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Stick all the bands you want on a mast, if the backhaul isn't up to it, it won't be up to it.

Three have a stupid number of masts still sharing backhaul via wireless links, limitations already exist with wireless backhaul but when multiple mast sites are repeating the wireless backhaul theres going to be major issues, and not just data throughput issues either.... I'm finding call quality issues currently on Three in my area, lots of clicking and in and out connections.
It's shared between all 4 networks. Think it might just be heavy congestion. Site isn't particularly close to the town centre.

They don't have the sites in the town centre, O2 is on B1+20, Vodafone is on B1+20, Three is on B1+3+20 and EE is on B3+20 and B3 (from site I shared in EE discussion)
 
Site will likely be managed by MBNL/Cellnex for Three then, each operators equipment should have its own backhaul.
Yeah possibly.

O2 is eNB 101848, Three is eNB 11156, Vodafone is 1848 (can't connect to it because Red Bull is iffy with changing networks which is a bit disappointing since it means I basically don't have a Vodafone eSIM anymore, was using Firsty for EE + Three (granted I have a Three eSIM currently thanks to the wonderful @RajSandhu2k) but it only gives me Vodafone 2G).

EE is 18380 mostly and 22654.

Three is very disappointing for me honestly...
 
Stick all the bands you want on a mast, if the backhaul isn't up to it, it won't be up to it.

Three have a stupid number of masts still sharing backhaul via wireless links, limitations already exist with wireless backhaul but when multiple mast sites are repeating the wireless backhaul theres going to be major issues, and not just data throughput issues either.... I'm finding call quality issues currently on Three in my area, lots of clicking and in and out connections.

I sometimes wonder if this is why some masts on Vodafone and O2 are stuck on so few bands.
 
I sometimes wonder if this is why some masts on Vodafone and O2 are stuck on so few bands.
I have had O2 and Vodafone tell me in the past that mast configs are limited to backhaul capacities....

If Vodafone's case they told me that adding Band 7 was too expensive an investment at the time as it wouldn't penetrate most of the customer base (which was true) and also that backhaul was a limitation, for 5G when it was enabled on the site at that time.....

However this got upgraded and then recently the mast was rebuilt along with O2 and that was somewhat of a game changer though I never got to test O2 before departing the area.

Three is already known for poor network planning, hance why they insisted they build a dedicated backhaul for 5G infra.... this in my opinion is another reason for a lack of existing sites being upgraded... talk about shooting themselves in the feet.
 
Anyways B1+3 on 11156 in the park, not quite as good as what it shows

1000019935.webp
 
In Salisbury the 5G telephone exchange mast does not have 3G just like the newer POWs so the 3G signal that covers my flat was from the 3G mast at Salisbury station!

They removed the 3G before starting the 3G switch off.

Might be worth checking your local MBNL rooftop masts to check if Three secretly switched 3G off.
 
They removed the 3G before starting the 3G switch off.
They have already started 3G switch off!!

If your referring to the SUNSET date which can be found on mastdatabase then thats only a final date for switch off in the area, they will be withdrawing it wherever its not in use or required....

If they sleep 4G bands at night to save electricity then they will definitely kill 3G radios to do the same.
 
I dread to think how much more broken Three would be around the Didcot area without 3G, it already struggles to keep a call.

Current situation:
Fire Station Lattice [3G]: Main site for the town with 3G that doesn't establish a data connection (Data turned off notification), calls dropping at random, texts fail to send. Been this way since at least 2017/18.

Southmead Ind. Estate [eNB 6816]: Flagship spec site that's been offline since the 26th. Has always had awful uptime on Three, other operators remain fine.

South Morton/GWR Line [eNB 12378]: B3-only in-fill site intended to serve the railway but has always covered much of east Didcot, been congested since it went live in 2018. Currently around 2Mbps download with very high pings, jumps to 5-10Mbps when 6816 works.

Kingswell Hotel [eNB 51188]: B28 has slowed but still gives around 5Mbps. Think this site is backhaul limited, no N78 and caps at around 100Mbps. Gives reasonable coverage in the south of the town.

Churn Hill Lattice [3G]: Used to be very similar to the Fire Station but improved when 51188 activated. Still very slow and covers a large area (see EE eNB 29192).

Berinsfield Water Tower [eNB 2985]: Flagship spec site that serves a big area. B28 is slow but works, in the right spot N78 is receivable and works well.

Battery on my S24U has been significantly better since removing the Smarty SIM.
 
I've never seen 4G so bad, eNB 8300 then 12380, 52909 and 52727

This is why Three is so sporadic and unreliable...

O2 isn't sporadic and it usually doesn't provide as awful speeds as this (although it isn't great with having issues on B8+1)

0.11/0.08mbps


I am genuinely so glad I didn't recommend Three for someone a while back looking at unlimited deals since they use internet from their neighbours currently and I don't think they want fibre put in. Couldn't recommend it for them even if they had an actual 4G calling phone.
 
Last edited:
I've never seen 4G so bad, eNB 8300 then 12380, 52909 and 52707

This is why Three is so sporadic and unreliable...

O2 isn't sporadic and it usually doesn't provide as awful speeds as this (although it isn't great with having issues on B8+1)

View attachment 16054

I am genuinely so glad I didn't recommend Three for someone a while back looking at unlimited deals since they use internet from their neighbours currently and I don't think they want fibre put in. Couldn't recommend it for them even if they had an actual 4G calling phone.
Have you tried running tests with a VPN in place, I beleive some issues on Three's interconnects
 
Have you tried running tests with a VPN in place, I beleive some issues on Three's interconnects
It doesn't change the fact that Three will try and connect to B3 on a site 5mi+ away

It's connected 2km away right now

I don't have a VPN installed anyways, only my free Windscribe allowance
 
I don't have a VPN installed anyways, only my free Windscribe allowance
Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1/WARP has a free tier. You can't select the exit point, but in the UK should be either London or Manchester:


 
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