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Roaming on Three in UK problem.


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Old 08-07-2016, 15:05
heidtheba
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Normally at the house I get a 2g signal by roaming, but last night no sign of it at all.

Tried today with sim in another phone at a different mast (which I know would be roaming only) with same result.


Is this liable to be a Sim problem or have Three changed anything in that the last day or so re roaming in the UK ??
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Old 08-07-2016, 15:37
chrisjr
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If you google "Three 2G fallback" you will see plenty of hits going back many years talking about the 2G fallback ending in many areas. So it could be something like that affecting you or there is a fault on the Orange 2G network where you are (Three use Orange's network for the 2G fallback) preventing you connecting.

Does your phone have the option to force a 2G only connection? That might tell you if there is any service. Or try a 2G only phone if you can find one
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Old 08-07-2016, 16:01
heidtheba
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Ta for reply. Tried a 2g phone last night and nada, and main phone is a dual sim with an orange sim in slot 2. (Bizarro but before yesterday I got internet via the orange sim but couldn't get it roaming on the 3 one, only calls/texts).

I didn't know about the 2g fallback ending in places (and I got a text on Monday saying they are doing work at my work postcode this week, so they are in area).
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Old 08-07-2016, 16:36
chrisjr
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It could be that the work you mention is the cause of the problem. EE and Three are involved in a joint venture called MBNL (http://mbnl.co.uk/) to upgrade their networks. Again that may have some bearing on the decline of the 2G fallback as the network upgrade progresses.
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Old 08-07-2016, 16:44
thebennyboy
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I have also noticed that 2G fallback is no longer available down my valley. Doesn't appear on network search as either EE or Three too which is strange. I hope they're finally upgrading it. It's now left a large coverage gap in the middle of the valley for both EE and Three as it's old legacy orange 2G site situated on a pylon.
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Old 08-07-2016, 17:15
interactiv-uk
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You may find that EE have upgraded an old Orange 2G (234-33) site and converted it into a new EE 2G/4G (234-30) site which they seem to have started doing in some areas. Not adding 3G keeps 3 off the site and the removal of the old Orange network code also kills the 2G roaming for 3 users if it was still available before.
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Old 08-07-2016, 18:23
heidtheba
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Thanks folks.


Might be me being dense, but wouldn't 2g be a requirement for , say, 1800 4g , for voice fall back? Would be ludicrous to implement any other kind of 4g here.

(Despite 'location' I'm back on the mainland, but 'remote').
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Old 08-07-2016, 18:23
thebennyboy
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Queried it on Three's twitter and got completely ignored.
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Old 08-07-2016, 18:30
heidtheba
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Queried it on Three's twitter and got completely ignored.

Back at house on orange sim so that sort of thing is beyond me on 2g


Still the same today so probably 'ta-ta' to roaming for me
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Old 08-07-2016, 18:43
heidtheba
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You may find that EE have upgraded an old Orange 2G (234-33) site and converted it into a new EE 2G/4G (234-30) site which they seem to have started doing in some areas. Not adding 3G keeps 3 off the site and the removal of the old Orange network code also kills the 2G roaming for 3 users if it was still available before.

Aaahhh, took a few mins to sink in.

It's an EE sim I have , just refer to it as Orange as that what it showed up on in network search at the house, and T mobile at work.

Just searched at house and it now shows EE.


So mast being upgraded by ee but 3 not involved ? So not mbnl ?

If it's 3 or 4g (I doubt it) I would jump ship to EE reluctantly.
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Old 08-07-2016, 20:14
heidtheba
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Just a last thought/question a fore I leave it to the techy heads....


I normally have a Chinese dual sim phone, (jiayu g4 for the last 3/4 years in two models) and am about to bite on the Umi Super.

Q is, if ee ramp my local mast to 4g (unlikely) , would it connect? Or would I need their firmware?
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Old 08-07-2016, 20:25
moox
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Thanks folks.


Might be me being dense, but wouldn't 2g be a requirement for , say, 1800 4g , for voice fall back? Would be ludicrous to implement any other kind of 4g here.

(Despite 'location' I'm back on the mainland, but 'remote').
Yes - but in EE's case that will be implemented on the EE network code (234-30) which isn't available for use by 3's roaming users.

3 will be using its own 3G network for the voice fall back (though they are pushing voice over LTE quite hard)

Q is, if ee ramp my local mast to 4g (unlikely) , would it connect? Or would I need their firmware?
I wouldn't say it's unlikely, EE have a contract for a new emergency services network which will necessitate a huge coverage expansion in underserved areas - so yours might get it. They switched on the Isles of Scilly and Orkney not that long ago.

They'll probably do 2G along with the 4G if they don't have that there already. If your phone supports LTE on the right bands you will at least get 4G data, whereas voice over LTE / 4G calling might need an EE customised firmware.

But all of this won't apply to you if you stay with 3. You'd need to move to EE (or one of their virtual networks, like Virgin or BT Mobile) to get access to their 2G and 4G networks.
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Old 08-07-2016, 20:44
d123
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Q is, if ee ramp my local mast to 4g (unlikely) , would it connect? Or would I need their firmware?
As long as your phone is capable of using the bands in use it will work (so LTE on 1800, 2600 and 800 to come). Check the specs of the phone you are considering.

Just don't expect the newer features like wifi calling or VoLTE (4G Calling).
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Old 09-07-2016, 09:53
jchamier
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Three fallback to 2G is up to Three requesting (and paying perhaps) EE in each area that Three want to offer fallback. If paid EE will make it happen even on a newer mast that no longer obviously offers the old Orange network code.

If buying a new handset ensure it has LTE Band 3 (1800), Band 20 (800), and Band 7 (2600) compatibility for the UK (and whole of Europe). Some handsets from China only support Band 3.
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Old 09-07-2016, 11:37
heidtheba
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I've bought them before so do check comparability.

Spec here http://umidigi.com/page-umi_super_specification.html which seems fine to my eyes.

I know 3 are nippy about 800 and firmware over VoLTE , hence asking if EE were the same, although VoLTE I don't give a hoot about.

Probably bite the bullet in the next couple of weeks afore the £ loses much more v the $.
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Old 10-07-2016, 12:39
heidtheba
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Update....

All back as was, ie 3 sim roams and EE one connects as Orange..

Take it they have put in the new stuff and switched it off till they go live.
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Old 10-07-2016, 13:34
jchamier
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hence asking if EE were the same, although VoLTE I don't give a hoot about.
You'll need the phone to do VoLTE to get on the 800mhz freq from both 3 and EE. This solves the problem of having data signal but no ability to make voice calls, something the networks are not going to let happen.
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