Mobile Broadband

[mjh999]

I wonder if someone could help me with a problem I am having with my mobile internet.

First a bit of background:-

I have been using Vodafond mobile internet for 2 years now. When I first started using it I was getting a rather poor signal
(0 or 1 bars). I could still get onto the internet using 3G or 3G+ and was getting speeds of about 600-800K. Then, about 6
months ago my signal strength got better (solid 1 bar) and I could get HSUPA at speeds of 1-2Mbps. Just recently my signal has
improved to a solid 3 bars and I now get really fast 5-6Mbps.

However I have 2 problems.

1) At random times the dongle will lose connection to my pc (as if you had unplugged it). I hear the "do-wah"  from windows as
it is lost and then again when it is found again.
2) At random times even though VMC Lite is still showing a connection I can't actually do anything and my wireless network
connection is showing "no internet access". There is no pattern to this happening. I have stayed connected for up to 30 hours with no problems and yet sometimes it will do this twice in an hour. The only way to resolve the problem is to unplug and reinsert the dongle and start VMC Lite again.

My postcode is BR60TY use a brand new PC with Windows 7. According to the reception map I get variable speed but I am only 20
feet from "pink" high speed access. As I am getting 5-6Mbps with 3 bar strength I don't see signal strength as being the problem.

I am still using the VMC Lite that came with the dongle as I had problems with later versions (specifically getting later versions
to show how my usage - very important when you have a monthly limit).
 
Do I need to update VMC Lite ? Do I need a new dongle/sim card (both are 2 years old).

I should perhaps also point out that I had lost a 3G signal completely for a week and it only came back 2 days ago. During that time
I could only pick up EDGE/GPRS. However, a lot of the time I tried do do a connect from VMC Lite then the dongle would either lose
connection as in point 1 above or would say connected but wireless network connection said "unknown network" rather than "Vodafone UK".

After no 3G signal for 5 days I went to the Vodafone shop in Bromley and the guy there said that work was being carried out in the
Bromley area to improve reception etc and this was probably what was causing the problem. I live in  Orpington so I don't know if I am in his "Bromley area". Don't know if work was being carried out or not but 3G came 2 days ago and as I say my speeds are really good (in fact just this second done a test and am getting 4.73Mpbs download and 1.45Mbps upload).

One final point - on the reception map if I click on the "see your future coverage" it says "great news - planned maintenance in the
next year means that your recption will improve" - ie I will be in the "pink" hi-speed area (rather than 20 feet away from it). It's
been saying about this planned maintenance for at least 8 month. Any idea of a timescale here. Not that it really matters because as I say I am getting really good speeds anyway.

Sorry for this very long post and I hope someone can help here.

[Lee]

Hey mjh999,

Thanks for your post. There's no need to worry about the length; information is power!

Have you been able to try the dongle in an alternative machine, just to see if the issue persists?

Looking at the age of the dongle and SIM, it could very well be that the SIM is faulty. Does it drop connection if you try it in another device, such as a handset?

Could you tell me if the issue persists if you use a DUN (Dial Up Network) connection? Also, does the issue persist if you upgrade the connection software to 10.2.302?

I've sent you a PM in the event the SIM is faulty or you wish to discuss an upgrade to your equipment with the team. The PM can be accessed here. If you could follow the instructions in the PM and send us your details one of the team will be with you as soon as they can.

If you prefer, you can pick up a SIM in your local store for a speedy resolution since posting a SIM can take 3-5 working days 

Cheers,

Lee

[mjh999]

Thank you for the response.

I had the same problem on my previous PC and as my current one is only 1 month old its not a PC problem. When I diagnose the network when the connection is lost it says:-

Your computer appears to be correctly configured, but the device or resource (DNS server) is not responding

I have also just had a disconnect which said something like (can't remember the exact message)

WIndows cannot communicate with the device

This very much seems like a dongle problem to me. How would I try the SIM In a handset ? I don't have a VF mobile. If I place it in my Orange mobile will it work and how would a phone call be charged ? Also, as sometimes the connection can stay OK for 20 hours if I tried in a handset and everything was OK then what would that proove - I can't make an indefinate phone call just to see if it fails.

I have no idea how to use a DUN connection.

[DaveCD]

Hi mjh999

Thank you for your post and the additional information.

If you have followed the advice from Lee above then it sounds as though it may be the dongle.

If your Orange device is unlocked then you will be able to see if the SIM picks up signal otherwise you could take this into a store so they can check this for you in a device.

The SIM is configured differently for mobile broadband so a call cannot be made however if the SIM is the cause then an error message will appear on screen or it will not be picked up on the device.

If you follow the PM sent by Lee we will be able to look at what options we have available.

Many Thanks

DaveCD

eForum Team