]

Always depends on location. Where I stay Vodacom and Telkom are in the lead. Mtn and cellc just cant keep up at all and rain is slowly getting back up to speed as everyone goes ftth.

Yeah I'm thinking the best bet is a dual-sim phone with two networks ... you'd just need to get the largest bundles on your main sim and at least have the other for backup if you find yourself in a black hole for your main ISP.

 

[Craig_]

I've got two telkom sims in my phone, and a vodacom sim in my work computer. Telkom has been good, but the last few weeks calls have been dropping constantly. As in so much that I'm finally using my office phone again for outgoing calls. The vodacom sim has also been good but for the last few weeks that has also gone to ****. Disconnects regularly and every now and then loses all connectivity, as it it becomes as useful as Bathabile for a few hours at a time.

 

[JonOpollo]

Yeah I'm thinking the best bet is a dual-sim phone with two networks ... you'd just need to get the largest bundles on your main sim and at least have the other for backup if you find yourself in a black hole for your main ISP.

^ this. I have a dual sim now and its scary thinking of going back to single, especially if you travel. I even need to hot swop the dual sims as coverage differs. Mifi's work but smartphone network chips have far succeeded the cheaper ones.

 

[Dups!]

Yeah I'm thinking the best bet is a dual-sim phone with two networks ... you'd just need to get the largest bundles on your main sim and at least have the other for backup if you find yourself in a black hole for your main ISP.

That is the best solution.

I actually have both Vodacom and MTN sim cards in my dual-sim phone.

Contrary to popular belief, including My broadband tests, Vodacom has been the better network for me. In my travels throughout the country, it has no equal.

Sure, you will get one or two areas where MTN is better but overall Vodacom is the reliable one.

 

[marvelguy]

So I'm ready to make the switch with my next contract renewal.

I'm not looking for the very fastest 5G speeds ... rather the best and most reliable network coverage in real-world urban and rural environments in South Africa.

My current ISP is Vodacom, and I'm super happy with their client care in-store, but unhappy with the giant holes in their data network which means I can run into areas where pages just don't load in the middle of built-up environments.

I know Telkom is best in terms of bundles and the free Telkom-to-Telkom calls, but their "on-network" data is limiting because their network isn't that wide yet

Currently I'm leaning towards MTN honestly.

Buy a Dual Sim phone.

Both MTN & Vodacom have kak network coverage in different areas.

A Dual Sim phone has been very helpful when either Vodacom or MTN has crap service in the area I'm in.

 

[marvelguy]

I would place a vouch for MTN because not only is their service good but also their network as a whole.

MTN's network is kak in Cape Town. I cannot hear people and calls are constantly dropped.

Even the quality of WiFi calling is hit and miss.

Vodacom seems to have better call quality in Cape Town

 

[Foxhound5366]

I'm interested to see MTN leading Vodacom with 20 to 9 so far. Is that just down to their 5G speed and rural coverage?

 

[marvelguy]

That is the best solution.

I actually have both Vodacom and MTN sim cards in my dual-sim phone.

Contrary to popular belief, including My broadband tests, Vodacom has been the better network for me. In my travels throughout the country, it has no equal.

Sure, you will get one or two areas where MTN is better but overall Vodacom is the reliable one.

I'm having exactly the same experience as you.

I actually don't understand all the articles and feedback stating that MTN is the better network.

I even went on holiday with my fam to the South Coast.

MTN signal disappeared multiple times but Vodacom was pretty reliable.

I would move to MTN permanently if their call quality wasn't so trash.

 

[ElaineVDW]

MTN's network is kak in Cape Town. I cannot hear people and calls are constantly dropped.

Even the quality of WiFi calling is hit and miss.

Vodacom seems to have better call quality in Cape Town

Entirely depends on the area you're in, so the recommendation people give would be based on their location unless they had a really BAD experience with the service provider that made them want to change, some of which may include unauthorized debits or little support on a sim issue.