seamless handoff 3G<->4G ?

Forums › Spark New Zealand › seamless handoff 3G<->4G ?

newbellies

159 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

Topic # 136707 6-Dec-2013 10:02

Hi guys,

Since upgrading cellphone to 4G sim+service, I noticed that I drop service/signal on the way to/from Auckland CBD. Perhaps I just never noticed before. Thought I'd ask the knowledgable folks here.

In theory, should handoff between/from 3G/4G towers be seamless? Running iPhone 5s.

Cheers

PeterReader

5636 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 259

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 946418 6-Dec-2013 10:02

Hello... Our robot found some keywords in your post, so here is an automated reply with some important things to note regarding broadband speeds.

If you are posting regarding DSL speeds please check that

- you have reset your modem and router

- your PC (or other PCs in your LAN) is not downloading large files when you are testing

- you are not being throttled by your ISP due to going over the monthly cap

- your tests are always done on an ethernet connection to the router - do not use wireless for testing

- you read this topic and follow the instructions there.

Make sure you provide information for other users to help you. If you have not already done it, please EDIT your post and add this now:

- Your ISP and plan

- Type of connection (ADSL, ADSL2, VDSL)

- Your modem DSL stats (do not worry about posting Speedtest, we need sync rate, attenuation and noise margin)

- Your general location (or street)

- If you are rural or urban

- If you know your connection is to an exchange, cabinet or conklin

- If your connection is to a ULL or wholesale service

- If you have done an isolation test as per the link above

Most of the problems with speed are likely to be related to internal wiring issues. Read this discussion to find out more about this. Your ISP is not intentionally slowing you down today (unless you are on a managed plan). Also if this is the school holidays it's likely you will notice slower than usual speed due to more users online.

A master splitter is required for VDSL2 and in most cases will improve speeds on DSL connections. Regular disconnections can be a monitored alarm or a set top box trying to connect. If there's an alarm connected to your line even if you don't have an alarm contract it may still try to connect so it's worth checking.

I recommend you read these two blog posts:

- Is your premises phone wiring impacting your broadband performance? (very technical)

- Are you receiving a substandard ULL ADSL2+ connection from your ISP?

I am the Geekzone Robot and I am here to help. I am from the Internet. I do not interact. Do not expect other replies from me.

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2600
Inactive user

Reply # 946436 6-Dec-2013 10:26

How long does the handset lose service for?

sbiddle

27665 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7146

Moderator

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 946440 6-Dec-2013 10:32

It should be fairly seamless but unlike Vodafone who have a single RAN network Telecom are running two different networks from two different vendors side by side. Issues such as this can be real world reality of such a solution.

newbellies

159 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

Reply # 946501 6-Dec-2013 11:53

Cheers for replies.

Not sure exactly how long i lost service for, but on the way back I was staring directly at two cell phone towers thinking "Should be 10/10 bars now!" and to my surprise it was "No Service". Then I flicked on/off airplane mode and it immediately jumped to full bars.

Could be coincidental. Supposed i could try disabling 4G on the device to see if that makes a difference.

gajan

91 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 24

Trusted

Spark NZ

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 946524 6-Dec-2013 12:20

newbellies: Cheers for replies.

Not sure exactly how long i lost service for, but on the way back I was staring directly at two cell phone towers thinking "Should be 10/10 bars now!" and to my surprise it was "No Service". Then I flicked on/off airplane mode and it immediately jumped to full bars.

Could be coincidental. Supposed i could try disabling 4G on the device to see if that makes a difference.

Handover between the networks when moving in/out of coverage should be seamless. It maybe coverage related, depending on your route out of the city.... And remember we're not the only one with cell phone towers :).

If you continue to have problems on your route, it would be worth raising a fault with us, to allow our networks tema to take a look.

My comments and remarks are not necessarily of my employer.

newbellies

159 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

Reply # 946537 6-Dec-2013 12:35

Thanks for replies. I'll do a little more testing with it next time i make the drive.