MrNoNumbers
ULTIMATE Member
With Three planning to gradually phase out 3G by the end of the year, thought this might be a good place to document how it occurs and any consequences that may arise.
Unlike the other MNOs Three still has a significant amount of 3G-only sites with no 2G to fall-back on. Personally I think it's unlikely Three will manage to upgrade >1,000 sites in the coming months, but instead opt to a form roaming arrangement with another MNO that's heavily speed restricted or calling/2G only, similar to the O2/Orange agreements of old. Either that or keep a significant number of 3G-only sites active where they provide the only service.
Any roaming arrangements would likely be heavily speed restricted or limited to 2G only. Alternatively, they could take the approach once used by Freedom Mobile Canada, meaning a seperate data allowance when connected to a 'partner' network.
As of posting, 3G is very much still alive in South Oxon:
Unlike the other MNOs Three still has a significant amount of 3G-only sites with no 2G to fall-back on. Personally I think it's unlikely Three will manage to upgrade >1,000 sites in the coming months, but instead opt to a form roaming arrangement with another MNO that's heavily speed restricted or calling/2G only, similar to the O2/Orange agreements of old. Either that or keep a significant number of 3G-only sites active where they provide the only service.
Any roaming arrangements would likely be heavily speed restricted or limited to 2G only. Alternatively, they could take the approach once used by Freedom Mobile Canada, meaning a seperate data allowance when connected to a 'partner' network.
As of posting, 3G is very much still alive in South Oxon:























