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Three 4G Discussion Thread (Part 2)


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Old 04-11-2016, 20:40
Thine Wonk
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Meant to say that the '2G' level for each MNO includes weak 3G/4G. I'll get a number for Orange 2G soon.
You can assume that if a network leaves you on 3G then it's usable typically, so I think it may have been better to just do 2G,3G,4G. Very interesting to see the information, thanks for doing the tests.
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Old 04-11-2016, 20:55
_m
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You can assume that if a network leaves you on 3G then it's usable typically, so I think it may have been better to just do 2G,3G,4G. Very interesting to see the information, thanks for doing the tests.
I went with those thresholds because they're what Ofcom use when predicting coverage (page 86 https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/asse...ations2015.pdf) so anything lower than -100db on 3G, Ofcom wouldn't class as being 'covered'.
Certain MNOs may have problems with this but meh, Ofcom's problem not mine
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Old 04-11-2016, 23:39
hammy_y
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You can assume that if a network leaves you on 3G then it's usable typically, so I think it may have been better to just do 2G,3G,4G. Very interesting to see the information, thanks for doing the tests.
Weak 3G can be worse than EDGE in some cases though
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Old 04-11-2016, 23:57
FmBandScan
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Nice fast speed test from the Mate 9, I also love the signal bars most phones like my 6P just show one solid block, or 4 bars that are hard to distinguish like the Samsungs, the Mate looks like it gives a nice solid indication of signal.

Also try *#*#4636#*#* on the Mate 9 see if it brings up a menu, then press Phone info.

Or download the 4G switcher app, will be interesting if you can force 4G only on it, would make me want one quite badly! But I've sadly only just bought my 6P.
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Old 05-11-2016, 07:49
jonmorris
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4G switcher, and the INFO shortcut entered manually, doesn't work on Huawei kit. No idea why.

You can theme the phone and change fonts and icons (which I've not done yet as no themes that change either come preloaded) and some are the new flat native Android style. Some have also done the Apple-like dots and more.
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Old 05-11-2016, 09:20
Gigabit
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How's reception on the Mate 9? I recall the 6P being fantastic for reception.
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Old 05-11-2016, 13:50
Mark in Essex
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Nice fast speed test from the Mate 9, I also love the signal bars most phones like my 6P just show one solid block, or 4 bars that are hard to distinguish like the Samsungs, the Mate looks like it gives a nice solid indication of signal.

Also try *#*#4636#*#* on the Mate 9 see if it brings up a menu, then press Phone info.

Or download the 4G switcher app, will be interesting if you can force 4G only on it, would make me want one quite badly! But I've sadly only just bought my 6P.
Where did you get your Mate 9 and how much was it as am tempted with this phone?

Thanks, Mark.
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Old 05-11-2016, 15:01
jonmorris
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How's reception on the Mate 9? I recall the 6P being fantastic for reception.
So far it seems that this is going to be very much the same. Doesn't seem to support 80MHz 5G Wi-Fi though (just 40MHz) which isn't a massive deal.
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Old 05-11-2016, 16:27
FmBandScan
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Where did you get your Mate 9 and how much was it as am tempted with this phone?

Thanks, Mark.
I haven't got one, I was asking to see if you can put the phone into 4G only, currently using a 6P which is made by the same manufacturer and you can put it into 4G only.

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Old 05-11-2016, 16:40
David_bl1
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I was at Alton Towers not that long ago too (annual pass) and coverage is pretty good with inevitable dead spots, so I can't be sure of getting 800 only access.

If you can't disable 3G then it can be quite hard to get 800 even where you know it's plentiful.

If the phone shows no symbol then obviously I will have no way of knowing, other than just having signal all the time. Problem is, I suspect I'm going to have 3G in a lot of places first.

Of course, for the purpose of testing, it's not ideal but obviously the whole idea is that a normal user doesn't need to know - just have a way of making and receiving calls anywhere.

I'll be taking a EE and Vodafone SIM with me. EE on the Pixel XL and VF and 3 in the Mate 9. The primary purpose to take photos when there. I'll probably have a P9 for P9/M9 comparisons too.

Who knows, I might even get to do some rides in between...
Alton Towers CTIL L800 planning application - http://publicaccess.staffsmoorlands....ageName=119170


Alton Towers EE L800/1800 planning application -
http://publicaccess.staffsmoorlands....ageName=142330
http://publicaccess.staffsmoorlands....ageName=148194

Three didn't activate their L800 for quite some time after EE. I'm guessing they were waiting for different backhaul to be installed?
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Old 05-11-2016, 17:53
jonmorris
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I've got 4G all over. Working well with 35,000+ people here for the fireworks.
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Old 05-11-2016, 19:13
packages
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I've got 4G all over. Working well with 35,000+ people here for the fireworks.
EE too?
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Old 05-11-2016, 19:14
packages
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Alton Towers CTIL L800 planning application - http://publicaccess.staffsmoorlands....ageName=119170


Alton Towers EE L800/1800 planning application -
http://publicaccess.staffsmoorlands....ageName=142330
http://publicaccess.staffsmoorlands....ageName=148194

Three didn't activate their L800 for quite some time after EE. I'm guessing they were waiting for different backhaul to be installed?
EE have 800 live at Alton Towers?
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Old 06-11-2016, 00:08
jonmorris
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Yes and Vodafone had 4G pretty much everywhere too.

Good to see that the place is considered important enough to be covered, and with a decent backhaul that got me some 60Mbps results in the car park.
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Old 06-11-2016, 06:40
Carl_Boys
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How was the fireworks Jon. Did ya get some YouTube footage ha. Heading up today for cbeebies land for my little one then fireworks. I see on Facebook it reaches capacity at 5 so hope I get in! Last years ones looked impressive. (Sorry for the OT post).
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Old 06-11-2016, 10:52
jonmorris
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Fireworks are awesome but it was crazy crowded so we didn't get the best view. Some people took positions on the grass at 1-2pm.

I'd never queue 5-6 hours for fireworks!

And yes I got lots of photos and video, but tried to watch properly too!

https://goo.gl/photos/4LJ5xfVHcT7Nj8dFA
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Old 06-11-2016, 17:04
Carl_Boys
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Locked on 4g on three and all good and quality speeds. Was I the pasta buffet area and dropped a little but main area in coffee shop near fireworks 4 bars and getting.

http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/i/1847327815
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Old 06-11-2016, 18:10
Thine Wonk
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I think booting off all the really heavy tethering users over the last year or two was the right decision for Three.
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Old 06-11-2016, 18:28
Carl_Boys
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Getting really busy now. Still getting this:

http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/i/1847427021
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Old 07-11-2016, 11:09
blueacid
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I think booting off all the really heavy tethering users over the last year or two was the right decision for Three.
Twin that with EE and Vodafone doing some specials on SIM only with quite a generous helping of data (~15-20GB for £20) over the past few months and I bet a few 'Unlimited' users looked at their use and moved across as well; I certainly considered it strongly!
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Old 07-11-2016, 14:44
Redcoat
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Looks like 3 have switched on 4G locally here if my network scans are anything to go by, they're not updated on 3's coverage map though. A postcode check says that certain works were just completed and further work is planned for this Wednesday. It looks like that it is currently Band 3 that's just in use as coverage closely mimics 3G. Maybe the further work is to implement Band 20 coverage, which should show just how well it can penetrate indoors compared to their current 1800/2100 network.
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Old 09-11-2016, 09:14
natbike
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Twin that with EE and Vodafone doing some specials on SIM only with quite a generous helping of data (~15-20GB for £20) over the past few months and I bet a few 'Unlimited' users looked at their use and moved across as well; I certainly considered it strongly!
Currently EE have 32GB for £14.50!
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Old 09-11-2016, 20:26
biggy7
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ok, in a bit of s dilemma, i have had a EE sim only deal with unl calls. unl texts and 6gb data for £11 via cashback deal from MPD, it ends end of Dec 2016

i see Three have the 30Gb offer on and MPD also have cashback on it (i dont mind cashbaxk, im very organised and dont miss the dates)

https://s11.postimg.org/lf88cswlf/three_deal.png

this deal ends tomorrow, so tempted to buy it and then hold out 2 months then get my PAC from EE and move my number to three.

is there anything that can beat it right now? im wondering what Three's next offer is going to be after this one ends..

i own a S7 Edge (sim free) and the reason why i went with EE was for wifi calling which works fine on the S7 edge (BTU), but i see 3 are rolling out their wifi calling out (slowly) and have the intouch app, our house has bad reception so this will help when im at home,
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Old 10-11-2016, 10:17
GavinAshford
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According to Three's device list the S6 and S6Edge both now have EmbeddedTINT=True
(presumably only those with the Three branded firmware).

Edit: They are showing as "WifiCalling ready" on the Tint page itself http://www.three.co.uk/discover/three_intouch
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Old 10-11-2016, 10:20
Roger_Peters
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According to Three's device list the S6 and S6Edge both now have EmbeddedTINT=True
(presumably only those with the Three branded firmware).

Edit: They are showing as "WifiCalling ready" on the Tint page itself http://www.three.co.uk/discover/three_intouch
Yes that is true.

My S6 Edge has had it for about 3 days.
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