Why is 8Ta cell reception so bad?

A

Ares

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I always disconnect from 8Ta. I do a bit of driving around in and around JHB and I loose signal many times. Is this the norm from 8Ta?
 
On data or on voice because they use MTN for roaming ( if it is data i can understand that because they are still putting up aerials )
 
On voice. My wife and I have same contract and she has the same issues. She works in Bryanston and she looses connection all the time.
 
It'll get better. They are putting up masts at a fast pace.
 
Are you actually using the 8ta network? If you get a voice 8ta sim usually AFAIK they can only use the MTN network. You have to ask for the sim to be enabled for 8ta, and then there may be hand-over issues as their coverage is still patchy.
 
ajax said:
Are you actually using the 8ta network? If you get a voice 8ta sim usually AFAIK they can only use the MTN network. You have to ask for the sim to be enabled for 8ta, and then there may be hand-over issues as their coverage is still patchy stb.
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Yes that is a problem with 8ta atm. I had my sim provisioned and it connected to the 8ta network and mtn network fine. Only some times you will be stuck with no network at all and see on the phone it says emergency calls only. Then if you switch the phone of then on again it picks the mtn network up. So it is a problem when the phone needs to select which network.
 
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cavedog said:
Yes that is a problem with 8ta atm. I had my sim provisioned and it connected to the 8ta network and mtn network fine. Only some times you will be stuck with no network at all and see on the phone it says emergency calls only. Then if you switch the phone of then on again it picks the mtn network up. So it is a problem when the phone needs to select which network.
Click to expand...
My suggestion here is PM the 8ta rep and see what he can do for you AFIK the sim should determine what network to use
See what he says he is quite helpful
 
Contract (not prepaid) SIM will roam to MTN , but AFAIK, it can also use 8ta network. If it is 8ta network registration problem, I suggest to switch phone to manual network search, then search networks and select MTN. It will be remembered in the phone, but only when manual network search mode is active.
 
sajunky said:
Contract (not prepaid) SIM will roam to MTN
Click to expand...
Are you saying prepaid sims will not roam on MTN?

I bought a prepaid sim last year, and another this week. Both sims could only use the MTN network. Trying to use 8ta gave "Not allowed" on my phone. I had one of the sims opened to the 8ta by emailing social @ 8ta.com
 
@ajax:
Not saying that, read full sentence. But if you are asking, explained below:

Contract SIM: roaming to MTN and also allowed to access home network. But you can't purchase GoBig special, this menu is not available.

Prepaid SIM: there are two kinds. Standard SIM roams to MTN, but is excluded from accessing home network. If you make it non-roaming, you lose MTN access, but home network becomes accessible and GoBig menu apears on the *180# menu.

Second type prepaid SIM (for GoBig special packages) is already made non-roaming.
 
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sajunky said:
Prepaid SIM: there are two kinds. Standard SIM roams to MTN, but is excluded from accessing home network. If you make it non-roaming, you lose MTN access, but home network becomes accessible and GoBig menu apears on the *180# menu.
Click to expand...

I made my first 8ta sim (bought July 2011) "non-roaming" by requesting via the social email address. With that sim I can switch between MTN and 8ta network at will.
 
ajax said:
I made my first 8ta sim (bought July 2011) "non-roaming" by requesting via the social email address. With that sim I can switch between MTN and 8ta network at will.
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Me too. So there are actually three different ways that roaming can be configured on 8ta SIMs:

  1. Roaming on MTN only.
  2. Access to home network (8ta) only.
  3. Access to home network (8ta) and roaming on MTN.
 
sounds like some of the handovers to MTN are not configured correctly, best is to contact 8ta and tell them to come and test this. Find a specific point where it always happens and then ask them to go and test this area.
 
ginggs said:
Me too. So there are actually three different ways that roaming can be configured on 8ta SIMs:
Click to expand...
Can you purchase GoBig special from USSD on the SIM configured to both?
Edit: SteveO came with some answer, but is is still interesting.
 
I am using a 8ta sim card for voice *roaming simcard* and noticed today MTN signal is terrible and I am sitting at my desk tried to make a call today and the call dropped numerous times like 5times and I am frustrated. Vodacom *Full bars* *Virgin/Cell C *full bars* but MTN is fluctuating 1-2-3 bars between there. I am assuming the base station could be congested where I am now will try make a phone call later when I arrive home.
 
ajax said:
My sim is enabled for both MTN and 8ta and the GoBigs aren't available.
Click to expand...
If you asked for non-roaming they didn't do it correctly. Call customer centre, so they can do it right.
 
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