Vodafone 3G SMS craps out yet again (what's new?)

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › Vodafone 3G SMS craps out yet again (what's new?)

sbiddle

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#11831 14-Feb-2007 07:49

Well it's happened again folks. SMS is unavailable again on Vodafone's hopeless UMTS network..

Change your phones to GSM mode and you'll be fine..

Maybe it's time for Russell Stanners to hand his notice in and bring back somebody who knows how to run a mobile network? The buck stops at the top. Fullstop.

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#60735 14-Feb-2007 08:27

Where abouts is the option to turn to GSM mode, I haven't seen it any where on my v3xx, any ideas where to look?

pɐǝɥ sıɥ uo ƃuıpuɐʇs

cranz

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#60739 14-Feb-2007 09:21

No drama's so far today with multiple handsets on the North Shore. Have you advised Vodafone you are having an issue with this service?

For Motorola's it is generally under Network settings, as Network Mode or Band Type. However on the v3x (not sure about v3xx) the option you have is to set the band to 900/1800, which will still try and use UMTS (have heard a few stories about this)

sbiddle

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#60741 14-Feb-2007 09:36

cranz: No drama's so far today with multiple handsets on the North Shore. Have you advised Vodafone you are having an issue with this service?

For Motorola's it is generally under Network settings, as Network Mode or Band Type. However on the v3x (not sure about v3xx) the option you have is to set the band to 900/1800, which will still try and use UMTS (have heard a few stories about this)

It wasn't just me having problems, it was a network issue.

cranz

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#60742 14-Feb-2007 09:38

I understand that. But if people are having issues with a service and no body bothers to advise Vodafone that they are, it will take a lot long to get solved.

sbiddle

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#60748 14-Feb-2007 10:59

cranz: I understand that. But if people are having issues with a service and no body bothers to advise Vodafone that they are, it will take a lot long to get solved.

What's the point of telling Vodafone about issues when all they do is deny the problems even exist? There is obviously a serious issue affect SMS on the 3G platform at times of high load. This problem is not affecting the GSM network despite both networks sharing the same SMSC platform. On the past 3 occasions Vodafone have denied this problem actually exists and simply blamed the problems on high traffic volume dspite their being no issues at all with SMS's originated on the GSM network.

Today we even had 2 nationwide radio stations mocking Vodafone on air about their continual network problems and SMS failures..Hardly great PR for Vodafone.

Filterer

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#60774 14-Feb-2007 14:09

cranz: ... band to 900/1800, which will still try and use UMTS (have heard a few stories about this)

I have under network

Band -> Automatic, 1900, 900/1800 and WCDMA 2100
Type -> Automatic, Manual
Speed -> Slow, Medium, Fast, Continuous

Although I haven't noticed any problem that I know of, it would be good to know if there was a definite way to switch to GSM mode if the need arises.

pɐǝɥ sıɥ uo ƃuıpuɐʇs

BrentR

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#60776 14-Feb-2007 14:48

Filterer:
cranz: ... band to 900/1800, which will still try and use UMTS (have heard a few stories about this)

I have under network

Band -> Automatic, 1900, 900/1800 and WCDMA 2100
Type -> Automatic, Manual
Speed -> Slow, Medium, Fast, Continuous

Although I haven't noticed any problem that I know of, it would be good to know if there was a definite way to switch to GSM mode if the need arises.

900/1800 is GSM ;)

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paradoxsm

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#60777 14-Feb-2007 14:53

I'm currently using.... wait for it...

A Nokia 1100, Technology has taken a mighty leap backwards in the want of some reliability.

I grabbed for nothing from a recycling bin, it was destined to be crushed up.

grant_k

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#60781 14-Feb-2007 15:44

paradoxsm: I'm currently using.... wait for it...

A Nokia 1100, Technology has taken a mighty leap backwards in the want of some reliability.

Indeed, a great step backwards in technology, but a great leap forwards in reliability by the sound of it.

This sort of thing makes me very glad that I haven't bothered upgrading to a 3G phone yet. That and the fact that in many places where I frequently travel, there is NO 3G service available yet anyway.

SMS is a service that we all take for granted now and to have it so unreliable is enough to make people pack up their toys and decamp to Telecom. If Vodafone don't get this sorted by April 1, I can see a considerable number of their customers are going to be taking advantage of number portability and voting with their feet.

How long have we had 3G for now?
Surely long enough for problems with the humble SMS service to be sorted out I would have thought.

sbiddle

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#60788 14-Feb-2007 16:02

Grant17: If Vodafone don't get this sorted by April 1, I can see a considerable number of their customers are going to be taking advantage of number portability and voting with their feet.

Getting a wee bit OT but to be honest I don't really see this happening. Unlike other countries where you can simply swap SIM cards mobile portability will have a lot lower take up in NZ due to the different networks. Both networks are going to have to offer free phones to get people to swap which will mean locking people into 2-3yr contracts. Will large numbers of people move? I don't think so.

Getting back on topic Vodafone's 3G network has been a bit of a dog since day 1 but the performance over the past 6-8 months since they have been upgrading a lot of hardware and software has been particularly bad. Every time Vodafone seem to be fixing something at present they seem to break something else..

andrewcnz

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#60809 14-Feb-2007 19:42

Have Vodafone done anything to improve there network? I’m in Tauranga and the service is not at all good. The company I work for changed to Vodafone (all Motorola v1075 phones) and all staff have been disappointed with the service. Poor spotty coverage, not getting calls. Having to keep trying to dial out and getting “call failed” often. The phones have been send back to get serviced. But it has not really helped matters at all. Why have a 3g service that only works outside? Most of the txt messages I get are “free who called “ones. Quite disappointed, Andrew

weatherman

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#60811 14-Feb-2007 19:51

"Every time Vodafone seem to be fixing something at present they seem to break something else.."

Yep, know the feeling - often do this meself!

George (hand me that hammer....)

stevenz

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#60812 14-Feb-2007 19:52

If you don't use the video functions then data appears to be the only real benefit of 3G over UMTS/GSM. I'm running a Sony Ericsson W900i (brilliant phone) and have disabled the 3G as it doubles the battery life with it turned off. Used functionality lost: None. Sometimes I'll turn it back on if I want to check email at a slightly higher speed but that's about it. Many standard Vodafone supplied phones (of the non-PDA variety) will likely have the option to disable 3G or explicitly select GSM turned off.

@KnightNZ