topic Re: More frequent occurrences of "Emergency calls only" since 3 merger text in Network

More frequent occurrences of "Emergency calls only" since 3 merger text

Chris31 — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 20:59:42 GMT

I'm not sure of the extent to the works that have been carried out since the takeover as regards to roaming onto each others' networks (a la T-Mobile/Orange in the early days), however, I have been noticing lately my phone is going to "emergency calls only" a lot more frequently.

I have been out of the country for a few weeks and got this text whilst I was away extolling the virtues of how wonderful this new partnership shall be etc, and saying how I'll get a more "reliable connection".

Great, I thought. However, the opposite seems the truth - areas seem to be worse served reception wise and in the office I do not get a reliable data connection, or indeed reception. And now, this problem when the phone keeps to "emergency calls only".

Can anyone advise if the VUK-3UK network roaming is active, and if so, in what areas?

Re: More frequent occurrences of "Emergency calls only" since 3 merger text

JonathanB — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 12:21:45 GMT

Hi @Chris31,

Sorry to hear you've been running into issues with the coverage recently. Local roaming between Three and Vodafone is in the very early stages, so we don't think it's likely to have had any impact on your recent experiences.

We'll be communicating more info about this in the course of time, but it'll be a seamless experience, you won't need to check for or select Vodafone signal independently, your device will simply identify the best connection to use where you are.

If you have a check at our Network Status checker, and also check the coverage tab over there is it showing that we have any issues in the areas where you've been having these signal issues?

Thanks,
Jonathan

Re: More frequent occurrences of "Emergency calls only" since 3 merger text

MichaelP — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 15:29:40 GMT

Hi there @Chris31,

As we didn't hear back from you, I just wanted to touch base to see what your network experience has been over the past few weeks.

Did you get a chance to check on the network status for any known issues?

Thanks,
Michael

Re: More frequent occurrences of "Emergency calls only" since 3 merger text

Chris31 — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 18:56:58 GMT

The situation doesn't seem to have improved over the past few weeks, and it is pretty annoying as it is random. Data can be working just about and then suddenly stops, and then goes to emergency calls only.

It is also as if the threshold for the network disconnecting has been decreased, so that where the network thinks the reception isn't so good it drops the connection, and as such the phone tries to look for other networks, hence it getting stuck on "emergency calls only". Certainly, the reception bar-wise has always been 2-3 bars, so not amazing.

Plugging in various postcodes from around my office area into the status checker says "There is, at times, heavy usage in this local area." - it doesn't tell me anything more useful. We already know that, Sherlock lol.

I also now get poor quality voice calls in the office, previously I could talk without disruption at my desk but I have to now stand by the window to get anything intelligible, if I venture too far inside the line goes bad.

Have 3 changed any parameters with reference to the second paragraph above?

The irony is that in the Underground on the Jubilee line where you get great coverage because of the leaky feeders in the tunnels everything performs fine. So it's certainly not the phone being faulty. The network wasn't great before, but whatever they've tweaked (perhaps in preparation for the network technical merger?) has just made it worse even if it is in the short term.

Re: More frequent occurrences of "Emergency calls only" since 3 merger text

Chris31 — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 12:01:29 GMT

I'm still getting this problem unfortunately, so something in the config of the network has certainly changed. I've also tried to get a replacement sim-card from a 3 shop but all of the staff were busy. If I phone 333 will they send one quickly and reliably, without cutting off my existing sim-card?

It surely can't be just me that gets this problem?!

Re: More frequent occurrences of "Emergency calls only" since 3 merger text

PeteG — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:30:47 GMT

Hello.

I'm unaware of any configuration changes to the network that would negatively impact your service, but there might be something more local going on that has changed things for you.

If you're looking to replace the SIM on the phone, the old SIM does get disconnected. You can order an eSIM though, which is delivered digitally and can be connected in around 5 minutes.

Pete.