Extremely Poor Signal

[sammygee]

Hello all, I have recently bought a USB Modem Stick Pro on a 24 month contract. I have to say I am very disappointed with it so far. I previously used a PAYG dongle from Orange, that product was ok I suppose, connection dropped very rarely but in general was quite reliable and fast enough to browse without any problems. However, I thought I'd switch to Vodafone the supposedly better mobile broadband provider, so that i could possibly stream video better or at worst it would just be the same as Orange.

So, I checked the coverage checker for SR4 7SA which is my workplace which is the only place I require mobile broadband (using the term broadband very loosely here!!) and it told me that I would get "very good" 3G & mobile broadband services.

I can tell you that after a few days of using this dongle, it is not "very good" in this area. Regularly i am unable to locate a 3G network and am advised to use GPRS which is like going back in time, it is a truely awful way to use the internet, I never once failed to find the 3G network with Orange.

I have just ran a test and at nearly 4 in the morning I am getting an average download speed of 0.06mbps!!! I mean come on Vodafone i know you say the connection is up to 7.2mbps but at this stage up to 0.72mbps would be a dream.

I would appreaciate it if the vodafone staff on here could have a check of the above post code and explain whats going on? I mean surely I cant be expected to continue with a 24 month contract when I havent really got the service Ive been sold?

Sorry to ramble on im just annoyed!

Thanks for any help :rolleyes:

[Retired-Wayne]

Hi Sammygee and welcome to the eForum

I'm sorry to hear of your negative experience with the signal in your area.

I've just taken a look at the coverage map for your area and although the area is very good for 3G there is a small patch where you live that the signal is a little patchy and so I can see why you are struggling to get signal hear.

Can I ask from which channel you purchased the USB Modem from and how long ago you got it?>

Thanks

Wayne

eForum Team

[sammygee]

Hi Sammygee and welcome to the eForum

I'm sorry to hear of your negative experience with the signal in your area.

I've just taken a look at the coverage map for your area and although the area is very good for 3G there is a small patch where you live that the signal is a little patchy and so I can see why you are struggling to get signal hear.

Can I ask from which channel you purchased the USB Modem from and how long ago you got it?>

Thanks

Wayne

eForum Team

Hi Wayne and thanks for your response.

I bought the USB online direct from vodafone. I received it on 18/11/09.

I know I am over the 7 day return period for this, however I purchased it for use when I'm at work (the post code I gave you above is my work area not where I live) and hav e only just been able to use it there.

My experience with this USB is just getting worse, now I cannot connect at all with it "RAS error code 633". I have actually just reinstalled my lesser quality Orange USB to enable me to respond to you and it is working like a dream, full signal no hassle at all.

Even at my home (SR6 0JQ) where Vodafone tell me my coverage is "excellent" I struggle to get a stable connection and I always only get one bar! Again to compare to the orange USB that gets a full signal and doesnt drop the connection.

To be honest Im already fed up with this USB as it is far too much hassle, please can you advise me how I go about getting the contract cancelled...surely this is possible even though outside of the 7 day policy, as the fact is Im not getting anywhere near the product I was sold?

Thanks for your help

[Retired-Albert_]

Hi sammygee

My network coverage indicators show a perfectly good 3g reception in your street, right across to the Stadium of Light.
Your work postcode (South of the River Tees) , is in an area where the coverage is generally sparse.

If you are having a problem everywhere you go (other than work), then there must be another issue, other than the Network.

RAS error 633 is generated by a port error when trying to use a Mobile Connect card.
There are a number of causes for this, the most common is that another application is attempting to use the modem, this can be checked using the task manager, or re-booting the computer.This is not an error with the modem or sim.

The only sure fire way to get to the bottom of this, is to get it tested in another laptop, where there is a confirmed excellent 3G signal..which is the Vodafone store in Market Square.

Please let me know how you get on.

Albert
eForum team