Vodafone Sure Signal

[SPalmer99]

James

Can I request an exchange unit as I use this for business and although I can switch to 3G permanently it results in me missing important business calls if I go out and forget to switch back.

As I have stated I have the same behaviour with both my current HTX one X but also the previous Nokia E7. When I contacted Vodafone over a year ago I was told that it was the normal behaviour. The unit was fairly new when I first bought mine and so I dont think there was enough evidence of this being a problem.

I am pleased that there has now been enough instances of this to raise the profile on this problem but I would like to eliminate the sure signal as being the issue rather than it being left to a preceived problem in my case with the HTC.

Whilst I may have been long suffering the advantages of the sure signal outweighed the problems due to the massively variable 2g signal where I live.

However, I am surprised that it appears only when one complains as did lbichard that an exchange is offered.

As a long term quietly suffering customer of the sure signal I would appreciate the same options and service.

Regards

Steve

[Lee]

Hi SPalmer99,

Thanks for your feedback. I can assure you that we're not favouring one customer over another and will quite happily exchange the device for you.

I cannot, however, guarantee that the swap out will cure the issue.

I've sent you a PM which 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.

Cheers,

Lee

[SPalmer99]

Thanks Lee
Am I becoming a grumpy old man ? Ahhh - dont answer that one :-)
Will reply to PM
Cheers
Steve

[SPalmer99]

Have installed replacement Sure Signal and unfortunately the problem still exists. As soon as I dial out or receive a call the phone (HTC One X)  instantly switched to GSM.

I am setting up my sons Galaxy SII to test that and see if it behaves the same and will also add my other sons Iphone 4. Set up the galaxy at 12 o;clock but so far still not being recognised.

Will report back once additional phones able to use sure signal

Steve

[SPalmer99]

Update on new sure signal and HTC One X.

Yesterday as I said previously, I installed the new sure signal box kindly provided by Vodafone and the problem with the HTC One X was the same. I then added two other mobiles to the sure signal an Iphone 4 and Galaxy SII. I added the numbers at around 12:30 pm but at no time during the day or evening could we get either of the new phones to be recognised by the sure signal. As usual I switched off the sure signal late last night.

Today both added mobiles are being recognised AND both the Iphone 4 and Galaxy SII both can dial out and receive calls and at NO TIME DO THEY DROP OUT OF 3G :-)

Now here is the really interesting bit. today, my HTC One X ALSO DOES NOT DROP OUT OF 3G :-)

I will continue to monitor and report if anything changes but at this moment I no longer have the problem of the HTC One X dropping the 3G connection when a call is received or made and I have the phone connection set to GSM/WCDMA Auto.

Regards

Steve

[SPalmer99]

That will teach me to be too optomistic. Just made a call and quality suddenly became awful during conversation and the phone (HTC one X) had switched to GSM.

Tried a number of other calls and immediately the phone is switching to GSM

Tried the Iphone 4 a number of times from exactly the same location and it stayed on 3G every time

Back to having to force the phone to use 3G and hope I remember to switch back when going out

[James]

Hi Spalmer99,

We are currently looking into this issue with a few of our users however, in the meantime please can you try the following to remedy your issue;

Turn WIFI off

Change the network connection settings to WMCDA Only

Please give this a go and let us know how you get on.

Also please can you let us know your new Sure Signal serial number so we can also check the registration for you.

James

[herschelvf]

Hi James

You have been "investigating" this problem for weeks.  As I predicted more and more people are finding their shiny new HTC One X will not work with their Sure Signal box.

The reason I am posting the same message into many threads is because it highlights just how many people are having the same problem, and also the poor response from VF (which seems to be "Wally Reflector" set at maximum power).

Hopefully from the numerous responses you've collected from your more patient customers you should now see it has nothing at all to do with their router, ISP, bandwidth etc.  It's the Sure Signal box + the HTC One X.

Your suggested workaround is a very poor solution.  It not only requires your users to fiddle around with their phone settings every time they're in range of their Sure Signal box, it also forces them to suffer a much poorer user experience as WIFI has to be turnedoff.

I find it hard to believe the technical team can't reproduce the problem.  Haven't you got a Sure Signal box and an HTC One X to experiment with?  You could always pop into your local VF shop to buy one?

I wonder how long it will be until you kick me off the forum for pointing out an incovenient truth?  It's the Sure Signal box + the HTC One X.  It does not work.

[SPalmer99]

Hi James

the sure signal serial is 40121426841.

I am currently having to set the reception to WMCDA and that ensures that it does work correctly with the sure signal. The quality of calls when over the sure signal is excellent.

It is though a pain as I work from home and so go out during the day and miss calls from clients as I forget to set the phone back to GSM/WCDMA. somewhat embarrassing when I get back in range of the sure signal and find an urgent voice message. Not a lot of 3g signal in my area :-(

Steve

[Simon]

Hi SPalmer99

Thanks for your reply. I can understand that the work around is not ideal as you are physically required to change settings on your HTC One X to ensure connection with the Sure Signal. Our devices team are well aware of the issue and are working with the Sure Signal project team and HTC on a continuing investigation.

We don't have any further updates at this stage as to a resolution date or how this will be fixed. However we're aware of all the created threads on the eForum and as soon as we do have any further information we'll be in touch.

Thanks

Simon

[lbichard]

I have tried the new VSS for a couple of weeks and the problem is still happening. It is probably not as bad as it was but nonetheless it does drop, mid call, on to the weak GPRS signal when there is a full 3G signal. When it happens the other handsets seem to have a steady signal

Fix the signal on to 3G only any the problems go away - but then I forget this when I leave the house and I miss calls

Thanks

Leigh

[Simon]

Hi lbichard

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately we still don't have any further updates on the investigation. I appreciate it's been going on for a number of weeks now and we're constantly in touch with the devices teams.

As soon as we have any further updates the relevant threads will be updated.

Thanks

Simon

[dannyboy1121]

Just to add to this .. since getting my sure signal up and running again recently, I've experienced this issue repeatedly.

I start a call (in or out) and after 2-5 minutes the connection to the sure signal (version 1) dies and my phone drops back to the nearest mast. This kills the call.

I checked the unit the last time this happened - Power was n - the @ symbol light was on - no phone connection & the tick light was flashing.

I get the impression that these devices are really sensitive to firewall & NAT & currently my suspicion is that the VSS doesn't play well with my router (Draytek)

[Lee]

Hi dannyboy1121,

Thanks for letting us know about this.

What handset do you have?

Could you switch it to WCDMA/3G mode only to see if this rectifies the issue?

Are other handsets affected?

Can you perform a speedtest the next time a call drops and let me know the results?

Does the issue occur if you switch all other devices that are connected to your router off?

Cheers,

Lee