What do I do when 3G is switched off?

Hi there ​@barquerole 

I’m semi rural and my 3G has been switched off (I’ve had confirmation from two sources that its off). But my phone still connects to the same 3G network (that’s confirmed to be off, so work that one out) when my 4G signal (another story) drops too low. With that in mind yours might still work even after its gone….

But in your case I would be truly gobsmacked if they just pull the plug on 3G and leave you isolated. What 3UK are doing is knocking off the 3G and reusing these antennae for 4G, but I can only hope for those without 4G they install this first and then switch off the 3G.

Staff on here may be able to raise a ticket with 3UK for your area to clarify what 3UK are planning to do. If they come back and say you’ll lose the phone at least you’ll have time to shop around - BUT all UK networks are phasing out 3G so at least one of them must be allowing for rural areas.

Hey there ​@barquerole, thank you for reaching out.

The below article should explain further:

• 3G is being switched off. What do I need to do? F.A.Q.

Thank you,

Tyler

Hi Tyler, I have done all of that but the problem is the network itself, not my phone.

It is an iPhone 15 Pro Max which is completely up to date.

If you look at your checker for TN25 5HW you will see the problem.

Okay ​@barquerole, I’d guess that if Three UK (the iD network partner) don’t provide a 4G network service at your postcode (after 3G switch-off), you should be free to leave iD Mobile without a penalty. 

The OFCOM coverage checker suggests OUTDOOR 4G reception is likely at your location with all networks except Vodafone.

🍀

Thanks.

I thought Three (Smarty) were going to upgrade all their 3G masts to 4G so that customers aren’t left stranded, but the ambiguous message on the checker leads me to think that the 3G service in these parts will just be switched off.

There seems to be no way of finding out. I’ve known people in other areas be advised of a specific date for the switch off when they entered their postcode in the checker.

For that postcode ​@barquerole it shows this for 4G

Therefore as Tyler advised you need to tweak the phone so calls work over VoLTE

4G is not available despite what the checker says and the phone is ‘tweaked’ for VoLTE long since.

Even the 4G results show that service is only available outdoors.

A little confused, don’t worry it’s easily done.

So you’re saying your phone is set to use 4G but there is no 4G signal in your area?

And your phone is set as per its default settings regarding the network connection type?

Or there is outdoor 4G but your phone can’t obtain a 4G connection outdoors? - If its this one have you tried a replacement iD Mobile SIM. Some have and their 4G started working. Others only had to reset their network.

Perhaps some areas will have 3G network services longer than originally planned by Three UK, ​@barquerole. 

At my location, I’ve got a similar ambiguous statement about 3G service, although I rely on using a WiFi Calling network service because my Three UK indoor coverage is very poor.

Yes, the phone is set to 4G but there is no 4G signal except one bar very occasionally. It’s not the sim because other people locally who are using Three or a MVNO have exactly the same issue.

Yes, I am in exactly the same situation and it would just be good to know what Three plan to do about areas like yours and mine.

Unfortunately ​@barquerole, I suspect universal mobile coverage, indoors and outdoors, on all UK mobile networks is unlikely.

Perhaps the shared rural network project will bear fruit at some point.

I get it now. When you wrote (twice) earlier that “4G is not available” you meant just that, as in you could not get any 4G at all. That was the reason I posted the coverage map. But now duly noted you do have 4G albeit on the rare occasion. Fixing that is beyond you or I. My area is also suffering with a poor 4G signal too, though 3UK have been tinkering on and off with this for several months now.

You may have found your own answer though if its only those providers using 3UK’s infrastructure.