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Three 4G Discussion Thread (Part 2)


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Old 17-08-2015, 22:01
jchamier
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I'm quite pleased to be honest, I always found the phase four masts with a wraparound combinor to be extremely ugly.
It might get a little hard to quickly distinguish whose is whose though as if it is a NSN site all the networks use similar alifabs cabinets too.
Some MBNL masts near me have just had the 'top' added that looks like the one being removed in those plans.

The newer pole being added looks like the ones Cornerstone have been upgrading all the older O2 ones in town, and adding Voda and 4G to both.
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Old 17-08-2015, 22:44
jaffboy151
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Now this application has got me seriously confused.
http://planningdocs.trafford.gov.uk/...pplication/pdf
It shows a alifabs phase four streetworks pole being replaced by a Jupiter phase five streetworks pole and the existing Three Pogona cabinets swapped for a Komodo cabinet. Is this because Three have decided to add 800MHz to an existing 1800MHz site?
Things are being to look increasingly disorganised between Three and EE with some sites being visited up to three times to install separate antennas and equipment for 800/1800/2600.

Edit: Checked other councils and it seems quite a few streetworks are being modified as I thought.
http://docs.planning.cornwall.gov.uk...9696&DB=8&DT=4
With all networks now using the same street works masts things are going to get confusing.
Is this because Three have decided to add 800MHz to an existing 1800MHz site?
Looking at the top link unless I'm getting too tired three were only on the mast via the 3g mbnl part, only EE was present with 4g and the 2g refresh cabinets, all 1800 & 2100 so no need on to rip the masts out for a new one, the most work some masts seem to need for basic EE 4g is the top Antenna section replacing, all streetwork sites which are having 4g added to by three seem to on the plans be having the masts replaced with those used by cornerstone with a similar set up to those in your top link weather they include 800mhz 4g or not. Will be confussing in the long run to work out who's site is who's..

EE still haven't done that mast in the Eden Project have they.
Not going there now till they do.
THAT, is how sad I am.........
LOL

EDIT: When they do, I swear I'll go on the death slide over the complex.... no really, I will!!!
Now that's worth the admission ticket alone!

Out the three roll out strategies from three, EE and cornerstone, it's clear the three one of doing small upgrades while reserving the majority for a big switch on is total rubbish,
It breeds frustration, disappointment, anger and loss of faith when published dates are missed and ignored (looks like the September 800mhz volte switch on is the next yarn to be spun and subsequently unravel)
But between EE and cornerstone, that's tough call, the EE approach gives you the 4g experience in most places but it's thinly spread and falls short in its depth and range, cornerstone seems to be doing the whole deal but is very is very feast and famine, it's exciting here watching new equipment pop up every few system and weeks with new planning applications coming in all the time, but bloody frustrating if your in an area like the south West where nothing is happening at all much yet.
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Old 18-08-2015, 15:27
moox
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EE still haven't done that mast in the Eden Project have they.
Not going there now till they do.
THAT, is how sad I am.........
LOL

EDIT: When they do, I swear I'll go on the death slide over the complex.... no really, I will!!!
I think that one's pencilled in for just after they finish the job in Totnes

There are lots of things to do in Cornwall where you could run speed tests too. You could always go to Padstow and buy a £20 fish and chips and £10 drink from that nice Mr. Rick Stein? I think they have 4G there
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Old 18-08-2015, 16:18
Denco1
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Is this because Three have decided to add 800MHz to an existing 1800MHz site?
Looking at the top link unless I'm getting too tired three were only on the mast via the 3g mbnl part, only EE was present with 4g and the 2g refresh cabinets, all 1800 & 2100 so no need on to rip the masts out for a new one, the most work some masts seem to need for basic EE 4g is the top Antenna section replacing, all streetwork sites which are having 4g added to by three seem to on the plans be having the masts replaced with those used by cornerstone with a similar set up to those in your top link weather they include 800mhz 4g or not. Will be confussing in the long run to work out who's site is who's..
I'm not sure what's going on but I'm not sure that completely correct. I think the site had Three 4G as the Pogona cabinet is present, but now Three have decided to add 800MHz as well and to do that they need the larger Komodo cabinet and also a larger antenna shroud to fit the slightly longer Huawei antenna and MHAs etc

The MBNL streetworks poles in Manchester seem to be going through three stages, first EE 4G is added to the existing pole, then Three add 4G and the pole is changed to the newer phase four type, now Three are adding 800MHz to some so they are replacing the original cabinet with a larger one and replacing the recently replaced phase four with a phase five pole.
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Old 20-08-2015, 17:58
mupet0000
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My local area & postcode is undergoing maintenance today apparently, it's changed from the usual message of: Work is planned in this area on 20/08/2015. This may affect your normal network service, but should only last for about 6-8 hours.

Now it says: We're planning some network improvements in your area on 20 August 2015 to 20 August 2015. We're really sorry if this affects your services. It's crucial work that will improve your network experience.

The message changed during the day today. I haven't noticed any loss of service what so ever. Just wondering if this is a new generic message or if it actually has any significance.
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Old 20-08-2015, 19:14
nbrasso
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My local area & postcode is undergoing maintenance today apparently, it's changed from the usual message of: Work is planned in this area on 20/08/2015. This may affect your normal network service, but should only last for about 6-8 hours.

Now it says: We're planning some network improvements in your area on 20 August 2015 to 20 August 2015. We're really sorry if this affects your services. It's crucial work that will improve your network experience.

The message changed during the day today. I haven't noticed any loss of service what so ever. Just wondering if this is a new generic message or if it actually has any significance.
I'm seeing the same for my area on the 25 August 2015 to 26 August 2015 but if I go to the network coverage and support page I get the usual message: Work is planned in this area on the dates shown below. This may affect your normal network service, but should only last for about 6-8 hours. From 25/08/2015 to 26/08/2015, from 10/09/2015 to 10/09/2015.
This seems to be happening in almost every area I search for around Cheshire, with the same dates listed.
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Old 20-08-2015, 19:24
mupet0000
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I'm seeing the same for my area on the 25 August 2015 to 26 August 2015 but if I go to the network coverage and support page I get the usual message: Work is planned in this area on the dates shown below. This may affect your normal network service, but should only last for about 6-8 hours. From 25/08/2015 to 26/08/2015, from 10/09/2015 to 10/09/2015.
This seems to be happening in almost every area I search for around Cheshire, with the same dates listed.
Good spot, mine says:
Work is planned in this area on the dates shown below. This may affect your normal network service, but should only last for about 6-8 hours. From 20/08/2015 to 20/08/2015, from 27/08/2015 to 27/08/2015.

I've searched other postcodes and this maintenance is happening only around one particular MBNL site. It's one of, if not the most, congested sites in my town. I'm hoping for an antenna swap to get some 800MHz going. It's already 4G'd by EE&Three.
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Old 20-08-2015, 19:34
nbrasso
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Good spot, mine says:
Work is planned in this area on the dates shown below. This may affect your normal network service, but should only last for about 6-8 hours. From 20/08/2015 to 20/08/2015, from 27/08/2015 to 27/08/2015.

I've searched other postcodes and this maintenance is happening only around one particular MBNL site. It's one of, if not the most, congested sites in my town. I'm hoping for an antenna swap to get some 800MHz going. It's already 4G'd by EE&Three.
I'm also hoping this maintenance has something to do with 800MHz, however there is no 4G in my area from Three, and very little from EE, both are heavily congested to.

Searching for other postcodes around Cheshire, i see maintenance planned for a mixture of already 4Ged areas and areas with none, all within a few days of each other.
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Old 20-08-2015, 20:59
jaffboy151
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I'm not sure what's going on but I'm not sure that completely correct. I think the site had Three 4G as the Pogona cabinet is present, but now Three have decided to add 800MHz as well and to do that they need the larger Komodo cabinet and also a larger antenna shroud to fit the slightly longer Huawei antenna and MHAs etc

The MBNL streetworks poles in Manchester seem to be going through three stages, first EE 4G is added to the existing pole, then Three add 4G and the pole is changed to the newer phase four type, now Three are adding 800MHz to some so they are replacing the original cabinet with a larger one and replacing the recently replaced phase four with a phase five pole.
Judging by some other comments on here it seems three really are upgrading the upgrades around the area, something like this might have been going on in Penkridge Staffordshire today

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/w8wy2q2d5...o5TVVdB_pSHK8a
This is the mast on the market ground, it was 4gd for EE ages ago and then the pole was changed and three 4g added a few months ago, seemed to get be back today.
Couldn't quite see what they were doing, could three be ramping up 800mhz installations ready for the September launch?
Or knowing three they've only just started and are now planning a spring/summer 2016 launch..
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Old 20-08-2015, 21:10
mupet0000
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I'm also hoping this maintenance has something to do with 800MHz, however there is no 4G in my area from Three, and very little from EE, both are heavily congested to.

Searching for other postcodes around Cheshire, i see maintenance planned for a mixture of already 4Ged areas and areas with none, all within a few days of each other.
800MHz is also going to be rolled out in areas where there is no 4G yet, it's supposed to be the primary band for Three's 4G and we should see more 800MHz than 1800MHz. At least, that's what I've read. So if Three are going to do the 800MHz public switch on in September, they are going to need to ready up some sites. I don't see what else this "crucial work" could be.
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Old 20-08-2015, 21:12
lightspeed2398
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Does that mean that there will be 800 only masts? I really hope not because that's going to be awful for speeds. 3g will be quicker than that I bet.
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Old 20-08-2015, 21:31
Denco1
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Does that mean that there will be 800 only masts? I really hope not because that's going to be awful for speeds. 3g will be quicker than that I bet.
That was my understanding from jabbamk1s post last year.
I guess it is comparable to the CTIL sites which are to be only 2x5MHz 900MHz 3G and 2x10MHz 800MHz 4G. Both Three and CTIL would be using 2x15MHz for high-speed data just with CTILs rollout being more spectrally efficient.

If they monitor the situation and add 1800MHz as and when needed I'll be happy, but they might be more concerned about adding 800MHz to existing 1800MHz sites than adding 1800MHz to 800MHz only sites.
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Old 20-08-2015, 21:34
Denco1
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Judging by some other comments on here it seems three really are upgrading the upgrades around the area, something like this might have been going on in Penkridge Staffordshire today

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/w8wy2q2d5...o5TVVdB_pSHK8a
This is the mast on the market ground, it was 4gd for EE ages ago and then the pole was changed and three 4g added a few months ago, seemed to get be back today.
Couldn't quite see what they were doing, could three be ramping up 800mhz installations ready for the September launch?
Or knowing three they've only just started and are now planning a spring/summer 2016 launch..
Thanks for the post, confirms my suspicions I guess. I just wish it wasn't all so silent on the September launch front, sometimes no news is good news but this hasn't always been the case with Three.
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Old 20-08-2015, 22:13
jaffboy151
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I can imagine three will have to limit the 800mhz access somehow or else it will grind to a halt fairly quickly, it better be 02/Vodafone 2g level signal strength or it won't be worth the offset of speed in my opinion, be great if it does launch next month but I'll eat my phone if that actually happens, no news is usually no news where three is concerned.

Edit: planned work in my area of the world too, so maybe I could be eating phone with pasta sauce...
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Old 20-08-2015, 22:36
enapace
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I occasionally check Three's site for coverage updates and was shocked to see.

We're planning some network improvements in your area on 25 August 2015 to 26 August 2015. We're really sorry if this affects your services. It's crucial work that will improve your network experience.

Sounds like it could be 4G maintenance after all which is a surprise.
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Old 20-08-2015, 22:54
iTech
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Lots of work planned in N Ireland. Work going on in Bangor and this area:

BT1 4QG (Apple Store)

is having a lot of work done as well. Surely this is it! 4g?
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Old 20-08-2015, 23:00
iTech
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I've just done a search for my home address, another location where I go at least twice a week and another location I am often at as well (I do searches for these 3 locations every now and again). All 3 areas have work in September including one area that is having 4 lots of work. Either there is something wrong with the Three coverage checker or they really are going all out in September and we could be looking at quite an increase on 4G coverage.
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Old 20-08-2015, 23:20
lightspeed2398
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I've no work going on at all in any of my locations, damn.
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Old 20-08-2015, 23:28
iTech
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I've no work going on at all in any of my locations, damn.
Sorry! Just checked somewhere else (Oxted - another of my haunts) and there's work going on there as well in September!
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Old 20-08-2015, 23:45
Mass Corona
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Seems in my area something is planned on the 26th AUG.

Hope it's not 4G on 800mhz as my phone doesn't do 800mhz! Please stick it on 1800mhz.
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Old 20-08-2015, 23:52
InfamousTeal
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Amazing to see finally some work being done in Northern Ireland!! I'm sick of having no 4G in the entire country!

Derry, Coleraine, even Portrush getting some work, miracles really do happen
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Old 21-08-2015, 08:28
Chris1973
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We've had work on our local mast for at least one day, virtually ever month over the summer and still no sign of 4G, so i'm not getting excited by seeing more planned for the end of the month.
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Old 21-08-2015, 12:16
Mass Corona
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We've had work on our local mast for at least one day, virtually ever month over the summer and still no sign of 4G, so i'm not getting excited by seeing more planned for the end of the month.
True, it could mean sweet FA, but they have said about a big switch on in September and that so many places are having some work happening late August or September.

As with all things Three: Wait and see and then wait some more...
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Old 21-08-2015, 13:40
Synthetic42
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Could be they have all the hardware ready just to flick a switch. However 1 massive turn on will probably be a bad idea incase something goes wrong so I think they'll still do it maybe area by area.
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Old 21-08-2015, 14:26
jonmorris
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They'll have been testing it for some time already, so switching it all on in one go shouldn't be a disaster.

I think the transformation is going to be quite major, and will be a big boost for Three. Indeed, given the negatives of late (poorer speeds, increasing charges, axing the £15 all in one PAYG add on, increasing bills in line with RPI etc) the 'make it right' campaign needs something positive to promote!

I would also like to see Feel at Home expanded further, as that's gone very quiet of late.
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