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Three 4G Discussion Thread (Part 2)


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Old 11-11-2016, 07:39
planetf1
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roll on wifi calling for iPhone7
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Old 11-11-2016, 09:21
Roger_Peters
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I assume that wifi calling kicks in automatically when conditions are right?
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Old 11-11-2016, 10:45
jchamier
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I assume that wifi calling kicks in automatically when conditions are right?
You'll get a switch in Settings->Phone to turn it on and off. This will take a carrier update to enable. When enabled and you are on WiFi you get a change in the top bar saying "WiFi Call" on both EE and Vodafone.

Some WiFi networks block WiFi calling, including Sainsburys WiFi which is annoying as my local store has no signal on ANY network. (too much metal work!).
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Old 11-11-2016, 10:48
Roger_Peters
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I have noticed since doing the firmware upgrade that occasionally a telephone handset and wifi waves icon appears.
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Old 11-11-2016, 11:06
Dave_Lee
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Signal issue`s on Three this morning so checked via network status and below was outcome, is there somewhere i can look online to see what improvements are being made?, planning applications via council?. Thanks

We're planning some network improvements in your area.

We're planning some network improvements in your area on 15 November 2016. We really hope this doesn't affect your services too much, but once we're done you'll have a better network experience.
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Old 11-11-2016, 11:13
packages
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Signal issue`s on Three this morning so checked via network status and below was outcome, is there somewhere i can look online to see what improvements are being made?, planning applications via council?. Thanks

We're planning some network improvements in your area.

We're planning some network improvements in your area on 15 November 2016. We really hope this doesn't affect your services too much, but once we're done you'll have a better network experience.
roadworks.org sometimes has stuff too? What's the postcode of your nearest mast?
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Old 11-11-2016, 11:34
Dave_Lee
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roadworks.org sometimes has stuff too? What's the postcode of your nearest mast?
DD10 thanks
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Old 11-11-2016, 11:41
Roger_Peters
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How can I determine my nearest 3 UK active transmitter?
I am sure there is one quite close to my home but I only get a weak signal.

There are fequently works being undertaken there according to the 3 UK coverage checker but nothing ever changes, so I do sometimes suspect that my nearest transmitter is not active anymore.
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Old 12-11-2016, 18:31
Lewis_Pommells
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How can I determine my nearest 3 UK active transmitter?
I am sure there is one quite close to my home but I only get a weak signal.

There are fequently works being undertaken there according to the 3 UK coverage checker but nothing ever changes, so I do sometimes suspect that my nearest transmitter is not active anymore.
I have managed to achieve this by contacting three themselves quoting the location and cell number, turns out in my case that the site in question is an ex orange site which is due to be upgraded soon to H3G equipment. I emailed my query via the CEO email and received this via a reply:

"Dear Lewis - your request has been passed to me to respond to.

We do not currently offer a service from the site that you are enquiring about, however it is one that is being developed for us. It was originally an Orange site but is in the process of being transferred to the MBNL portfolio and thus able for us to use. The plan is that we will be live on it in early 2017 using both our 3G and 4G network following cooperation with our partner network.

I hope this information helps. Thank you for contacting us and I hope you will be able to consider using our network in the future.

Regards
Nigel Rowe
Director of RAN & Connectivity

www.three.co.uk"
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Old 12-11-2016, 18:58
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Hi

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Old 12-11-2016, 21:18
georgi_prodanov
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three have just introduced wifi calling but does it switch from wifi to 4G seamless like EE
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Old 12-11-2016, 22:41
-ajm-
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I'd be interested to see an updated comparison.
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Old 14-11-2016, 17:27
david16
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Mobile broadband on PAYG is getting cheaper now with three.

12GB of data lasting 12 months costs £20 on Amazon while 24GB of data lasting 24 months costs £28.40 in Amazon.
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Old 14-11-2016, 17:37
Roger_Peters
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three have just introduced wifi calling but does it switch from wifi to 4G seamless like EE
Yes, it seems that it does.

Even texting works on it.

It has now proved that I frequently have no signal at home as it is now frequently switching to Wi-Fi.

Therefore, I shall be going ahead and terminating my contract with 3 UK when my contract is up in April.

When I first took out a contract with 3UK, the signal in my area was excellent but something changed and the signal is often not available. This is despite 3 promising over the years that god knows how many periods of work have taken place to fix my issue. I am guessing that they have made my nearest mast redundant or reduced the power massively. I am very close to a transmitter. Whether it is live any more, I have no idea. Why should I pay for a service that I can frequently only use at home if I have an internet connection!

At the moment, it could be EE that I move to but I will do lots of research to see what provider has the best coverage in my area.
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Old 14-11-2016, 18:08
Denco1
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Yes, it seems that it does.

Even texting works on it.

It has now proved that I frequently have no signal at home as it is now frequently switching to Wi-Fi.

Therefore, I shall be going ahead and terminating my contract with 3 UK when my contract is up in April.

When I first took out a contract with 3UK, the signal in my area was excellent but something changed and the signal is often not available. This is despite 3 promising over the years that god knows how many periods of work have taken place to fix my issue. I am guessing that they have made my nearest mast redundant or reduced the power massively. I am very close to a transmitter. Whether it is live any more, I have no idea. Why should I pay for a service that I can frequently only use at home if I have an internet connection!

At the moment, it could be EE that I move to but I will do lots of research to see what provider has the best coverage in my area.
So are you able to switch between 4G-WiFi, WiFi-4G mid call?
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Old 14-11-2016, 18:16
Roger_Peters
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So are you able to switch between 4G-WiFi, WiFi-4G mid call?
No idea.

I assume it does as it switches automatically when idle.

It wouldn't be much use if it didn't.
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Old 14-11-2016, 18:28
Denco1
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No idea.

I assume it does as it switches automatically when idle.

It wouldn't be much use if it didn't.
It would still be useful, just less useful than if it can't switch between them. It still allows you seamlessly take calls/texts on WiFi with no signal, regardless of whether it can switch between them on the fly.
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Old 14-11-2016, 18:37
georgi_prodanov
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also on the website it does not mention if wifi calling is available on PAYG. if it is available that is good news as Voda and EE only support wifi calling on pay monthly plans
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Old 14-11-2016, 18:46
Denco1
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also on the website it does not mention if wifi calling is available on PAYG. if it is available that is good news as Voda and EE only support wifi calling on pay monthly plans
I would imagine it is available, as the Three in touch app is, as is 4G supervoice.
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Old 14-11-2016, 18:59
jonmorris
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What handsets support native Wi-Fi calling? Is there a website page explaining things?

My Mate 9 has the VoLTE settings but nothing about Wi-Fi, although I guess it could be set up without any notification or menu setting.
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Old 14-11-2016, 19:23
Denco1
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What handsets support native Wi-Fi calling? Is there a website page explaining things?

My Mate 9 has the VoLTE settings but nothing about Wi-Fi, although I guess it could be set up without any notification or menu setting.
LG G5, S6, S6e
It's just on the same page as Three inTouch, they've just branded WiFi calling Three inTouch WiFi calling.
www.three.co.uk/discover/three_intouch

I wouldn't think it would ever be setup without an option to turn it off, as reliability has the potential to be much less than 4G supervoice.
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Old 14-11-2016, 22:51
CheshireBumpkin
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At the moment, it could be EE that I move to but I will do lots of research to see what provider has the best coverage in my area.
It's quite likely that EE and Three share the local mast, and potentially the problem if it relates to backhaul or power. Do make sure your testing is rigorous.

My local mast is EE/Three and both suffer from exactly the same problems - although only Three refer to the potential problems when you plug the postcode into their coverage checker. EE keep schtum and wait for you to sign up before you find out...
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Old 14-11-2016, 23:11
neil_b17
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Three have just added a 4G mast near to where I live. It's not very powerful, as the coverage drops down to 1 bar after about 300 metres. Strange thing is that it's been live for about a month now and it doesn't show up on three's coverage map but it does show up on EE's.
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Old 15-11-2016, 00:16
blueacid
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I was down near Merthyr Tydfil this weekend; found Three's 4G800 to be working overtime; my phone was using it a tremendous amount of the time.

If you look at the area on the Rootmetrics map, especially heading up to Pontsticill, you can see where my phone reported the 4G being the best available technology before fading to no service.. you need to toggle between best technology and calling performance to get a clue as to how that worked.

..although then I carried on north to the cottage I was in where there was no service whatsoever from anyone - excellent!

Saw 4G800 lots on the journey home as well, I'm certain that the priority level has been tweaked in more than a few areas. Can the network or handset be configured to prefer 4G800 over 3G2100 sooner? (i.e. before 3G becomes useless due to poor signal?) - If so, I suspect it's this value that they've been playing with!
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Old 15-11-2016, 00:22
jonmorris
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I would hope that Three will eventually put 4G800 above 3G2100. 3G only users will of course always use 3G. 4G users will then use 1800 first, 800 second - almost as a last resort if 1800 isn't available. The thresholds can be adjusted so it will get back to 1800 as quickly as possible, which - once they have more 4G coverage at 1800 - means little chance of going back to 3G except where there's no 4G at all.

I have no idea how many Three customers are still using a 3G only handset, but going forward the obvious step is to start refarming 3G2100 to 4G. At this point you could then start using carrier aggregation and, depending on spectrum, set 2100 higher than 1800, followed by 800.

At home there are times where I get stuck on 3G indoors, and it's always a bit hit and miss. Cell breathing can mean 10-15Mbps sometimes, and sod all the next. I'd much prefer for the phone to switch to 4G 800 and be consistent, even if the maximum speed would be slower.

I'd far rather slower than nothing.

Three might have limited spectrum, but when 3G is overloaded, surely Three would be glad to shunt people off to 4G 800 if they could?
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