Slow Speeds With Usb Dongle

[pinkunpete]

Recently ordered a vodafone USB dongle (apparently up to 7.2mbps) but whilst testing it on my netbook at the postcode NR1 1RE the speedcheck returned downloads of only 0.04mbps and uploads of 0.3mbps.

Obviously this is unacceptable. Can anyone explain why the speeds from the dongle are so slow? It shouldn't take nearly 15 minutes to download flash player (only 1.8mb!)

Advice much appreciated as I need to use it in Yeovil and Exeter in a couple of weeks.

[Retired-MattyD1]

Hi PinkUnPete

Welcome to the eForum and thanks for letting us know you've been having problems with the dongle.

I agree that the speeds you're getting are very slow compared to what you'd normally expect.

I've checked the nearby sites and there doesn't seem to be any problems with the sites.

However, there are other factors that can cause the speed to lower.

This can include the number of other users in the area using the services at the same time, any large constructions blocking the signal, the physical makeup of the building your in can also have an effect.
If you've got a Vodafone phone, you can sometimes 'reboot' the sim with the network by removing it from the usb, inserting it into the phone and making a GPRS connection, then re-inserting it into the dongle.

I've also had a quick look at the Yeovil area, but without a postcode it's hard for me to say if you'll have coverage there or not as there are both good and bad patches.

Here's a link to our coverage maps if you want to check it yourself.

Thanks

MattyD

eForum team

[pinkunpete]

Hi MattyD,

Thanks for your reply. The dongle connection display had 4 bars but they were all red which seems odd for the centre of a major city such as Norwich. Sadly we don't have a vodafone mobile to reboot the sim.

The postcode in Yeovil is BA22 8YF and the postcode in Exeter is EX4 6PX - both are football league grounds.

Many thanks.

[Retired-Andrew_]

Hi PinkUnPete,

Many thanks for your continued support and further information.

First of all I have checked the BA22 8YF area and there is nothing what so ever to suggest you should be expecting BB speeds that you are experiencing at the moment. I have had one of our engineers look at the area on a closer inspection and factors like radio transmitters, nearby structures can all be ruled out. The reception is very good for 1.8mbps speed so I can't see why you should not be achieving a speed similar to the 1.8mbps as suggested.

The EX4 6PX is very much the same, very good reception for the 1.8mbps broadband connection but clearly this is not evident at this moment in time.

In all honesty having looked at the three postcodes in question I believe this is a problem with the hardware itself as numerous sites around the UK are experiencing similar teeth pulling speeds with your BB Modem.

For us to diagnose whether the issue is with the SIM or USB Stick, I suggest you pop down to any Vodafone store where they can give us a definitive answer to where this issue is lying as you do not have access to another Vodafone SIM or handset. If this is a problem, let us know and we will deal with it from here for you.

Let us know how you go on,

Many thanks

Andrew
eForum Team

[jnorwich]

I am also experiencing ridiculously slow connection speeds, for the last week or so especially. My postcode is NR1 1 also. I have had my dongle since last October and it is usually ok (sometimes a little slow, but usually not so bad) but recently it has been completely unnacceptably slow. My sister also lives in the same postcode area, and has been experiencing the same problems.

I know that we have coverage here as it has never been a problem before.

I am getting to the point now where I am getting so frustrated with it - what is the use of paying for a service that I cannot use? It can take in excess of 5 minutes to load a page, instant messaging is out of the question, and trying to stream any kind of movie is completely impossible.

Can you please explain what's going on?

Thanks

[Retired-David_V]

Hi jnorwich,

Firstly I would like to welcome you to the eForum.

I have done some further checks in the area and I can confirm that the site covering your area is working on reduced power at the moment so will not be running at full capacity. The engineers are aware of the issue and we are working on resuming full service as soon as we can.

I would like to thank you for your patience and I can assure you that full service will resume in the near future.

Thanks

David
eForum Team

[heady]

Here's a link to our coverage maps if you want to check it yourself.

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