Cape Winelands mobile data speed showdown

Posted by Ayanda Khuzwayo on 18 May 2018 7:15 AM CAT

MyBroadband recently tested the mobile network quality in the Cape Winelands and Helderberg areas, and the results showed excellent mobile speeds.

The cellular network quality tests form part of MyBroadband’s countrywide mobile network testing project, which is conducted in partnership with Afristay and Samsung.

The project, which runs over three months and covers well over 10,000km, will provide a comprehensive look at cellular network quality in South Africa.

The tests are conducted using the MyBroadband Speed Test App, running on Samsung Galaxy S9 smartphones.

A SIM from each mobile operator – Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, and Telkom – is used in the phones, and performance tests are conducted on regular intervals while driving.

MyBroadband’s speed test servers are hosted in Teraco’s vendor-neutral data centres to ensure a neutral testing environment.

Through NAPAfrica, all network operators present at its peering points are provided with a free 10Gbps connection to the MyBroadband Speed Test platform.

The latest testing routecovered Paarl, Stellenbosch, Somerset West, Strand, and Gordon’s Bay.

We calculated the Network Quality Score for the region and for each of these areas, which took the download speed, upload speed, and latency into account.

The Network Quality Score out of 10 shows how the network performed in relation to other networks.

Understanding the maps below – Each small red dot with a green circle around it indicates a test in an area. Larger red dots indicate multiple tests in the area.

The Cape Winelands’ Mobile Network Quality

MTN achieved the highest average download speed in the Winelands at 25Mbps, and also had the highest average upload speed at 9Mbps.

Paarl

MTN easily outperformed its competitors in Paarl, with an average download speed of 29Mbps and an average upload speed of 10Mbps.

Stellenbosch

MTN and Cell C reigned supreme in Stellenbosch, with average download speeds of 25Mbps and 24Mbps respectively.

Helderberg

MTN and Cell C were also the two top networks in the Helderberg area, with average download speeds of 22Mbps and 20Mbps respectively.

Where we stayed – Asara Wine Estate and Hotel

Thanks to our project partner Afristay, we stayed at the 5-star Asara Wine Estate and Hotel close to Stellenbosch.

Our stay at the Asara Wine Estate and Hotel was amazing. It offered luxury accommodation, excellent service, and a great view of Stellenbosch.

The two restaurants at the hotel – the fine-dining Mise en Place and more casual Sansibar – offered excellent food with great wines from the Asara wine farm.

You will be hard pressed to find better accommodation, service, or food anywhere – the Asara Wine Estate and Hotel is as good as it gets.