3 Broadband Users! Try This To Improve Service

johnplayerblue

Spent quiet a bit on the phone with a guy at 3 with regards to various issues im having with 3s bb, main issue been speed. He was very helpfull and after the usual sorry i can't really do much cos of the weather, amount of users etc etc he advised me to do a sim wipe.

This is quiet simple, take out your sim clean the gold strips with lint free cloth replace back into modem, start your software. Now the first few times i did this i got a sim/usim error. If you are not using the usb cables that came with the modem, like me, try pluging the double powered usb cable into the modem and this will correct the sim error.

My signal went from 1 3G bar to 2 HSDPA bars and 5 different speedtests gave various but better readings. This one been the slowesr of the 5. Prvious threads will show i was geting 55KB/ with a best in the 90s

thebman

I'll ring my da to ask him to try this with his. Thanks for posting this as we aren't getting great speeds. Our best was like your previous of 55KB/s.

watty

Mwahaha..
Same as the old Sky routine: Take out your viewing card and wipe it.

It's called the Placebo effect and if you are unlucky you can damage the sim/viewing card with static.

The double cables are for old USB sockets such as some laptops that are USB 1.1, it lets the card draw more current.

johnplayerblue

watty wrote:

Mwahaha..
Same as the old Sky routine: Take out your viewing card and wipe it.

It's called the Placebo effect and if you are unlucky you can damage the sim/viewing card with static.

The double cables are for old USB sockets such as some laptops that are USB 1.1, it lets the card draw more current.

ye ye i know. been there more than once with sky. Did it once for them about ten yrs ago and always went along with them after that, but the numbers don't lie in this case? Or do they

philstar

try it between 8-9 this evening when usage would be at its highest

Cabaal

watty wrote:

Mwahaha..
Same as the old Sky routine: Take out your viewing card and wipe it.

It's called the Placebo effect and if you are unlucky you can damage the sim/viewing card with static.

lol, indeed it is
You know if your getting a bad reception on your tv, if you stand on one leg it'll improve things too

philstar

its gone to pot again this evening as i type this.....hope its because they're working on the network trying to improve things, like a message in another thread mentioned.

johnplayerblue

Cabaal wrote:

lol, indeed it is
You know if your getting a bad reception on your tv, if you stand on one leg it'll improve things too

:eek:

C:\Documents and Settings\asusmobo>ping boards.ie

Pinging boards.ie [89.234.66.107] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 89.234.66.107: bytes=32 time=1080ms TTL=52
Reply from 89.234.66.107: bytes=32 time=1304ms TTL=52
Reply from 89.234.66.107: bytes=32 time=1923ms TTL=52
Reply from 89.234.66.107: bytes=32 time=1319ms TTL=52

Ping statistics for 89.234.66.107:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 1080ms, Maximum = 1923ms, Average = 1406ms

long_b

C:\Documents and Settings\Cliodhna>ping boards.ie

Pinging boards.ie [89.234.66.107] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 89.234.66.107: bytes=32 time=2976ms TTL=52
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.


Followed by a series of 619 errors.

Ah the joys ...

johnplayerblue

long_b wrote:

C:\Documents and Settings\Cliodhna>ping boards.ie

Pinging boards.ie [89.234.66.107] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 89.234.66.107: bytes=32 time=2976ms TTL=52
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.


Followed by a series of 619 errors.

Ah the joys ...

Have to say this is THE very worst experince i have ever had with a bb connection, man i can't wait till morning cos some poor sucker is really gona get it at 3. Don't care if he/she is just a pleb doing there job cos this **** is ****ed up. For 3 hrs every night 3 becomes 619.

djmarkus

Wow im glad i went with the vodafone 3G package now!
PING ww.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=1 ttl=46 time=202 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=2 ttl=46 time=162 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=3 ttl=46 time=251 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=4 ttl=46 time=160 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=5 ttl=46 time=158 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=6 ttl=46 time=157 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=7 ttl=46 time=166 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=8 ttl=46 time=146 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=9 ttl=46 time=155 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=10 ttl=46 time=134 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=11 ttl=46 time=153 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=12 ttl=46 time=151 ms

--- ww.jolt.co.uk ping statistics ---
12 packets transmitted, 12 received, 0% packet loss, time 11009ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 134.015/166.686/251.124/29.777 ms

thebman

I guess cleaning it doesn't work then

Its a pity, it can't use the two USB's on USB2.0 to get a power boost or something to get a better signal. Oh well, what can you do only wait for someone to come up with a way to attach a booster to it.

thebman

djmarkus wrote:

Wow im glad i went with the vodafone 3G package now!
PING ww.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=1 ttl=46 time=202 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=2 ttl=46 time=162 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=3 ttl=46 time=251 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=4 ttl=46 time=160 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=5 ttl=46 time=158 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=6 ttl=46 time=157 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=7 ttl=46 time=166 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=8 ttl=46 time=146 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=9 ttl=46 time=155 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=10 ttl=46 time=134 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=11 ttl=46 time=153 ms
64 bytes from webhost.jolt.co.uk (195.149.21.9): icmp_seq=12 ttl=46 time=151 ms

--- ww.jolt.co.uk ping statistics ---
12 packets transmitted, 12 received, 0% packet loss, time 11009ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 134.015/166.686/251.124/29.777 ms

Its all dependant on location and how many other users are in your area I guess because we get similar pings to you with 3 in Offaly. There is a wireless operator in the area so I guess most people are with them which means we get a half-decent service with 3. Just looking for something faster than dial up for my parents TBH, not broadband.

Onikage

So blowing on faulty NES cartridges was NOT what fixed them? :eek:

Another childhood memory down the drain.

johnplayerblue

brim4brim wrote:

I guess cleaning it doesn't work then

Its a pity, it can't use the two USB's on USB2.0 to get a power boost or something to get a better signal. Oh well, what can you do only wait for someone to come up with a way to attach a booster to it.

Booster my hole. I have a 5 bar hsdpa signal for christ sake.

philstar

i'm not techno savvy....so can someone please tell me (in laymans english) what this "ping" business is all about??

and how do i go about checking it and what should i be looking for..

johnplayerblue

philstar wrote:

i'm not techno savvy....so can someone please tell me (in laymans english) what this "ping" business is all about??

and how do i go about checking it and what should i be looking for..

Open a dos window. Go to start/run and type cmd and hit enter. A dialog /dos window should open, in that dos window type this "ping boards.ie"
minus the quotes. What your looking for is time= The lower that number the better your speed should in theory be

philstar

ok..seeing that 3 is "advertised" 3.6mbs bb....what time should i be expecting??

johnplayerblue

philstar wrote:

ok..seeing that 3 is "advertised" 3.6mbs bb....what time should i be expecting??

A great big kick in the stones

Irish Wolf

I've been having some problems trying to connect lately - takes maybe 5 or 6 connection failed messages before I get connected properly. But once its connected it's pretty good..

Pinging boards.ie [89.234.66.107] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 89.234.66.107: bytes=32 time=170ms TTL=52
Reply from 89.234.66.107: bytes=32 time=167ms TTL=52
Reply from 89.234.66.107: bytes=32 time=175ms TTL=52
Reply from 89.234.66.107: bytes=32 time=173ms TTL=52

Ping statistics for 89.234.66.107:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 167ms, Maximum = 175ms, Average = 171ms

thebman

The ping only tells you how long it takes to contact a server. It is an indication of speed in that it is how long it takes to contact the server but it isn't how fast your downloads etc.. go so it has no relation to the 3.6Mbps. Basically they don't advertise what ping times you should get on broadband services because most people don't know what they are and broadband companies don't want to tell them because people will expect good ping times if they do.

Anything under 200ms is good for this type of technology I think. Its HSDPA so its weak points are latency (ping times) and upload speed.

I rang my father today to see what his speeds were like. I was getting 200ms pings over the weekend when we first got it but only got speeds of 20-50KB/s. He is now getting the full 3.7Mbps or whatever which is great. He doesn't get it all the time though and he had problems connecting in the afternoon but he's retired so he checks his email during the day anyway so overall he's very happy with it.

I'm hoping it stays at least this good or they improve over time. A lot of people will use mobile broadband over DSL if they can keep a good service going instead of going down the quick buck, scam the people route. I hope they realise the potential market they can get with broadband you can use almost anywhere if users can actually depend on it.

Irish Wolf

Yup - but if people are getting a 2 or 3 second ping then they are obviously in a very saturated area. I'm lucky enough that i'm living in a relatively low density area.

IIRC 3 were offering a 90 money back guarantee with this product if you were unhappy with it - so maybe this is an option for unsatisfied customers..

philstar

Irish Wolf wrote:

IIRC 3 were offering a 90 money back guarantee with this product if you were unhappy with it

IIRC who they??

Marlow

philstar wrote:

ok..seeing that 3 is "advertised" 3.6mbs bb....what time should i be expecting??

From the 3 website:
Average download speeds depend on local conditions, your laptop specs, and network usage. Up to 3.6 Mbps is available on the 3 HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) network which is currently 85% population coverage.

I can't see, where it says 3.6 Mbps broadband. All I see is UP TO 3.6 Mbps, which means anything less than 3.6 Mbps. You get, what you buy.

/Martin

Bard

Irish Wolf wrote:

IIRC 3 were offering a 90 money back guarantee with this product if you were unhappy with it - so maybe this is an option for unsatisfied customers..

No, 3 offer a fourteen day money back guarantee. Two weeks is more than enough to know if you're not happy with the broadband or if you can't get a signal. You can't get your money back after 90 days.

thebman

I checked with my father last night and he had an outage between 5 & 7. When he wasn't having problems, he got the full 3.6Mbps and had no problems with getting coverage.

BadCharlie

I have left my compture on for the past 3days as i got a good connection and am not willing to turn off my connection. Playing WoW for hours on end at night time now and dl speed is all right. Better then ISDN anyways.

I also ran a check on my Telephone line again yesterday and it says suitable for ADSL now. Just wondering if i should bring back the 3G as im still within the 14day trail and just sign up for ADSL.

The only thing that is keeping me with 3bb now is that its cheap at 20 a month. For the first year if u work it out it does cost 30 a month which u have to stay with them after the 14days.

watty

ADSL far superior to HSDPA. Unless you really need mobile. A 1Mbps adsl package will have a higher cap and typically as 3G/HSDPA service is taken up, will be 5 to 10 times faster. The ping on aDSL is about 4 times better. VOIP is MUCH better.

Also you ALWAYS get a connection with ADSL. It's always on. 3G/HSDPA is essentially dialup wireless. If the Sector is "full" you don't get any connection. By next year this may be a common complaint on 3/o2/vodaphone

Xcellor

Bard wrote:

No, 3 offer a fourteen day money back guarantee. Two weeks is more than enough to know if you're not happy with the broadband or if you can't get a signal. You can't get your money back after 90 days.

I'd disagree with this since the nature of the services is so uncertain. i.e. it rains and you will lose connection. If someone apparently builds something nearby it might affect it. I have had it over 14 days now and the service seems to have got gradually worse. I could get 1-2 bars before now Í'm lucky even to get connected...

Oh yeah, and I am in an excellent coverage area...:eek:

If the service deteriorates to the point at which it is more off than on can I make claim that the service is not fit for purpose or as advertised since it's covered on the map but yet so flaky?

delllat

Xcellor wrote:

I'd disagree with this since the nature of the services is so uncertain. i.e. it rains and you will lose connection. If someone apparently builds something nearby it might affect it. I have had it over 14 days now and the service seems to have got gradually worse. I could get 1-2 bars before now Í'm lucky even to get connected...

Oh yeah, and I am in an excellent coverage area...:eek:

If the service deteriorates to the point at which it is more off than on can I make claim that the service is not fit for purpose or as advertised since it's covered on the map but yet so flaky?

of course u can,european law clearly states that all goods must be fit for the purpose and if their product is not as advertised u can exit your contract,threaten them with comreg and legal action if it stops working,anyway,who would continue to pay for a product thats no longer working?

philstar

delllat wrote:

anyway,who would continue to pay for a product thats no longer working?

the irish

delllat

philstar wrote:

the irish

good point! us irish have been takin it in the ass so long now we started to enjoy it

Cabaal

Bard wrote:

No, 3 offer a fourteen day money back guarantee. Two weeks is more than enough to know if you're not happy with the broadband or if you can't get a signal. You can't get your money back after 90 days.

I agree, 14 days is more then enough to test equipment and test signal strength in the given location, I believe Three are being more then fair offering this.

Curious do Vodafone offer anything similar with their "broadband" offering?

Sponge Bob

The reason I recommend 3 is BECAUSE of the 14 day deal. If you find yourself on a quiet sector of a quiet mast its a good service. If you are in a busy area it can be awful.

14 days should tell you what the story is ...and thats not to say it cannot go to hell during the other 11.5 months of the contract mind.

I view it as essentially like Ripwave, a cheap dialup substitute with no line rental or limitation on connection time. Reliable BB it generally is not .

Badcharlie, you will most likely have min 100ms pings on ADSL if you just passed under the new dsl pass rules . Your line will be 80-100db atten on the downstream and is probably between 4 and 5 miles long . ADSL is wheezy at those distances.

kaizersoze

Cabaal wrote:

I agree, 14 days is more then enough to test equipment and test signal strength in the given location, I believe Three are being more then fair offering this.

Curious do Vodafone offer anything similar with their "broadband" offering?

Aye they do. 14 day no quibble money back guarantee.

delllat

might give vodafone a 14day test drive as well,its a pity if they still have the caps at 3gig in this day and age

johnplayerblue

delllat wrote:

might give vodafone a 14day test drive as well,its a pity if they still have the caps at 3gig in this day and age

Ye same here. I can't see them leaving it at 3gigs. but then will they change the traffic but only for new customers?

delllat

update-vodafone 3g
Sign up today to get over 50% off the 3G Broadband Modem - Buy for €48.76 until 31st of July 2007.

Monthly Fee Modem price Monthly download limit Out of Bundle Charge
€33.05 €48.76 5GB €0.10 per MB

Prices are quoted Ex Vat. Excludes roaming. Terms & Conditions
pity its still 1.4 max speed

watty

Will 3 sell me just a SIM?

johnplayerblue

watty wrote:

Will 3 sell me just a SIM?

Good question. The guy i spoke with from 3 said that if i had any more serious issues i could always go and get me sim changed, so working from that logic i can't see why not sell you Another/New sim. Try ringing customer services first & save a trip.

BadCharlie

My 3bb Download speeds and upload speeds are so bad im not going to show them. But i do get a good ping now when playing WoW so i don't care .

Also do u like the way it tells you the distance from dublin is 300miles. Class