Terrible iPhone 3G O2 signal on train.

Realillusion222

Realillusion222

Realillusion222

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Joined
2 Jul 2006
Posts
178
Location
Cornwall
Hello there.

I took the train today from Cornwall to Worcester and had absolutley dire signal. I couldn't get phone or data 95% of the time. Even when I got to the station I had problems for 30 minutes or so. I'm now near Worcester on the train and everything is fine.

Is this normal? I can easily get 3G in Cornwall but couldn't get anything when travelling through more built up areas.
 
Trains are rubbish for reception, mainly because they consist of large amounts of metal and electricity, both of which interfere with EM. Also, signal masts tend to be near houses and roads, not trainlines.
 
yeah dude, i work for the rail industry, trust me when your sitting on a train you have so many cables running above you and below you. They are ment to be shielded but i wouldnt put money on the shielding being any good. i beleve on that line the trains run on electricty? If this is so the 50,000 Volts traveling through that wire will fore sure mess with signal
 
Had similar experiences with my iPhone - however i've always assumed it's the same for every network's signal on trains. Quite frustrating as it's the main time I'd like a net connection to pass the time. At least National Express trains have free Wifi (over mobile broadband connections - but I guess theirs are slightly more robust) however, even that can be a bit flaky too.
 
I find it varies from network to network. I used to have a lot of problems on T-Mobile but I have no problems at all on 3 (admittedly Nokia E71). In fact, because the train goes through some areas with virtually no users, my download rates go up significantly!
 
As said it is mostly the train's sheer noise output. However the 3G probably fares the worst out of all the mobile phones for reception. Pretty sure my Nokia 6600, which was awesome in 'dead zones' in my area would be good on the tube...well not for 3G :p
 
Ahh, what a bummer. Pulled out my K850i (Orange) whilst I was on the train and I had full signal and HSPDA :(

I can live with it though, just need to remember to get a decent game or two and some movies on my iPhone next time :)
 
Fstop11 said:
its not even funny is it? :(
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No. Now go back to P&V :p

I've always assumed mobiles and trains weren't a good idea, I don't think it's iPhone specific . Having said that, I took a journey from Southampton to Portsmouth last weekend and except for about 5 minutes leaving Southampton, I had great signal for the rest of the journey.
 
I'm on Vodafone with an N95 8GB and using it on the main CrossCountry route (that goes from Bournemouth through Birmingham and up to Scotland) it's barely usable for texting let alone voice calls.
 
Does speed have an affect on 3G? I can use it while coming to and leaving from work while dad drives :p

It is a little slow but works none the less, obviously once I'm stationary its super fast!!!
 
AmTechFox said:
Does speed have an affect on 3G? I can use it while coming to and leaving from work while dad drives :p

It is a little slow but works none the less, obviously once I'm stationary its super fast!!!
Click to expand...

Yes, speed affects all mobile signals - 2G, 3G, wifi, TV, etc.
 
Its good Epsom > Waterloo/Victoria and its fairly good on Basingstoke > Waterloo lines except between Farnborough and Walton on themes because of the vally they built the train line in.
 
Even on the Virgin Pendolinos with 'Enhanced mobile coverage' I can only ever expect GPRS data 99% of the time, with Edge or 3G kicking in when travelling through more built up areas.
 
Realillusion222 said:
Pulled out my K850i (Orange) whilst I was on the train and I had full signal and HSPDA :(
Click to expand...

At my parents caravan in Wales they get full signal with GPRS on Orange yet on Vodafone or O2 I can't even get a signal. Yet at my parents house in Birmingham they can barely hold a signal on Orange, they seem to have their masts in strange places.
 
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Adrianr said:
Even on the Virgin Pendolinos with 'Enhanced mobile coverage' I can only ever expect GPRS data 99% of the time, with Edge or 3G kicking in when travelling through more built up areas.
Click to expand...


Same here...i travel to Manchester quite a bit and get the odd 3G signal etc. Saying that last yr i was going to Leeds and i got 3G signal more or less throughout the whole journey...was quite surprised at that...even google maps worked and was plotting the whole journey as i was travelling.
 
UPDATE: Made the return trip today, and signal was brilliant. Had pretty much full mobile signal until I got to St. Austell, and I had 3G/EDGE throughout most of the trip.

I was sat right next to the window so this may have helped quite abit.
 
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