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EE 2G/3G/4G Discussion Thread (Part 2)


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Old 20-05-2016, 21:40
jchamier
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If EE did go 2G/4G only, what would happen with regards to MBNL? Since MBNL covers 3G only, would both operators roll out their 4G separately? What masts would Three be allowed to use for 4G, that EE are already using?
MBNL (www.mbnl.co.uk) is not a network, it doesn't have an Ofcom licence. It cannot transmit legally. It therefore cannot decide what to transmit from a mast - it is only an infrastructure sharing organisation. The mast itself may be rented from another organisation such as Arqiva (www.arqiva.com) under their SiteShare service, or the mast may be a site owned by someone such as a bank or other property company (especially where transmitters are installed on buildings).

Each network (Three and EE) independently will choose to install 3G to a mast, but what I understand is that if either does install 3G that the agreement means the equipment can be shared between the two, via the MBNL agreement.
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Old 20-05-2016, 22:58
Broken Hope
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Would be nice to know, nothing noticed from a quick look through settings.
Suppose it could be tweaks to WiFi Calling or VoLTE.
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Old 20-05-2016, 23:40
CheshireBumpkin
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I know that my last post was a bit long, but I thought it'd be better to do that, than to make 2, 3 or even more posts in a row.
Suggestion: Cut out the same old crap you've posted every hour for the last few months, the stuff you virtually copy and paste from those on the forum who know what they're talking about, and the baseless speculation, and you should be able to get it down to a post every month or two...
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Old 21-05-2016, 00:48
DevonBloke
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I think my MIP mast here (previously EE2G/4G) has just gone EE3G too....
Interesting they are still rolling out this old technology.
I'd prefer a total 2G/4G network.

EDIT:
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Old 21-05-2016, 00:52
Stereo Steve
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I think this explains everything. I does take a while to get to the 3G/4G argument.

https://www.facebook.com/candaceSpay...9653193067040/
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Old 21-05-2016, 00:56
DevonBloke
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3G must give the networks huge headaches in terms of breathing in under load. You make a map of coverage and it moves about as more or less people use it. I'm not sure what the extent is but I do know that where I live, 3 3G can be extremely variable. This of course, has a knock on for 4G1800 which is now hamstrung by this old tech. Quite simply, if everyone had a phone that did 2G and 4G it would make the networks job easier. As most phones now do 4G it's only a matter of time until the percentage of non 2G/3G only phones is so small that the benefits for the masses will outweigh losing those customers and they could always be identified and offered a better deal to upgrade to 4G.

Then 3G is binned with a notice period so that people can see out their contracts. There will also be a hard core of 2G only users but they won't be affected either way.

In the meantime, I would have thought EE will not bother with 3G on existing 2G only masts unless it's part of a deal with MBNL.
Sounds about right. Except as jc says it's Three not MBNL. MBNL just fit the kit when either company wants 3G. Local MIP (North Huish) has just gone EE3G. 4G > 2G CSFB was working perfectly well last week. Wondering if Three have fitted the 3G and so now EE can just share it but wouldn't have necessarily fitted it themselves.... maybe... possibly... answers on a postcard....
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Old 21-05-2016, 00:58
Stereo Steve
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Sounds about right. Except as jc says it's Three not MBNL. MBNL just fit the kit when either company wants 3G. Local MIP (North Huish) has just gone EE3G. 4G > 2G CSFB was working perfectly well last week. Wondering if Three have fitted the 3G and so now EE can just share it but wouldn't have necessarily fitted it themselves.... maybe... possibly... answers on a postcard....
It's all good. I doubt EE are putting a penny into 3G though. Why would they bother?
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Old 21-05-2016, 09:00
mobilecentre
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I saw an article on a ESN event where EE basically said installing 3G is a once use only tech where they can build a 5G network on the existing 4G network so I would imagine from a purely return on investment point of view that will happen very shortly if not already ie 2G/4G only investment. I think VF have the same ambition lets foregt about the past and the lack of 3G and start building 4G ready for 5G and get it right a decade or two late!
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Old 21-05-2016, 11:51
CheshireBumpkin
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I think this explains everything. I does take a while to get to the 3G/4G argument.

https://www.facebook.com/candaceSpay...9653193067040/
Oh Steve, that video is brilliant - what an ace woman!
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Old 21-05-2016, 12:18
mrMick
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I think this explains everything. I does take a while to get to the 3G/4G argument.

https://www.facebook.com/candaceSpay...9653193067040/
She looks easily pleased lol
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Old 21-05-2016, 14:38
kev
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The 1800 power increase (to 2G levels) can only happen when the 4G rollout is fully complete, and when most people are using VoLTE for calls. Most people are dropping to 3G (or 2G) for calls, but with the 1800 on full power, the calls will have to go purely to 2G instead. 2G will be swamped unless the majority of calls are on Volte.
Why would they have to go to purely 2G? - surely those in 3G coverage would continue to drop from LTE to 3G, and those outside it would fall back to a 2G transmitter which will be carrying less traffic as all the VoLTE handsets will now be sticking to 4G rater than switching to 2G due to lack of signal?
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Old 21-05-2016, 15:45
beans0ntoast
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Why would they have to go to purely 2G? - surely those in 3G coverage would continue to drop from LTE to 3G, and those outside it would fall back to a 2G transmitter which will be carrying less traffic as all the VoLTE handsets will now be sticking to 4G rater than switching to 2G due to lack of signal?
But if the phone was on 4G (but doesn't support VoLTE, so has to drop back) then how would the phone know whether to go to 2G or 3G?

Do mobile phones actively check the signal strength of other technologies (say 3G and 2G) when they are connected to a network type already (say 4G)?
If they did, then the phone would know to go to 3G for calls where 3G is available. But if they didn't, then what's to stop then trying to go to 3G, only to find out there isn't any 3G, and then they have to go to 2G, or the call drops?

And anyway, I thought that the eventual plan was to refarm 2100 to 4G (though that won't happen for another 5 years or so)?
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Old 21-05-2016, 16:33
lightspeed2398
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But if the phone was on 4G (but doesn't support VoLTE, so has to drop back) then how would the phone know whether to go to 2G or 3G?

Do mobile phones actively check the signal strength of other technologies (say 3G and 2G) when they are connected to a network type already (say 4G)?
If they did, then the phone would know to go to 3G for calls where 3G is available. But if they didn't, then what's to stop then trying to go to 3G, only to find out there isn't any 3G, and then they have to go to 2G, or the call drops?

And anyway, I thought that the eventual plan was to refarm 2100 to 4G (though that won't happen for another 5 years or so)?
The way it's been explained to me is as this. The phone receives a notification from the network that a call is incoming and it needs to switch back to a technology that is capable of doing calls (CSFB / Circuit Switched Fall Back), the notification ( I think it's in the notification not in some other part of the connection between the phone and the network) can tell the phone to try 3G only, 2G only or measure the strengths and go on 3G if it's there or 2G if 3G is unusably bad. The trouble is this all takes time especially the measuring and dropping down to 2G so it can result in a bad user experience.
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Old 21-05-2016, 18:23
jchamier
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If they did, then the phone would know to go to 3G for calls where 3G is available. But if they didn't, then what's to stop then trying to go to 3G, only to find out there isn't any 3G, and then they have to go to 2G, or the call drops?
In 4G, the signalling channel tells the phone that 3G and 2G are available, on 3G, the signalling channel tells the phone that 2G is available. In appropriate areas, depending on the cell site, it might be 4G tells the phone its 2G for CSFB. Obviously if the handset does VoLTE then this isn't an issue. 3G will only start to be switched off once sufficient phones are VoLTE capable, and/or sufficient 2G capacity exists.
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Old 21-05-2016, 22:40
DevonBloke
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Yeah it can be one or the other or both. As Lightspeed says, the way I too understand it is the process of trying 3G then moving to 2G if 3G is no good can take too long. But actually I don't know what system is deployed or whether is different on every site or group of sites so I can't say.
What I do know is that SRVCC, when a call goes from 4G to a circuit switched layer can certainly be both. My mast will sometime transfer a VoLTE call to 3G and sometimes to 2G, in the same location so it is clearly measuring both.
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Old 22-05-2016, 13:56
plymouthbloke1974
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Anyone else had an iPhone carrier update to EE 24.1 and lost VoLTE?
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Old 22-05-2016, 15:12
capt hangover
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Yes and no.
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Old 22-05-2016, 16:07
ozz
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Anyone else had an iPhone carrier update to EE 24.1 and lost VoLTE?
Updated yesterday but still working for me

Still don't know why the option is still there for 4G Data only or 4G Data & Voice with EE carrier profile 24.1

BT Mobile carrier profile 24.0 still has selectable 2G/3G/4G for voice and data which seems a much more logical setup.
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Old 22-05-2016, 16:11
d123
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Anyone else had an iPhone carrier update to EE 24.1 and lost VoLTE?
Looks like it, hasn't been working this weekend.
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Old 22-05-2016, 16:51
Ad13
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I had the same carrier update and it removed the 'voice & data' option - just reset network settings and it magically appeared again.
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Old 22-05-2016, 17:14
d123
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I had the same carrier update and it removed the 'voice & data' option - just reset network settings and it magically appeared again.
Reset has worked for me as well.
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Old 22-05-2016, 18:24
Skippy2005
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Reset has worked for me as well.
And me!
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Old 23-05-2016, 04:01
mjdj1689
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I will have to do this as my 4g signal had got a lot weaker and also lost. Wifi calling .
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Old 23-05-2016, 12:15
Minardi
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Not been in here for ages. Nice to know the discussion hasn't changed since last time I poked my head in!!

Anyway. My Lumia 1020 has finally expired and I'm posting this from my temporary Lumia 1320. Screens of 6in are not practical in my job I don't think! Falls out my pocket when I run after cows...

Anyway. EE business have quoted me £40+Vat/month with 25GB of data and a new phone. That decent enough? Sounds good to me anyway! More tractor Spotify for me!
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Old 23-05-2016, 12:44
Toffee-Brann
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Will it ever be possible that wifi calling hands off to 3g/2g like VoLTE does?
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