Tired of giffgaff basically never having 3G in Plymouth... trying a 3 SIM

[Scougar]

No matter the phone, on a giffgaff sim, I basically never seem to see a 3G signal. I have tried an O2 SIM card in my phone and instantly got a 3G signal... curious... makes me wonder what they are upto?

Just ordered a free three sim to try out the signal, and then might end up going for the 1 month contract sim only "Essential Internet 200" for ~£13 or "The one Plan" for ~£15.

Anyone else have naff 3G with GG ? (Especially in Plymouth)

 

[Scougar]

I did. Maybe need to try manual setup.

 

[Scougar]

I'm in Chaddlewood (top end) and work in the International Business Park between Derriford and Crownhill.

Phone sat at window, I have full bars of H (HSDPA?) I have only seen 3G flash up once on the phone, but without a reception for it, it was the same with my other phones.

First test: (chaddlewood)

Download: 1290kbps
Upload: 2049kbps
Ping: 118ms

2nd test about the same. Upload is twice the speed of download (weird).

 

[Scougar]

I actually have some other GG sims here.. so one sec. (Not activated though).

BTW... do I need two GPRS APN settings, (one for browser, and one for MMS) or should the MMS setting be contained in the default APN setting? (If I accept both emails it makes two APN's).

Hmm... the circuit board on these newer SIM's actually looks different.

 

[Scougar]

With an unactivated sim. H is the best I can get.

Ok will try to get it in one entry.

 

[Scougar]

ah.. now don't I feel silly. To Quote my giffgaff answer:

H or H+ is the strongest signal currently available

Whenever your smartphone internet is on, it's likely to display a
letter or mini phrase next to your signal strength to let you know
the quality of the network you're connected to. This will be either
GPRS, 2G or EDGE (often just an 'E') for a 2G network,
or 3G or HSPA (often just a 'H') for a 3G network.
In simple terms of quality, H & H+ is best.

 

[Scougar]

so youve had the best connection all this time and you thought it was a bad one?

well im sure thats brightened your mood

LOL, strangely... I still feel disappointed I don't get the 3G symbol LMAO. But yes... at least I know it's getting what it should be getting

Just done some speed test and download is so variable 1.2 to 3, and upload 0.8 to 2, the upload even freezes.

Will see how a Three SIM fairs however, just in case.

 

[Scougar]

from what i understand: 3g -> hspda -> hspa+

Perhaps you should go to EE and get 4g then

Go away you! (Plymouth doesn't have 4G yet anyway )

Phone doesn't do 4G, and no point investing in one that does until I FINALLY (ARGHH red tape!!) move to the states.

Anyway... I think I won the dumbass award for tonight as it is

 

[Scougar]

Tried a test outside near Derriford, and got 5 (5000kbps) , upload was only 1.2 though. Went inside the office and although we have lots of windows it is intermittent. Tested soon as I got in, and could only get G and 42kbps lol. Pathetic. Tested again when H came on and 1600kbps, but kept dropping massively. Upload was terrible.

Least I know I'm getting the right performance now (Just my office sucks).