With 4g on the horizon, will there ever be a time (say in the next 10 years) when 2g coverage will be switched off?
Do the networks still invest greatly in 2g?
Do the networks still invest greatly in 2g?
2g Coverage
Orange/T-mobile are currently in the process of replacing their entire 2G network with brand new kit including stuff like more sensitive receivers and antennas which should increase coverage. 2G's not going away for a while as the coverage of 3G (and probably 4G) are no way good enough to replace it entirely. And also there are a large portion of phones still out there which are 2G only, plus things like GSM modules in vending machines etc which are 2G only.
Originally Posted by xtaz:
“Orange/T-mobile are currently in the process of replacing their entire 2G network with brand new kit including stuff like more sensitive receivers and antennas which should increase coverage. 2G's not going away for a while as the coverage of 3G (and probably 4G) are no way good enough to replace it entirely. And also there are a large portion of phones still out there which are 2G only, plus things like GSM modules in vending machines etc which are 2G only.”
“Orange/T-mobile are currently in the process of replacing their entire 2G network with brand new kit including stuff like more sensitive receivers and antennas which should increase coverage. 2G's not going away for a while as the coverage of 3G (and probably 4G) are no way good enough to replace it entirely. And also there are a large portion of phones still out there which are 2G only, plus things like GSM modules in vending machines etc which are 2G only.”
I don't thing the coverage reason is that valid really.
The main reason 3G coverage is usually worse than 2G is simply the frequencies used. 2G networks are on a lower frequency, so travel further and penetrate buildings easier. With 3G now being allowed on former 2G frequencies, and with 4G having the 800Mhz band to be used, coverage of the faster networks should start to match the coverage of 2G networks in the next few years.
However, your second reason is the big one. Many phones, even some brand new ones, are 2G only. Especially the very cheap PAYG ones that people like my father use. To turn off 2G would just be commerical suicide considering the amount of people who still use it.
Originally Posted by WelshBluebird:
“To turn off 2G would just be commerical suicide considering the amount of people who still use it.”
“To turn off 2G would just be commerical suicide considering the amount of people who still use it.”
Try telling Three that
Originally Posted by WelshBluebird:
“I don't thing the coverage reason is that valid really.
The main reason 3G coverage is usually worse than 2G is simply the frequencies used. 2G networks are on a lower frequency, so travel further and penetrate buildings easier. With 3G now being allowed on former 2G frequencies, and with 4G having the 800Mhz band to be used, coverage of the faster networks should start to match the coverage of 2G networks in the next few years.”
“I don't thing the coverage reason is that valid really.
The main reason 3G coverage is usually worse than 2G is simply the frequencies used. 2G networks are on a lower frequency, so travel further and penetrate buildings easier. With 3G now being allowed on former 2G frequencies, and with 4G having the 800Mhz band to be used, coverage of the faster networks should start to match the coverage of 2G networks in the next few years.”
Yeah the frequencies used are a big thing. 3G uses 2100mhz I think doesn't it? Whereas 2G is a mixture of 900 and 1800. Although there's something else as well. Unless I'm talking cobblers I thought 3G cells "breath" where the more capacity is being used on them the tighter their coverage becomes. Whereas 2G ones are just static. Something to do with being WCDMA? This kinda mentions it: http://www.awe-communications.com/Network/3G/wcdma.html
2G will be around for a long time yet, still a lot of old phones around and as been said 3g have not got the coverage.
Anyway 2g phones are still sold, if you only want a bog standard phone then you got no need for 3G.
Anyway 2g phones are still sold, if you only want a bog standard phone then you got no need for 3G.
Originally Posted by xtaz:
“Yeah the frequencies used are a big thing. 3G uses 2100mhz I think doesn't it? Whereas 2G is a mixture of 900 and 1800. Although there's something else as well. Unless I'm talking cobblers I thought 3G cells "breath" where the more capacity is being used on them the tighter their coverage becomes. Whereas 2G ones are just static. Something to do with being WCDMA? This kinda mentions it: http://www.awe-communications.com/Network/3G/wcdma.html”
“Yeah the frequencies used are a big thing. 3G uses 2100mhz I think doesn't it? Whereas 2G is a mixture of 900 and 1800. Although there's something else as well. Unless I'm talking cobblers I thought 3G cells "breath" where the more capacity is being used on them the tighter their coverage becomes. Whereas 2G ones are just static. Something to do with being WCDMA? This kinda mentions it: http://www.awe-communications.com/Network/3G/wcdma.html”
Nope you are right. I had forgotten about that.
But I do think the frequencies are the main issue. At home, mobile coverage can be a bit dodgy (yay for living in a very hill place). And the frequency differences are quite noticable on 2G at least (O2 and Vodafone who use the 900Mhz band are nearly always better than Orange / T mobile who use 1800Mhz). I have no doubt the difference will continue when (if?) O2 roll out 3G on the 900Mhz in south wales.
Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974:
“Try telling Three that”
“Try telling Three that
”
To be fair, Three haven't switched it off everywhere, and more importantly, they do not sell phones that don't have 3G.
