Has VFs 3G network hit capacity and performance issues of late?

Forums › One NZ (including Farmside) › Has VFs 3G network hit capacity and performance issues of late?

jjnz1

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#303687 28-Feb-2023 12:57

Hey folks

I currently have an outstanding fault logged with VF for poor 3G performance and wondering if others share the same issue?

Problem:

During areas where there is no/limited 4G coverage, our phones connect to VF 3G. If the phones shows 3 bars or less, 80% of the time I have no data connections/data timeouts. I have also observed no txting ability with the VF tech on the phone, while pulled over on side of road!

I have also recreated this using a factory reset Samsung A50 on prepaid, as well as on my VF account mobiles (iphone 14s, 12s, Samsung S20s etc).

Problem areas that I have tested are on SH1 from Porirua to Taupo and Wellington to Masterton - But I assume everywhere on fringe of coverage ie not on the main town roads.

End result:

I can't surf the web, stream music or use apps like YouTube music without downloading for offline use, when driving on SH1, even though my phone shows 2-3 bars of 3G. (Either stantionary for >10mins or moving at speed). Speedtest don't work - cant contact server. Drive testing apps don't work and timeout. Calls do work. texting intermittant.

This fault has been outstanding since mid last year and I am getting no where.

Sample screenshot showing bars but no data: ( I have lots of screenshots!)

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#3043219 28-Feb-2023 13:35

Yes, 3g is basically useless on vodafone now. I sometimes find that cycling airplane mode will get be back on 4g with 1 bar that works, but it will soon drop to 3g and not work again. They suggest going to a store to get a new sim card if you complain about it because thats probably the quickest way to get off the call normally.

Richard rich.ms

jjnz1

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#3043277 28-Feb-2023 14:16

That's disappointing. Probably why my fault has gone unresolved for soo long.

I have already tried swapping sims - one of their first things to try.

It's a shame that my iPhone can't lock onto 4/5G like you can with Androids.

lxsw20

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#3043296 28-Feb-2023 15:12

Sparks 3G isn't much better. I often travel on Blackhead Road here in Dunedin which is 3G only, zero data access when on 3G, seems to drop calls too.

Inphinity

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#3043344 28-Feb-2023 16:51

Yes, had my son unable to make or receive calls today because VF network is rubbish, after the bus broke down and he was stranded. 4G signal is poor in that area, but up until somewhat recently used to fallback successfully to at least provide basic functionality.

boosacnoodle

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#3043349 28-Feb-2023 16:53

I would wager that most devices are on 4G these days, with a smaller amount regularly on 5G. With the limited spectrum available, the majority of spectrum I suspect will have been refarmed for 4G/5G now leaving 3G with the absolute bare minimum. It's also worth trying with an iPhone as I have known Vodafone to have issues with the Samsung A* series of phones (Samsung S* series is okay).

Linux

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#3043382 28-Feb-2023 18:08

Most of the VodafoneNZ / One 3G spectrum is getting re-farmed to 4G. 2degrees 3G is very slow as well

The sooner 3G is turned off by all NZ carriers the better

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#3043383 28-Feb-2023 18:11

I have already tried swapping sims - one of their first things to try.

@jjnz1 When staff say get a new SIM card 100% refuse if the handset is registered on the mobile network then it is not SIM card related

What would they say if you advised well I have eSIM?

stick

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#3043392 28-Feb-2023 18:34

boosacnoodle:

It's also worth trying with an iPhone as I have known Vodafone to have issues with the Samsung A* series of phones (Samsung S* series is okay).

OP is on iPhone.

Linux

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#3043394 28-Feb-2023 18:40

It is not handset related

Stu1

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#3043406 28-Feb-2023 19:57

2 degrees is terrible as well cant get internet coverage the whole way on the hutt valley line which is pretty built up

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#3043413 28-Feb-2023 20:46

This is why the carriers need to turn off 3G so 4G power can be turned up to what it should be instead of artificially shrunken 4G coverage footprint

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jjnz1

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#3043419 28-Feb-2023 21:37

Linux:
This is why the carriers need to turn off 3G so 4G power can be turned up to what it should be instead of artificially shrunken 4G coverage footprint

Yeah man - when I used to do mobile coverage testing for the govt, we were pulling 5mbps up and down at -125 on 4G! Crazy compared to what 3G tested at. From memory (and this was years ago) 3G shat the bed at around -109 during our testing.

mdooher

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#3043454 1-Mar-2023 08:32

lxsw20:

Sparks 3G isn't much better. I often travel on Blackhead Road here in Dunedin which is 3G only, zero data access when on 3G, seems to drop calls too.

Anywhere in Mosgiel to the north of Gordan road is the same for Vodafone. They redirected the antenna a few years back to cover East Taieri now we get 1 bar 3G nothing on 4 g

I'd love them to turn off 3g... the complaints would be epic

Matthew

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#3046547 6-Mar-2023 21:39

That’s the thing, the sooner they shut down their 3G network, the sooner they can remove the restrictions/increase power on their 4G - 700mhz band - making coverage and overall speed better

Aucklandjafa

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#3046548 6-Mar-2023 21:41

Spark’s no better with their 3G performance, too. Only thing is that their 4G coverage runs rings around Voda and 2d.

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