Tesco Mobile 3g - Anyone having Problems

SitUbuSit · 27-10-2011 11:08AM

Hi Paul,

I currently have an iPhone 3GS on O2. I've been out of contract since July 2010 and O2 are now offering me any decent offer to stay with them, so am thus thinking of making the switch to Tesco Mobile.

As Tesco piggybacks on the O2 network, can you tell me if I'll notice any difference in service if I move.

For example, I've heard that data transfer speeds will not be the same as the Tesco speed is limited? Is this true? Are there any situations where I will not receive the same service (3G, HSDPA etc) as currently on O2.

Can you advise?

Thanks

nephster · 27-10-2011 12:11PM

seamuscarey wrote: »

As Tesco piggybacks on the O2 network, can you tell me if I'll notice any difference in service if I move.

For example, I've heard that data transfer speeds will not be the same as the Tesco speed is limited? Is this true? Are there any situations where I will not receive the same service (3G, HSDPA etc) as currently on O2.

Can you advise?

Thanks

I'm also interested in knowing this, I've come to love HSDPA over plain ol' 3G... that would decide whether I move from O2 or not!

Bob24 · 27-10-2011 01:03PM

nephster wrote: »

I'm also interested in knowing this, I've come to love HSDPA over plain ol' 3G... that would decide whether I move from O2 or not!

I am staying with Tesco as the international rates can't be beaten and I do call a lot internationally, but as far as data is concerned ... the service is not great, far from HSPDA and I would say it also is slower than a good basic 3G service.

Basically expect between 200-500 kbps download speeds depending on the location, and pretty slow upload speed (100kbps max). Bad ping as well.

I actually don't mind the speed too much for what I do on my phone, the most annoying part is that there seem to be pretty aggressive bandwith throttling going on which is implemented in a nasty way. Basically if you do a bandwidth test, you will see the transfer speed going up and down constantly, and sometimes staying at 0 for a few seconds (this especially happens when uploading data). The consequence is that you can forget about applications which are sensitive to network delays. For example if you use Skype you will find out that the other party can only hear you half the time as your upstream data is being blocked, and watching Youtube videos is sometimes OK, but often not as it will play for a while and then stop.

In spite of the very good prices, I'm considering moving to another network because of that. Paul, would you know if there are any plans to remove these limitations?

Bob24 · 27-10-2011 01:18PM

Here is a screenshot of a bandwidth test (done just now, 2pm in Grand Canal Docks, Dublin). If I do a few tests the results are similar.

You can see what I was mentioning about the transfer speed going up and down constantly. Especially for the upload part (bottom right of the screenshot), it always does the same: gives 1MBps for half a second, then nothing at all for 5 seconds, then it resumes at a fairly slow speed ... and based on what I can see when trying to use Skype, the pattern is then repeated.

nephster · 27-10-2011 02:43PM

Thanks a mill Bob24, I'm afraid this is looking a lot less attractive now

Bob24 · 27-10-2011 03:19PM

nephster wrote: »

Thanks a mill Bob24, I'm afraid this is looking a lot less attractive now

No worries. It really is a shame, for voice service it has been working fine for me and the prices are great. But smartphone users need to know the data service is only ok for basic usage.

Paul, sorry I know you guys are listening to customers, but this one is annoying and really needs to be fixed :-) (actually I would gladly pay 50% more for my data bundle if I knew it was unthrottled.

Tesco Mobile: Paul · 28-10-2011 07:17AM

Hi Guys

AS mentioned before our data service is capped at 1.2mbps. This is still HSDPA speeds but obviously not at the higher end.

There is no upload throttling going on outside of the overall speed cap. I need to check why speedtest shows variable upload speed results. In fact we have equivalent upload and download speed settings so it should be the same.

We plan to have remove the data speed cap next year through some major upgrade work planned.

I have to say as a very heavy data user myself I find our current data service very usable for smartphone usage and i also use it regularly for tethering for work. I get real speeds of 500-800kbps usually.

regards
Paul

Elessar · 28-10-2011 09:42AM

Any sign of Tesco mobile getting the iPhone 4s Paul?

Tesco Mobile: Paul · 28-10-2011 09:45AM

Elessar wrote: »

Any sign of Tesco mobile getting the iPhone 4s Paul?

Hi Elessar,

No news yet on this Im sorry to say.

regards
Paul

ubuntulinux · 28-10-2011 01:55PM

With the speed increase next year Paul,will Tesco be launching a Mobile Broadband product.

Tesco Mobile: Paul · 28-10-2011 02:11PM

ubuntulinux wrote: »

With the speed increase next year Paul,will Tesco be launching a Mobile Broadband product.

Thats the plan currently..

dhaumi · 15-11-2011 03:00PM

Tesco Mobile: Paul wrote: »

Hi Guys

AS mentioned before our data service is capped at 1.2mbps. This is still HSDPA speeds but obviously not at the higher end.

There is no upload throttling going on outside of the overall speed cap. I need to check why speedtest shows variable upload speed results. In fact we have equivalent upload and download speed settings so it should be the same.

We plan to have remove the data speed cap next year through some major upgrade work planned.

I have to say as a very heavy data user myself I find our current data service very usable for smartphone usage and i also use it regularly for tethering for work. I get real speeds of 500-800kbps usually.

regards
Paul

Hi Paul,

I just tried to set up my iPhone as a personal Hot spot. I get the "To enable personal hot spot on this account, contact Carrier" message.
Is there any restrictions?
I'm on PAYG, got a 30-day data plan...
Thanks for your help!

Tesco Mobile: Paul · 15-11-2011 03:50PM

dhaumi wrote: »

Hi Paul,

I just tried to set up my iPhone as a personal Hot spot. I get the "To enable personal hot spot on this account, contact Carrier" message.
Is there any restrictions?
I'm on PAYG, got a 30-day data plan...
Thanks for your help!

Hi there

What is your device? We have no carrier restrictions on tethering. Is it a tesco Mobile phone? Maybe you have a software variant linked to another network?

regards
Paul

Tesco Mobile: Paul · 15-11-2011 04:16PM

Tesco Mobile: Paul wrote: »

Hi there

What is your device? We have no carrier restrictions on tethering. Is it a tesco Mobile phone? Maybe you have a software variant linked to another network?

regards
Paul

Sorry missed that you said iPhone. Looks like you may need to do a software update now that you are unlocked.

regards
Paul

dhaumi · 15-11-2011 04:25PM

I've got an iPhone, I used the iPhone Configuration Utility mentioned earlier in the thread along with the APN...
It works fine without using the tethering but it would be really handy.

Thanks for your prompt answers!

dhaumi · 15-11-2011 04:26PM

Tesco Mobile: Paul wrote: »

Sorry missed that you said iPhone. Looks like you may need to do a software update now that you are unlocked.

regards
Paul

Well, I bought it unlocked and it's already on iOS5...unless there'ssome incompatibillity I'm not aware of, I can't see why it doesn't work.

Tesco Mobile: Paul · 15-11-2011 05:34PM

dhaumi wrote: »

I've got an iPhone, I used the iPhone Configuration Utility mentioned earlier in the thread along with the APN...
It works fine without using the tethering but it would be really handy.

Thanks for your prompt answers!

You dont need to do any of that anymore with the Config utility. That was when we had a a proxy in place.

You only need the apn tescomobile.liffeytelecom.com

Put the same apn in the tethering section and all should be fine.

regards
Paul

dhaumi · 16-11-2011 10:47AM

Tesco Mobile: Paul wrote: »

You dont need to do any of that anymore with the Config utility. That was when we had a a proxy in place.

You only need the apn tescomobile.liffeytelecom.com

Put the same apn in the tethering section and all should be fine.

regards
Paul

Thanks Paul. Everything is working fine now! It worked pretty much without me doing anything. I had filled in the tethering section with the APN.
I'm gonna try the tethering a bit more tonight, I usually have very decent speed when surfing on my phone.

Kenny Logins · 22-11-2011 12:23PM

Hi Paul, my bank was accidentally debited twice for a single €10 top-up yesterday, can this be refunded please?

Tesco Mobile: Paul · 22-11-2011 04:22PM

Kenny Logins wrote: »

Hi Paul, my bank was accidentally debited twice for a single €10 top-up yesterday, can this be refunded please?

Hi Kenny

Can you please contact care on 1749 orn 0894200000 or here http://www.tescomobile.ie/contact-us.aspx

They will discuss with you.

thanks
Paul

Kensington · 24-11-2011 07:49PM

Hi Paul, I ported over to Tesco Mobile prepay last weekend but having some problem with internet.

I'm on an iPhone 4 and it seems every 24 hours or so, internet connectivity on my handset just dies. Happens without warning, you only notice it when your e-mail goes quiet or you try to do something online. You then need to toggle airplane mode on/off or restart the handset to get the data connection back.

Any ideas?
Had no such problem on previous network (Meteor)

Tesco Mobile: Paul · 25-11-2011 10:32AM

Kensington wrote: »

Hi Paul, I ported over to Tesco Mobile prepay last weekend but having some problem with internet.

I'm on an iPhone 4 and it seems every 24 hours or so, internet connectivity on my handset just dies. Happens without warning, you only notice it when your e-mail goes quiet or you try to do something online. You then need to toggle airplane mode on/off or restart the handset to get the data connection back.

Any ideas?
Had no such problem on previous network (Meteor)

Hi there

I have never seen an issue like this with us. Are you in good coverage?

regards
Paul

Kensington · 25-11-2011 12:40PM

Tesco Mobile: Paul wrote: »

Hi there

I have never seen an issue like this with us. Are you in good coverage?

regards
Paul

Hi Paul

I get a mixture of weak 3G and full EDGE at home.
I was trying to use the net yesterday morning for example, outside Crumlin Hospital, full 3G but absolutely nothing happening data wise. Restart phone and the internet began flying along again.

I have had it happen elsewhere so it doesn't seem to be isolated to one area of coverage...

j4vier · 26-11-2011 01:45PM

today it says for me cant connect due to incorrect apn settings but i havent changed them??
anyone else have this?

rumplestiltskin · 26-11-2011 03:34PM

j4vier wrote: »

today it says for me cant connect due to incorrect apn settings but i havent changed them??
anyone else have this?

Same thing happening with me today, i also havent changed any settings

Tesco Mobile: Paul · 26-11-2011 04:23PM

There was a data issue over the last couple of hours that affected some customers. Looks like its resolved now but I am waiting for final confirmation.

Regards
Paul

ubuntulinux · 26-11-2011 04:25PM

rumplestiltskin wrote: »

Same thing happening with me today, i also havent changed any settings

Same here.

Paul............?

ubuntulinux · 26-11-2011 04:32PM

Data just back.:)

Tesco Mobile: Paul · 26-11-2011 04:46PM

Yes confirmed resolved now. Set your phone to airplane mode and back.

Apologies for the inconvenience

Regards
Paul

simzoli · 27-11-2011 07:03PM

Hi Paul

There is no data connection in my area (Swords).

Thanks

Tesco Mobile 3g - Anyone having Problems

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