[lalaland]

I have had my 3g phone for about 2 months now and after putting up with poor customer service and the never arriving bills (even though I pay them through DD, just never get a copy of them for my records) and the fact that the high speed internet access isn't available in the UK (unlike Aus) and you can't multimedia message other networks and the fact that I have yet to get a picture or video message to send from my phone (this is meant to work!) even when in full 3g coverage, I have got used to living with my brick. (I enjoy the 500 minutes in my plan).

BUT back on to the issue:

I was driving down Ecclesall Road in Sheffield last night which is a lively road full of new students and pubs when I saw a few people gathered round what appeared to be a young woman who had collapsed on a car showroom forecourt, just out of site from the main busy area, so not many people were aware of her. I reached for my 'trusty' nec e606 and dialled 01142202020 which is the South Yorkshire Police control room number (just in case an ambualnce had already been called, this was to check up and confirm this and if not get one called and save a possible repeat 999 call). But instead of "Hello South Yorkshire Police Control" I received BEEP BEEP BEEP!

My phone had full 3g signal but after 6 tries wouldn't connect to the Police. I then tried calling my house number thinking a fault could be present on the Sheffield phone system, nope. I then tried another mobile number, nope. 5 minutes had passed and I could see the person on the floor still with people around her so I tried 999 thinking that the ambulance can't have been called. Again BEEP BEEP BEEP so I couldn't even get an emergency call. I turned of my phone and back on again and even tried moving to different parts of the road to make sure the signal was fine, but nothing! After 15 minutes and no ambulance I ran to a phone box and called from there.

I'm not sure how the girl is, but an ambulance and Police car turned up about 5 mins later so I left and went home, miffed with my phone.

It makes me think though, if I had been attacked or my house was on fire etc. then how the hell would I have got the Police or firebrigade??

I know this can happen on any network, but it happens every other day on my 3G phone and Sheffield and Manchester seem to have an almost constant 3g signal.

I can honestly say I have never used a network with this many failures and would advise you to avoid it, or if you must have a 3g phone from 3 then make sure you buy another phone from a real service provider to keep for emergency calls as you can't rely on 3!!!

Anyone else had this problem?

[Everything Goes]

Id like to say im surprised by this story but sadly im not. 3 are the single most incompetant company I have ever had the misfortune to deal with. Ive said it before but I will say it again I HOPE THEY GO BUST

[PhattMatt]

Quote:

Originally posted by lalaland
After 15 minutes and no ambulance I ran to a phone box and called from there.

You waited 15 minutes???!?!

Still other than that, sounds like 3 need a good kick up the backside.


(15 minutes??!?)

[Skip Channel]

Quote:

Originally posted by PhattMatt
You waited 15 minutes???!?!

That's what I was thinking. If one of my bricks wasn't working I'd have had my trusty 2G with me too - and if that had failed to work I would've gone to a phone box. Failing that (ie not seeing a phone box nearby) I would've asked the few people that were around to make a call. Failing that I would've knocked on someone's door.*

Although, having said that I wasn't in that position and I don't know that area (ie I might not want to ask anyone for anything for fear of my own personal safety!).

*Failing all that I might have considered smashing one of the windows at the showroom. Around here that would get the emergency services out quickly.

[exilis]

If only 3 could be as reliable as the original analogue or digital networks were when they started, ohh hang on...
Yes with three reception is dire, the handsets are dire services are dire but the tarriff ain't half bad. Add to that everyone in the company I work for deliberately talks down three (why bother selling something out that we know will be returned) most people sign upto three knowing how bad it'll be.
As for the customer service problem, from my experience it's all down to what call centre you get routed to, if you get Glasgow chances are you'll be fine and get the problem sorted fairly quickly, however there seems to get priority for retail support so customers end up elsewhere.
You have to remember three is on the forefront of technology, they have a proven track record (they created orange, which has only gone downhill since France Telecom bought them over), it's just the technology that is letting them down. Before anyone even suggests that they should have tested it, how the hell do you test real life usage in a lab?
For now do not rely on three for anything (personally relying on technology full stop is being a bit optimistic, just think powercut and it all goes away), instead get yourself a trusty old nokia like a 3210 or 5110 and keep that in the glove compartment.
And to close this rant, the current uk emergency services don't even see 2g as reliable enough for everyday usage, 3g has a very very long way to go before it'll even get a passing glance.

[lalaland]

Quote:

Originally posted by PhattMatt
You waited 15 minutes???!?!

Still other than that, sounds like 3 need a good kick up the backside.


(15 minutes??!?)

Wasn't a case of waiting, trying to get my 3 phone to work during that time. Then I found a phonebox and used that.

[Dingbat]

TBH, you would have been of more help if you'd used the phonebox straight-away. That way, the operator and the emergency service would have known immediately where you were from their screens, without you having to work out the road name/number. (Not an issue in this case, I know, as you knew where you were)

I've also heard stories in the past of people ringing 999 on a mobile and being put through to the wrong part of the country - such as someone who reported an accident on the A1 in Cambridgeshire being put through to Northumberland Police.

[lalaland]

If I'd have known at the time my mobile was gonna be pants like that I would have gone to the phone box immediately, but I thought that the next time I call it would get through, in this case it didn't so I then gave up.

I wasn't aware of the timing until after when I looked at the clock in my car and realised the mobile was a waste of time and the phone box would be better when I found one.

Anyway, my post was set to warn everyone buying or who have phones from 3 to make sure it's not the only phone you have and that you are not relying on it.

I have my old phone now in my car with an Orange pay as you go sim topped up with £10 (plus the emergency minute) for emergency use in future. I never had that problem with them so I trust it a little more than 3.

I know all service providers can experience problems, but 3 seem to be one big one. I expected some troubles, but the people selling them (including 3) insist that they aren't as bad as you hear off general people, THEY ARE you lying sales peeps!

[jra]

I'm reluctant to get new technology until it's well established and this seems to be another case of that.

Thanks for the warning.

[lalaland]

To be honest, I got it (free) just for the 500 minutes a month and apart from the calls not always connecting I am still slightly chuffed with that part.

Customer services suck though, not because they take ages to get through (I can accept everyone is busy) but because they don't understand what I am saying half the time (Asia office I presume) and once even put me on hold one time while he translated my date of birth!!!! I find myself speakign really slowly and often having to explain stuf several times. I have never been lucky enough to reach the Glasgow office.

I can understand that 3 save costs by putting a call centre in Asia or where ever, but if us customers suffer because they often have language problems or poor service then is it worth it??

[exilis]

I know how bad the asia call center is, three themselves know how bad it is (so the reps tell us in store anyway).
I just hang up once i know thats were I have been directed.
As for the lieing sales folk, it'll depend on the shop. Where I work (as with most stores except 'three' branded ones) we need to hand write the contract, unlike for any other network. I have now given up spending 20 minutes writing these things out only to know the phone will be back on the counter within the week. It's not like I get the comission regardless. As such I only let the phone leave my hands once I know the customer is sure they know what they are signing up to, all my colleagues are the same. I can't however speak for other shops.
People just need to remember that established technology is rarely perfect never mind brand new technology, and research into their purchases a wee bit more (I am astounded how little people know about the things they come into store to sign up to!!)

[FOXPRESIDENT]

Forgive the tagline, for me it's a personal joke, you'l see why in the post, and please forgive me in advance, if i appear rude, which i will.

I would like to raise and debate several posts, at the end you will see how qualified i am to ask and to answer them!

My first is to the originator of the post, you say that you dialed the trusted 01142202020 "South Yorkshire police control room" number, what makes you so sure that they answer with that?

Second why did you do that?

You mention in the post

Quote:

South Yorkshire Police control room number (just in case an ambualnce had already been called, this was to check up and confirm this and if not get one called and save a possible repeat 999 call).

How would dialing the police on a general non-emergency line save time?

You also go on and say,

Quote:

I then tried calling my house number thinking a fault could be present on the Sheffield phone system, nope. I then tried another mobile number, nope. 5 minutes had passed and I could see the person on the floor still with people around her so I tried 999

Why did you run so many "tests" before you tried to ring 999.

Further,

Quote:

It makes me think though, if I had been attacked or my house was on fire etc. then how the hell would I have got the Police or firebrigade??

What is the primary method in this country of calling the Emergency services?

Quote:

when I saw a few people gathered round what appeared to be a young woman who had collapsed on a car showroom forecourt, just out of site from the main busy area, so not many people were aware of her.

Is there any particular reason why you did not ask if they needed help?

Now a qoute from Dingbat (I think)

Quote:

I've also heard stories in the past of people ringing 999 on a mobile and being put through to the wrong part of the country - such as someone who reported an accident on the A1 in Cambridgeshire being put through to Northumberland Police

This is because when you dial 999 or 112 on the mobile it goes through to Cable and wireless operator who will know aproximatly where you are, this is flashed up on the operators screen with the "Cell area" now a cell does not cover one particular town or city. A cell, is the mobile phonenetworks coverage, and one particular Cell could on average cover 20 or 50 square miles and more!!

Now this is the problem, here in the uk, our systems are not advanced as the E-911 system in the states, which can provide the approximate locate within a mile or less on there mobiles. For us unfortunatly it doesnt, and so the operator has to rely on the closest force that covers it.

They are really called mis-directed 9'ers, all what happens is that who ever has taken the call - will take the details and pass it through there emergency lines to the police force or other emergency service that covers the area.

Now onto the answers above, carrying on with is what is the main method of calling the emergency services in this country...

If anyone answered with 999/112, you gain "nil points", if you answer with telephone you get half a point, if you answer with LANDLINE you get top marks.

Like Dingbat says, you should never use your mobile phone unless it is the only thing which you have with you to call 999... USE A PHONE BOX or a "LANDLINE" the operator will know the exact location before your even speaking to he/she!

Now 0114 2202020 is not an EMERGENCY number (like all the other police forces public numbers), they answer with "Good (morning/afternoon/evening) South Yorkshire Police" when you describe the problem, they will put you through to the appropiate department - you see it's there switchboard!

Now if for instance the originator of the post got through, then when the operator was satisifed he/she knew the gravit of the situation, they would instantly transwer the call through to one of the South Yorks POLICE Emergency operators (the same ones that answer 999 police calls) on an emergency line. Instantly taking up the police operator with the call that SHOULD be answering police 999 calls.

He/she then has to type all the info in, make sure it's correct and at the same time shout to one of there colleagues to ring ambulance, amazing as technology seems the police do not know what ambulance are upto, unless the police have been requested by ambulance to attend.

For the sake of a FREE call, which is answered within 10 seconds and to be told within 30 that an ambulance is already on it's way or they take details of it... and no i'm not talking about the police, i'm now talking 999 AMBULANCE EMERGENCY.

Please please, do not ring the police if you think someone needs help, or is in danger, dial 999, they dont mind and are not going to bite your heads of!! This also applys to the same people that ring up and report a fire, which i'm sure they are, what are they going to do - piss on it?

No, the same rules apply, you'l get told to ring fire on 999 or you will be passed to police operator which will take treble the time and more than a 999 call would to aler the fire service.

Please remember these important points, by dialing 999 and not 2202020 you could be making a call which actually saves a person's life!!

Now how proud could that be when you go home and tell your kids!

And may i suggest, to the originator, then may be you find out from the ambulance service, to see how the woman was, you might get a shock depending on what her condition is, and realise that 999 is the number to dial in an EMERGENCY!

<~~ RANT OVER !

Thanks! :yawn:

[RSK]

Impressive for the newest service provider...

I thought 999 was meant to be accessible on all networks, all of the time, regardless of which network your phone is on? If your network didn't offer a strong enough signal, the other networks would pick up on it...?

[PhattMatt]

Quote:

Originally posted by RSK
Impressive for the newest service provider...

I thought 999 was meant to be accessible on all networks, all of the time, regardless of which network your phone is on? If your network didn't offer a strong enough signal, the other networks would pick up on it...?

Yeah in fact theres a good point you can! This should be nothing to do with 3. When I was in Spain this month my O2 contract phone wouldn't connect to any of the networks (even though it did earlier in the year) yet I was still able to dial 112 or whatever the Spanish emergency number was. Incidentally I didn't actually require emergency services, I didn't even let it ring, I was just testing to see if it would start to dial unlike with all the other numbers in my phone book.

[FOXPRESIDENT]

Quote:

Originally posted by RSK
Impressive for the newest service provider...

I thought 999 was meant to be accessible on all networks, all of the time, regardless of which network your phone is on? If your network didn't offer a strong enough signal, the other networks would pick up on it...?

It's erelevenant, dialing 999 on a mobile is not the best practice, nor is it the easiest, you ask any 999 operator (well if you know any) they will tell you allways ring from a LANDLINE where possible, never use your mobile unless it's the only thing you have and theres no telepone boxes or homes near by.

Also when your traveling can i mention as well, please try and look out for places as you go by, if you do have to use your mobile, knowing that theres a distinguising landmark nearby could just save your life!

By the way as well, moving onto when your traveling on a motorway, if you break down, dont be stupid and use your mobile, get out and use the SOS boxes, believe it or not, they know where you are exactly, and can arrange your recovery, and the call is free!!

Oh dear, that rant over!!

[katie]

I get an excellent Vodafone signal at home but a couple of weeks ago I tried to dial 999 to report a car crash I'd just seen happen, and just kept getting no connection so had to resort to the landline.

Katie.

[Skip Channel]

Quote:

Originally posted by FOXPRESIDENT
Also when your traveling can i mention as well, please try and look out for places as you go by, if you do have to use your mobile, knowing that theres a distinguising landmark nearby could just save your life!

Since I've been at my new place I've had reason to call 999 on a few occasions (well I only did it twice - but have had far more reasons than that) and both using my landline.

The last time I called, the operator asked my name and address (I really didn't feel comfortable giving my name as I'd witnessed a crime by some thugs - might think twice next time) and she really couldn't figure out where I was. This was despite me telling her about the two local pubs (one immediately opposite my place and it was just outside where it was kicking off) as well as a filling station just slightly further up. Oh, and of course I told her the street name and town (she didn't appear to be in the same town as she would've known the places I mentioned).

Whilst on the phone to her, things escalated outside - so much so that I then had to ask her to get an ambulance as well! That's how long it took for her to realise where I was.

Though it annoyed me a bit, I can imagine that they're under staffed and overstretched and that she was doing the best she could do. But then I was already annoyed about how long it took police to get there as it's one of the town's trouble hotspots late at night and they should've had a car in and around that area to begin with. I reckon it took at least ten minutes for the cops (from the moment I called - and I called a few minutes after I'd heard what was going on outside).

Quote:

By the way as well, moving onto when your traveling on a motorway, if you break down, dont be stupid and use your mobile, get out and use the SOS boxes, believe it or not, they know where you are exactly, and can arrange your recovery, and the call is free!!

It is a bit nerve-racking walking along the hard shoulder though, I know - I've done it! Having said that I did use the SOS box (didn't have a mobile at the time) - but it seemed like a long old walk! Also IIRC you're safer outside (and away) from the vehicle - especially in my case as I'd crashed it!

[FOXPRESIDENT]

Quote:

Originally posted by Skip Channel

The last time I called, the operator asked my name and address (I really didn't feel comfortable giving my name as I'd witnessed a crime by some thugs - might think twice next time) and she really couldn't figure out where I was. This was despite me telling her about the two local pubs (one immediately opposite my place and it was just outside where it was kicking off) as well as a filling station just slightly further up. Oh, and of course I told her the street name and town (she didn't appear to be in the same town as she would've known the places I mentioned).

1st thing,

If you were talking about the police operator which i think you are, it's extremely important that they get your name / address, and loads loads more info - after all the more you give - the more they can understand A) the call and the grade it needs, B) if your telling the truth, and that your not a bloody prankster! and also they can use you as a witness - all you have to do is say dont want to give it too you. If you called from your own telephone - which i think you did, they'd have it anyway, most probably!!

Secondly it's used to verify who you are, like not being a prankster, if they have the details up on system, which quite a lot of police forces and fire/ambulance has the computer capability of, and if your telling em that Your MR A and your calling from 125 known avenue, Wimpyland, but on the system it says that actually your MR X 45 cottington avenue, bolton, and you've phoned several times that hour trying to order a pizza!!

Also you go on and mention that the operator did not know where you were, and that she was not in your town, well your right, she was'nt she was in Netley just outside of southamton. Well thats if you were in basingstoke at the time of reporting it!

You see every police force has one particular comms centre that will deal excusivly with 999 calls, you will never now dial 999 and get through to a 999 operator who is actually based in your town. Unless your town is big, or you live on the doorstep of their comms centre.

People might think that it's daft, but it's all about centralisation, and it probably does work very well.

You might like to have a look at the Hampshire police service website and the contact details, located at http://www.hampshire.police.uk/ContactUs.htm
You might find it intersting!

FOX

[lalaland]

You seem very keen to pick apart anyone's post of a 999 call Foxpresident, even in the case of Skip Channel.

I can understand SC's point of not handing over personal details, many people don't want to these days and surely it's better to get someone calling in an event and refusing to give details than not calling in the event at all because of a fear of involvment?

I can understand the importance of this information, but if I was being attacked and someone called the Police and they arrived on time I wouldn't care if they handed their details in or not, just the fact I was safe would be enough.

I think you have made some valid points, but you either work for the emergency services or are some 999 analyst and have a small chip on your shoulder perhaps?

[FOXPRESIDENT]

Quote:

Originally posted by lalaland
I think you have made some valid points, but you either work for the emergency services or are some 999 analyst and have a small chip on your shoulder perhaps?

The first suggestion!

I would like to point out that i was not nick-picking at Skip!!

If i seem like i have chip on my shoulder, may be it's because of people like yourself, clearly you though that by dialing the local central police switchboard was the right thing to do, i'm sure that now after realising it you knew it was wrong. Please i do not seem to make it sound rude!

Unfortunatly there are two problems with society today, one is that i'm sure over 80% of the population do not understand 999 and how it should be used and for what reasons.

The other, we always do the wrong thing in society at the times of crisis, we think were doing it right unfortunatly we do it wrong!

It's called Human error!

FOX

[RSK]

All ranting aside - and what classes as an emergency etc....

Don't most people have a mobile phone in case of an emergency, and isn't the Emergency Services the one number that should be able to work if nothing else???

Bet you wouldn't have a problem ringing a network's premium rate number or service....!

[lalaland]

Quote:

Originally posted by RSK
All ranting aside - and what classes as an emergency etc....

Don't most people have a mobile phone in case of an emergency, and isn't the Emergency Services the one number that should be able to work if nothing else???

Bet you wouldn't have a problem ringing a network's premium rate number or service....!

True, but when you turn on your phone and it says emergency only it never works! Thought this should work and it makes sense to do so, even if it has to jump to another network.