Vodafone 3G in Tauranga

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Linuxluver

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#135100 13-Nov-2013 23:16

Further to my previous posts of troubles with Vodafone 3G on my (work) iPhone 4 running iOS 7.0.2

Update....

I took the work SIM out of the iPhone and put it in my Nexus 4. This completely solved the problem of my other devices not being able to reliably connect to my iPhone. Everything can connect to my Nexus 4 and do it at the same time, without fail.

This moves me on to the issue of the actual 3G connectivity.

In Tauranga, where I have been for the past 2 days, the Vodafone 3G connectivity is relatively reliable.....but slow. Typically, I max out at about 110KB/second peak...the average throughput is between 70KB and 80KB/sec. That's about double the speed of a dial-up modem.

The problem is that it's not fast enough to allow me to use my Bomgar remote software to realiably connect to any of the systems I need to work on. If I manage to get connected at all, I soon time out....and have to re-connect....IF I can reconnect. That often times out, too.

Now....sitting in exactly the same place (again - different city, same local context for me...and same problem) I get out my personal phone (SGS4 on Telecom) and connect to its wifi.

Telecom don't have LTE in Tauranga....so it's 3G vs 3G.

I am able to connect reliably to the SGS4 for wifi. (Same as the Nexus 4).

The BIG difference is the throughput rate. I can easily and reliably get to about 576KB / sec throughput (seems to be about the max) and I can sustain that - or close to it - for extended periods.

This means I can connect to the Bomgar server. I means I can then connect to the client system. It means I can connect to MULTIPLE client systems.

If this was a one-off, it wouldn't be huge deal....coverage varies. But I'm seeing this consistently everywhere I go. In Christchurch. Around Auckland (prior to Telecom LTE launch - haven't actually seen that yet on my phone)....and now in Tauranga.

I'm not posting this to be an arse.....I'm posting it because I want to know if other people are seeing this too if they have immediate, ready access to both data networks for performing the same functions.

I guess a better test would be 2 x SGS4...but the Nexus 4 has been utterly fast reliable on the 2Degrees (theirs) network nodes I live and work near. It's the Vodafone parts that (almost reliably) fail to perform to expectations.....on my collection phones. They can't all be duds.

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#933590 13-Nov-2013 23:16

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.

nintcore

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#933606 13-Nov-2013 23:53

I live in Tauranga and use an iPhone 5 and an iPad. I've had flawless coverage throughout the city. 4G is working in some parts of Tauranga, Mt Maunganui and Papamoa.
Vodafones 3G is exceptionally faster than Telecoms obviously due to Dual Carrier. I was told they're doing some Major Upgrades which could cause some disruptions?
Where In Tauranga exactly are you using 3G?

nakedmolerat

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#933617 14-Nov-2013 01:43

If you read some of my blog posts, I pointed out that Vodafone coverage is relatively poor compared to Telecom. This hasn't change over the last 2 years. One bar on Telecom let you go further than 2 bar on Vodafone.

One thing that I didn't regret was paying close to $300 to break my contract so that I can port my number to Telecom after I moved here.

myfullflavour

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#933647 14-Nov-2013 08:12

I got out of a contract in Tauranga after signing to Vodafone and discovering the network was so poor.

Hopefully the 4G launch changes it for the Vodafone customers here, but even challenger 2degrees has miles better 3G coverage than Vodafone here.

johnr

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#934079 14-Nov-2013 20:47

All the sites in Tauranga / Mount / Papamoa region are going thru major upgrades now bringing 3G 900Mhz dual carrier 43Mbps and 3G 2100Mhz getting extra capacity and of course 4G / LTE on 1800Mhz so you could be getting impacted by these upgrades

John

johnr

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#934086 14-Nov-2013 20:54

Minden site just out of Tauranga heading North has even been upgraded to 3G 900Mhz dual carrier 43Mbps it only use to be 2G up to about 2 weeks ago

Dairyxox

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#934135 14-Nov-2013 22:13

I'm in Tauranga and don't have any problems with Vodafone 3G on my iPhone 4.

Just did a speed test to confirm, and I got 3Mbps down.
I also use remote access to other systems from time to time on 3G and performance is alright (latency could be better, but thats just 3g). Not sure why you had such bad luck. I don't just use it at home & "the office" too, my work requires I'm all over the place.

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old3eyes

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#934194 15-Nov-2013 09:17

I always found 3G in Tauranga on Vodafone good compared to their GSM coverage which was pathetic..

Regards,

Old3eyes

Linuxluver

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#934400 15-Nov-2013 13:18

jsherborne: I live in Tauranga and use an iPhone 5 and an iPad. I've had flawless coverage throughout the city. 4G is working in some parts of Tauranga, Mt Maunganui and Papamoa.
Vodafones 3G is exceptionally faster than Telecoms obviously due to Dual Carrier. I was told they're doing some Major Upgrades which could cause some disruptions?
Where In Tauranga exactly are you using 3G?

I was Willow St and in Greerton.

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Linuxluver

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#934401 15-Nov-2013 13:18

jsherborne: I live in Tauranga and use an iPhone 5 and an iPad. I've had flawless coverage throughout the city. 4G is working in some parts of Tauranga, Mt Maunganui and Papamoa.
Vodafones 3G is exceptionally faster than Telecoms obviously due to Dual Carrier. I was told they're doing some Major Upgrades which could cause some disruptions?
Where In Tauranga exactly are you using 3G?

I was Willow St and in Greerton.

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LazyDr

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#935212 17-Nov-2013 14:01

I currently can't get 3G anywhere, about 200m from Minden at the moment, and had nothing in Otumoetai earlier either. Problems started yesterday about midday

johnr

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#935214 17-Nov-2013 14:03

LazyDr: I currently can't get 3G anywhere, about 200m from Minden at the moment, and had nothing in Otumoetai earlier either. Problems started yesterday about midday

Could be some changes going on or your handset does not support 3G 900Mhz

nakedmolerat

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#935230 17-Nov-2013 14:44

johnr:
LazyDr: I currently can't get 3G anywhere, about 200m from Minden at the moment, and had nothing in Otumoetai earlier either. Problems started yesterday about midday

Could be some changes going on or your handset does not support 3G 900Mhz

He has HTC one - definitely support 3G 900

LazyDr

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#935265 17-Nov-2013 16:53

nakedmolerat:
johnr:
LazyDr: I currently can't get 3G anywhere, about 200m from Minden at the moment, and had nothing in Otumoetai earlier either. Problems started yesterday about midday

Could be some changes going on or your handset does not support 3G 900Mhz

He has HTC one - definitely support 3G 900

Yeah, what he said. Thanks ;) Hoping it's a temporary network issue, not a handset issue!

johnr

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#936296 17-Nov-2013 20:52

LazyDr:
nakedmolerat:
johnr:
LazyDr: I currently can't get 3G anywhere, about 200m from Minden at the moment, and had nothing in Otumoetai earlier either. Problems started yesterday about midday

Could be some changes going on or your handset does not support 3G 900Mhz

He has HTC one - definitely support 3G 900

Yeah, what he said. Thanks ;) Hoping it's a temporary network issue, not a handset issue!

Can you get 3G coverage in Te Puna now?

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