The performance of smartphones on the UK’s 3G networks is beginning to generate significant media attention. Issues such as network coverage and the role of data-intensive devices in stretching capacity to the limit are getting plenty of focus.
The BBC’s flagship Radio 4 Today programme ran a story last week talking about how iPhone users had struggled to access the Internet at the speeds they had hoped for.
BBC’s technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones’ blog attracted more than 250 comments on the subject in just 48 hours, with many customers saying they were disappointed with the connection speeds they achieved on mobile broadband dongles and while accessing the mobile internet on smartphones.
These stories show just how important the issue of 3G network coverage and capacity have become and how vital they are to mobile network operators.
It also explains why at 3 we’ve made network performance one of our main focuses.
In 2010, as we did last year, we will invest both money and energy to further improve our network, so we can consolidate our position as the biggest and best 3G network in the UK. My colleagues Marc and Graham have posted about this here and here.
In the past two weeks I have received comments from customers in places as diverse as Ilfracombe in Devon, Tenby in Dyfed, Oxted in Surrey and even areas of London commenting on how their coverage has improved as we upgrade our network. There are areas that we’re still working on to get the level of service we believe our customers deserve, but these are becoming fewer and fewer as our network continues to grow. You can check three.co.uk for information on our regional upgrade programme.
We’ve added over 2,000 new sites since the beginning of 2009 and we’ll be adding another 3,000 this year to bring our 3G coverage to over 98% of the UK’s population – considerably more than the 93% currently claimed by Orange.
For our customers this will mean quicker and more reliable connections and better coverage throughout the UK both indoors and outdoors.
It is clear that 3G networks and their ability to deliver are now the story. So although we might be the newest player to the mobile market, when it comes to the future of mobile broadband connections, we are leading the way.
658 Responses to 3G network performance.
Moderator: Sedge 09/12/2011
@ Patrick – We can confirm that we are investigating bringing Femtocells to Three. At the moment we can’t commit to a timescale but our intention is to make it available for our customers in the future.
Nick S 09/12/2011
I live in Postcode area GL51 and have noticed that the signal has all but dropped out when it was in fact pretty much full strength?
Any ideas on whether there is any work going on nearby?
Thanks
Nick
patrick 09/12/2011
HI I would love to get 3 with one plan just in my area there is very limited signal is there any signal booster one can get to put in the house I don’t know if such a thing exists, the signal is fine 200metres from the house.
Moderator: Sedge 09/12/2011
@ Wayne – I’ve taken a look at your postcodes, in the first location you’re in an area with strong indoor and outdoor coverage but one of your local masts is being worked on. A problem was raised and our team are working on getting this back up and running as soon as they can. As for the second location, there’s improvements being carried out on three of your local masts at the moment which is why you may be having issues connecting to our network, you’re usually in an area with indoor and outdoor coverage here. Have you always had issues or is this only recent?
Wayne 08/12/2011
Any ideas on this? My iphone shows i have 3G but, when i attempt to connect to anything, i get a message saying no internet connection. Even my imessages are going through as text messages. This is happening at two postcodes, De56 [Removed by mod] and De55 [Removed by mod].
Sam 26/11/2011
I’m currently sitting in westifields nr Shepherds Bush and trying to use a 3 modem, signal is fine but the speed is awful, am guessing this is down to network congestion. I have managed to find an open Wifi network, but not really the point when i’m paying for a 3g modem that I don’t use all the time, but when I want to doesn’t work.
London seems pretty bad in general, is this an ongoing problem for three with people using more and more data on their smartphones and not enough bandwidth to meet demand?
Kudos though comes with the flip side to this working in a field in newquay on Boardmasters festival, really quick, strong signal sharing my wifi with the rest of the cabin I was working in and even running a voip phone over it no problem.
Moderator: Sedge 22/11/2011
@ Rachel – I’ve taken a look and there’s an issue with your local mast, the issue has been raised and our team will begin work as soon as they can.
Rachel 21/11/2011
I’m having trouble with my phone, all of a sudden,it says no service.
I’ve been on the Three website and it says there is no problem in this area.
Postcode is EX13 [Removed by mod], could you have a look please?
Moderator: Sedge 16/11/2011
@ Colin Austin – So we can look into this for you, please could you send your full postcode. Thanks
Colin Austin 16/11/2011
I have a similar problem to the previous poster… the start of my postcode is AB25.
Moderator: Sedge 14/11/2011
@ Sarah – Ah! You beat me to it and sent your postcode through – thank you! I’ve taken a look at you’re in an area with strong indoor and outdoor coverage, we’ve found an issue with one of the lasts in your local area which is why you’re struggling with signal at the moment. The problem has been raised and our team will begin work as soon as they can. Let us know if you don’t see an improvement.
Moderator: Sedge 14/11/2011
@ Sarah – Could you send your postcode through to us so we can just double check for you
sarah 13/11/2011
Ive had a samsung galaxy s2 fir two weeks, everything was ok til friday, since then my network just doesnt work at all anywhere in my house. This is the third day now and still nothing, how can it just have suddenly stopped working when it wad fine before?? And ive checked the coverage for my postcode and it says i should have full indoor and outdoor coverage. its fine once ive gone out the house but soon as im back its off again. dont see why i should pay for a phone i cant even use half the time. My postcode is ne25 [Removed by Mod].
sarah 13/11/2011
Ive had a samsung galaxy s2 fir two weeks, everything was ok til friday, since then my network just doesnt work at all anywhere in my house. This is the third day now and still nothing, how can it just have suddenly stopped working when it wad fine before?? And ive checked the coverage for my postcode and it says i should have full indoor and outdoor coverage. its fine once ive gone out the house but soon as im back its off again. dont see why i should pay for a phone i cant even use half the time
Moderator: Kaz 02/11/2011
@Mossy – Here are some tips on how to improve signal. Unfortunately we don’t currently offer femtocells. Sorry. Just checked your postcode and the masts in your local area are working ok, you should get outdoor coverage and some indoor coverage.
Mossy 01/11/2011
Can anyone just give ideas on the best and legal way to improve my signal??
Don’t 3 do anything like vodaphone sure signal? Femocell or whatever, aerial but legal?
My postcode is (removed) , but I knew when I got it I’d have trouble indoors! So how do I increase the signal?
Moderator: Sedge 31/10/2011
@ Windsor Holden – If you send through your full postcode I’ll take a look for you.
Windsor Holden 31/10/2011
BTW – think the base station near my house in Westerton (nr Goodwood) is down – no cellular network coverage today but WiFi fine…
Scott 24/10/2011
Hi Kaz
I would like to upgrade that to everyone in my area and the next town across from us have no signal. Have had a lovely 45 min chat to customer support, and a few ring backs, who kindly have given me a week’s free phone but this barely covered the phone call. I work alone so my phone is very important to me and not being given any time frame of a fix is very worrying to me. We used to have G coverage but now nothing.
Kindest Regards
Moderator: Sedge 24/10/2011
@ Glyn McCartney – I’ve dropped you an email
Glyn McCartney 23/10/2011
Moderator: Sedge on September 12, 2011
@ Glen McCartney – I’ve taken a look at your postcode and you appear to be in an area with indoor and outdoor coverage. Sorry that this isn’t the case
Would you like me to arrange a call for you from our CS team?
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yes i would , sorry for the late reply. 5 months i have had this iphone 4 and i cant get a signal , although im apparently in a full 3g area.
Moderator: Kaz 21/10/2011
@scott – Just checked coverage in your area and can’t see any issues. Do you roam onto 2g coverage?
scott 21/10/2011
(removed by mod) hello never had a 3g signal here but as from two days ago both me and my wife have no signal at all. Please help
Moderator: Sedge 19/10/2011
@ Tim – Sorry, we must have missed that one. We’re the largest 3G network, we cover 97.5% of the UK so we don’t have any current plans to fall back on any other 3G networks.
Tim 19/10/2011
Is someone going to answer my question please you have skipped it for som reason
Moderator: Johanna 18/10/2011
@Chris m – I’ve had a look at the network in your area and your nearest mast is congested but is being upgraded on November 7, final fix date on November 11. This may be affecting your signal at peak times but shouldn’t mean no indoor and outdoor coverage. I would suggest calling 333 but will be tricky if you can’t use your phones at all. Alternative numbers here. The network team will be able to look into this in more detail for you.
chris m 18/10/2011
Hi, are there any issues near ip20 [removed by Mod]? Both my partner and I cannot get Sig.al indoors or outside. Both on three, different handsets.
Chris
Tim 10/10/2011
Tmobile and orange start sharing their 3G cell sites from next week.
Will this mean 3 customers will be able to use orange 3G cell sites
Where 3 don’t have 3g coverage
Moderator: Johanna 06/10/2011
@Lee – We need a full postcode to check this out for you please?
Lee 05/10/2011
Is there any issues in M45 ?
Moderator: Sedge 05/10/2011
@ MissLeonardis – I’ve taken a look at your postcode and you’re right – there doesn’t appear to be any issues in your area. Which Nokia device are you using? Have you tried a factory reset?
MissLeonardis 04/10/2011
Hi, I’ve been having problems where I live SE28 [Removed by mod] since Saturday 1st October. Exactly the same as the guys who posted before me. I have a 3G Nokia and although I have full signal, I can’t send or receive message and no incoming or outgoing phone calls. What’s going on? Please do something! Someone has already checked my area and found nothing wrong. The fact that the phone should be working doens’t make a difference to the fact that it isn’t infact working. When I move away from the area the phone works fine again. Please help!
Moderator: Johanna 04/10/2011
@Tom H – Sorry to hear that, I’ve checked your postcode and you shouldn’t be having network issues. You’ve got a newly activated mast nearby and no reported faults. I can see that two nearish masts are being upgraded in November and January, but this shouldn’t be affecting you. If you call 333 they can run some diagnostics for you.
Tom H 04/10/2011
I have an Iphone 3Gs and for the last 2 weeks I have barely been able to make/receive calls or send/receive texts even though it says I have full signal most of the time. Friend also has the same issue Post code is [removed by Mod]. When I travel about half a mile away from this postcode things work again.
Moderator: Kaz 03/10/2011
@paul Sammons – Please can you provide a full postcode and I’ll take a look at any issues in your area.
Moderator: Kaz 03/10/2011
@Isobel M – I’ve just checked coverage in your area and anything looks fine, are you still having issues?
Isobel M 01/10/2011
I have an Iphone 3Gs and for the last four days have barely been able to make/receive calls or send/receive texts even though it says I have full signal most of the time. A friend on the same postcode with a 3 phone is experiencing the same problems. Is the network down here? Full postcode is (removed by mod)
Paul Sammons 30/09/2011
I have suddenly started having problems with mostly the 3G coverage, its around 0.03mb. It is fine when I go to another postcode. My postcode now is PO5.
Moderator: Sedge 28/09/2011
@ Gavin – There’s some work being carried out in your area at the moment which is why you may be experiencing issues. This should be resolved early October so get back in touch if you’re still having problems.
Gavin 28/09/2011
My postcode is cf8[removed by mod]
Moderator: Sedge 26/09/2011
@ Gavin – Sorry to hear you’re having issues. Could you send through your full postcode and I’ll take a look for you
Gavin 24/09/2011
I’m so cheesed off I have not been able to call or text from my I phone for exactly a week I call customer services everyday and get fobbed off. I’ve heard there is a mast down and it’s not gonna be fixed until October I don’t see why I should pay my bill as I would be paying for a service I cannot use. Sort it out
Moderator: Sedge 23/09/2011
@ Mac – If you send through your full postcode I’ll take a look at your area and see if there’s an issue.
mac 23/09/2011
Hi,
Does anyone have any suggestion how to improve the signal on 3 network at home.???
I recently purchased a I Phone 4 from 3 but it doesn’t work when i am at home (indoors) any suggestion to improve the signal performance?
Many thanks
Moderator: Sedge 21/09/2011
@ Sandy – If you send through your full postcode we’ll take a look at your area for you.
sandy 20/09/2011
According to 3 Tech Support, they have been experiencing severe network problems since Monday (officially); however, I was not able to connect to data services at all last weekend, and actually much earlier. I find it strange that I haven’t seen any posts about this lack of data connectivity. (The exact error message from Google is: “Can’t establish a reliable data connection to the server.”
Moderator: Kaz 15/09/2011
@rich p – Sorry, we do check a few postcodes weekly and do not keep a record of them. I’ve checked for any issues in your area and can’t say anything different to what Sedge told you on the 13th. Not sure why your coverage should be so inconsistent.
rich p 14/09/2011
Are you kidding? I have already givent it to u. (removed by mod)
Moderator: Kaz 14/09/2011
@rich p – Sorry to read that. If you can supply a full postcode, I’ll check for you.
rich p 13/09/2011
Well iv been with three years and the guy in the three shop said his suddenly stopped working and that a basestation on poole road was down. im fed up with threes inconsistency and have complained to ombudsman now. useless