Turning off 3G

[Col33]

My 2 year contract is due to end in February and I am reviewing my options on renewing. The biggest issue I have at the moment is the switching off of 3G by the end of the year.

Currently I have my router set to 3G only and get 30mb download and 3mb upload. If I switch my router to 4G only the download drops to 9mb and upload to 1mb.

I'm reluctant to agree to a new contract if the plans are to switch of 3G but not boost/increase the 4G in my area. According to the network coverage checker I have:- 

Yes - Very good service
Great news – 4G is in your area. If your device is 4G calling compatible, you’ll have very good 4G coverage for calls, texts, and mobile internet. 

However this is not the case as my router proves. Can anyone provide me with confidence that 4G will be improved prior to the switch off?

Thanks.

[robertm1988]

Well next month they start turning off 3G and H+ in my area. So would it be the same day that the 4/5G is boosted. Though I think some work has been happening as I could only get 4G inside, now I'm seeing 4G+ more often. The warehouse I work in I only get H+ unless I sit by a window then 4G on one bar. Hope that improves too.

[Col33]

They are certainly doing something. I can no longer use 3G as after a few hours I constantly get unable to connect to the internet. I have therefore put my router back to 4G preferred.

Two years ago, if it found a 4G signal I would drop to one bar on the router with a solid 4 showing. Now I get two bars and a flashing 4G+ which stays solid for approx. 2 seconds at any one time.

Whilst my download has dropped from 30mb to anything between 5 and 9mb, I don't get any buffering when streaming. In fact the connection appears more stable. However, whenever I need to download something it takes HOURS! 

Fingers crossed that the 4G+ stays on all the time before the end of the year and perhaps I may even get the third bar back. According to Three's website they have not made any changes in the area!

[JonathanB]

Hi @Col33,

I'll be happy to take a closer look into this for you. I'll send you a PM to check some info.

Thanks,
Jonathan

[Threlly]

Just looking at the "loss of 3g will be converted into better 4g/5g speeds" comments.

AHHHHHHH HA HA HA HA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Not in a million years, not a cat's chance in hell.
lol, that's going to keep me giggling all week.

I'll bet good money that speeds will get worse, if that's even possible.
If there's a chance that Three can take more money and provide less service they'll jump at it.
Watch this space lol.

[Threlly]

Run away.

Run very far away from these liars.
Get a dial up modem, it will be faster, get almost anything other than anything these shysters provide.

[sc1999]

shyster

/ˈʃʌɪstə/

noun

INFORMAL

plural noun: shysters

1. a person, especially a lawyer, who uses unscrupulous, fraudulent, or deceptive methods in business.

   "an ambulance-chasing shyster"

[Spud]

If you don't want to commit to a long contract you could go for an iD Mobile SIM one month contract (£18 unlimited or £16 300GB). They use the Three network. My daughter now has my MF286D 4G router. To test it at her house I popped in my PAYG* iD Mobile SIM and loaded a £20 30-day unlimited bundle. All was fine. After the 30 days she is now on a 12-month unlimited Three SIM via Moneysavingexpert - £11.57/month after automatic cashback.

* if you don't buy another iD Mobile contract it reverts to PAYG 3p/min, 2p/text, 1p/MB using up whatever credit you add, but you can buy bundles as and when you need them.

[Col33]

Thanks, not a bad idea, I think 1 year deal may be the best option.

[Col33]

I must have upset someone. My internet connection has been patchy for the last two days with constant "no internet" and severe buffering. The only fix so far is to switch my router from 3G only to 4G preferred which has improved the situation at the cost of a speed drop from 30mb to 10mb.

According to Three's map, my 3G cut-off is not happening yet so not sure why 3G has suddenly got worse over the past couple of days!