DC-HSPA modem but no DC speeds

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corksta

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#112911 27-Dec-2012 09:51

I bought the Vodafone Pocket Wi-Fi R208 modem on Monday, took it down to Taupo for Christmas, and thought I was staying in an area with DC coverage.

I was getting speeds of 6-8Mb/s download, 2-3Mb/s upload, whereas a Samsung Galaxy S III (non DC model) was getting 8-9Mb/s and 1-2Mb/s upload.

Back home in Takapuna, which at first glance looks to be in a DC area, I get 8-9Mb/s through the modem, 10-11Mb/s through the phone. Uploads are 2-3Mb/s on both devices.

The DC maps on Vodafone's site lose focus pretty quickly when zooming in, and from what I can tell, where I was in Taupo and where I live I might just be inside a pocket of no DC coverage.

Still, shouldn't the modem be just as fast as the phone with download speeds, or faster if I'm that close to DC coverage?

Any plans to show DC coverage as part of the address checker to make it easier to see where coverage is for a specific location?

johnr

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#737585 27-Dec-2012 10:01

Takapuna main site is not DC yet Milford is and many sites up thru the Bays

Taupo is but the site is very very busy this time of the year

DC coverage is changing each week so I guess map will be upgraded at least once a month. Coming up to Christmas some nights 15 sites a night were going live and January February March are going to be very busy as well

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#737586 27-Dec-2012 10:02

If you want very a good mobile hotspot speeds you should try one of the CradlePoint WiFi access points. You would need a USB modem, but they have some brilliant software, prioritisation and other techniques. I found that many times the speed through those access points were a lot higher than having the USB modem directly on the laptop.

I know it's not what you asked, but something to think about in the future...

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corksta

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#737588 27-Dec-2012 10:05

Cheers I'll keep that in mind.

corksta

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#737589 27-Dec-2012 10:07

johnr: Takapuna main site is not DC yet Milford is and many sites up thru the Bays

Taupo is but the site is very very busy this time of the year

DC coverage is changing each week so I guess map will be upgraded at least once a month. Coming up to Christmas some nights 15 sites a night were going live and January February March are going to be very busy as well

Ok that makes sense then.

From what I could tell on the Taupo map, there was a tiny little gap of no DC coverage just north of the township and I think I might have been staying in that part.

johnr

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#737591 27-Dec-2012 10:07

FYI I live in Takapuna Byron Ave

corksta

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#737600 27-Dec-2012 10:23

johnr: FYI I live in Takapuna Byron Ave

I'm two streets over in Huron Street.

Is it available around the Albany mall? Might be going up there tonight and will have to check it out if it is.

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johnr

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#737602 27-Dec-2012 10:30

The site you work off then will be Barry's Point Road due to be upgraded few weeks

Albany Mall yes but very busy site as well pop over to Milford and give it a go

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#737765 27-Dec-2012 17:52

I am in Taupo tonight will do some tests and see what I get

corksta

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#737865 27-Dec-2012 22:30

johnr: I am in Taupo tonight will do some tests and see what I get

I was up on Clearwater Lane, next to Huka Falls Resort.

johnr

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#737867 27-Dec-2012 22:35

I am in Prince motor lodge Cnr of Titiraupenga & Roberts Streets and getting between 5 - 10Mbps DL using a R208 as well, These devices work great I also have a Dual carrier S3 i9305 and getting similar speeds

Main site in Taupo is a very busy at this time of the year

When I was in Wellington last night staying on Cuba Mall I was getting up to 24Mbps DL

corksta

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#737875 27-Dec-2012 22:41

Thanks for that John, good to know.

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#737892 27-Dec-2012 23:30

corksta if you have a Android handset install the app ' Vodafone Mobile Wi-Fi Monitor ' and then connect to the R208 over WIFI and open the app

corksta

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#738101 28-Dec-2012 18:02

johnr: corksta if you have a Android handset install the app ' Vodafone Mobile Wi-Fi Monitor ' and then connect to the R208 over WIFI and open the app

Yup I found that on Google Play before I bought the modem, downloaded it for the iPad too. Pretty handy.