Non-motoring > Mobile phone networks	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: sherlock47	Replies: 44

Tue 9 Nov 10 21:53   Mobile phone networks - sherlock47

A friend is experiencing very patchy coverage on his new XLN mobile. Does anybody know who they use as a mobile network operator? He is likely to cancel his contract but does not wish to jump to a new supplier who uses the same network! Last edited by: pmh on Tue 9 Nov 10 at 21:54 Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 9 Nov 10 22:01   Mobile phone networks - CGNorwich

Three Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 10 Nov 10 10:18   Mobile phone networks - Falkirk Bairn

3 used to have bad coverage but when 3 has bad coverage, at least for the past few years, it should pick up the Orange signal. Maybe it is the handset? not the network. In the early days of 3 they could not even give a signal in George Square, the Centre of Glasgow. Colleague cancelled his contract, or rather tried to cancel and they threatened him with charges amounting to £300+ - he said sue me and in court I will say you cannot offer coverage in George Square ..........he got his contract cancelled. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 10 Nov 10 10:42   Mobile phone networks - CGNorwich

Useful coverage map www.three.co.uk/Help_Support/Coverage Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 10 Nov 10 10:46   Mobile phone networks - Zero

Not really, that's more advertising than fact. One of the first things you learn in mobile phone world, never trust a coverage map. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 10 Nov 10 10:58   Mobile phone networks - Iffy

I think Three is the least reliable network with the poorest coverage. I've no technical info to back that up, but I keep on hearing of people who have problems with Three. Vodafone seems best for coverage. As an example, it's the only network which works consistently at the caravan. I suppose it's less of an issue if you only ever need to access a service in one of the main centres of population. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 10 Nov 10 11:28   Mobile phone networks - rtj70

Might it be that 3 tends to be worst for signal strength because its mostly/all 3G whereas to get decent coverage/signal you often have to drop back to 2G on other networks. I use 2G on my phones because the signal will almost always be stronger (don't you need less base stations for GSM on 900MHz) and the battery life will be better. Also isn't there some network sharing between 3 and Orange/T-Mobile - it's something to do with the new company created (Everything Everywhere). I could be wrong about 3 using this though. As for the friends phone, try the SIM in another handset to see what signal strength it gets in the places the other phone is poor. It will show if it's really the network or a crap phone. Last edited by: rtj70 on Wed 10 Nov 10 at 11:29 Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 10 Nov 10 11:51   Mobile phone networks - Mapmaker

Against Zero's advice, I have internet at home through 3 mobile PAYG. It's fine in London, and anywhere else I've tried it. But that's not very much. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 10 Nov 10 13:05   Mobile phone networks - Zero

>> Against Zero's advice, What you moaning about? you got the advice you paid for. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 10 Nov 10 13:14   Mobile phone networks - Mapmaker

Moaning about? I got exactly what I paid for - cheap internet access at home for occasional use, and occasional non-home use. Cannot complain! Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 10 Nov 10 14:14   Mobile phone networks - Bromptonaut

>> I have internet at home through 3 mobile PAYG. It's fine in >> London, and anywhere else I've tried it. But that's not very much. >> Got one as well. It's fine in London but not at home and not in a fair few other places as well. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 10 Nov 10 12:08   Mobile phone networks - NeilS

>>>As for the friends phone, try the SIM in another handset to see what signal strength it gets in the places the other phone is poor. It will show if it's really the network or a crap phone. Echo that. My Iphone works significantly worse than my wife's 4 or 5 year old Samsung in our house, both on Orange. Not so bad now that when I have no reception it switches to T-Mobile and improves enough to make it okay most of the time. Put my SIM in my wife's phone and it works better every time. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 10 Nov 10 20:09   Mobile phone networks - swiss tony

>> Echo that. My Iphone works significantly worse than my wife's 4 or 5 year old >> Samsung in our house, both on Orange. Not so bad now that when I have >> no reception it switches to T-Mobile and improves enough to make it okay most of >> the time. Put my SIM in my wife's phone and it works better every time. >> That's because I-phones have poor quality phone hardware built in. That's what I was told by a man in the industry anyway, he claimed the phone side of the I-phone is amongst the cheapest in any phone. All I know for certain is I can get a signal in many places, friends with I-phones can't...... Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 10 Nov 10 20:12   Mobile phone networks - Zero

I phone 3's were appaling, 3G and 3GS were a little better. Iphone 4's (with a bumper) are pretty good. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 10 Nov 10 15:00   Mobile phone networks - spamcan61

>> Might it be that 3 tends to be worst for signal strength because its mostly/all >> 3G whereas to get decent coverage/signal you often have to drop back to 2G on >> other networks. I use 2G on my phones because the signal will almost always be >> stronger (don't you need less base stations for GSM on 900MHz) and the battery life >> will be better. >> Like they said. In addition Three is starting to remove access to 2G networks in areas where they are confident that their own 3G coverage is good. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 10 Nov 10 14:57   Mobile phone networks - spamcan61

>> Not really, that's more advertising than fact. >> >> One of the first things you learn in mobile phone world, never trust a coverage >> map. >> In many aspects of life there is simulation and then there is the real thing; the two seldom match ;-). EM simulators and coverage predictors certainly follow the rule. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 10 Nov 10 15:45   Mobile phone networks - CGNorwich

Useful in a negative way - if the map show no coverage in your area there's unlikely to be any. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 10 Nov 10 16:07   Mobile phone networks - Iffy

Earlier this year I changed by Vodafone dongle for an Orange one. Five pounds a month instead of £15 - the MacBook's got to be paid for somehow. I could get Vodafone 2G in the caravan, which gave a slow but acceptable surfing experience. Good enough for checking emails or messing around on here. The Orange dongle will only work outside on the deck, and even then it's slower. Happily, the caravan site's wireless broadband has been working well of late. But my general conclusion, having used both dongles in various places around the North, is Vodafone is best. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 13 Nov 10 10:48   Mobile phone networks - Focusless

>> But my general conclusion, having used both dongles in various places around the North, is >> Vodafone is best. Have bought a Vodafone PAYG dongle to keep us connected until 22nd when the BT line is reconnected at our new house; 3Gb for £25. Using it now, and it seems ok on 4/5 bar signal strength (currently in west Reading). Speed test results: download = 1704kbps, upload = 350kbps However it did vary a fair bit during the short test; I guess it depends on what everyone else is doing in the cell. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 13 Nov 10 10:52   Mobile phone networks - Iffy

Focus, Dunno if you read the destructions, but dongles can perform better on the end of a short USB lead, rather than plugged directly into the computer. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 13 Nov 10 11:18   Mobile phone networks - CGNorwich

Anyone, like me, who doesn't know much about these things might find this article interesting. www.pocket-lint.com/news/33965/why-mobile-phone-networks-matter Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 13 Nov 10 11:54   Mobile phone networks - Cpt. Flack

I've heard Vodafone and O2 will be merging networks soon. Not companies. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 13 Nov 10 11:59   Mobile phone networks - Zero

There is already a network sharing agreement in place. Its being rolled out now. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 14 Dec 10 23:36   Mobile phone networks - Boxsterboy

>> I've heard Vodafone and O2 will be merging networks soon. Not companies. >> Everything Everywhere is the Orange/T-Mobile merger. I've noticed better reception since they merged, so it looks like Voda + O2 users will have good news too. I thought the networks were always supoosed to share aerial sites anyway to reduce clutter? Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 15 Dec 10 09:34   Mobile phone networks - spamcan61

>> I thought the networks were always supoosed to share aerial sites anyway to reduce clutter? >> Yes in the past sites have been shared, but generally with separate antennas and equipment, now they're slowly sharing the whole lot. The Vodafone + O2 infrastructure sharing company is called 'Cornerstone':- blog.o2.co.uk/home/2010/01/happy-first-birthday-cornerstone.html Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 15 Dec 10 10:34   Mobile phone networks - teabelly

If O2 and vodafone start site sharing they're going to have to increase their bandwidth available. O2 is shocking for data at the moment. Messaging has also been on a serious go slow too. I don't think voda customers will be pleased with all us cheapskate O2 users hogging all their bandwidth :-) Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 13 Nov 10 12:01   Mobile phone networks - Zero

>> Focus, >> >> Dunno if you read the destructions, but dongles can perform better on the end of >> a short USB lead, rather than plugged directly into the computer. The lead acts as an antenna. Plus it enables you to locate the dongle better for max signal. Sometimes only 6 inches in any direction will work wonders. Plus the further away from the PC the less the radiated RF interference. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 13 Nov 10 12:55   Mobile phone networks - Focusless

>> >> Focus, >> >> >> >> Dunno if you read the destructions Err... :) >> but dongles can perform better on the end >> of >> >> a short USB lead, rather than plugged directly into the computer. >> >> The lead acts as an antenna. Thanks guys. Now back inside in east Reading and signal strength without extender is down to 1 bar, although it still seems ok for browsing. Will try to find USB lead later. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 13 Nov 10 13:24   Mobile phone networks - Focusless

>> Now back inside in east Reading and signal strength without extender is down >> to 1 bar BTW Vodafone coverage checker predicts 'very good' (4/5) 3G & mobile broadband :) Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 13 Nov 10 13:38   Mobile phone networks - Iffy

...BTW Vodafone coverage checker predicts 'very good' (4/5) 3G & mobile broadband :)... That applies to outside with an extender lead acting as an aerial. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 13 Nov 10 13:51   Mobile phone networks - Focusless

>> ...BTW Vodafone coverage checker predicts 'very good' (4/5) 3G & mobile broadband :)... >> >> That applies to outside with an extender lead acting as an aerial. Fair enough, but it predicts the same for where I was earlier, inside, getting 4/5. I know, they're not accurate. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 13 Nov 10 16:07   Mobile phone networks - L'escargot

Check Orange coverage. search.orange.co.uk/ouk/portal/coveragechecker.html?channel=direct/ Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 13 Nov 10 21:15   Mobile phone networks - movilogo

Vodafone has best geographic coverage in UK [I got signal in highlands, coastal Wales, Devon, Cornwall]. Then comes O2. Good coverage but not as good in extreme locations. T-mobiles is bad. Never used Orange and 3 but their reputation is not good either. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 13 Nov 10 21:30   Mobile phone networks - rtj70

I would think both Vodafone and O2 have better coverage because their GSM networks use the 900MHz frequency range. They therefore need fewer masts to give good coverage. The 3G infrastructure needs more masts but these will mostly be in populated areas - how can you justify 3G+ data speeds in the middle of nowhere. When 3G services are offered on the 900MHz frequency range then they would appear to have a big advantage over the competition. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 14 Nov 10 10:48   Mobile phone networks - MD

Orange now owns T Mobile. Ring either one (if you are a customer) and they will GIVE you access to the other transmitters. At present they don't roam, but access the other cells if your's is not available. It has improved my Orange service immensely. Martin Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 14 Nov 10 13:11   Mobile phone networks - spamcan61

>> Orange now owns T Mobile. Ring either one (if you are a customer) and they >> will GIVE you access to the other transmitters. Well almost, they formed a separate company to integrate and run the joint network, the optimistically named 'everything everywhere':- newsroom.orange.co.uk/2010/05/11/orange-and-t-mobile-unveil-joint-venture-name-team-vision-and-plans/ A very complex challenge, to say the least. As you say, worth giving them a ring, I'm sure there was also a web form to fill in on the Orange web site, but I can't find it. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 14 Nov 10 15:14   Mobile phone networks - MD

And I believe a number you can text to do the job. The dual thingy worked for me. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 14 Nov 10 15:31   Mobile phone networks - Bromptonaut

Orange website has instructions to add T-Mob reception. It involves completing a short form including phone make and then the exchange of a couple of texts. Not a quantum leap but has improved reception in a few previously dead zones including the western side of our office building. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 14 Nov 10 15:58   Mobile phone networks - PhilW

"Orange website has instructions to add T-Mob reception. It involves completing a short form including phone make and then the exchange of a couple of texts." I just texted "Yes" (without quotes) to 2121 and they sent me a text back which confirmed addition of T-mob reception Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 14 Nov 10 16:29   Mobile phone networks - captain grimes

Thanks for the tip, Martin et al. - I now have a signal all over the house courtesy of T-Mobile, rather than being restricted by Orange to a corner of the kitchen! Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 13 Dec 10 22:45   Mobile phone networks - Focusless

Don't know about going the other way, but as a T-Mobile customer you can only get 2G Orange coverage, apparently: support.t-mobile.co.uk/help-and-support/index?page=home&cat=USING_ORANGE_SIGNAL Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 13 Dec 10 22:53   Mobile phone networks - Iffy

...I just texted "Yes" (without quotes) to 2121 and they sent me a text back which confirmed addition of T-mob reception... Just done the same. Reply reads: 'Thanks for your text, we'll be in touch soon. Your charges stay the same even when you're using T-Mobile signal." Second reply a few seconds later: 'Just turn your phone off and on again so you can enjoy calls and texts using signal from both Orange and T-Mobile.' Last edited by: Iffy on Mon 13 Dec 10 at 22:54 Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Dec 10 18:39   Mobile phone networks - Iffy

...I just texted "Yes" (without quotes) to 2121 and they sent me a text back which confirmed addition of T-mob reception... Received a text this afternoon to say my phone has just accessed the T-Mobile network for the first time. Sure enough, when I checked the screen, where once there was written Orange, there was T-Mobile. Not sure why I need to know this, I was not using the phone at the time. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Dec 10 18:44   Mobile phone networks - spamcan61

Seems odd they'd make T-mobile your home network, when I assume you're still an Orange customer that just happens to use T-mobile's infrastructure now and again. Or maybe it'll switch between the two as you move from one coverage area to another. Must check with Spamette Major to see if her Orange mobile has switched over. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Dec 10 18:50   Mobile phone networks - Iffy

...Seems odd they'd make T-mobile your home network... Should have explained. That was in Leeming, North Yorkshire, when I next looked at the phone an hour later in County Durham it was back to Orange. Reply to this message | Report message