HSDPA: Vodacom versus MTN
Vodacom and MTN launched their 3.6 Mbps HSDPA offerings within days of each other, promising to double the previous speeds to their subscribers.
Coverage
Vodacom launched their new 3.6 Mbps HSDPA offering country wide, and testing confirms that speeds higher than 1.8 Mbps are achieved in basically all 3G covered areas.
MTN opted for a phased rollout approach, only launching 3.6 Mbps HSDPA at sites where adequate backhaul is available to support the service in order to ensure a good user experience.
Initial testing indicates that MTN coverage is very patchy at best, with basically no subscribers experiencing speeds higher than the standard 1.8 Mbps HSDPA speeds. This should however change as transmission links are installed and the company switch on more 3.6 Mbps enabled towers.
Speeds
When it comes to speed Vodacom and MTN also differ significantly in local and international throughput as well as the consistency of these speeds.
With basic web based download and upload speed tests Vodacom’s download speeds ranged between 182 Kbps and over 2200 Kbps.
Vodacom’s average international download speed was 787 Kbps with a peak speed of 2218 Kbps while the average local download speed was 1711 Kbps with peak speeds of just over 2200 Kbps.
In the upload department Vodacom performed constantly with an average speed of 227 Kbps, regularly peaking over 300 Kbps.
MTN did not achieve the same peak speeds as Vodacom even though the company announced the launch of their 3.6 Mbps service a few weeks ago. In recent testing it was not possible to exceed 1.8 Mbps with any download speed tests on the MTN network – the scarcity of 3.6 Mbps HSDPA coverage is the most likely reason for this.
This however does not mean that the average download speed on the MTN HSDPA network is poor – quite the opposite.
MTN’s download speeds proved to be very consistent, ranging between 830 Kbps and 1797 Kbps. The average local download speed was 1184 Kbps while the average international downlink speed was 1164 Kbps.
The consistency during testing of both national and international throughput on the MTN HSDPA network was impressive and substantiates MTN’s claim that they have adequate national and international backhaul to ensure high service levels.
Although very consistent, MTN’s 64 Kbps limited upload speed remains disappointing with an average speed of 56 Kbps.
Which one to get?
The far superior 3.6 Mbps HSDPA network coverage on the Vodacom network means that this is the logical option if you currently want to experience mobile broadband speeds exceeding 2 Mbps.
Vodacom’s more extensive countrywide 3G/HSDPA network makes it the best choice for users who are looking for mobile broadband coverage across South Africa. Furthermore Vodacom’s higher upload speeds make it an obvious choice for users looking for a service where higher speeds in both directions are needed.
If you are however simply looking for a stable broadband offering in major cities with consistent throughput MTN’s HSDPA offering is a good option. Very consistent local and international download speeds should ensure a good user experience.
Vodacom is currently the clear leader in the mobile broadband race, but MTN has sent out a firm message that they are not content playing second fiddle in the local broadband market.
The battle continues…
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