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Loss Of Signal On Mobile Broadband

billh
4: Newbie
Hi I have been using a USB mobile broadband connection for a few months and have always managed to get a 3G signal (although a poor one it has been stable and consistent). Today I have been getting a 'no signal' indication and, although I still seem to be able to connect on 3 G the speed seems a lot slower. It is definitely 3G, not GPRS. Has anyone got any idea what the problem might be?
Thanks Billh
4 REPLIES 4

Retired-Daz_V
Moderator (Retired)
Moderator (Retired)
Hey Billh!

Intruiging :huh:

It could be that we're having a transmitter problem, but can I ask a few things first?

- What colour is your Mobile Broadband's light? Turqouise, red, green, blue...? Has the light changed colour to reflect the slower speed (eg: turquoise to blue)?

- Does speed improve in other rooms or immediately outside of your home location?

- Can you try popping to 2G only on your VMC / VMC Lite, then back to 3G? This might help 'jog' the network into re-establishing connection


I've checked your postcode location and all seems normal, apart from variable 3G signal strength (which is the norm in your area). If you can provide some info as requested above, I'm confident we'll get to the bottom of this!

Don't forget to sign up for My Account and take advantage of all our services that will save you time and money calling 191 - want online billing? Well now you can!


Daz

eForum Team

PS... If you have a spare minute, and don't mind giving me some feedback as to how I've helped you today, it's much appreciated!

techmind
4: Newbie
I have found that I can sometimes get a connection in a weak-signal area with 0 or 1 bars, at 600-700kbps. If you've got a weak but stable signal, I think there can still be a tiny useable "something" even when the signal-strength "bars" show nothing <_<

billh
4: Newbie
Hi again the LED on the USB dongle is showing blue a before and I have tried going to GPRS and then back to 3G, it doesn't make a difference. As you can see I am still getting a connection even though the VMC window shows no signal, it is still slower than before though

Billh

Retired-Jon_V
Moderator (Retired)
Moderator (Retired)
Hi again the LED on the USB dongle is showing blue a before and I have tried going to GPRS and then back to 3G, it doesn't make a difference. As you can see I am still getting a connection even though the VMC window shows no signal, it is still slower than before though

Billh

Hi Bill,

I'm afraid from your description, this is likely to be a simple coverage issue which we'll not be able to rectify for you.
Since your area only has low 3G signal at best, it is normal for these coverage areas to shrink and expand depending on how many people closer to the mast are connected to it at any given time.

If there have been a lot of new Vodafone subscribers joining us in these areas, the coverage may have shrunk beyond the point at which you can get a stable connection - which for 3G, is at three bars of signal. Anything below this will cause the connection to drop in and out, which will affect your speeds quite badly.

I would recommend that in order to maintain a stable connection, you switch down to 2G during these times, and only use 3G when there is enough signal to support it.

I hope this helps :)

Jon

eForum Team