3g?

jicms

Could someone please explain about 3G. I have considered the Nokia 6280 phone and understand it is a "3G phone". As it can be used on any network I am confused. Is 3G a network like 02, Orange, T Mobile or is it a phone manufacturer and if so how can the 6280 be a Nokia as well?!!! I have looked at the website and am none the wiser as there is also a 3 website. Sorry to be so ignorant!

GlennTheBaker

3G stands for 3rd Generation of mobile phone technology. Basically, when mobile phones first came out, they worked on an analogue system. Next came digital and now we have 3G. Its like the mobile equivalent of broadband. All the networks have, or will have, 3G services available. It means you can make video calls, download media clips, etc to your mobile.

To slightly confuse things, there is also a network called '3', who operate a 3G service!

gorilla

If you go to www.talk3g.co.uk you will find lots of useful advise on 3g phones and networks.
HTH

Anya

Sorry to interrupt your thread but my OH has just bought a used unlocked mobile on eBay. Didn't realise it was one of these 3g ones until now. We have tried a few sims in it and can't get them to work, some of the sims are obvioulsly accepted but we can't ring in or out on it, and with other sims we get a message saying that it is not a valid Usim. What's the difference (if any) between a sim and usim? and does anyone have any ideas why we can't get it to work? Its an NEC e228 - I have emailed the seller to pick his brain but so far no reply. Am I being thick and missing out something vital or could it be a problem with the phone? Thanks.

tomS_4

Are you sure it isn't just locked to another network?
I think 3g phones use a different type of sim to normal mobiles, but can't advise on if they will accept normal sims as well.

Anya

It was advertised as unlocked and came with an orange sim and an O2 sim already in. Can't get either of them to work or my or my husbands O2 sims either.

fiish

3G phones should be able to accept GSM (normal) SIM cards. What kind of messages is the phone showing when you power it up? If it doesn't show anything it could be faulty.

Anya

With a couple of the sims it is saying Esim not present or valid - emergency calls only. or your plmn setting is invalid, please change the plmn setting to automatic. But with others it is saying nothing it will find the right network but when you try to ring the mobile it goes straight to answerphone and when you try to call out or text from the phone it says unable to connect at this time please try later. Still had no reply from the seller so I'm at a dead end with it at the mo.

jicms

GlennTheBaker wrote:

3G stands for 3rd Generation of mobile phone technology. Basically, when mobile phones first came out, they worked on an analogue system. Next came digital and now we have 3G. Its like the mobile equivalent of broadband. All the networks have, or will have, 3G services available. It means you can make video calls, download media clips, etc to your mobile.

To slightly confuse things, there is also a network called '3', who operate a 3G service!

Thanks GlenntheBaker. Yes it was particularly the fact that there is a 3 network that added to my confusion!