Testing XT via SW Compass 885

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Testing XT via SW Compass 885 - issues.

xpd

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#35910 17-Jun-2009 10:07

Im testing a Sierra Wireless Compass 885 USB dongle on a Win XP laptop and having an odd issue....
Installs fine, connects but only lets me browse one or two sites then nothing. When it stops letting me browse Im unable to ping anything (IP or name) yet the connection says its still online at 7.2mbps.

Anyone else had this problem ?

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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sson013

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#226089 18-Jun-2009 08:49

I've had this issue on a Vista computer all of last week. Mysteriously it started working fine again after I rang up Telecom to complain about crappy connection. I would constantly get timeouts, sometimes lasting for several minutes. Doing ping -n 100 I almost never got a return of more than 90/100 ping returns. It worked satisfactorly on the first week I got it.

My signal strength is 4-5 bars ( 80%/100% ) of the SW software's strength indicator. I have heard from friends inside Telecom that they have been majorly overloaded in the past week. I was told by the specialist it could be an issue with a faulty SW 885 card and to take it back to the store, but how come it seems to work fine when I insert a Vodafone sim?.

Giving it one more week, if it continues to remain crappy I'm going to try and get a refund. I'd rather use dialup if the performance is going to be the same as last week.

sson013

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#232903 9-Jul-2009 10:10

I'm on my 2nd SW 885 now, the first one was confirmed faulty and telegistics sent me a new one which supposedly " meets manufacturer and telegistics specifications" but I'm still having the exact same issue.

Next step which was a long shot imo, was to replace the simcard with a new one telecom sent me. Still the same issue.

So either I'm incredibly unlucky to pick up 2 faulty devices of what is supposed to be a reputable brand or it's the network's fault. Going back to Telecom store again today ARGH.

nitrotech

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#233072 9-Jul-2009 15:07

I get these issues as well I brought an MF636 and couldn't use it at all the EVDO t-stick worked fine, so brought an 885 and same - no go.

I also rang telecom who were able to make it work for about a day then it stopped, basically now i get some days where it works and some days where it doesn't (even in full reception areas).

Maybe it's time for someone at telecom to stump up and tell us what the problem is and when it will be sorted.

sson013

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#233193 9-Jul-2009 20:03

After extensive testing at the Botany telecom store. We pretty much concluded it was the network's problem. However since I bought my device / plan from Queen St store, I couldn't try to get a refund at Botany.

Tried a 3rd SW 885 and an R6. Slotted a Vodafone sim into the SW and it worked fine. Friends in telecom say they know there is a problem and they are fixing it, however technical support when you ring 123 always deny this and say their network is working great and there are no known issues with their network and it must be pc/laptop/device/sim/obstruction issues.

really tempted by Vodafone's new offer of New black Vodem + free till 2010 offer, i was prepared to pay the XT premium for a better connection, but it seems like I'm paying more for less right now.

johnr

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#233218 9-Jul-2009 21:13

sson013:
Next step which was a long shot imo, was to replace the simcard with a new one telecom sent me.

No way in the world it will be a SIM issue

paulspain

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#233255 9-Jul-2009 22:20

I had a very similar issue when testing the XT Network in Tauranga via a ThinkPad with built in 3G card a few weeks ago. In the end I switched back to a Vodafone connection.

Paul Spain
Founder: Gorilla Technology, NZ Tech Podcast

sson013

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#233272 9-Jul-2009 23:00

johnr:
sson013:

Next step which was a long shot imo, was to replace the simcard with a new one telecom sent me.

No way in the world it will be a SIM issue

Yeah, simcards either work or they don't. But still have to jump through the hoops of technical support suggestions knowing it won't help at all.

I think it's pretty telling that no one from Telecom has commented on any threads regarding network issues when they are replying to other threads.

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Ashka

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#233411 10-Jul-2009 09:08

I returned a sierra wireless TStick as it stopped working in less than a fortnight from new. Corrupted software and very poor Mac support.
The Telecom branded TStick it was replaced with has been OK so far but does drop the connection a couple of times a day. A quick disconnect / reconnect fixes it so probably hardware/software related not the XT network.

After 2.5 years with the Vodafone mobile broadband which also dropped out regularly in the North & South Island, it's great to have decent speed at last.

NealR

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#233499 10-Jul-2009 10:22

I am not aware of any network wide issues that would be causing any of these issues. Either these are location specific issues or device specific issues or operating system specific issues or computer specific issues.

When logging faults ensure you specify the location that the problem occurs and if it occurs in more than one location. Ideally it is good to know if the issue occurs in more than one device and more than one computer.

Yes, some of the things that the helpdesk will ask you to do as part of their script seem silly but bear in mind that they deal with thousands of people per day and very very few of the customers calling will have the level of technical capability of the people on this forum. You are a unique customer group. Also the majority of calls to the call centre are related to issues such as; SIM inserted upside down, customer is not on XT..or even Telecom customer, they have been cut off for not paying their bill etc.

The comments I write on this forum do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer and as such cannot be taken as official statements of my employer.

sson013

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#233677 10-Jul-2009 14:23

Thanks for the reply at least :)

Devices Tested : 3x SW 885, 2x R6

Systems Tested : My desktop, my laptop, Telecom Botany HP, Mac Book

Sim Cards : 3 of them, 2 of my own + Telecom Botany store one

OS : XP, Vista, Mac OS

Location : This is about the only thing I haven't tested thoroughly as I've only run it from home in Flat Bush & Botany Town Center (in the store). But if its not working in Botany Town Center, it should surely be a known issue? I will try it from the CBD where I work on Monday.

sson013

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#234000 11-Jul-2009 11:25

Today, it seems to be perfect.

Over the last 3 weeks, anytime I did a ping -n 100 I could expect 10%-20% packet loss during the time it's "working".

This morning it seemed to be working well so I tried doing 2x ping -n 1000, it returned a perfect result with 0% packet loss. Heh, I was just about to head into Telecom Queen St to request a refund today, might have to hold that off for a few more days to see if the problem is really fixed or if its just an exception today.

Speed test result came back decent as well.

sson013

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#234631 13-Jul-2009 11:50

Problem is back, was pretty much useless on Sunday.