What Zimbabweans expect of a ‘true 4G’ network

L.S.M Kabweza Avatar
True4G Responses

Last week, Spiritage (well, their Brodacom subsidiary) posed the question:

What would you expect from a true4G network?

True4GThis is a bold question to ask. Indeed it’s a bold statement in itself; it authoritatively declares that Brodacom is here to offer genuine 4G. It’s bold in that, even in developed economies, large telcos claiming to offer 4G services are being asked to back their 4G claims with some real facts or cease the advertising. Just next door in South Africa, Cell C was forced to pull its 4Gs advertising after MTN and Vodacom lodged complaints with the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa accusing Cell C of misleading the consumers.

Anyway, regarding Brodacom’s true4G, the company invited the market to respond to the question on a website setup for the campaign: www.true4g.co.zw. The responses visitors gave are now available on the site (since last week actually).

Respondents basically ask for this: high speed, affordability, reliability and access to content.

Most of the responses don’t explain what the respondent mean by high speed, affordability and reliability. And this perhaps explains the market in general; people have no idea how to measure the quality, or what 3G or 4G or LTE or WiMax means; if they just get “very fast internet” or “access all social networks with a vibrant network speed” they’ll be fine.

Tech savvy people will ask for the more though; they will want to test the connection, test downloads and uploads, and if Brodacom’s 4G doesn’t meet the ITU 4G requirements, these people will feel misled.

Here’s a screenshot of some of the responses:

True4G Responses

Strangely, in gathering the data Brodacom promised “names and identities are kept very confidential” but went ahead to publish the full names of the respondents. You can read the full responses on this link.

26 comments

  1. Wburwa

    shocker…publishing all those names..wonder what it says about Brodacom.

    1. ngoni

      my own interpretation is that they just as bad as the whole lot.

      1. vince

        those are all lies
        4g doesnt exists in africa

        1. Anonymous

          MTN (SA) is trialing LTE. FYI…

          1. vince

            and wer did they get the spectrum frm

            1. Anonymous

              Is that a genuine question or are you trying to be snarky? I’ll bite. Here’s a Reuters clicky confirming the LTE trial: http://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFJOE76D0FV20110714

              I’m glad I’m not living in your version of Africa (which doesn’t have 4g)

          2. vince

            wich side of africa u livin bro
            and do u thnk u goin to afford lte
            besides its a trial
             

            1. Anonymous

              1. Southern side of it
              2. Yes, I think I’ll afford it
              3. Yeah, that’s the step that usually comes before actual launch

  2. Interested_in_BB

    Not only are the full names published but the user names are exposed in the post URL, this is very shoddy security.

  3. Kh

    wow, i jus had a look at the responses and they gave full names of some users. unbelievable.makes you wonder whats gonna happen with the ID numbers they asked for when reserving your number. hopefully they will take issues of confidentiality more seriously in future cos in this day and age,this is unacceptable.

  4. Tafmak3000

    “Demmit!!! Hey Tindo get the website offline again, these techzim guys are on our ass again! Sheish, give a “broada” a break.”

    These Broadacom guys are turning out to be a bit pathetic! They have the shrewdness of depressed tortoises.  it really is as if some guy gets to seat up on his bad in his brown floral pajamas with a warm glass of milk and Oreos every night “crafting” the entire company’s web campaign.

  5. Rumbimachakwa

    however i see the genuinity of results.my name was there but i dont mind.i am concerned about good service from the service providers,affordable services.

  6. Liberty

    yeah you are right- we really need to see what zimbabwe thinks.This also must be made use by Telcos for the better of Zimbabwe nation.Have been to other countries were internet is as efficient as ever and as affordable as ever.I cant wait to see this in Zimbabwe.

  7. Kutso12

    Thumbs up Techzim.Econet is panicking for sure.Android Android Android-thats panicking.Brodacom guys give us the service and we see-will be coming to your office.I like the name.

    coming to your issue techzim-sure no one really knows whats 4G is and i think thats what these guys would like to educate us.we wait for the lessons.

    1. vince

      fo yo own info man
      brodacom is an econet subsidiary
      they tired of lyin to us abt 3g
      nw they lyin abt 4g

  8. Mudzimujoe

    well publishing names can mean a lot- ngoni i dont think its fair to go one side coz without names they may cook the results.lets see the actuall food if they are saying they have 4G coz thye have said coming soon coming soon.I hope the soon will not be next year.

  9. Tendi

    names must be there ah.how do i know they are not giving me fek results.4G yacho chii chaicho.

  10. Chiratidzomax1

    inini i commented kuti i need good service.i know it cannot be like UK but must be efficient.thanks techzim for the feedback.guys your campaign is also good and creating excitement on us.just come with god service mapedza.i saw you at zitf and you were looking very good there.so techzim- reference to cell c story blablabla do u think it will also happen here.

  11. Manunure Gm

    4G 4G Thats a bold statement these guys are making.i mean true 4G hehehehehehe.yeah lets wait and see.

  12. Anonymous

    Zimbabwe what is 4G to you?

    What is 3G to you?

    Basing on the speeds you are currently experiencing how do you define 4G and are you yet at 3G infrastructural level or to be frank service delivery?

    4G!!!!!

  13. Lee Masuka

    I believe people have to know that a standard is a standard. 4G is a set of standards set by ITU. If can read this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4G#ITU_Requirements_and_4G_wireless_standards, where in this world has a service provider given up to 1Gb/s to a fixed user? Lets not just say there is no 4G in Africa, but in the world.

    I have learnt about these standards and have worked with some, the equipment we have so far can hardly aproac in some cases…h such requirements..And remember its not just abt speeds but issues like handovers e.t.c. 

    So for marketing purposes the brand 4G is used, and not only in Zim but also outside….but its really not..although it approaches

    1. Anonymous

      4G is not the speeds but the technology behind it. The technology determines the maximum data throughput – not the minimum. Dial up has a maximum of 56kbps, ADSL has a maximum of 10Mbps. However, it is entirely possible to have an ADSL line to have an effictive data rate of 56kbps. (say, if you have a shoddy ISP). Would you call it dial-up or is it still ADSL??

      Car analogy: say your Bugatti Veyron gets a flat tyre & you have to drive it at a maximum speed of 20km/hr to get to the nearest service station – would you call it a bicycle because it’s travelling at bicycle-speeds? I say it’s just a hobbled Veyron.

      My point is, if it’s UMTS/HSPA/TD-SCDMA, it’s 3G (and if it is LTE -it’s 4G), no matter how slow the speeds are (although it’s reasonable expectation for it to be fast)

  14. Masuka Lee

    I believe people have to know that a standard is a standard. 4G is a set of standards set by ITU. If u can read this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4G#ITU_Requirements_and_4G_wireless_standards, where in this world has a service provider given up to 1Gb/s to a fixed user wirelessly? Lets not just say there is no 4G in Africa, but in the world.

    I have learnt about these standards and have worked with some, the equipment we have so far can hardly aproach such requirements…And remember its not just abt speeds but issues like handovers e.t.c. 

    So for marketing purposes the brand 4G is used, and not only in Zim but also outside….but its really not..although it approaches

  15. Interested_in_BB

    Is their service available ? I visited the site and the countdown has restarted 4.5 days to go ??

  16. Conan

    Broadcom certainly is not 4G, it’s just plain and simply awful. I got a “plug and Go” set from broadcom yesterday, after being promised that i would be able to get a good signal in Greendale. got home, plugged the device in, waited, waited, waited waited, waited, eventually i got one bar on the receiver! so decided to check my e-mail, it took 35 mins to download 5mb of data….. wow that is super fast isn’t it Broadacom!! what a load of rubbish! I think the old dial up connections were faster. I moved the router all over the house, up and down, even at one point putting it on the front lawn…. got 2 bars on the receiver, so i thought it might be a good position, i got 10kbps… again…shocking! in the morning i packed it up and took it to my office in Milton park to test it, same things, same disgusting speed! What is wrong with Brodacom, stop talking rubbish on your adverts, be honest as to why your packages are unlimited…because you don’t have to worry that your users will be able to download more than 100 mb every month, cos the speed is god awful! I am now waiting to return this piece of crap called plug and go! if you want advice do not buy it…buy powertel, africom or wait in vain for tel-one adsl…. either way you will be waiting. Conan

  17. 🙂

    Do we have an advertising standards authority in Zim? Because there is no way on earth these guys offer true 4G

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