Three 4G Rollout | Free 4G for ALL!

jabbamk1 · 29-08-2013, 00:36

Three UK have confirmed that 4G will be launching this December in 3 cities. London, Birmingham and Manchester will be the first lot of cities going live in December with more to follow in January.

Three are aiming for-
-50 cities by end of 2014
-98% coverage by end of 2015 (1 year behind EE, on par with O2/ Voda)
-1.5m customers to be 4G ready by 2014.

As mentioned previously, Three will not be charging a premium for 4G and will allow all existing customers to access the 4G network as long as they have a 4G phone. Three confirmed that this includes their unlimited data packages.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/t...&ncid=rss_semi

Watch this space for more.

Spoiler

Prof-x · 29-08-2013, 00:53

Wahoo - just seen this on TNW too

Slightly disappointed its not earlier but three will deliver the goods and I bet they have more coverage, faster than O2 and voda.

All good things come to those who wait.

enapace · 29-08-2013, 00:53

Certainly good news to hear they still providing unlimited data. Not sure how they going be able support that but it is certainly good to hear. Glad I stayed with Three. Hoping my area is covered by end of 2014. Doubt it as EE say my area is going get within 6 months so we obviously down the list. Often in manchester though during the week so should see 4G pretty soon.

BTW Jabba you might want update your thing. Vodafone say on site now 98% coverage by end of 2016 so Three is meant to be delivering a year ahead of them.

Oops Edit it says before 2016 my bad.

jabbamk1 · 29-08-2013, 01:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prof-x

Wahoo - just seen this on TNW too

Slightly disappointed its not earlier but three will deliver the goods and I bet they have more coverage, faster than O2 and voda.

All good things come to those who wait.

Your sim only question from before. Prices aren't changing as far as i'm aware. However, expect a certain phone (and other phones) to carry a high upfront cost when it launches on contract.

(btw when i said new tariffs i meant a possible new Mobile broadband tariff). Definitely new dongle/mi-fi devices supplied by ZTE on their way though. (apparently)

Lidtop2013 · 29-08-2013, 07:12

And another reason to stay with Three....

dangetti · 29-08-2013, 07:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabbamk1

Your sim only question from before. Prices aren't changing as far as i'm aware. However, expect a certain phone (and other phones) to carry a high upfront cost when it launches on contract.

(btw when i said new tariffs i meant a possible new Mobile broadband tariff). Definitely new dongle/mi-fi devices supplied by ZTE on their way though. (apparently)

Will the new MBB plans be announced today (29th Aug) or during Sept do you know?

THanks

japaul · 29-08-2013, 09:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabbamk1

-98% coverage by end of 2015 (1 year behind EE, on par with O2/ Voda)

Are you sure that's on a par? O2/Voda is an indoor 98%. Unless they've now changed Three have only ever quoted outdoor figures and the difference is quite big if you use the Ofcom model (O2 have to as their licence has a coverage obligation and Ofcom have provided the assumed building penetration loss figures). EE I know is certainly outdoor but as you said it's for end 2014 as opposed to the others end of 2015.

sethpet · 29-08-2013, 09:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by japaul

Are you sure that's on a par? O2/Voda is an indoor 98%. Unless they've now changed Three have only ever quoted outdoor figures and the difference is quite big if you use the Ofcom model (O2 have to as their licence has a coverage obligation and Ofcom have provided the assumed building penetration loss figures). EE I know is certainly outdoor but as you said it's for end 2014 as opposed to the others end of 2015.

correct 3 and EE will only commit to 98% outdoor whereas Voda and O2 are committed to 98%indoor coverage, which as stated is a huge difference.

Prof-x · 29-08-2013, 10:01

Is this 98% of the population or land mass with O2

There is quite a big difference there too

I find this amusing as O2 has massive gaps in 3G coverage when you start traveling

japaul · 29-08-2013, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prof-x

Is this 98% of the population or land mass with O2

There is quite a big difference there too

I find this amusing as O2 has massive gaps in 3G coverage when you start traveling

It's always population, never geographic % for all of them. The point is though that there is a difference between the same figure outdoor and indoor. Ofcom's model at 1800MHz assumes a BPL of over 16dB (a fair bit less if you are using 800).

A couple of years ago, Three's then CEO Kevin Russell said that Three which at the time claimed outdoor coverage of over 97% with more than 12500 base stations said their indoor coverage was 79%. Obviously the figures start to converge as you get closer to 100 but there's always a difference.

enapace · 29-08-2013, 10:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by japaul

It's always population, never geographic % for all of them. The point is though that there is a difference between the same figure outdoor and indoor. Ofcom's model at 1800MHz assumes a BPL of over 16dB (a fair bit less if you are using 800).

Agreed though in fairness there is no reason why both ee and three won't have 98% indoor eventually as well. Eventually 800mhz will be used by all

booie · 29-08-2013, 10:58

There is still gaps in 2G on all networks never mind 3G or 4G. The fact is 3 are offering 4G ayce at no extra cost unlike the "greedy networks" who want to charge you even more than your already paying.
i admit its not much cop if you dont get a 3 signal but for those that do its great. im not even with 3 but think its great news.

Zee_Bukhari · 29-08-2013, 11:16

another reason to stay with three or switch now !

Was hoping for it to launch quicker though.

TheBigM · 29-08-2013, 12:20

The great news about what Three are doing is that this will benefit those who stay on 3G too as some data pressure will be relieved by people moving over to the LTE services.

I'm still concerned about how good Three's 4G will be relative to the rest as they have less spectrum than the others? Will Vodafone and EE be the best for LTE (looking purely at speeds, ignoring price and data limits).

mogzyboy · 29-08-2013, 12:37

All very good. I might get myself a cheapo Three One Plan when my contract with Orange is up in October.

Might buy an iPhone 5S outright and then get a £15/month SIM only offering to get meself some 4G at no extra cost!

jabbamk1 · 29-08-2013, 14:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by dangetti

Will the new MBB plans be announced today (29th Aug) or during Sept do you know?

THanks

No idea. Not as soon as this week.

Quote:

Originally Posted by japaul

Are you sure that's on a par? O2/Voda is an indoor 98%. Unless they've now changed Three have only ever quoted outdoor figures and the difference is quite big if you use the Ofcom model (O2 have to as their licence has a coverage obligation and Ofcom have provided the assumed building penetration loss figures). EE I know is certainly outdoor but as you said it's for end 2014 as opposed to the others end of 2015.

Good point. Sorry i just read 98% and took it to be on par. Can't edit the first post now but you guys know what i mean. Although i don't see Three and O2/Voda having a huge coverage difference in terms of population coverage by the end of 2015

Oh and just to confirm. Three will be launching 4G on Mobile broadband and pay as you go services from day 1.

According to the Three Blog-
Aberdeen
Cardiff
Glasgow
Liverpool
Norwich
Reading
Southampton
and more....

will have 4G in 2014.

Three are hoping to have 80% coverage by the end of 2014. (That's theoretically a faster roll out than EE?)

mogzyboy · 29-08-2013, 14:55

How would any network ensure 98% indoor coverage, though? Are they going to come in my house and make sure it's working?

klendathu · 29-08-2013, 15:03

Can't wait to ditch Orange in January when I'm due

DevonBloke · 29-08-2013, 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by mogzyboy

How would any network ensure 98% indoor coverage, though? Are they going to come in my house and make sure it's working?

Yeah, they'll all have a bloke (or bloke-ess) who's job it is to visit 32 million homes to test it.
They'll be testing 50 a week on average so it would be completed in 640,000 weeks or about 12,000 years!
We should know by the year 14,013 if 98% has been achieved!

jabbamk1 · 29-08-2013, 15:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevonBloke

Yeah, they'll all have a bloke (or bloke-ess) who's job it is to visit 32 million homes to test it.
They'll be testing 50 a week on average so it would be completed in 640,000 weeks or about 12,000 years!
We should know by the year 14,013 if 98% has been achieved!

So that's why O2's 3G roll out took so long!

Zee_Bukhari · 29-08-2013, 15:31

good luck O2, hopefully if my future family in 12,000 years is on O2 they'll have 98% indoor coverage.

Just got a new sim only one plan contract with £65 cash back, thought its better value hen paying £15 top up on pay as you go as I have no plans to leave 3 and no plans to get a new one in the foreseeable future.

Titan9 · 29-08-2013, 15:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zee_Bukhari

good luck O2, hopefully if my future family in 12,000 years is on O2 they'll have 98% indoor coverage.

Just got a new sim only one plan contract with £65 cash back, thought its better value hen paying £15 top up on pay as you go as I have no plans to leave 3 and no plans to get a new one in the foreseeable future.

Is it that Quidco or TCB?

Zee_Bukhari · 29-08-2013, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan9

Is it that Quidco or TCB?

Was Quidco and was £61 cashback.

Titan9 · 29-08-2013, 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zee_Bukhari

Was Quidco and was £61 cashback.

Ok thanks, TCB is 61.47 so the same really.

moox · 29-08-2013, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zee_Bukhari

Was Quidco and was £61 cashback.

Have they just changed it? It's saying 50 quid for One plan SIM-only 12 months or 33.33 for 1 month.

29-08-2013, 00:36	#1
jabbamk1 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,759	Three 4G Rollout \| Free 4G for ALL! Three UK have confirmed that 4G will be launching this December in 3 cities. London, Birmingham and Manchester will be the first lot of cities going live in December with more to follow in January. Three are aiming for- -50 cities by end of 2014 -98% coverage by end of 2015 (1 year behind EE, on par with O2/ Voda) -1.5m customers to be 4G ready by 2014. As mentioned previously, Three will not be charging a premium for 4G and will allow all existing customers to access the 4G network as long as they have a 4G phone. Three confirmed that this includes their unlimited data packages. http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/28/t...&ncid=rss_semi Watch this space for more. Spoiler Turns out i was wrong about November (which i was told back in June). What's funny is someone told me it was pushed back 1 month but then he said it was November again. Well at lest we have a date now. And yes, this announcement was what i was hinting at in the other three thread.

29-08-2013, 00:53	#2
Prof-x Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 261	Wahoo - just seen this on TNW too Slightly disappointed its not earlier but three will deliver the goods and I bet they have more coverage, faster than O2 and voda. All good things come to those who wait.

29-08-2013, 00:53	#3
enapace Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 4,249	Certainly good news to hear they still providing unlimited data. Not sure how they going be able support that but it is certainly good to hear. Glad I stayed with Three. Hoping my area is covered by end of 2014. Doubt it as EE say my area is going get within 6 months so we obviously down the list. Often in manchester though during the week so should see 4G pretty soon. BTW Jabba you might want update your thing. Vodafone say on site now 98% coverage by end of 2016 so Three is meant to be delivering a year ahead of them. Oops Edit it says before 2016 my bad.

29-08-2013, 01:07	#4
jabbamk1 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,759	Quote: Originally Posted by Prof-x Wahoo - just seen this on TNW too Slightly disappointed its not earlier but three will deliver the goods and I bet they have more coverage, faster than O2 and voda. All good things come to those who wait. Your sim only question from before. Prices aren't changing as far as i'm aware. However, expect a certain phone (and other phones) to carry a high upfront cost when it launches on contract. (btw when i said new tariffs i meant a possible new Mobile broadband tariff). Definitely new dongle/mi-fi devices supplied by ZTE on their way though. (apparently)

29-08-2013, 07:12	#5
Lidtop2013 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: West Midlands Posts: 2,450	And another reason to stay with Three....

29-08-2013, 07:18	#6
dangetti Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 289	Quote: Originally Posted by jabbamk1 Your sim only question from before. Prices aren't changing as far as i'm aware. However, expect a certain phone (and other phones) to carry a high upfront cost when it launches on contract. (btw when i said new tariffs i meant a possible new Mobile broadband tariff). Definitely new dongle/mi-fi devices supplied by ZTE on their way though. (apparently) Will the new MBB plans be announced today (29th Aug) or during Sept do you know? THanks

29-08-2013, 09:37	#7
japaul Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,662	Quote: Originally Posted by jabbamk1 -98% coverage by end of 2015 (1 year behind EE, on par with O2/ Voda) Are you sure that's on a par? O2/Voda is an indoor 98%. Unless they've now changed Three have only ever quoted outdoor figures and the difference is quite big if you use the Ofcom model (O2 have to as their licence has a coverage obligation and Ofcom have provided the assumed building penetration loss figures). EE I know is certainly outdoor but as you said it's for end 2014 as opposed to the others end of 2015.

29-08-2013, 09:58	#8
sethpet Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 494	Quote: Originally Posted by japaul Are you sure that's on a par? O2/Voda is an indoor 98%. Unless they've now changed Three have only ever quoted outdoor figures and the difference is quite big if you use the Ofcom model (O2 have to as their licence has a coverage obligation and Ofcom have provided the assumed building penetration loss figures). EE I know is certainly outdoor but as you said it's for end 2014 as opposed to the others end of 2015. correct 3 and EE will only commit to 98% outdoor whereas Voda and O2 are committed to 98%indoor coverage, which as stated is a huge difference.

29-08-2013, 10:01	#9
Prof-x Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 261	Is this 98% of the population or land mass with O2 There is quite a big difference there too I find this amusing as O2 has massive gaps in 3G coverage when you start traveling

29-08-2013, 10:26	#10
japaul Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,662	Quote: Originally Posted by Prof-x Is this 98% of the population or land mass with O2 There is quite a big difference there too I find this amusing as O2 has massive gaps in 3G coverage when you start traveling It's always population, never geographic % for all of them. The point is though that there is a difference between the same figure outdoor and indoor. Ofcom's model at 1800MHz assumes a BPL of over 16dB (a fair bit less if you are using 800). A couple of years ago, Three's then CEO Kevin Russell said that Three which at the time claimed outdoor coverage of over 97% with more than 12500 base stations said their indoor coverage was 79%. Obviously the figures start to converge as you get closer to 100 but there's always a difference.

29-08-2013, 10:37	#11
enapace Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 4,249	Quote: Originally Posted by japaul It's always population, never geographic % for all of them. The point is though that there is a difference between the same figure outdoor and indoor. Ofcom's model at 1800MHz assumes a BPL of over 16dB (a fair bit less if you are using 800). Agreed though in fairness there is no reason why both ee and three won't have 98% indoor eventually as well. Eventually 800mhz will be used by all

29-08-2013, 10:58	#12
booie Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 370	There is still gaps in 2G on all networks never mind 3G or 4G. The fact is 3 are offering 4G ayce at no extra cost unlike the "greedy networks" who want to charge you even more than your already paying. i admit its not much cop if you dont get a 3 signal but for those that do its great. im not even with 3 but think its great news.

29-08-2013, 11:16	#13
Zee_Bukhari Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,319	another reason to stay with three or switch now ! Was hoping for it to launch quicker though.

29-08-2013, 12:20	#14
TheBigM Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: moon Posts: 12,983	The great news about what Three are doing is that this will benefit those who stay on 3G too as some data pressure will be relieved by people moving over to the LTE services. I'm still concerned about how good Three's 4G will be relative to the rest as they have less spectrum than the others? Will Vodafone and EE be the best for LTE (looking purely at speeds, ignoring price and data limits).

29-08-2013, 12:37	#15
mogzyboy Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 4,554	All very good. I might get myself a cheapo Three One Plan when my contract with Orange is up in October. Might buy an iPhone 5S outright and then get a £15/month SIM only offering to get meself some 4G at no extra cost!

29-08-2013, 14:48	#16
jabbamk1 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,759	Quote: Originally Posted by dangetti Will the new MBB plans be announced today (29th Aug) or during Sept do you know? THanks No idea. Not as soon as this week. Quote: Originally Posted by japaul Are you sure that's on a par? O2/Voda is an indoor 98%. Unless they've now changed Three have only ever quoted outdoor figures and the difference is quite big if you use the Ofcom model (O2 have to as their licence has a coverage obligation and Ofcom have provided the assumed building penetration loss figures). EE I know is certainly outdoor but as you said it's for end 2014 as opposed to the others end of 2015. Good point. Sorry i just read 98% and took it to be on par. Can't edit the first post now but you guys know what i mean. Although i don't see Three and O2/Voda having a huge coverage difference in terms of population coverage by the end of 2015 Oh and just to confirm. Three will be launching 4G on Mobile broadband and pay as you go services from day 1. According to the Three Blog- Aberdeen Cardiff Glasgow Liverpool Norwich Reading Southampton and more.... will have 4G in 2014. Three are hoping to have 80% coverage by the end of 2014. (That's theoretically a faster roll out than EE?)

29-08-2013, 14:55	#17
mogzyboy Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 4,554	How would any network ensure 98% indoor coverage, though? Are they going to come in my house and make sure it's working?

29-08-2013, 15:03	#18
klendathu Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 10,726	Can't wait to ditch Orange in January when I'm due

29-08-2013, 15:07	#19
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Quote: Originally Posted by mogzyboy How would any network ensure 98% indoor coverage, though? Are they going to come in my house and make sure it's working? Yeah, they'll all have a bloke (or bloke-ess) who's job it is to visit 32 million homes to test it. They'll be testing 50 a week on average so it would be completed in 640,000 weeks or about 12,000 years! We should know by the year 14,013 if 98% has been achieved!

29-08-2013, 15:11	#20
jabbamk1 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,759	Quote: Originally Posted by DevonBloke Yeah, they'll all have a bloke (or bloke-ess) who's job it is to visit 32 million homes to test it. They'll be testing 50 a week on average so it would be completed in 640,000 weeks or about 12,000 years! We should know by the year 14,013 if 98% has been achieved! So that's why O2's 3G roll out took so long!

29-08-2013, 15:31	#21
Zee_Bukhari Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,319	good luck O2, hopefully if my future family in 12,000 years is on O2 they'll have 98% indoor coverage. Just got a new sim only one plan contract with £65 cash back, thought its better value hen paying £15 top up on pay as you go as I have no plans to leave 3 and no plans to get a new one in the foreseeable future.

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29-08-2013, 15:39	#22
Titan9 Inactive Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: MAKKAH Posts: 2,177	Quote: Originally Posted by Zee_Bukhari good luck O2, hopefully if my future family in 12,000 years is on O2 they'll have 98% indoor coverage. Just got a new sim only one plan contract with £65 cash back, thought its better value hen paying £15 top up on pay as you go as I have no plans to leave 3 and no plans to get a new one in the foreseeable future. Is it that Quidco or TCB?

29-08-2013, 15:40	#23
Zee_Bukhari Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,319	Quote: Originally Posted by Titan9 Is it that Quidco or TCB? Was Quidco and was £61 cashback.

29-08-2013, 15:43	#24
Titan9 Inactive Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: MAKKAH Posts: 2,177	Quote: Originally Posted by Zee_Bukhari Was Quidco and was £61 cashback. Ok thanks, TCB is 61.47 so the same really.

29-08-2013, 15:56	#25
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Quote: Originally Posted by Zee_Bukhari Was Quidco and was £61 cashback. Have they just changed it? It's saying 50 quid for One plan SIM-only 12 months or 33.33 for 1 month.