BR6 - Orpington

[mjh999]

Hopefully someone can give me some pointers to a recent problem I am having with mobile broadband.

I live in Orpington postcode BR6 0TY.

I have been using mobile broadband for years now and normally have no problems.

However, since Friday 7/9/12 I am having a lot of trouble with it. Normally when I connect I get an HSUPA connection and get speeds of 3-5 meg.

However, most of the time now I only see 3G under mobile connections in the VMC software.Sometimes HSUPA will flash up for a few seconds but then it goes back to 3G. If I do a broadband speed test when its connected to 3G then I get a very poor ping time to the server and the download speed is in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 meg. The download will stop for large periods of time and then burst into life again. Then stop, then start again etc. For a few hours a day I can get an HSUPA connection and the speed will go back to 3-5 meg. But then it drops back to 3G with the same speed problems.

I have tried this with 2 different dongles and it makes no difference. The signal strength as shown in VCM and Windows is exactly as it normally has been for the last 2 years.

Is this actually a signal problem. Or maybe there is a fgault with the local mast. ?

If its a signal problem then could someone tell me which mast I am picking up and its location so I can take my laptop in the car and test it out right next to the mast.

Thank you in anticipation.

[Retired-Matt_Vo]

Hi

Please try the steps in our Network Troubleshooting thread.

If you are still experiencing the issue having completed these steps, post the template with your answers here and I'll have a member of the team get back to you ASAP.

Thanks
Matt
Moderator

[mjh999]

Here are the answers as per the template. Not sure why you wanted this as all relevant information was in my original post.

1). Does the issue happen in just one location. If so, how far do you have to travel to regain service ?

No Idea.

2). What is the full postcode of where the issue occurs? If you don't want this showing on the forum, add it to your profile here.

BR6 0TY

3). Does the issue occur if you try your SIM card in a different phone?

This is not a phone problem. Mobile internet. Happens on 2 different dongles with different SIMS.

4). Are there any issues in your area already reported on the Faults Board?

No.

5). Does this issue happen on 2G, 3G or both? To check, go to the Help Centre, select your phone and then select "network".

3G

6). What errors are seen or heard when the issue occurs?

None.

7) When did you first notice this issue?

Friday 11/09

😎 Is the issue permanent or intermitent (If intermitent, are there certain times of the day when it occurs)?

Intermitent at random times.

[mjh999]

And please, before someone tells me that I am borderline 2g/3G I am aware of this. The dongle is taped to a window and I have been getting a good service for the last 2 years.

One other thing. On your coverage map it says that there is good news as there is planned work in next 12 months that will make the service better. It has been saying that for well over a year so is there any actual news regarding that ?

[mjh999]

And please, before someone tells me that I am borderline 2G/3G I am aware of this. The dongle is taped to a window and I have had good recepption and speeds for the llast 2 years.

Also. on the reception map it says there is good news as there is planned work in the next 12 months that will improve the service. It has been saying this for over a year now. Any news if there is going to be an upgrade or not ?

[mjh999]

ANy response please ?

[Retired-Simon]

Hi mjh999

Thanks for your post. Apologies that we've not been able to reach your post earlier. We're only a small team and work posts on a first come first served basis. 

Having checked your postcode are I can see that your serving cell site is 3128 for 2G services. For 3G services, as you're aware you are in what appears to be a blackspot for 3G as you don't have a serving cell site and you're positioned centrally between three sites. I appreciate that you may have received 3G services previously and you're having difficulty now, however this is the only plausible explanation as to why your coverage is so intermittent and varied.

There are planned coverage enhancements in the BR6 area in the next few months, although the planned site that I can see nearest to your location wouldn't impact upon your postcode area as its further away that the ones near to which you're located.

So that we can see what cell site your dongle does connect to I'd like to perform a cell trace to see if you're consistently hitting the same site or if you're consistently connecting and searching between the three sites. I've sent a private message with details of how to contact us directly.

You can find your PM inbox here. If you can't access this link, please ensure that the box next to "Turn on private messages" is ticked on this page, and let us know if you need any further assistance.

Thanks

Simon

[mjh999]

I have clicked the link provided for PM inbox and there is no message there from you. Private messages are turned on.

[Retired-Simon]

Hi mjh999

Thanks for your reply. I've resent the PM across to you. If you've still not received it then please let me know.

Thanks

Simon