Virgin tweaks 3G network to fix broadband issues
Virgin Mobile has patched its 3G network in the hope of fixing connection issues experienced by customers of its wireless broadband service.
Virgin Broadband's support manager Amanda O'Donnell said the provider tweaked its network configuration to resolve the issues.
"We had identified a couple of technical issues that were intermittently affecting the broadband connection ... yesterday at 2pm we put in a patch," O'Donnell told ZDNet Australia.
According to O'Donnell, Virgin also hopes the update will help customers who have experienced "searching issues", where the wireless modem goes into idle mode and cannot be woken up.
In addition, O'Donnell gave users some tips for improving their broadband connection:
- Keep the modem close to a window instead of a brick wall.
- Elevation is important -- put the modem up as high as possible.
- Avoid interference by not placing the modem next to a microwave or fridge.
- The antenna in the modem is directional, so swivelling it around may improve reception.
When asked if an external antenna might help customers, O'Donnell said that affordable models are unlikely to have a significant effect on reception.
"We have been doing some testing [prior to the release of Virgin Mobile Broadband] and any antenna that gives less than a 10db increase isn't worth getting ... We don't want to recommend people go out and spend [between AU$100 and AU$150] when it may not make much of a difference," added O'Donnell.
Virgin launched its wireless broadband service late last month.