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Three 4G Discussion Thread (Part 2)


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Old 12-09-2015, 19:40
jonmorris
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Maybe the same Three store that was telling me all about the improved coverage now Three has bought O2! I did struggle to keep a straight face.

All stuff customers that don't know any better are told regularly no doubt.
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Old 12-09-2015, 20:31
enapace
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I really do wonder how Three managed to get this reliability thing they apparently have got.

It completely bewilders me why anyone would think Three is the best network for iPhones how does that make any sense when Three doesn't have WiFi Calling or Visual Voicemail. Both which are brilliant baked in additions to the phone which aren't gimmicks but actually help people.

Unless I'm talking complete rubbish but I find them to be really useful.
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Old 12-09-2015, 20:42
Chris1973
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I really do wonder how Three managed to get this reliability thing they apparently have got.
Agreed, especially when you see this type of thing on the coverage checker.

We're aware there's been a network problem in your area since 21 May 2015 to 13 September 2015. We're really sorry if this is affecting your services. We're doing all we can to fix the problem. We update this information every 30 minutes so please check for updates.
Are they waiting for a component to be invented
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Old 12-09-2015, 20:50
enapace
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Agreed, especially when you see this type of thing on the coverage checker.



Are they waiting for a component to be invented
Haha that is good even a new mast could get planning permission in less time lol.
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Old 12-09-2015, 20:57
Chris1973
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Haha that is good even a new mast could get planning permission in less time lol.
They've probably arrived to repair it, and found out that valves have gone obsolete
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Old 12-09-2015, 22:10
Booster1573
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A problem I've noticed is that calls cannot be made on 1800MHz. This means that despite showing the VoLTE arrows, it will drop down to 3G. This means that "4G Supervoice" currently only serves to fill in blackspots.
And it doesn't even fill in every blackspot, so don't get the impression that it is as good as O2 or Vodafone on 2G.
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Old 12-09-2015, 22:19
Booster1573
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I am impressed with the call setup times on VoLTE. Now they have IP calls, they should now have built in WiFi-Calling if that's how it works. They need to get some proper handoff to cellular sorted out first I guess.
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Old 12-09-2015, 22:19
moox
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A problem I've noticed is that calls cannot be made on 1800MHz. This means that despite showing the VoLTE arrows, it will drop down to 3G. This means that "4G Supervoice" currently only serves to fill in blackspots.
And it doesn't even fill in every blackspot, so don't get the impression that it is as good as O2 or Vodafone on 2G.
Give it time - it's only been around for 2 days. I'm sure there's still plenty of testing/tuning/optimisation to be done (and of course more phones to be allowed to use it). That's probably why it is so restricted - if you're in 1800 coverage (and can probably get 3G) then there's no reason to risk you using the technology that is not absolutely bulletproof
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Old 12-09-2015, 22:23
Carl_Boys
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Clicking the Galaxy s5 4g coverage on the map shows how much more 4g coverage, can't wait for the O2 merge, I'm holding out with three as I'm happy and looking forward to 800 volte on my iPhone. 5S may I add.
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Old 12-09-2015, 22:23
Denco1
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A problem I've noticed is that calls cannot be made on 1800MHz. This means that despite showing the VoLTE arrows, it will drop down to 3G. This means that "4G Supervoice" currently only serves to fill in blackspots.
And it doesn't even fill in every blackspot, so don't get the impression that it is as good as O2 or Vodafone on 2G.
It's a shame to hear that.
Have you had a chance to see what 4G-3G handoff is like mid call, ie if completely seamless or a small lag?
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Old 12-09-2015, 22:31
Booster1573
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Give it time - it's only been around for 2 days. I'm sure there's still plenty of testing/tuning/optimisation to be done (and of course more phones to be allowed to use it). That's probably why it is so restricted - if you're in 1800 coverage (and can probably get 3G) then there's no reason to risk you using the technology that is not absolutely bulletproof
I just wish I had the time as I am now on my last 30 days of my contracts and have already got a PAC code. I think I'll be moving to a Vodafone cashback deal with Quidco when the cashback goes back up to £120 for the 20GB SIM only deal. While I did enjoy AYCE data, I can live without it. Speed Tests aren't exactly useful and podcasts can be downloaded on WiFi.
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Old 12-09-2015, 22:32
Denco1
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Give it time - it's only been around for 2 days. I'm sure there's still plenty of testing/tuning/optimisation to be done (and of course more phones to be allowed to use it). That's probably why it is so restricted - if you're in 1800 coverage (and can probably get 3G) then there's no reason to risk you using the technology that is not absolutely bulletproof
I hope they allow VoLTE over 1800MHz but I'm not entirely certain they will. The way they have built there 800MHz network seems almost separate to the 1800MHz with it using different LACs and Nodes by the looks of it.

Like you say though Three don't exactly need VoLTE to work over 1800MHz as long as it stays with the current 2100MHz footprint, which it quite clearly is. Whether the aim is to offload as many calls to 3G as possible or just make implementation as simple as possible I haven't a clue.

It could also be they don't think srvcc is good enough for 1800-2100MHz or 1800-800MHz 4G handoff wouldn't be good enough.
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Old 12-09-2015, 22:34
Broken Hope
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Clicking the Galaxy s5 4g coverage on the map shows how much more 4g coverage, can't wait for the O2 merge, I'm holding out with three as I'm happy and looking forward to 800 volte on my iPhone. 5S may I add.
Fairly certain the 5S doesn't support VoLTE.
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Old 12-09-2015, 22:34
Synthetic42
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My area had planned maintenance yesterday, now it's showing...

"Good.
You should be able to make calls, send texts and use the internet in most instances on our 4G Super-Voice network. Just so you know, indoor signal strength may vary."

Which it didn't a few days ago, so it seems the mass maintenance going on is for 800 mhz / VoLTE

However I still can't use it on my S6 >_<
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Old 12-09-2015, 22:37
Booster1573
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It's a shame to hear that.
Have you had a chance to see what 4G-3G handoff is like mid call, ie if completely seamless or a small lag?
I haven't had the opportunity yet of going out of an 800MHz zone so I can't yet test the handoff to 3G yet.
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Old 12-09-2015, 22:47
DevonBloke
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Fairly certain the 5S doesn't support VoLTE.
No, the iPhone 5s doesn't do VoLTE and so won't pick up the 800 signal.

EDIT: Mine does though (iPhone 6) and so will, when they turn it on....... oh..... and when they actually put 4G on my mast......

I know this is the wrong thread but have I mentioned that before?
No EE 4G, on my Mast.......
Arrggggrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!
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Old 12-09-2015, 22:50
DevonBloke
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Hang on. They have rolled out VoLTE but not on 1800?????
All I can say to that is W T F???

As far as I know (someone correct me) EE will switch it on over the whole network (800, 1800 and 2600).
Kind of like that would make sense, right??

God, they really need to get rid of that f****** stupid purple puppet!!!!!
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Old 12-09-2015, 22:54
Synthetic42
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Hang on. They have rolled out VoLTE but not on 1800?????
All I can say to that is W T F???

As far as I know (someone correct me) EE will switch it on over the whole network (800, 1800 and 2600).
Kind of like that would make sense, right??

God, they really need to get rid of that f****** stupid purple puppet!!!!!
For those of us who have 1800

Sorry, couldn't resist
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Old 12-09-2015, 22:57
Denco1
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Hang on. They have rolled out VoLTE but not on 1800?????
All I can say to that is W T F???

As far as I know (someone correct me) EE will switch it on over the whole network (800, 1800 and 2600).
Kind of like that would make sense, right??

God, they really need to get rid of that f****** stupid purple puppet!!!!!
Sounds like that is the case. Jabbamk1 put something up about VoLTE over 800MHz and I remember thinking surely 1800MHz as well but it isn't looking that way.

So out the window my plans go to test VoLTE only over 1800MHz so I could get an idea of how well srvcc worked, and stay away from the likely congested 2x5MHz slice of 800MHz Three stupidly reckon is enough for them.

I wouldn't imagine EE plan to do anything odd like Three have, Three continually continue to defy belief. I can't think of any other big network operator who offer VoLTE on one 4G frequency and not another. OK Three are slightly different to most operators with not having some 2G/3G to compliment 4G 800MHz, but T-Mobile USA haven't played such a stunt with there 1700/2100 and 700MHz 4G.
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Old 12-09-2015, 23:01
japaul
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Hang on. They have rolled out VoLTE but not on 1800?????
All I can say to that is W T F???

As far as I know (someone correct me) EE will switch it on over the whole network (800, 1800 and 2600).
Yes, but EE are only going to activate it on one sector of a site. Just to be different.
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Old 12-09-2015, 23:10
DevonBloke
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Yes, but EE are only going to activate it on one sector of a site. Just to be different.
Cool. That means we will have to drive around in circles to make a call. I mean it's not like I have anything else to do!!! Hahahahaha
Seriously though, EE VoLTE will be network wide with 800 being slightly different in that only VoLTE handsets will see it.
It's the common sense thing. Like, it's what I would do if I was in charge.
What the hell are Three thinking???
Who the hell is in charge and why haven't they been fired???
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Old 12-09-2015, 23:18
Denco1
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It almost feels like Three's 800MHz is a roaming partner to Three's own network much like Orange 2G is.

800MHz being a last resort if you are outside of 2100MHz coverage, and slow internet, much like Orange 2G being a last resort if you are outside of an MBNL 3G area, and Orange 2G roaming having no accessible internet. Orange 2G can't handoff to Three 3G much like how Three 800MHz won't be able to handoff to 1800MHz.

I guess this is Three's way of showing how thin the 1800MHz layer actually is that activating VoLTE on it might not be worth the time, effort and potential problems.

The incompatibility within the Three network is outstanding and the problems will only grow if they merge with O2.
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Old 12-09-2015, 23:39
DevonBloke
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It's a bloody mess isn't it.
Where did it all go wrong?
I was rooting for Three.
They could be a credible competitor to EE if they got the 1800 rolled out.
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Old 13-09-2015, 00:56
mupet0000
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I wouldn't imagine EE plan to do anything odd like Three have, Three continually continue to defy belief. I can't think of any other big network operator who offer VoLTE on one 4G frequency and not another. OK Three are slightly different to most operators with not having some 2G/3G to compliment 4G 800MHz, but T-Mobile USA haven't played such a stunt with there 1700/2100 and 700MHz 4G.
VoLTE on one 4G frequency (800), on one phone (S5), with one small slice of spectrum (5mhz). 1+1+1 = 3. Half-Life 3 confirmed.

So how's it looking in terms of priority? Is it actually 4G 1800, 3G 2100, 4G 800??
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Old 13-09-2015, 01:24
Chinda
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A problem I've noticed is that calls cannot be made on 1800MHz. This means that despite showing the VoLTE arrows, it will drop down to 3G. This means that "4G Supervoice" currently only serves to fill in blackspots.
And it doesn't even fill in every blackspot, so don't get the impression that it is as good as O2 or Vodafone on 2G.
Hi its already been known since April from Three's official blog that their Volte service will only be run on band 20 800mhz. If you have a Samsung Galaxy S5 & had Three's super-voice/Volte OTA update & with super-voice/Volte turned on in the settings shouldn't the calls go through automatically on 800mhz frequency?
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