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Three 4G Discussion Thread (Part 2)


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Old 30-12-2016, 11:34
packages
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So am I correct in saying that Three are only letting mobiles connect to 800 if their phone works with VOLTE?
If their phone is 4G compatible but not VOLTE it will just connect to 1800 only?
I can see where the issue may come in if you're in an area where the 1800 travels better into buildings than 3G as you could be left in the situation where you can't call. I know 3 have the Three in Touch app but it's not as seamless for users.
That situation should never occur as the 4G1800 footprint will be set just a bit smaller than the 3G2100 minimum footprint
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Old 30-12-2016, 11:46
paulbeattie87
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That 1800 map is embarassing...
Funnily it looks to be on par with the VO2 4G coverage. Although I have not looked into percentages or any great detail.

They really do need to move on this. The congestion I experience on 4G in the city centre daily is one of the reasons I'm looking elsewhere. Just seems silly turning off 4G to make even a bus timetable load.
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Old 30-12-2016, 11:48
Jwhiterz
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That situation should never occur as the 4G1800 footprint will be set just a bit smaller than the 3G2100 minimum footprint
Ahh, I see makes sense. I suppose the footprint will be increased over time as more devices become compatible.
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Old 30-12-2016, 12:53
FmBandScan
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http://i.imgur.com/tQi3TUY.jpg

Was in a bit of a dead zone and my phone showed it as 3UK instead of just 3, wonder what happened there?
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Old 30-12-2016, 13:04
Jwhiterz
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http://i.imgur.com/tQi3TUY.jpg

Was in a bit of a dead zone and my phone showed it as 3UK instead of just 3, wonder what happened there?
I've had that recently in my area too, but it didn't appear for long. I wondered what the reason for it was... anyone know? I thought it may have been something to do with testing 4G?
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Old 30-12-2016, 17:33
finbaar
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It's all about priorities. I have 800 at home. On my Z3 I could force 4G only and get it in parts of the house when 1800 went.

On my Mate 9 I can't force 4G only so the phone clings on to 3G for dear life and I never get to use 800.

Most users aren't going to force 4G only even if they can so 800 is always going to be rather elusive until Three decides to start the process of shifting 800 up the table and refarming 3G spectrum to 4G.
Is the Mate 9 allowed to use B20 at all by 3?
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Old 30-12-2016, 17:42
finbaar
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That 1800 map is embarassing...
But it isn't accurate is it. Well, where I live there is plenty of B3 coverage not shown.
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Old 30-12-2016, 22:06
jonmorris
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Is the Mate 9 allowed to use B20 at all by 3?
Yes. It has VoLTE support and I've had Band 20 many times (as confirmed by LTE Discovery). No indication on the screen though. No Wi-Fi calling either.

Unfortunately, the option goes when you insert a EE SIM. It also seems that only SIM1 has the option (I put the Three SIM in slot 2 and get no option).
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Old 31-12-2016, 09:45
finbaar
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Yes. It has VoLTE support and I've had Band 20 many times (as confirmed by LTE Discovery). No indication on the screen though. No Wi-Fi calling either.

Unfortunately, the option goes when you insert a EE SIM. It also seems that only SIM1 has the option (I put the Three SIM in slot 2 and get no option).
Cheers Jon. Have you tried other Huawei devices like the P9 or Honor 8? According to the 3 website they are not compatible with B20.
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Old 31-12-2016, 12:49
jonmorris
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Cheers Jon. Have you tried other Huawei devices like the P9 or Honor 8? According to the 3 website they are not compatible with B20.
As yet they don't have VoLTE support, nor inTouch 4G calling support. Neither for Three or EE.

The Honor 8 with the Nougat beta doesn't add it either, but perhaps on the final release (hopefully).
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Old 31-12-2016, 16:55
finbaar
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As yet they don't have VoLTE support, nor inTouch 4G calling support. Neither for Three or EE.

The Honor 8 with the Nougat beta doesn't add it either, but perhaps on the final release (hopefully).
Again thanks Jon. I must admit to being decidedly underwhelmed by B20 on Three. It certainly wouldn't be anything I would put on a must have list of specs.
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Old 31-12-2016, 16:57
georgi_prodanov
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So if I am on a call on 3G and then move to area where there is no 3G but only 4G800 the call will drop or stay changing from 3G to 4G800?
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Old 31-12-2016, 17:02
thecjgcjg
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So if I am on a call on 3G and then move to area where there is no 3G but only 4G800 the call will drop or stay changing from 3G to 4G800?

As far as I know it will drop, in my experience three doesn't have eSRVCC, only SRVCC - the former being LTE -> 2G/3G
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Old 01-01-2017, 20:13
rasseru16
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Hi Guys,

I am thinking of moving my mum over to 3 due to their VoLTE offering. Can anyone confirm is Band 20 (800Mhz) is running at full power, is the coverage footprint much more noticeable indoors, where the 3G signal is sometimes weak?
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Old 01-01-2017, 23:01
Thine Wonk
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Hi Guys,

I am thinking of moving my mum over to 3 due to their VoLTE offering. Can anyone confirm is Band 20 (800Mhz) is running at full power, is the coverage footprint much more noticeable indoors, where the 3G signal is sometimes weak?
I would say that you might get increased indoor coverage but you want to make sure the handset you have supports 800 on Three, I'd also test it with a PAYG sim card first. I think the general consensus is that there is some improvement to indoor coverage but that it isn't a massive difference and you'd be better to trial it first.
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Old 03-01-2017, 19:07
Everything Goes
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Hi Guys,

I am thinking of moving my mum over to 3 due to their VoLTE offering. Can anyone confirm is Band 20 (800Mhz) is running at full power, is the coverage footprint much more noticeable indoors, where the 3G signal is sometimes weak?
800MHz does not operate at full power compared with 1800MHz and 2100MHz. It is set at the lowest priority and it will rarely connect to it. Pretty much useless to be honest.
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Old 03-01-2017, 19:21
jonmorris
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Looking at the coverage maps I'd say it is on high power, but you'll still get 3G over it whenever available.

I went walking today and got a lot of band 20 4G, with speeds approaching 20Mbps but every now and then it found 3G and I couldn't even do a test.
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Old 03-01-2017, 19:29
Thine Wonk
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Looking at the coverage maps I'd say it is on high power, but you'll still get 3G over it whenever available.

I went walking today and got a lot of band 20 4G, with speeds approaching 20Mbps but every now and then it found 3G and I couldn't even do a test.
I have an LG G3 which with a magic code allows you to set LTE and the band, I have driven all over and Three's 800Mhz is MASSIVE! If you lock it on manually you can drive 100 miles on band 20 only streaming TuneIn radio and not have it lose 4G at all.

However as you say if it sees 1800Mhz it'll prefer that and if it sees 2100Mhz 3G it'll also prefer that most times.
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Old 03-01-2017, 19:34
Jwhiterz
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Is there anyway on iPhone to know what band you're connected to?.

Also does Volte with 3 only work on 800 or is it also on 1800?
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Old 03-01-2017, 20:08
jonmorris
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Three is testing VoLTE on 1800 but that's about it as far as I know.
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Old 03-01-2017, 20:17
InfamousTeal
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Is there anyway on iPhone to know what band you're connected to?.

Also does Volte with 3 only work on 800 or is it also on 1800?
Dial *3001#12345#* and press serving cell info when you're on 4G. Freq band indicator, 3 = 1800MHz, 20 = 800 MHz.
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Old 03-01-2017, 20:40
packages
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Dial *3001#12345#* and press serving cell info when you're on 4G. Freq band indicator, 3 = 1800MHz, 20 = 800 MHz.
This won't work on an iPhone 7 model
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Old 03-01-2017, 22:38
rasseru16
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I have an LG G3 which with a magic code allows you to set LTE and the band, I have driven all over and Three's 800Mhz is MASSIVE! If you lock it on manually you can drive 100 miles on band 20 only streaming TuneIn radio and not have it lose 4G at all.

However as you say if it sees 1800Mhz it'll prefer that and if it sees 2100Mhz 3G it'll also prefer that most times.
I wish I could lock LTE bands with my Samsung GS7
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Old 03-01-2017, 23:04
Jwhiterz
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This won't work on an iPhone 7 model
Yeah doesn't work on mine. That's annoying.
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Old 04-01-2017, 06:16
natbike
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800MHz does not operate at full power compared with 1800MHz and 2100MHz. It is set at the lowest priority and it will rarely connect to it. Pretty much useless to be honest.
Although this was true in some places, it is not universal.

Originally I experienced this where I live (weak 3g ruining a reliable 4G b20 service). After about 2 months something changes and I never saw 3g again at home and b20 meant no missed calls etc.

My old phone still connected to 3g, so it hasn't disappeared, but b20 made a massive difference for me after that. It just worked.

YMMV but for some it is worth it.
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