Home Gaming Vodacom LTE: an opinion in progress

Vodacom LTE: an opinion in progress

4 min read
47

LTE

It’s a great time to be a gamer… provided you have fast enough internet speeds and enough bandwidth. But not everyone can use Telkom’s services. Not to fear, other players have appeared on the market and are promising to save us with high speeds and portability. Vodacom has entered the world of LTE – but how do they stack up?

Idiot-proof

LTE dongle

First of all, I got a box that included the LTE/4G dongle, as well as a Huawei wireless router. I was a bit worried that installation or set up would be an issue, but it was ridiculously easy. Any software that you might need is already built into the dongle – as soon as you insert it into a computer you get all the easy prompt to install the connection software and then you’re good to go.

The router is similarly easy, with a clearly demarcated port for the USB modem, easily converting your dongle into a WiFi hotspot. I was worried that this also might require some extra setup, but it was really as simple as plug and play. So, with all the necessary software set up, I fired everything up and prepared to jump on the information superhighway (ah, remember when people used to call it that?).

Location, location, location!

Location

The first rules of real estate dictate that it all comes down to location, which is of course true. The same is true of LTE. Before the company asking for my opinion would send me the dongle, they asked me to check on the coverage map if I was in an area with LTE. I knew that I could sometimes get 4G through Vodacom on my phone, so I was fairly confident that I’d have decent reception. However, the map showed that I wouldn’t have LTE at home. Not to fear, I figured I could head to my nearest coffee shop and sit online there if it didn’t work at home. Confidently, I took delivery of the devices.

First things first, just because you have LTE on your phone does not mean that you will get LTE through the Vodacom LTE service. I first tried LTE in my study, but I know reception is less than great there, so I wasn’t surprised when it could only pick up 3G. However, I was surprised when I proceeded to take the laptop with dongle to various areas around my house and complex only to discover that I still had no reception, despite the fact that everyone on Vodacom had 4G/LTE through their phones.

I thought that I might be an idiot, so I decided to venture down the road to where the coverage map promised full LTE coverage. Perhaps it was because there was load shedding, or maybe it was due to some of the previous inclement weather, but whatever the reason, there was no LTE there, either. My phone still flew on Vodacom’s LTE network, but the dongle simply couldn’t connect to anything other than 3G.

Speed of Sound

Speed

I was primarily excited to check out Vodacom’s LTE because I figured that I’d at least have some crazy fast internet for a few days. LTE delivers the fastest speeds in the country, and I was excited to see if I could stream some gameplay or at least watch Twitch with the highest resolution settings. Unfortunately, I couldn’t jump on the LTE, so I couldn’t test those things.

I was on the 3G network, though, so I thought I’d test those speeds. However that was also a flop. 3G through that LTE dongle is completely unusable – I was barely getting 11 Kb/s. In fact, it was so slow that I couldn’t even load a website, let alone a speedtest. This means that if you can’t get full LTE, you might as well not bother even trying with whatever other connection the modem can pick up.

I know that I live in an internet black hole. It is just the nature of where I stay in Joburg, and might not be representative for other people. While the coverage map is a lie and other areas that promised to have coverage didn’t, I know that my experience might just be unique to me. As a result, I’m going to ask Vodacom for permission to extend our testing period and pass the device off to one of the other guys – perhaps they will have a better experience. We will keep you updated if I’m the problem and not Vodacom’s LTE network.

That said, if you are looking for an internet alternative due to connectivity issues or a need for speed, you will need to test if your LTE coverage is real. Phones are not a reliable means of checking, and the coverage map proved less than accurate. As a result, before you build your gaming dreams around the super speeds of LTE, you might just want to check if they can be a reality in your area.

Last Updated: November 24, 2014

47 Comments

  1. Alien Emperor Trevor

    November 24, 2014 at 08:36

    So their coverage map is about as reliable as Eskom’s load shedding schedule.

    Reply

    • Skyblue

      November 24, 2014 at 09:11

      Only company in South Africa which is so successful they have to beg customers to stop using their product. Anyway, forced quiet time is never bad thing when you have a noisy home with kids. It’s also cheaper than chloroform.

      Reply

    • FoxOneZA

      November 24, 2014 at 09:36

      Do not trust any company with kom/com in the name.

      Reply

  2. ToshZA

    November 24, 2014 at 08:40

    Vodacom’s signal in general is shyte. I’m on MTN 3G as my home connection and I’ve never had issues.

    LTE, much like VDSL (or even ADSL, thanks Telkom), is still a wet dream for most of us in this country.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Wang

      November 24, 2014 at 08:44

      VDSL still sounds like some horrible, horrible grossness in the nether regions

      Reply

      • Deceased

        November 24, 2014 at 08:51

        “Herpachew… I CHOOSE YOU!!!” – ’cause you know… you’ve got to catch them all 😛

        Reply

        • ToshZA

          November 24, 2014 at 08:56

          Is that the long name for Herpes? I don’t even want to know how you caught that.

          Reply

          • Deceased

            November 24, 2014 at 09:11

            WARNING!!! Not for sensitive readers 😛

            ( also… quite a long post )

            How to catch them all made easy…

            Okay so you will need one or more vanereal-balls or types of vanereal-balls.
            A desire. (Probably a desire to catch higher lv. than the ones you already have)
            Vanereal-ball Tip;
            Some diseases are harder or impossible to catch using some types of vanereal-balls. If you know that you wanna catch a contagious one first, then use a flirt, convince, seduce, to make it easier. Hookups are used at the start of the collection, so if you wanna catch those weak diseases in a snap!

            Go to the sleaziest bar you know. Probably a grassy area or the area of dirt that diseases are garuanteed. Another area would be in water. Thus, it can lead to an advantage. After you up the stakes, throw another venereal-ball. Once the vanereal-ball stops shaking, and it turns grayish, you have caught the disease! After this, you can name (as you now have a friend).

            There are many “special” moves that can give differnet “conditons” & other moves that can make it easier to up the stakes. You shouldn’t hope your herpachew appears immediately. It might take time…

            Good Luck! Post about your best catch.

      • Rock789

        November 24, 2014 at 08:55

        Dude – we promised never to speak of that in public!! o_O

        Reply

    • Maxiviper117

      November 24, 2014 at 11:20

      Yet in my flat in Pretoria, my afrihost 3G data sim (MTN) has disgusting signal, while Vodacom blazes. so it really is all down to location and coverage.

      Reply

  3. Purple_Dragon

    November 24, 2014 at 08:49

    The problem is more with the price of the data. Not really feasible for gaming downloads. I’m on a 10gig package and I use my nightowl data for any gaming downloads.

    Reply

  4. Anon A Mouse

    November 24, 2014 at 08:54

    The only “real” internet option I have at home is satellite, have you seen those prices. *shudders*

    Reply

  5. Guild

    November 24, 2014 at 08:57

    Definitely important to check which LTE coverage you get in your area, I had to pick up an MTN package as nothing else was available in my area. I even considered going overboard with boosting my signal further with antenna’s , look at http://www.antennas.co.za/ they are based in Midrand. The data cost’s are ridiculous, so I make sure I don’t use up my cap.

    Reply

  6. Hammersteyn

    November 24, 2014 at 09:00

    Thus far uncapped 2MB has worked the best for me, yes it’s pricey, yes they throttle you eventually. But in no way has it gimped my online play. Me and @disqus_dQR6yNlVbg:disqus tried some FC4 yesterday. Cant decide which was funnier. Him running over a minefield while riding an elephant or me running him over with a bakkie.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Wang

      November 24, 2014 at 09:03

      Bakkie sounds funnier

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        November 24, 2014 at 09:07

        It really works well though. When we need to get from point A to B he drives the bakkie and I stand on the back with a grenade launcher (the one used in Terminator 2) Any enemy bakkies or roadblocks is left in flames.

        Reply

        • Skyblue

          November 24, 2014 at 09:09

          That sounds cool, been doing the same with Halo co-op play with Ghosts. Reminds me of Unreal Tournament 2003.

          Reply

        • HvR

          November 24, 2014 at 10:01

          Now that sounds like an brilliant ad for Toyota.

          “As dinge rof raak in die Bosveld of as ek die ou vrou vat vir inkopies in die Woesrand is daar niks beter as my M79 grenaat lanseerder en my Hilux om die wa deur die drif te trek. Alles loop reg altyd reg Toyota”

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            November 24, 2014 at 10:07

            bwahahaha

          • Admiral Chief Wang

            November 24, 2014 at 10:09

            KOMMENTAAR VAN DIE BLERRIE WEEK!

    • Skyblue

      November 24, 2014 at 09:07

      I also have to rely on a 4mb line gimped to 2mb due to my distance from the exchange. No live streaming but it works for everything else. I never get capped by M-Web on a premium account and I use huge amounts of data.

      Also, set up Steam streaming properly for the first time this weekend. Played Shadow of Mordor and streamed at 1080p perfectly to a laptop/TV combo in my lounge with wireless X360 controller play. Very impressive. Oh, I am enjoying the game as well.

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        November 24, 2014 at 09:12

        Have you just started SOM? Biggest complaint it people cant get into the game, but I promise you. The more abilities you unlock the stronger and more Wraith like you become

        Reply

        • Skyblue

          November 24, 2014 at 09:16

          Yeah I started yesterday. The controls were an issue initially so switched back to my PC and customized a kb/m setup which feels more natural. I am really enjoying the title and put in quite a few hours already. My problem is I have too many games that I actually want to play atm, this time of year, sigh.

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            November 24, 2014 at 09:20

            First world problems?

          • Skyblue

            November 24, 2014 at 09:31

            First world problems in the third world, much worse ;p

    • Viking Of Divinity

      November 24, 2014 at 09:12

      I’m on 4MB uncapped. And it only sets me back 660 a month (line and data) from Telkom. was a promotion. a couple of months back. It’s fine.

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        November 24, 2014 at 09:17

        Obviously I pay less than that. I wanted to upgrade to 4MB but I’m not sure I will get the extra bandwidth.

        Reply

      • Admiral Chief Wang

        November 24, 2014 at 09:20

        Well Crapcom broke something in on my 2mb uncapped, I’m currently running at 384kbps instead of 2mb and lemme tell you, THAT is bad!

        Reply

        • Viking Of Divinity

          November 24, 2014 at 09:24

          I’m rarely have issues. Legit Download sites at full speeds, No Streaming Issues… Generally Speed Test gives me 3.78 MBps down, which is fine…. Steam/Origin never gimped. online gaming only gimped by distance from server. so it’s all fine.

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Wang

            November 24, 2014 at 10:08

            I never had issues. Now apparently, when it rains some box on some tower gets wet and causes slow speeds. WTF

  7. MakeItLegal

    November 24, 2014 at 09:12

    Its the prices that kill me , vodacom needs to wake up

    Reply

  8. ReaperOfSquirrels

    November 24, 2014 at 09:16

    I went DSL because I can’t get ANY other coverage in my area. 3G avoids the area, as does LTE, iBurst, Neotel, etc. Total black hole. You at least get (half) decent 3G coverage there Zoe.

    Reply

    • Her Highness the Hipster

      November 24, 2014 at 09:24

      i can only really use iBurst, and use is a strong word. They’re looking at bringing fiber into the complex to make it a smart village, but so many fly by nights in the market. thinking it will be easier to just move.

      Reply

      • ReaperOfSquirrels

        November 24, 2014 at 09:35

        But that was the plan anyway 😛

        I saw the coverage in your area, it’s horrid, much like mine. I’d battle to get a 4meg DSL line 🙁

        On the up side my 2meg works 🙂

        Reply

      • Brady miaau

        November 24, 2014 at 11:16

        I used iBurst for years, was great for most things, internet browsing and downloading Xbox games while I was out. For a long time. But great otherwise. Now, I want to start playing a bit online. Not good enough anymore.

        Reply

  9. HvR

    November 24, 2014 at 09:32

    information superhighway should make a comeback, very accurate description/comparison. In the first world it is cheap, easy to access and you travel at the speed promised on the boards. In South Africa it costs an arm and a leg, if it is not standing still it is heavily congested travelling at a snails pace.

    Reply

  10. HvR

    November 24, 2014 at 09:46

    No LTE, and very slow 3G speeds sounds to me like the dongle’s antenna might be faulty; would take it back to have it checked out.

    Anybody considering using 3G/LTE for gaming I would highly recommend mounting an external antenna on your roof or at least a desktop antenna and using a coupler to the dongle to boost the signal. It is the only way you get consistent high speed signal with cellular bssed modems.

    Reply

    • Guest

      November 24, 2014 at 11:39

      @disqus_3ihQj32EWp:disqus Also, try register on vodacom.co.za portal and check under VAS / services and see that they actually provisioned the LTE APN for you.Cause if you have 4G on your phone, but not on the dongle, would indicate that there is something wrong with the SIM / device. Might be a provisioning failure on the network.

      Reply

    • Draco Lusus

      November 24, 2014 at 11:39

      @disqus_3ihQj32EWp:disqus Also, try register on vodacom.co.za portal and check under VAS / services and see that they actually provisioned the LTE APN for you.Cause if you have 4G on your phone, but not on the dongle, would indicate that there is something wrong with the SIM / device. Might be a provisioning failure on the network….

      Reply

    • Darren Peach

      November 24, 2014 at 13:18

      It starts getting very technical when finding one that is correct.

      Reply

  11. Andrew

    November 24, 2014 at 09:53

    Ive been on Telkom LTE since the beginning of the year and since gaming on it ive not yet to experience a issue with lag or disconnects (knock on wood) and i get a stable 190 to the servers in europe

    Reply

  12. Kromas, Guardian of Cenarius

    November 24, 2014 at 09:55

    LTE/3G for gaming is horrible if you don’t have the correct location. I would suggest an antenna from poynting if you really wanna get that. The best alternative is Wifi LMA (last mile access). Constant speed and less worries about stuff like lightning. Try Wapa and see if there is a Wisp near you.

    Bf4 pings for me to mweb is 14ms and I play WoW at a nice 196ms.

    Also I have a CE of WoD that needs a home dammit!

    Reply

  13. Kensei Seraph No DA:I spoilers

    November 24, 2014 at 10:04

    All of Jo’burg is an internet black hole.

    Reply

  14. Kensei Seraph No DA:I spoilers

    November 24, 2014 at 10:08

    I remember organising a Cell C 3G dongle for my Gran… before the 2 year contract expired she swapped to ADSL and my brother tried using it with even less success.

    Reply

  15. Madalha Roets

    November 24, 2014 at 10:16

    Around a month ago I switched to telkom mobile…Was surprised when I tried it at home I got full Lte coverage…although im not in Lte zone as listed on their website…getting average speeds of 30-40Mbps download and 2-5Mbps upload…ping around 20ms…

    Reply

    • Darren Peach

      November 24, 2014 at 13:16

      I believe in LTE in the same way folks believe the Bible….I have faith in it.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

Asus Gladius III Review – Roman around

In the war for the lightest mouse that packs the most bang for its buck, the Asus Gladius …