3 is the cheapest, but is it best

fiendishlyclever

dulcificum wrote: »

What so they don't have any 2G coverage at all?

It depends where you are. I got 2g in the centre of Nottingham yet get no 2g in the middle of the countryside. No logic to it at all in my eyes. This is one of the reasons I'm thinking of going elsewhere - I find more and more holes in their coverage. (Or my phone connecting to 2g and then saying Emergency calls only and no data!)

2sides2everystory

Dulciforum I think that webpage you found is simply out of date.

I think the link posted by Raven is rather interesting especially i.r.o. some existing customers having been able to successfully argue breach of contract due to the 2G switch off. I successfully argued breach of contract with 3 when they stopped their "3 like home" service a couple of years ago. They were very straightforward about it after I used the right words. So less than mid-term they offered a retention deal that means I am still with 3.

The article does (twice) perhaps show a scanty knowledge of 3 mobile's offering however by suggesting those with 2G handsets on 3 will need to change to a new 3G handset. AFAIK, you have not been able to use a 2G handset on 3 for years and get away with it - I heard that within a short space of time they would lock your SIM if you tried.

Personally I have found 3 to be as good as any other network in respect
of general coverage in town or out of town. Their blackspots in my experience are just as likely to correspond to blackspots on other networks as they are to be of any unique nuisance to 3 customers. And, just as likely as other networks, you might find 3 has coverage in some tricky areas where the others struggle.

And, generally speaking, I believe 3's data network to be pretty much the fastest thing since sliced bread.

After a year or two, 3 also seem to offer some interesting retention deals too if you get as far as requesting a PAC. They may have your account rated for 'Premium' upgrade even if you have only been spending £10 to £15 per month - and then you may find you are being offered such things as an ad hoc extra 1GB data (great for iPhone users) or maybe 300 minutes instead of 100, or 500 mix and match plus 500MB data for £8 per month with a modest handset thrown in or the same handset on a One Plan (2000 mins / unlimited data / 5000 texts / 5000 3to3) for just £15 per month.

Sure, they can be frustrating at times, but they are usually very polite and speak to you intelligently even if their hands are tied by procedures.

Supatramp

To be honest, this is what concerns me. As I think I said previously, after getting wise to it I now switch my phone to GSM from Auto in certain locations having been told that a good 2G signal can be better than a poor 3G one.

As someone who travels the length and breadth of Scotland and Northern Ireland on a regular basis, I'm well aware of 'black holes' but I'm just a bit concerned that if I only have 3G then there might well be more of them! I find that much of the time my phone signal is showing as "G", which I believe means 2G although I'm happy to be corrected if I'm wrong!

dulcificum

G means GRPS which is 2G (or 2.5G if you like).

Supatramp

That's what I thought. Well I spend a lot of the time on 2G, with Vodafone.
It could of course be different with '3' but I'm not sure that I fancy not having 2G 'backup'.

WillyVWade

dulcificum wrote: »

G means GRPS which is 2G (or 2.5G if you like).

GPRS is not 2.5G. 2.5G would be EDGE.

rachelrigg

Just to say, my experience with 3 was awful.

the signal was shocking, and the service was even worse. considering the amount we were paying a month, when my phone broke, they gave me a broken replacement temporary phone, then tried to charge me for it when i brought it up with them. then they refused to give me back my original phone (or fix it!) and the service was just horrific. once your a customer they just dont care about you, or have time for you.

Piyush_Agarwal

Hi all,
I am using NOKIA E63 and it is working fine from past 6 years.

runaroundpauper

Got my teenage daughter s rolling month contracts on 3 and the beauty is its set they cannot go overthere limit once they reach there limit that it no extra fees but then again they have 500 meg internet 3000 minutes and 3000 texts and never had a network issue:rotfl:

JWD

I'm about to get a new contract with the Samsung Galaxy S2. The best deals are with 3 and I'm really tempted but am concerned about
the network coverage. I live in Sidcup in the south London/north Kent borders, work in Dartford and regularly drive to Tunbridge Wells.

Can anyone tell me their experience of phone signal etc in those areas.
Thanks