[Menessis]

OK I had a U 760. All I got was at most 1mb/s and something like .5 mb/s up. But for a number of weeks I was getting very poor speeds. 0.5 mb/s down ! and only 0.06 up at times. I called Bell and they told me to install the newest driver Mobile_Connect_4.0. Then the old U 760 wouldn't work at all. The tech guy said get a new one. In the mean time I got a U 988, HSPA. Much faster but Bell is blocking ports that I want to use. And there is some sort of Data Compresion or something going on. SpeedTest.net reports 4.0 mb/s down but DSLports.com only reports a 1/4 of that???? Sounds kind of fishy.

So I got mad, uninstalled the new U 988 and put the replacement U 760 in along with Mobile_Connect_4.0 again. It's still almost as slow! And I see it is using HSPA ? What happened to EVDO ? Have they switched over and this may be why I'm getting the poor speeds? Maybe I should pull Mobile_Connect_4.0 out and put in the original software????

This is so frustrating. Telus is looking better and better all the time!

Mike

 

[BGY11]

The U760 is definitely a CDMA device - Not sure what's happening there.

As for the very poor EVDO speeds compared to what you used to be getting, it could be that the nearby cell tower is overloaded with traffic or something else entirely. May want to log another ticket with data support and let them know the replacement turbo stick is still showing poor upload speeds.

In terms of your question regarding differing speed test results, that's somewhat normal. I've generally found a fairly noticeable variance between speedtest.net and other sites (sometimes better, sometimes worse). Part of it depends on the servers (and their location), but the length of time a test takes can be a factor as well. If you have a 3mbps connection for example, downloading a 1MB file won't give you a good idea of your overall speed since it would only take 3-4 seconds to complete.

 

[TorontoColin]

If you are using a laptop try taking your U760 somewhere else where it can connect to a different tower. That might help narrow down what exactly is causing the problem.

 

[Menessis]

EVDO

Well the one speed test is 1/4 the speed. And that's one right after the other. Also SpeedTest.net shows me in Calgary! WTF. So when I run the test to Hamilton it shows Calgary to Hamilton. I'm in Ontario! Maybe the local tower is screwed up. Or something isn't being routed properly.

Mike

P.S. I hate calling Bell

 

[Menessis]

U998 Bell Garbage

Well after a full 4 weeks of crap from Bell they finally figured out that there is a problem with the cell tower in my area. It's not fixed yet mind you. And they really can't say when it will be fixed LOL.

But in the mean time I purchased the new U998 because they first told me my old one was defective. But they failed to mention that the U998 has blocked ports that wont be opened. Or that it heats up and shuts off! And now they wont let me return the U998!

Has anyone had any luck getting there money back? Does the CRTC have anything to say about this sort of thing? Or do I just deduct the $146.84 off my next Bell Mobility bill untill it's resolved?

Also does anyone have an email address for someone at BellMobility?

Any Ideas????

Menessis

 

[Menessis]

Not Fixed!

Well here it is September 21st. And it's not fixed yet. If anything, it's worse. The signal comes in and out at random, I get disconnected and my cell phone is just as bad! I am so upset with Bell I can't even call them because I know I will loose my temper.

Menessis

 

[Menessis]

HSPA

Can some one tell me when Bell switched over from EVDO to HSPA? I have had nothing but trouble since August with both my Turbo Stick and new cell phone since then.

After many phone calls to Customer service people who just don't care I am coming to the end of my patience! They addmitted that the problem is in the local cell tower here in Scotland Ontario. But they won't say if they are going to fix it, or if they are thinking about fixing it. Or even what the problem is. All I know is I have to keep doing a ping test every time I connect to test the connection. Then if its 300ms or more I disconnect and try again. I'm talking 4 or 5 times! Then even after I get a good one, it will just drop out every once in a while.

I tried e-mailing Bell because I just can't take talking to those people anymore. The e-mail won't go through because it won't except my mailing address !!! Yes my "mailing address" ....which I copied letter by letter from my, (wait for it) bell bill!

Has anyone sent a letter to the CRTC regarding all this NAT filtering that has been put on our connections? I don't think that If I signed up for a 2 year contract that after a year they go and change what I can do with what I was sold.

One pissed off Bell customer! Rogers is looking good from here right now.
Mike Maddeford

 

[BGY11]

Bell didn't "change" from CDMA (EV-DO) to HSPA. The HSPA network is a separate network entirely. If reception has changed on the CDMA tower and they are unwilling to fix it, then it might be worthwhile to see if they'll let you out of your contract early as a result. It's not your fault their service has gotten worse, so you shouldn't be forced to pay an ETF. They may try to say otherwise on this, but I'd definitely try to push for it if the connection is that unreliable.

As for NAT filtering, contacting the CRTC isn't likely to do anything (sadly). They don't tend to regulate the cellular carriers much (if at all).

 

[Menessis]

HMMM

Hmmm I wonder if I can get it to connect to the old EVDO network some how then. They made it sound like the EVDO net was gone. I have traded turbo sticks, my new 9xx for the old U760 so I could use my ports again. But it still conects to the HSPA

Yes I did run the "I want out of my contract" by them. The women just went around and around in circles with me. She got kind of pissy with me when I pointed that out to her. She told me to cancel and pay the fee's. Take it or leave it.

Mike

 

[TorontoColin]

HSPA and CDMA devices have very different radios inside them. If you have a CDMA device it will only work with the CDMA network and if you have an HSPA device it will only work on the HSPA network.

So, if you want to connect to the EVDO network you will need a Bell CDMA USB modem.

 

[BGY11]

I wouldn't be surprised if both Novatel modems use the same Mobile Connect software. If they do, there's a chance that even with the old one, it's still saying "Connected to HSPA network" even though it technically isn't (uninstalling/reinstalling the software may fix it).

The U760 is definitely a CDMA device.

 

[Menessis]

Original Software

Well If I install the old software, rather then the ver.4 I am using now. I will end up having to call tech support agian! I don't have too many of those phone calls left in me.

I wonder if there is a way to see if it is indeed using the HSPA or EV DO??

Mike

 

[Jase88]

I recall a webpage at Bell where you could report network issues. Someone would get back to you within 24 hours of reporting. I've tried searching for it now, but cannot find it. Bell's search function is exceptionally useless. You may have better luck...

 

[BGY11]

If you are using the U760 then you are connecting to a CDMA tower. If you are using a U9xx stick then you are connecting to an HSPA tower.

 

[Menessis]

Hmmm

OK then. I looks like there is no point going back to the original software then.

Maybe I will try the "chat" method. And get an email link that works.

Mike

 

[Menessis]

More Bell crap!

Lets see...where to start.

Online chat with Bell is only for DSL!

Called Bell Tech on Sunday. I was trying to download large file. But it kept stopping. I was told that there are other calls in reporting the same problems in my area. And that the problem (tower) would be fixed Monday. Well it's still not fixed.

The problem is that although I get a good signal it just disapears for a second or too. Same thing with my cell phone. Even if I drive over to the tower and watch the meter on the phone. Its great then it's gone! They have told me three different times that the problem is in the tower in Scotland.

Tonight it's worse then ever....even though I have a much stronger signal. Go figure???

Menesss

 

[Jase88]

What you are describing sounds like typical "coverage breathing" that occurs with HSPA. This technology is based on CDMA, whereas all users share the same channel. The more users the more noise. Thus the fluctuating signal levels from moment to moment. As voice has more priority on the network, your data connection gets turfed. Sounds like you've got a busy cell site.

 

[Menessis]

Busy?

Well I don't think that adds up. I used it for over 3 hours the other night and it kept running. Then after midnight I tried to download a file and it gives up.

Menessis

 

[Menessis]

"Turbo Stick" Scotland On.

OK who is using Bell in the Scotland area? I would like to know if anyone else is having all these problems.

Back in August the system went to ......... well never mind. Nothing but trouble since. Signal comes and goes. Same thing with the cell phone.

Menessis

 

[majortom]

I think ur best bet is to keep complaining to your provider, until your
satisfied it's working to your expectations.