Vodem HSDPA-GPRS Stepdown

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alasta

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Topic # 10092 4-Nov-2006 15:33

Hi all. I am currently at my parents' place in Christchurch with my Vodem, and I am surprised that it seems to be connecting at GPRS speeds here. The coverage maps show that I am probably slightly outside of 3G Broadband coverage, but I am definitely within ordinary 3G coverage, which is confirmed when I look at my 3G handset.

So, for some reason, my Vodem seems to be stepping down from HSDPA-GPRS instead of HSDPA-UMTS-GPRS. I'm curious as to whether anyone else has experienced this problem.

cokemaster

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Reply # 51020 4-Nov-2006 15:58

The mac client has an option to force it to a particular network - GPRS only, GPRS/EDGE/UTMS/HSPDA, and UTMS/HSPDA.
Perhaps if you're using a Mac (PPC), you could do it that way.

I can't say much for the windows client, during my brief use of it... I couldn't find it.

I've had mixed success given that I don't have full signal. Most of the time it will work fine being locked onto UTMS/HSPDA however sometimes it will just drop and one experiences no data transfer for a while. Alternatively I've noticed while set to GPRS/EDGE/UTMS/HSPDA... it will drop down to GPRS sometimes (once or twice a hour) even when there is 'acceptable' signal but quickly goes back to UTMS/HSPDA mode.

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johnr

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Reply # 51032 4-Nov-2006 17:18

Have you actioned a manual network selection under " tools " and selected the 3G network

alasta

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Reply # 51034 4-Nov-2006 17:51

When I select the 3G network under manual network selection, it searches for the 3G network and then tells me that I don't have permission to connect to it. I'm using a Windows machine here at the moment and there doesn't appear to be any option to lock it onto UMTS/HSDPA as Cokemaster describes, but I suspect that it would yield the same result anyway.

I have a feeling that this is some sort of local network issue, but it's strange that my phone seems to be accessing 3G services without any problems.

johnr

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Reply # 51073 5-Nov-2006 06:52

Put the Vodem SIM into your handset and see what happens!

alasta

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Reply # 51141 5-Nov-2006 21:31

Yea, I'm tempted to try that but because I'm only here for another day and I'm only using the Internet for a few minutes here and there, I can't really be bothered shuffling SIM cards around.

It connected to 3G at one point, but it couldn't achieve decent speeds and the signal meter was way down, so I think that that the 3G signal here must be too weak for the Vodem. It's surprising considering that I'm in a built up area with flat topography, but as we all know coverage maps don't tell the full story.

It's interesting that the receiver in my Nokia 6630 seems to be stronger than that of the Vodem.

Jama

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Reply # 51169 6-Nov-2006 09:00

alasta: It's interesting that the receiver in my Nokia 6630 seems to be stronger than that of the Vodem.

I suspect that the antenna in the Vodem is uni directional so moving it around may make a difference. It should be pointed upright and outwards rather than laying flat. Hence the reason for the velcro. Shame there is no user accessible external connector as this would make all the difference in the world.

sgarton

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Reply # 53013 20-Nov-2006 10:00

Has any subsequently to the previous posts a couple of weeks back found a way of locking it to a speed ? On windows I see it flicking back and forth between HSDPA and UMTS ... and for a few seconds each time I have no connectivity ... and it's normally when I'm doing a demo to a customer who really isn't interested in hearing me explain what "unable to connect to server" means ...

I'd like to lock it to UMTS ... can't get a reliable HSDPA either in the CBD or in Greenlane ...

Simon

(Moderator edit (BG) - Removed signature from post due to email address being posted (spam reasons). Please edit your signature from the profile page as soon as possible.)

johnr

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Reply # 53014 20-Nov-2006 10:10

Hi Simon I think you are meant to say lock it to HSDPA (3G+)

If you did mean lock it to UMTS (3G) handing to HSDPA is network conttrolled

You can't make a device stay on the HSDPA channel this is controlled by the network!

Only a HSDPA channel is selected when data traffic is been moved on 3G (WCDMA) then it moves to HSDPA

Oh and I would remove the Email address from your signature (prevent SPAM)

sgarton

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Reply # 53018 20-Nov-2006 10:29

Quick expansion of my problem ...

What I'd like is to be able to have a consistent connection. I have a series of applications which deal with field devices which upload data to the master over the internet (a mix of FTP and SMTP); the master applications in the office need to poll various servers regularly (every few minutes) to see if there are new updates waiting; and at the moment about half of the polls result in a timeout or unable to resolve hostname problem.

I'm watching my vodem right now ... it's reasonably constant on blue, and everything works; but every now and again it changes to aqua / turquoise / however you describe the colour for HSDPA for 30-60 seconds (manual is at home). While it's doing this, I lose internet connectivity ... until it goes back to blue and then I'm good again ...

From what you've said, that's the network trying to go up to HSDPA briefly ... and I won't be able to change it. Bugger. Time to dig out my old Harrier again ...

Good(ish) news about the soon-to-come Greenlane site though ...

Simon

alasta

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Reply # 53019 20-Nov-2006 10:41

sgarton: I'm watching my vodem right now ... it's reasonably constant on blue, and everything works; but every now and again it changes to aqua / turquoise / however you describe the colour for HSDPA for 30-60 seconds (manual is at home). While it's doing this, I lose internet connectivity ... until it goes back to blue and then I'm good again ...

The LED on mine constantly flicks between dark blue and light blue. I know that the manual states that dark blue means it's connected to UMTS and light blue means it's connected to HSDPA, but my observations lead me to believe that dark blue actually means that it's connected and idle, while light blue means that it's passing traffic.

I'd be interested to know whether I'm correct on this point.

cokemaster

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Reply # 53020 20-Nov-2006 10:47

I also experience a bit of time outs when its staying on regular 3G vs hspda or GPRS. Usually will step up or drop down however there can be a nice bit of latency (3-10 seconds) before the connection will respond. Though sometimes will work without problems but a lot of the time more recently....

Not sure if its due to poor signal in my area (Mt Roskill) or whether its just because of me.

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Jama

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Reply # 53022 20-Nov-2006 11:02

cokemaster: I also experience a bit of time outs when its staying on regular 3G vs hspda or GPRS. Usually will step up or drop down however there can be a nice bit of latency (3-10 seconds) before the connection will respond. Though sometimes will work without problems but a lot of the time more recently....

Not sure if its due to poor signal in my area (Mt Roskill) or whether its just because of me.

Same here. I have tried some 'on the bus' HSDPA testing. Handover seems quite slow with it taking up to 8 seconds for a ping to respond again. When you go into a tunnel the signal strength meter does not change but the pings 'time out' so you know there is no network. Leaving the tunnel it can again take up to 8 seconds for the ping to respond.

Vodem is a good modem as long as you have good coverage and you don't move.

alasta

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Reply # 53024 20-Nov-2006 11:25

cokemaster: I also experience a bit of time outs when its staying on regular 3G vs hspda or GPRS. Usually will step up or drop down however there can be a nice bit of latency (3-10 seconds) before the connection will respond. Though sometimes will work without problems but a lot of the time more recently....

Not sure if its due to poor signal in my area (Mt Roskill) or whether its just because of me.

I also find that latency of 3 - 10 seconds occurs fairly regularly, and on odd occassions the connection locks up completely but remains connected, so I have to disconnect and reconnect. This is irritating, but I expect it to get better as Vodafone tweak the network and issue firmware updates.

I'm not convinced that these problems are related to UMTS-HSDPA handovers, because when I run speedtest it consistently reports performance in the range of 1200kbps - 1400kpbs, which leads me to believe that the HSDPA signal at home is strong. I'm also in an area where the HSDPA coverage supposedly mimmicks the UMTS coverage, and the signal meter on my phone shows full power on the UMTS signal.

Jama

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Reply # 53025 20-Nov-2006 11:33

alasta:
cokemaster: I also experience a bit of time outs when its staying on regular 3G vs hspda or GPRS. Usually will step up or drop down however there can be a nice bit of latency (3-10 seconds) before the connection will respond. Though sometimes will work without problems but a lot of the time more recently....

Not sure if its due to poor signal in my area (Mt Roskill) or whether its just because of me.

I also find that latency of 3 - 10 seconds occurs fairly regularly, and on odd occassions the connection locks up completely but remains connected, so I have to disconnect and reconnect. This is irritating, but I expect it to get better as Vodafone tweak the network and issue firmware updates.

I'm not convinced that these problems are related to UMTS-HSDPA handovers, because when I run speedtest it consistently reports performance in the range of 1200kbps - 1400kpbs, which leads me to believe that the HSDPA signal at home is strong. I'm also in an area where the HSDPA coverage supposedly mimmicks the UMTS coverage, and the signal meter on my phone shows full power on the UMTS signal.

1.2 to 1.4Mbps is about all you are going to get if the cell site has a single E1. John R above is reporting 2.6Mbps which probably means a second E1 has been added. That is all it takes...

Alasta have your tried any drive testing?

alasta

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Reply # 53026 20-Nov-2006 11:51

Jama: 1.2 to 1.4Mbps is about all you are going to get if the cell site has a single E1. John R above is reporting 2.6Mbps which probably means a second E1 has been added. That is all it takes...

Yes, that's all that I realistically expect to acheive, hence why I believe that I'm getting a decent HSDPA signal.

Alasta have your tried any drive testing?

No. It's unlikely that I'll ever use the Vodem while in motion, so I haven't felt the need to test it in this situation.