Tag Archives: 3g

3 UK (Hutchison 3G) to finally start offering the iPhone in the UK

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3 UK, the network which claims to have the best 3G coverage in the UK, has recently announced that it will start offering the iPhone 4 from June 24th.

There’s no news on pricing as yet, but 3 have said that they’re aiming to announce tariffs on June 15th.

I’m personally very pleased with the idea. Despite the fact that I left 3 earlier this year, it’s good that 3 are finally offering one of the most popular smartphones around. And it could be perfect time, as O2 are cutting their mobile internet down later this month, coinciding with the iPhone 4 launch.

With their extensive 3G coverage in the UK, this could see a lot of customers moving from other networks to 3 for the brand new iPhone, which claims to have a bucket-load of new features that will interest a wide range of smartphone users.

Skype over 3G with iPhone brings free calls – for now

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Skype has recently introduced a new update for Skype on iPhone which introduces brand new calls over 3G. Previously, all calls had to be made over wi-fi.

The new update means that, for the time being, iPhone users can make free (or very cheap) calls to other Skype users as long as they have sufficient data allowances.

However, the use of the new feature is only available at no charge until the end of 2010. After New Year, Skype have said that they will introduce a small charge for the service, but the specific cost has not yet been confirmed.

In the mean time, if you have an iPhone, go make some calls over Skype. It could save you a lot of minutes on your contract.

TomTom Sat Nav Software now available on the iTunes Store!

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If you have a iPhone 3G or 3GS you’ll probably be pleased to know that TomTom has launched it’s own app for satellite navigation!

As you can probably guess, the software uses the GPS navigator to run the software.

The software doesn’t come cheap but TomTom is a very well-known provider of sat-nav facilities so I suspect it will do well.

The software is currently available in 6 packages each relating to a different part of the world:

  • UK & Ireland (costs £59.99)
  • Australia (costs £44.99)
  • New Zealand (costs £54.99)
  • U.S. and Canada (costs £59.99)
  • Western Europe (costs £79.99)

An exciting idea that may prove a success to the company, but this certainly isn’t the first piece of sat-nav software available for the iPhone. There have also been a few complaints that the software has its problems – one of them being that the software apparently pauses when a call is received which would be a pain if you are driving. I guess only time will tell if the product sells.

3 Customer Support is improving…

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I’m very glad to report that 3’s (Hutchinson 3G’s) Customer Service is finally improving.

I’ve had to speak with various people at 3 today because my local 3G mast has become unavailable, leaving me with very little coverage. The only way I can currently get coverage is by using Orange’s backup 2G network.

I spoke to 3 today and told them about the issue. To be truthful, I spoke to a technician online first (as 3 provides online chat as well as free telephone customer support), but he was very helpful and quickly reported the issue for investigation.

I then got a text from 3 this afternoon saying that they’d tried to call me back but I wasn’t available. I was glad to hear they had tried (how many times has a company promised you a call back, but not bothered?), but as I was out at that time I couldn’t take the call. In the text they provided me with an 0845 number to call them back with, and despite having to wait a little while for an advisor, I did get through to a very helpful man.

He told me that the problem would be investigated and gave me some instructions to make sure my 3G connectivity was available as soon as possible. He was very apologetic and promised me the problem would be solved within 21 days.

After lots of discussion, the man finally said that 3 may call me in the next few weeks to check the 3G coverage is available again. I was fine with this and the man I spoke to was very thankful for my co-operation.

In the end, I was also promised a little compensation for the lack of service. I didn’t ask for it – it was simply offered to me, so I willingly accepted it. This means I will receive a free top-up to the value of £10 (so I am told).  I haven’t received the compensation yet, but I have been promised it within the next 24 hours so hopefully I shall get it soon.

In conclusion, I am very happy with the service I received today. There are countless reports of poor customer service, but if you have a little patience and don’t loose your temper, the customer service is really efficient and helpful.

Why can’t you access internet on 3 (Three) Mobile without 3G available?

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I love 3 (Three), they are fantastic. Calls and texts are cheap as chips and generally it’s an all round good network.

I have just one bone to pick though. Their 3G coverage in the UK is generally good but in my area there isn’t very much. If you live in a city, it’s a slightly different story as most cities have consistent 3G signal. But I, for one and many others, don’t.

So it becomes a problem when I can only get GPRS and EDGE where I live, as Three restrict access to the Internet so that you can only get to it when you’re in 3G. Try and get to it on 2G or 2.5G, and you’ll just get a timeout when going to an external site (any site other than Planet 3).

It’s a pain in the backside and I’ve made countless calls to Three about not being able to get Internet in 2G, but they won’t do anything about it other than repeatedly sending me Internet settings I already have.

Why can’t they just allow internet access in 2G signals? Is it only me that can’t get internet in 2G? If you are on Three and can get internet access (other than Planet 3) please post a comment so I can contact Three and investigate this further.

It just annoys me… why have mobile Internet if you can’t access it most of the time?

Update: I have recently been able to get internet on a 2G connection which is somewhat strange. It suddenly seemed to start working as soon as 3 introduced the free mobile internet when you top up. Can anyone else now get an internet connection from their phone when they are in 2G, and browse the web?