H82typ - Just a little note...

Just a little note...

Tuesday, May 29, 2012 2:03:05 AM

I won't be around as much as I used to, sorry if I miss posts and comments. I'm going prepaid; out of economic neccessity and for my sanity.
AT&T charges an arm and a leg ($98/mo) for 450 minutes, + rollover, and unlimited internet. It might not be so bad, but I can't get service at my house, on my street, or in certain areas I frequent. I can go from 5 to zero bars of signal strength just typing one sentence.
I just got a Virgin Mobile plan, cost me $55, phone and $20 worth of minutes. I don't think this'll work, though - for surfing. And I've already had issues calling out/ going online.

I might have to try tracphone... The thing is, I have to buy the phone and minutes separately. *shrug*

Peace, all...

Just a little note...With apologies to the Beatles...

Comments

Mad Scientist (عادل)qlue # Tuesday, May 29, 2012 2:30:07 AM

And here I thought we were getting screwed!!!

H82typ # Tuesday, May 29, 2012 3:44:41 AM

Man, you have no idea! When I call to complain, they say 'there's nothing we can do but sell you a Femtocell.' For $160.

I told them that I wouldn't buy something to obtain service that I was already paying for. They counter with 'cell service is not guarranteed at any time.'
I ask them if they buy a new car that runs poorly when it rains, and they can't use it at night because the headlights don't work, what would they do with the car?

theoddbod # Tuesday, May 29, 2012 12:03:16 PM

Between AT&T and My Opera, your experiences here must be agonising recently

No Sprint or Verizon? Although I'm guessing you've already run from Verizon once

Gavin Tripp-Sheedygarlingmatthews # Tuesday, May 29, 2012 6:09:38 PM

...don't guarantee service. What an attitude.

Harry...the man!harrytheman # Wednesday, May 30, 2012 9:20:20 PM

Originally posted by garlingmatthews:

...don't guarantee service. What an attitude.

Absolutely.

H82typ # Thursday, May 31, 2012 9:03:27 AM

@ Mart: verizon is best for voice service from what I've read, and heard. Their phones are all Brew,though, that's why I stuck with at&t, even though I've had issues with their service for years - been with them since '96. They went gsm in '04, and that's when my service started going down hill.
This virgin mobile phone won't last long either, similar connectivity issues, same places.
@ gavin and harry: yeah!

Mad Scientist (عادل)qlue # Thursday, May 31, 2012 12:05:32 PM

Originally posted by H82typ:

This virgin mobile phone won't last long either, similar connectivity issues, same places. @ gavin and harry: yeah!

Virgin Mobile is a virtual network in South Africa ans probably elsewhere! They don't have their own towers and just use someone else's!

Harry...the man!harrytheman # Thursday, May 31, 2012 8:03:48 PM

Virgin mobile are a virtual network in UK as well which was useless when I had a connection problem with them. Let's just say I left them

KittyliciousZaphira # Monday, June 4, 2012 9:11:32 PM

Argh, that's horrible prices for no service. I hate that!

H82typ # Tuesday, June 5, 2012 5:10:50 AM

I knew, going in, that virgin mobile was virtual, I just was hoping the service would be better than at&ts!
Yes, it is, Kitty, especially with the attitude they have!

Mad Scientist (عادل)qlue # Tuesday, June 5, 2012 8:05:07 AM

Network coverage is determined by physical factors. (how many towers and where they are)
You need to find the network that has more towers for your area.
I use MTN only because they provide 3G in my area.
None of the other networks have 3G towers in Umzinto.

H82typ # Tuesday, June 5, 2012 9:36:09 PM

I know, Addil, it's just... The last time I called about the issue, the csr said,"There are hundreds of people in your area complaining of the same thing. We tell them to buy a microcell (antenna booster) for $160. They do that and most of them have no problem."

DavidRavo # Thursday, July 12, 2012 11:35:42 PM

Hi Dennis; try getting a 6" x 2" piece of copper mesh screen--wrap about an inch of it (from the 6" side) around your antenna. This should give you a cheap boost of the signal. a length of wire with two alligator clips (one on each end) might also work. One clip on your antenna, one clip on a metal window or door frame.

Gavin Tripp-Sheedygarlingmatthews # Friday, July 13, 2012 9:03:35 PM

...and don't use same when the clouds become pregnant...

H82typ # Saturday, July 14, 2012 7:51:12 PM

MY phone doesn't have an external antenna! Nice try, though...

Mad Scientist (عادل)qlue # Saturday, July 14, 2012 8:19:22 PM

Originally posted by H82typ:

We tell them to buy a microcell (antenna booster) for $160

That should be, "MicroCell" (the brand name) - "microcell" is a technical term for a part of the cellular network.

I'm searching for an alternative option for you. Hopefully, one that doesn't require you to stand on one leg, on the roof, in a thunderstorm, singing "Pop goes the Weasel" while wearing a tinfoil necktie!

H82typ # Saturday, July 14, 2012 8:29:16 PM

H82typ # Saturday, July 14, 2012 8:39:39 PM

Actually, their name is 'Femtocell' and bullshit by any other name would still just smell like... well, bullshit.

glad to see mini 4.2 still has the same old bugs.

Mad Scientist (عادل)qlue # Saturday, July 14, 2012 8:48:50 PM

After checking to see what the "MicroCell" does, I'm shocked that a 'Mobile' Service Provider would even suggest such a Heresy!

.
Basically, it connects to cable Internet and provides a data signal for your cellphone. you then use VoIP (a la Skype style) instead of gsm for a voice call!

.
But you're basically using your own broadband data and bandwidth to receive a 'service' that you've already paid for and getting billed twice?

.
Not even South Africa is that bad!

Gavin Tripp-Sheedygarlingmatthews # Saturday, July 14, 2012 9:05:51 PM

Lots of European providers plan to start charging for VoIP traffic separately. Because voice is their core service.

Mad Scientist (عادل)qlue # Saturday, July 14, 2012 9:30:58 PM

Originally posted by garlingmatthews: