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Three throttling MVNO Networks

  • November 16, 2024
  • 8 replies
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J
Active Contributor

One of my friends is on Three network not a Three MVNO and I thought I would do some speed tests next to him. The issue is my speed on ID Mobile on 4G in my area is sometimes as low as 0.5mbps . This is the same for my Uncle up the street. 

My Friend on Three did a speed test outside my house and got - 22mbps down and 9.5mbps up . 
My test on ID Mobile was - 1.69mbps down and 6.54mbps up . 

We also did a test about half a mile up the road where he got 59mbps down and 16mbps up whilst I got 3.5mbps down and 18.4mbps up . 

I used to be on SMARTY network that is also a Three MVNO and got the same speeds as ID Mobile. 

I have in other areas though got speeds around 60mbps so it looks like Three customers are getting priority on the network when it is busy. 

The problem is the speeds are throttled that low that you wouldn’t be able to stream any video and sometimes you can barely load a website. 

This is quite unfair to be honest and needs looking into. 

 

 

Best answer by Daz_S

Yep, I totally understand your reasoning.

Up to date, yes I see that logic too.

Though there’s other things to factor in, like was your phone running more apps in the background, was the weather app updating, any traffic inbound or outbound will affect this and other things like that.

Also yes, seeing such wide difference would support your theories.

My previous ‘testing’ satisfied my concerns that Tesco’s was being restricted/throttled compared to O2. So I left Tesco. But on the flip side paying less would, so you’d assume, mean a slower/lower rate service.

 

I’d have to say that if throttling is taking place, then it’s down to whom owns the infrastructure and how much smaller providers are willing to pay the current big 4 to have decent speeds/bandwidth. But then again that would only increase their costs which in turn we’d end up paying for.

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    Daz_S
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    • Daz_S
    • Gold Contributor
    • 1627 replies
    • November 16, 2024

    I too will be doing this at some point using iD and Three SIMs - having done similar myself before coming to iD, and witnessed speed fluctuations between direct and MVNO providers too.

     

    However, one small problem with your testing - not being picky, merely pointing it out.

     

    You need to use the same phone and put each SIM into that.

    Using different phones won’t be 100% reliable, due to better processors, antennae, things like that.

     

    Though one thing IS for sure, if my phone using a Three SIM is faster than iD, 2 things will be happening and one of them probably involves leaving iD.

    I'm just another customer. ***Only genuine iD Mobile staff have iD Mobile Employee after their name*** **Don't post your phone number or account details as these can be seen by anybody**
    J
    Active Contributor
    • jeanintheuk
    • Author
    • Active Contributor
    • 11 replies
    • November 16, 2024

    I agree with using one phone but they are both up to date phones so dropping from 59mbps to under 2mbps is definitely to do with the network. 

     

    The issue is why throttle them to the point that they’re unusable . 8mbps or more  would be better so you can stream video. 

    Paying customers on ID and Smarty can’t use the data they are paying for. 

    Forgot to say my parents are on ID too and my Uncle up the street is and we all get the same speeds , so I doubt it’s the phones themselves. 

    Daz_S
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    • Daz_S
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    • 1627 replies
    • Answer
    • November 16, 2024

    Yep, I totally understand your reasoning.

    Up to date, yes I see that logic too.

    Though there’s other things to factor in, like was your phone running more apps in the background, was the weather app updating, any traffic inbound or outbound will affect this and other things like that.

    Also yes, seeing such wide difference would support your theories.

    My previous ‘testing’ satisfied my concerns that Tesco’s was being restricted/throttled compared to O2. So I left Tesco. But on the flip side paying less would, so you’d assume, mean a slower/lower rate service.

     

    I’d have to say that if throttling is taking place, then it’s down to whom owns the infrastructure and how much smaller providers are willing to pay the current big 4 to have decent speeds/bandwidth. But then again that would only increase their costs which in turn we’d end up paying for.

    I'm just another customer. ***Only genuine iD Mobile staff have iD Mobile Employee after their name*** **Don't post your phone number or account details as these can be seen by anybody**
    Tom
    iD Mobile Employee
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    • Tom
    • iD Mobile Employee
    • 7891 replies
    • November 18, 2024

    Hi ​@jeanintheuk 

     

    Sorry to see this, we have no suspicion that Three UK would be throttling iD Mobile users, they are treated the same as Three UK direct users when it comes to signal.

     

    Tom

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    J
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    • J
      jeanintheuk
    J
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    • jeanintheuk
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    • 11 replies
    • November 18, 2024

    There must be some traffic management going on due to the mast being overloaded so maybe not throttling but Three customers seem to be getting a higher priority on the network. 

    T
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    • T
      TimS1980
    Tom
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    • Tom
    • iD Mobile Employee
    • 7891 replies
    • November 18, 2024

    Hi ​@jeanintheuk 

     

    You’d be better asking Three UK directly, however I don’t see them saying that that exists.

     

    Tom

    Did my comment help answer your question? If so, don't forget to mark the response as the Most Helpful Answer.
    J
    1 person likes this
    • J
      jeanintheuk
    A
    • Anonymous
    • 0 replies
    • January 24, 2025

    Of com has reported that 3 when you access a WiFi network they slow your network data down.

    Try speed test with WiFi disconnected.

    J
    Active Contributor
    • jeanintheuk
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    • 11 replies
    • January 24, 2025

    It was disconnected as I was in a car park half a mile up the road from my house. WIFI was turned off too.

    Reply.


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