Three vs T-Mobile Network Question

gino_76ph · 23 June 2013 at 5:52PM

Hi there.

This thread is not the same as my other one.

I am due for an upgrade on my T-mobile account. But i am trying to determine based on "general" current network coverage & signal (which is the HSPA+ and the faster DC-HSDPA) whether it is better to stick with T-Mobile (for another 24-months) or go to Three for their "Ultrafast" network which would (i think) in theory be a better/faster/cheaper ladder towards 4G LTE. What do you think guys?

Also, as a side question would the 'normal' Galaxy S3 support DC-HSDPA signal?

Please advice. Thanks.

Im_just_careful · 23 June 2013 at 6:05PM

For various reasons I've had a T-Mobile (contract) phone and a "3" PAYG SIM for a while.

Up until around Easter I would have said T-Mobile was a worse data network than "3" but adequate. Since Easter for some reason, in and around London the T-Mobile network has become unusably slow.

I can speculate why, but all I can observe is that in the same places "3" does much better.

The EE 4G network will be lightly loaded at the moment so work well at a premium price.

ZhugeEX · 23 June 2013 at 7:22PM

The normal Galaxy S3 is not a DC-HSPA+ phone.

In fact not many phones are. It's better to go for the 4G version which is both LTE and DC-HSPA+ compatible.

I can vouch for Three. They're one of the best networks in terms of 3G coverage right now and their internet network is the best. It's uncompressed and fast and their recent upgrades to DC-HSPA+ means that i can get over 10mbps minimum no matter where i am or what time of day it is.

Also the good thing about Three is that they'll be offering a free upgrade to 4G on all tariffs when it launches later this year. Something that T-Mobile cannot physically provide without paying extra and agreeing to a data cap. Also T-Mobile cap their unlimited data tariffs at 4mbps and block tethering.

I'd say Three is a good network to go for. But as i say to everyone. Try it first before you commit to a contract of more than 1 months length. Every network has it's deadspots and Three could have one in your area.

gino_76ph · 23 June 2013 at 8:39PM

This afternoon i bought a Three SIM-only monthly rolling SIM. The reason for this is so i can try it out on my Galaxy S3 but didn't realised that my Galaxy S3 isn't DC-HSDPA compatible. But even so, i can still probably gauge how fast is the "normal" 3G/3.5G network isn't it?

I have been with T-mobile for more than 5 years but feel stagnant with them. If they have been "capping" their speeds and from what i can see they do not give loyal customers some kind of discounts/deals then i think its time for me to move on.

Is it true that Three's offering of Galaxy S3 Ultrafast is also LTE-capable? That means (as someone mentioned here) i am saving a lot.

And also according to the sales person i spoke to since i now have this SIM-only plan i will be eligible to upgrade that plan to a regular 24-monthly plan, get an S3 Ultrafast (or the S4) and be able to get some form of discounts towards that.

Sounds like a win-win situation you think?

ZhugeEX · 23 June 2013 at 9:23PM

gino_76ph wrote: »

This afternoon i bought a Three SIM-only monthly rolling SIM. The reason for this is so i can try it out on my Galaxy S3 but didn't realised that my Galaxy S3 isn't DC-HSDPA compatible. But even so, i can still probably gauge how fast is the "normal" 3G/3.5G network isn't it?

I have been with T-mobile for more than 5 years but feel stagnant with them. If they have been "capping" their speeds and from what i can see they do not give loyal customers some kind of discounts/deals then i think its time for me to move on.

Is it true that Three's offering of Galaxy S3 Ultrafast is also LTE-capable? That means (as someone mentioned here) i am saving a lot.

And also according to the sales person i spoke to since i now have this SIM-only plan i will be eligible to upgrade that plan to a regular 24-monthly plan, get an S3 Ultrafast (or the S4) and be able to get some form of discounts towards that.

Sounds like a win-win situation you think?

The model you want is the "i9305" variant. That's the DC-HSPA+/LTE version. However you might be able to get a better deal on a different LTE phone depending on what offers are on at the time.

Just make sure it is an LTE model though.

If the speeds are fast enough on normal 3G then they'll get better when connected to a DC-HSPA+ mast and LTE mast in the future. All i will say is don't make a decision just yet. Keep using the network in regular places you visit just to make sure it's up to scratch before you commit to any long term contract.

Also it's worth ringing up T-Mobile and asking for your PAC (if you haven't already). This usually initiates a conversation about better deals the company can do for you. So if somehow you can negotiate a killer deal from T-Mobile then i'd take it.

gino_76ph · 24 June 2013 at 8:43PM

T-mobile appears to not have the "Ultrafast" (or DC-HSDPA) signal that Three currently is offering. There is nothing on their website. So, i'm eagerly waiting for my Three SIM and see if what it says is true as regards network coverage and stuff. If it's that good then i will request for that PAC code ASAP and switch to a full 24-monthly contract.

I know the S4 is available on Three on a £33/monthly but if i can also get a cheaper/better deal with the GT-I9305 S3 then i'd go for that. And besides Samsung has this habit of updating their phones "mid-life" Like maybe the S4 Advanced (as announced in S.Korea lately) or a "Plus" version. I dunno. We can only assume its gonna make it to the UK shores.

I also considered the Xperia Z but with issues such as soft/tiny speakers, weak audio volume when headphones are connected and screen blackness then i might just go for a Galaxy phone instead.

And besides i have been hearing that when Three does start offering 4G the tariffs won't be any different with their current Ultrafast tariffs. Hmm...sounds like a delicious deal don't you think?

BrendanRoberts · 24 June 2013 at 9:13PM

Would you not like the HTC One?

Three offer this phone free for £32 per month 500mins/5000txt/ULT Internet

affordablemobiles.co.uk/contract-mobile-phones/htc/one/black-colour/

ZhugeEX · 24 June 2013 at 10:08PM

gino_76ph wrote: »

T-mobile appears to not have the "Ultrafast" (or DC-HSDPA) signal that Three currently is offering. There is nothing on their website. So, i'm eagerly waiting for my Three SIM and see if what it says is true as regards network coverage and stuff. If it's that good then i will request for that PAC code ASAP and switch to a full 24-monthly contract.

They actually do offer DC-HSPA+. However they don't shout about it because they want people to upgrade and pay more on EE4G which is their 4G network. Doesn't make a difference on T-Mobile anyway though because like i said above they cap their speeds for all customers.

I know the S4 is available on Three on a £33/monthly but if i can also get a cheaper/better deal with the GT-I9305 S3 then i'd go for that. And besides Samsung has this habit of updating their phones "mid-life" Like maybe the S4 Advanced (as announced in S.Korea lately) or a "Plus" version. I dunno. We can only assume its gonna make it to the UK shores.

Very true, but as long as you get a 4G phone you're set for the future.

And besides i have been hearing that when Three does start offering 4G the tariffs won't be any different with their current Ultrafast tariffs. Hmm...sounds like a delicious deal don't you think?

Yup, like i mentioned above, Three will upgrade all customers to 4G free of charge by the end of the year. Unlike T-Mobile who will ask you to pay more to move over to EE4G and then cap your data limit. So three is easily the best option but just make sure you're 100% happy with the service before committing to a 2 year agreement.

Answers in bold above^

gino_76ph · 26 June 2013 at 9:52PM

Got the Three SIM-only SIM card in the post yesterday. Started using it today on my non - DC HSDPA Galaxy S3 phone.

Well, i noticed that with T-mobile (as you have lightly said they cap their data) my average speeds have been stale & stagnant for the past year or so. Average i could get from them is 1-2MB on a good signal area. With Three the average goes up a little to 3-4MB. For me that is better. And that is a good sign. And this is on my "normal" S3. Imagine the speeds on a DC-HSDPA S3 that would double at least if not triple the speeds.

I am 70% certain that i would like to switch to Three now. But do i get the PAC code with T-mobile first and then upgrade to Three second or vice versa?

I do not understand what happened to T-mobile with their merger with Orange. Seems everything got worse from their call centres persons, data caps, limited phones, slow network speeds and expensive tariffs. (with EE). And no impprtance shown to loyal customers.

Buzby · 26 June 2013 at 9:57PM

It doesn't really matter which way round, as 3UK will accept any PAC after your activation and yo can star using the old number - just remember I needs to be live on T-Mob for the transfer to work!