Vodafone Sure Signal

[johndoe1]

Recently took out an iPhone SIM only tariff with VF and at the same time ordered a SS box as I knew there was no VF 3G at home (only get Edge)

I should have read these forums before ordering really as my ISP is Sky and my D-LINK Sky router was changed over to MER the other week, which apparently wont work with the SS box?

Are VF working on this issue, considering Sky are in the process of changing over all their Broadband users from PPPoA to MER?

[Wayne]

Hi johndoe1 and welcome to the eForum

Thanks for your post here. I appreciate how frustrating this situation must be for you.

Unfortunately the Vodafone Sure Signal does not work with MER connection types. However, we do understand how this will cause issues for everyone one of our customers using Sky so our resident Sure Signal expert George, has sent an email over to our support teams for further clarification.

As soon as we hear back the thread below will be updated

Sure Signal

Thanks

Wayne

eForum Team

[nelincsmale]

It would appear that i am one of many users experiencing this problem and frustrated with the fact that i bought this item from vodafone and switched to vodafone in order to resolve the signal problem in the area. It now seems i have wasted my time and money by moving to vodafone surely the sure signal should work on any broadband network? or better still improve the signals around the country so the end user doesn't have to pay twice?

Please could the moderator update as to what the outcome is and whether its just tough luck?

[Dave]

Hi guys,

As mentioned, the Sure Signal team have been made aware of this issue.

They have confirmed that they are investigating the situation to find where the issue lies and are hoping to have this resolved as quickly as possible.

Dave

eForum Team

[stealth666]

hope this is sorted soon.. i recieved my suresignal box today and wondered why i couldnt get it working.  I have a sky MER connection and am a little annoyed its not working, and dissapointed that if it wont ever work anytime soon, ive just thrown £50 down the drain.. i sure hope youll be offering refunds if not

[Marcshenken]

can you please provide a timeframe for resolving this issue or at the least to providing an update as to where you are with it.

I (and a few others) first alerted VF to the issue 2 weeks ago (http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Vodafone-Sure-Signal/Sure-Signal-Flashing-Steady-Power-Light-No-Other...)

I think given the length of time that has passed, the sheer volum of users affected and the volumous amount of posts on the web regarding this, the communication by VF has been exceedingly poor.

Whilst its not acceptable that SS does not work on Sky BB, this is compunded by the lack of communciation from VF.  Expectations.should at least be managed by explaining when another update will be given - even if that update is that they are still "investigating", 

Remember your customers are paying monthly charges for a service that they probably cant use as the chances are they bought a SS because reception is so poor in their home.

Communication is key here, guys, and thus far I do not think what we have experienced cuts the mustard......

[fuzzylogic]

Might I suggest checking if you IP address starts 2.

Once switched to MER on Sky broadband, the IP address you are alllocated when you connect is likely to be from the recently allocated to Sky 2.xxx.xxx.xxx  range. I think that might be more likely to be the issue than the protocol Sky use,  your actual traffic to the internet is still using IP after all.  

Some Sky and Orange Broadband customers that have IP addresses in the 2.xxx.xxx.xxx range seem to have been having problems accessing  a few web sites.  https://paymonthly.tescomobile.com was one example.

I also see one or two non-sky Sure signal users with IP addresses starting 2. also have issues:- http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Vodafone-Sure-Signal/Suresignal-and-Orange-Broadband/m-p/723489/messa...   

[Marcshenken]

Yes it does begin with a 2;

2.216.xxx.xxx

This is not within the range tha was apparently "fixed" for orange bb customers. VF can you see if a similar fix might work for sky bb?

[hvdv]

Ditto: 2.218.xxx.xxx

Would be great if George/vf support team can confirm whether these new sky ip addresses are on their whitelist.

[hvdv]

Just to confirm, I downgraded my Sky router using the Sky CD-ROM provided when I received the router to SKY_1.07. As a result I am now connected through PPPoA, with an IP address 94.4.XXX.XXX. within 30 minutes, my VSS came to life.

Of course, that doesnt help anyone in determining whether MER per se or the IP address is the problem, but at least it is clear that the box does work. Great to have cell phone coverage at home for a change, I am sure Sky will update my router soon enough for me to lose it again.... so pls vodafone quickly find out why your device is the only one service that doesnt survive the changeover to MER/ IP address in the range 2.218.XXX.XXX and fix it!

[stealth666]

yes it does begin with a 2 like the others... 2.221

[fuzzylogic]

Looks like Sky have at least two IP address blocks starting 2. allocated to them:- 

2.120.0.0 - 2.127.255.255 http://whois.domaintools.com/2.127.253.255

2.216.0.0 - 2.223.255.255 http://whois.domaintools.com/2.223.255.255

[hvdv]

further datapoint: my Sky router now upgraded again to SKY_2.04, with MER and an IP address 2.125.xxx.xxx. The vodafone device is still working for now. IF there is something that relates to MER or the 2. range of IP addresses, it is only impacting the initial start-up andnot the normal operation. If I feel brave at some point I will try to reset the VSS and see if it continues to work. Now I am just going to enjoy my self provided 3G coverage. 

[fuzzylogic]

Your previous adddress was 2.218 so it is probably only Sky IP addresses in the 2.216.0.0 - 2.223.255.255 block that are currently  being blocked.

[stealth666]

any updates on this yet vodafone? ive read the thread about orange and the similar issue before and i hope were not going to have to wait a couple of months just to open up some ip ranges as it seems this is a very similar situation... i want a signal at home, as im sure do others here

[TRIXIE74]

Hi there, I'm having the same problem here!! I'm not expert on these IT matters but can just about get by.

I have just signed up to Sky broadband and have got a Segamcom Fast2304 router which uses MER!! However my IP Address begins with 90.xxx.xxx.x. So having forwarded all the correct ports for the VSS to operate I am starting to think it must be the MER issue!!

Having just moved to an area with really bad reception, to the point where I can't use my phone, I was hoping the VSS (provided for free) would solve my issues. At the moment I am gonna have to look at ending my contact over these issues!!

Come on Vodafone sort this problem out, I look forward to hearing a prompt reply......

[hvdv]

fuzzylogic - if you are right then the temporary fix for Sky customers is to do what I did and downgrade hoping the upgrade will bring you  in the good range... until Vodafone fixes the problem. (or until another provider offers 3G coverage in your home ) 

[fab]

Same issue here with Sky and the upgrade has killed my SS box!

I have spoken to tech support at Vodafone and they were USELESS did not have a clue.

Do you guys not communicate? I also have customer services emailing me asking me to do command prompts.. whats the point we know what the issue is.

I love this quote from "TECH SUPPORT"... "please unplug your router... now please try the internet on a laptop" my reply "there is no internet my router is unplugged" the woman at the other end could not understand this... should she really be working in tech support?

When is this going to be fixed? Can we cancel our contracts on the basis you are no longer providing a service?

Has anyone contacted watchdog for some back up so Vodafone work faster?

[Nabs]

@fab

In all fairness Vodafone havn't done anything wrong here, it's sky we have to blame.

I'm sure Vodafone will be working as hard as they can to resolve this as soon as possible. Considering the number of subscribers sky broadband have i thinbk it would be safe to assume hundered if not thousands of SS users will be affected by this.

I do have to be honest the standard over the phone tech support is pretty useless, you will find these forums much more usefull.

[hvdv]

@Nabs - how do you know that Voda is not to blame?

If after the M25 works are completed your car suddenly wont drive over it anymore - but all other vehicles are doing just fine would you blame the roads authority or would you wonder why your car is so picky? Unless Vodafone offers an explanation on why their unit specifically doesnt work with Sky and it's Sky's fault - I would always assume its Voda's fault.