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.

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

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.

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?