Three network and handsets

mrochester · 24 May 2006 at 20:23

Right I understand that to make full use of Three services you need a 3G phone. However, does anyone know if you can use a Three simcard in a standard 2.5G phone so that I can access only the free texts and minutes? (I understand Three uses the O2 network for 2.5G connections). Just wondering if Three would let me use my phone in 2.5G mode all the time, or if they'd take some action against me for trying to do that.

Thanks,

Michael.

A2Z · 24 May 2006 at 20:38

you're not allowed, its against their T&C, AFAIK they will notice, send you a letter saying to stop it, if you carry on, disconnect you.

mrochester · 24 May 2006 at 20:52

Wow that's really crap. I like to be able to use whatever phone I choose so I don't think I'll be going with Three then

Jasperado · 25 May 2006 at 05:18

3=crap

Dolph · 25 May 2006 at 09:32

mrochester said:
Wow that's really crap. I like to be able to use whatever phone I choose so I don't think I'll be going with Three then

Well, there is a good reason behind it. Three do not own a 2/2.5g network, only a 3g one. Whenever you are out of 3g coverage, or if you tried to use a 2.5g phone, you would be permanantly locked onto their "national roaming partner" (currently O2) who three have to pay a hefty chunk for every call and text you make.

Hence why they don't let you do it.

mrochester · 25 May 2006 at 13:23

Dolph said:
Well, there is a good reason behind it. Three do not own a 2/2.5g network, only a 3g one. Whenever you are out of 3g coverage, or if you tried to use a 2.5g phone, you would be permanantly locked onto their "national roaming partner" (currently O2) who three have to pay a hefty chunk for every call and text you make.

Hence why they don't let you do it.

Oh well fair enough but they've lost at least a couple of potential customers because of this. If they offered a better selection of phones then I'd reconsider, but as it stands, they sadly don't.

Dolph · 25 May 2006 at 17:18

Xpander said:
I've been meaning to ask this for a while: what happens if you live in an area with rubbish 3G coverage like myself? Three must really hate us for that, having to pay O2 for all calls, SMS and the like! But in the same sense, it's their fault for not providing adequate 3G coverage I guess.

Provided you're using their handset, it shouldn't be a problem, because the phone will pick up 3g where possible, which will show you're not locked to 2g.

Oh and Orange have recently won the contract from O2 to provide 2/2.5G coverage for Three haven't they?

Indeed they have.

http://www.three.co.uk/news/h3gnews/searchresultsnewsview.omp?cid=1147184210927

mrochester · 25 May 2006 at 22:35

Provided you're using their handset, it shouldn't be a problem, because the phone will pick up 3g where possible, which will show you're not locked to 2g.

Surely this can be a total PITA though? My understanding is that the phone will always try to pick up a 3G signal where possible. So when you're in an area where there is poor 3G coverage, surely the phone will constantly drop the 2.5G signal, attempt to search for a 3G signal, then reconnect to the 2.5G signal? Or does it seamlessly transfer between the different network standards? ie, you could be in the middle of the call which switches from 2.5g to 3g without the call being dropped?

spirit · 26 May 2006 at 08:53

mrochester said:
Surely this can be a total PITA though? My understanding is that the phone will always try to pick up a 3G signal where possible. So when you're in an area where there is poor 3G coverage, surely the phone will constantly drop the 2.5G signal, attempt to search for a 3G signal, then reconnect to the 2.5G signal? Or does it seamlessly transfer between the different network standards? ie, you could be in the middle of the call which switches from 2.5g to 3g without the call being dropped?

well when i had it, it dropped, but the trick is this: lock it, but every few days put your phone back on 3g mode then make a call etc for a few hours, then lock it back again - they can't get you for that surely!

back in the day when i had it, i just locked it for the entire year they didnt say anything.