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Vodacom 3G, 3G HSDPA and 3G HSUPA
What is it?
3G is Third Generation mobile cellular technology in the context of cellphone standards. The services associated with 3G provide the ability to transfer simultaneously both voice data (a telephone call) and non-voice data (such as downloading information, exchanging email, and instant messaging). For example; 3G enables customers to access the Internet at high data speeds, make video calls and watch Mobile TV.....
3G HSDPA is Third Generation High-Speed Downlink Packet Access - a 3G mobile telephony protocol, which offers increased data transfer speeds and capacity of up to 1.8 Mbps on the downlink and up to 348Kbps on the uplink, under ideal conditions. The 3G HSDPA technology was built to deliver throughput speeds of up to 1.8 Mbps for downloads, but expect to experience speeds between 400 Kbps and 800 Kbps with peaks of approximately 1.2 Mbps - offering you instant Internet access.
3G HSDPA 3.6 is a 3G High-Speed Downlink Packet Access mobile telephony protocol, which offers increased data transfer speeds and capacity of up to 3.6 Mbps on the downlink and up to 348Kbps on the uplink, under ideal conditions.
3G HSUPA is Third Generation High-Speed Uplink Packet Access - a 3G mobile telephony protocol, which offers increased data transfer speeds and capacity of up to 3.6 Mbps on the downlink and up to 1 Mbps on the uplink, under ideal conditions. 3G HSUPA will be available from Vodacom in the near future.
How does it work?
To access the Internet or email while you're on the move, you'll need an access device which is mobile broadband capable, such as:
* A 3G or 3G HSDPA cellphone, or
* A Desktop or Laptop and the Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Modem, or
* A Laptop and the Vodafone 3G Broadband Mobile Connect Card.
You can access the Internet at broadband access speeds by clicking on the browser icon of your 3G HSDPA cellphone, or using your 3G HSDPA cellphone by connecting it to your PC's USB slot via the USB cable provided with the cellphone. Included in the cellphone packaging should also be a CD with the required software to be loaded onto your PC.
When you sign a 24-month data contract, you'll receive a new 64KB SIM card, which should be inserted into the SIM card slot of the Vodafone 3G Broadband Mobile Connect Card or Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Modem. The Vodafone dashboard software is provided with these devices for installation on your PC. The Vodafone dashboard software allows compatibility with the Vodacom network and lets you perform the most common actions; like connecting to the network, by clicking on the relevant button on the dashboard. When installing the software ensure to choose "3G" as the preferred network, and you'll be able to connect at speeds that are up to 30 times faster than a 56K PSTN modem dial-up connection, provided you within in 3G HSDPA coverage. If you find yourself in an area without 3G HSDPA coverage, you'll connect to Vodacom's GPRS/EDGE network at download speeds of up to 256 Kbps.
The intuitive on-screen Vodafone dashboard software allows you to:
* Access, send and receive email
* Access the Internet
* Send and receive SMS messages
* Chat using your existing Instant Messaging service
* Monitoring your data usage
The volumes of data transmitted (sent and received) are presented on the Vodafone dashboard software enabling you to control data usage and costs. The usage information is presented in megabytes and not as a financial value. It is an indication and may vary slightly from what appears on your cellphone bill.
FAQs
1. What is needed to access the 3G HSDPA Broadband network?
You'll need a cellphone which is 3G HSDPA capable, or a PC with a Vodafone 3G Broadband Mobile Connect Card or Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Modem, used with a Vodacom mobile data Contract or data bundle, bolted onto your existing Vodacom voice package.
2. Where is 3G HSDPA coverage available?
All 3G-base stations have been upgraded to also support 3G HSDPA. Please note that 3G HSDPA technology is sensitive to external influences such as indoor coverage, topography and weather conditions.
3. I've looked at the 3G HSDPA coverage map and I should experience broadband access speeds, but I don't - what can I do?
You can contact the dedicated care line on 155 to report that you're experiencing a network problem, for which they'll log a call to investigate, or you can send an email requesting assistance.
4. Can any cellphone access attain broadband access speeds via the 3G HSDPA network?
Current 3G cellphones will connect to the 3G HSDPA network, but only offer throughput speeds of up to 348 Kbps. However new 3G HSDPA enabled cellphones allows throughput of between 400Kpbs and 800Kbps with peaks of 1.2Mbps.
5. Can customers roam with 3G and 3G HSDPA when travelling abroad?
Yes, Contract customers, who are have enabled "roaming" and connect to a Vodafone participating network, will be able to use mobile data services when travelling abroad. 3G HSDPA data roaming is available in Germany, Austria and Portugal. It must be noted however that it is very costly and potentially more so than 3G due to the increased ability to download more data. Current 3G data roaming rates apply.
6. What throughput speeds can be attained on the 3G HSDPA broadband mobile network?
The 3G HSDPA technology was built to deliver throughput speeds of up to 1.8 Mbps for downloads, but expect to experience speeds between 400 Kbps and 800 Kbps with peaks of approximately 1.2 Mbps - offering you instant Internet access.
7. Will I be able to use 3G and GPRS/EDGE, if there is no 3G HSDPA coverage is?
Yes, when 3G HSDPA is not available you will be able to connect via Vodacom's 3G, EDGE or the GPRS mobile data network.
8. When I am connected to the network, how will I know that I am on 3G HSDPA?
Ensure when you install the Vodafone dashboard software, that you choose 3G as the preferred network - this will ensure that you connect via the 3G HSDPA network whenever 3G HSDPA coverage is available.
9. Why am I getting slower access speeds whilst "connected" to the 3G HSDPA network?
The 3G HSDPA network has the intelligence to supply you with increased bandwidth, where available, only as you require it thereby providing a far more efficient utilisation of bandwidth. For instance, searching for a Web site on Google would not require large bandwidth, yet downloading a large video clip would require more bandwidth and thus will allocate more bandwidth to the session when you start downloading.
