3 dropped calls explained
Radio 702’s Aki Anastasiou conducted his “2013 Cellphone Safari” this week, testing the network quality of Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, and Telkom Mobile in Johannesburg.
Armed with four Nokia Lumia 520 smartphones – with everything turned off except the cellphone radios – Anastasiou drove around the city testing how many calls were dropped.
Test calls were placed to the four cellphones from a landline that could handle multiple outbound calls. When a call was dropped, the cellphone would be called again from the landline.
MTN reigned supreme in this test with 2 dropped calls, followed by Vodacom with 3 dropped calls, Telkom Mobile with 5 dropped calls and Cell C with 6 dropped calls.
Anastasiou made it clear this this was definitely not a scientific experiment, but rather a way to engage with cell phone users and try to pinpoint problem areas on his route.
“Aki’s 2013 Cellphone Safari” already had a positive effect. Vodacom investigated their three dropped calls, and are working on improving their performance in these areas.
- Vodacom spokesperson Richard Boorman said that the first dropped call, on the R21 South, was caused by cable theft (see photos below). This was the third incident in the space of two weeks in this area, said Boorman.
- The second dropped call – on the R24 towards Bruma – is a new site for Vodacom that they are optimising. “Based on the info from the safari we’ll be making a change to the orientation of one of the antennae,” said Boorman.
- The third dropped call is in a tricky area where it is challenging to find sites for additional base stations. “The team will look at some options to optimise existing sites in the short-term,” said Boorman.
Vodacom cable theft
Vodacom cable theft
Vodacom cable theft
Aki’s 2013 Cellphone Safari
Who drops the most calls in Joburg?
Network quality: Vodacom vs MTN vs Cell C
Mobile network quality: why hide the truth?
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