At Three, we love a good stat. And no team loves stats more than CTO, the technical department that I’m a part of. Amongst other things, we manage and maintain our network to bring you the very best experience we can.
It’ll come as no surprise to most of you that the last few years have been pretty important for Three, and not least for CTO. We’ve worked tirelessly to bring you the best network experience we can, especially when it comes to getting you online. Calls and texts are important of course, but our 3G network was made for the mobile internet and we’ve been growing it, and upgrading it, and perfecting it to make it the best it can be. Don’t get me wrong though, we’re not sitting back and twiddling our thumbs – we’re constantly pushing for better.
So recently we came across a stat that for me defines everything we’ve been working towards when it comes to our network and what it was made to do.
Staggeringly, 97% of all the traffic that now travels through our network is data. That’s amazing.
It’s even more amazing when you know that since June last year and September this year (just 14 months) we’ve seen a 427% increase in data usage on Three for smartphone customers. Downloading apps, streaming movies, getting around town with Google Maps, even checking in on Facebook – it all adds up, and you’re doing it now more than ever.
It was only two weeks ago too that we were voted Best Network at the uSwitch.co.uk Mobile Awards; a fantastic accolade that we’re all really proud of. In calling our network the best, the judges said that we’ve ‘come on leaps and bounds in recent years with impressive improvements in coverage’.
You know, back in 2003 when we began our journey as a 3G network, it felt at times like the technology we had at our fingers tips was a bit Tomorrow’s World. It was ahead of its time, and few knew how 3G and mobile data could really be relevant in people’s lives, particularly with a lack of decent handsets.
Fast forward to today, in a market flooded with tablets and smartphones, and there can be no denying the importance of a reliable, powerful network like ours. Just look at the stats…
109 Responses to We’re built for data.
Moderator: Lauren 11/01/2013
@Lee – sorry to read you’re having issues. There’s an issue with one of the masts in the area, it’s being looked in to.
Lee 11/01/2013
2 samsung galaxy s3 and an HTC Sensation on 3, Signal weak 1 to 2 bars all the time in [removed by mod]. Reported several times to customer services, please please find out what is wrong!
Moderator: Sedge 25/01/2012
@ Stuart Jameson – I’m sorry that you’re having an issue with the process of your smartphone repair. Our Executive office are investing this for you.
Stuart Jameson 24/01/2012
Worst network in the UK in my opinion, yeah its the cheapest, but it would need to be having to deal with their dire customer service.
Moderator: Johanna 06/01/2012
@Garry – I’m afraid it’s impossible for us to tell from here what the signal in your home will be like. Your best bet is to order a free PAYG SIM and test the network – that way you can be sure. We hope it is!
Garry 06/01/2012
I don’t know if the signal is better as I have no way to check – I tried an iphone 4s from local three shop but took it back as no signal. I was hoping you could tell me if it has affected my postcode – the coverage map looks the same?
I would like to switch to three but not if theres no signal at home – go 1/2 mile from home and the signal is fine!
Cheers
Moderator: Johanna 05/01/2012
@Garry – Yes all maintenance has been completed now, it wasn’t a new mast but an upgraded one. What’s the signal like now?
Moderator: Sedge 04/01/2012
@ Garry – Sorry to be annoying, would you mind sending through your postcode again so we can check it out.
Garry 04/01/2012
Can you tell me if the new mast is functional yet as per your quote below?
@Garry – I’ve taken another look for you and the store is correct, there’s an upgrade planned for Jan 3 – work complete Jan 4, this may improve the signal for you. The tools we use are regularly updated so when Sedge checked for you before it may not have been on the map.
Cheers
Garry