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Does 3G and 4G increase range over 2G?

MeanyBoy

Casual Member
Looking to purchase some very simple feature phones and use multi network SIMs such as anywhere sim for safety comms in areas in the UK with little phone coverage.

Is there any advantage in buying something like a CAT B35 with 2G, 3G and 4G. Over a very cheap burner phone, for added coverage?

These handsets will only be used for voice comms and maybe the odd text. Data is not a priority and they will only be used sparingly.

TIA
 
I think the big thing to be mindful of here is that spectrum bands are often being moved / refarmed on to different technologies, so it's important to have a device that can work across lots of different frequencies and technologies. Equally, band assignments will vary between operators and locations.

Right now there's a lot of planning going into how best to sunset 2G and 3G services, so the spectrum could soon be moved for use on 4G and 5G. Personally, I think 3G will go before 2G as a lot of devices still rely on 2G and that's less of an issue with 3G.

In short.. right now there can still be some benefit in making voice calls or sending texts via 2G in some areas, but this may not last very long. The goal is to make 4G into the new 2G, so any decision you take today could be wrong tomorrow.

The good news is you can buy some low spec 4G feature phones that support a lot of past/present bands.
 
It depends on the combination of network, the SIM and the device itself.

For example, EE don't allow access to their 800mhz (B20) 4G spectrum unless your device is VoLTE enabled (voice calls over 4G). With a device that isn't VoLTE enabled you could find yourself in a situation where there is network signal in the area but you are not able to utilise it.
Additionally, I think there is also a requirement that you need to have a contract (non-PAYG) SIM to access VoLTE with EE too, so you may need to factor that in too.
Further, not all devices support VoLTE on all networks.

3G is beginning/being considered for shutdown in the next years most of the providers. Some new sites (from Three and EE at least) being built don't have 3G on them at all. Some EE sites are even being built that are 4G only (no 2G either).

You may find yourself in a situation where having multiple phones with those multiple SIMs would be needed as VoLTE/low frequency band access is supported by some combinations of device/network/sim.

Something like this Alcatel 3080 supports VoLTE with O2, but it doesn't work for VoLTE on Three (likely they haven't 'certified' it on their network).
https://www.o2.co.uk/shop/alcatel/3080
 
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I have a Vodafone Smart First 7 that I got from eBay for £7 and it does the job no problem. I got it unlocked for 99p from eBay so I could use it with three and it works fine.
 
I would also say that you should be mindful when talking about VoLTE (also goes for VoWiFi) as it only works for Vodafone and three customers on pay and go. Just thought I'd put that out there
 
Thanks for all the advice. I'm looking at a batch of Nokia 225 4Gs after reading the above comments. Seem to tick all the boxes and are about £40 each. Haven't seen any 4G feature phones any cheaper than that yet.

Anyone with any experience of multi network sim cards?
 
Thanks for all the advice. I'm looking at a batch of Nokia 225 4Gs after reading the above comments. Seem to tick all the boxes and are about £40 each. Haven't seen any 4G feature phones any cheaper than that yet.

Anyone with any experience of multi network sim cards?
When you say multi network Sims do you mean two Sims in a device or a network such as Pebble or Anywhere mobile? I use two Sims in my current mobile so if that then I can help.
 
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When you say multi network Sims do you mean two Sims in a device or a network such as Pebble or Anywhere mobile? I use two Sims in my current mobile so if that then I can help.
Anywhere mobile or similar, obviously they aren't used by your average consumer that much so getting independent info can be quite hard.
 
Oh, if it's the latter that Bubbles mentions (companies such as Pebble or Anywhere) then all the above info I mentioned regarding VoLTE/access to lower frequency spectrum for potentially larger coverage is likely irrelevant as I highly doubt that they support it.

Edit: you replied as I was doing so - you probably should ignore the info I mentioned earlier for low frequency access through VoLTE enabled devices - I has assumed/interpreted your original post as asking about having multiple SIMs from different providers - not a single SIM enabled for roaming between networks.
 
I would believe they support 800MHz on three as they don't restrict and 80MHz will almost certainly work for O2Voda as that's their base band but doesn't seem to achieve as long a range as Three or EE's
 
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