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3G networks - my review/views |
scotsboyuk
Joined: Jun 02, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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@Sammy_boy
I don't think it's a case of 3 not having the capacity to charge for data usage, it is just that with their content being so data rich this would seem to be a silly idea; far better to just charge customer on a per item basis. As 3G takes over from GPRS I think we shall probably see a decrease in data charges and an increase in data allowances.
The other networks should launch their consumer 3G services sometime this year, they seem to have been putting it off for a while now, but hopefully within the next month or so. Perhaps wapchimp could comment here since he works for Orange.
"I may be drunk my dear woman, but in the morning I will be sober, and you will still be ugly." WSC | |
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Sammy_boy
Joined: Mar 31, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Staffordshire, United Kingdom
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@scotsboy - what I meant was they perhaps don't have a capacity to charge a customer for say, browsing Esato for example. It evidently pays them to allow people to browse their services for free, as then more people would then (in theory anyway) buy more content from them.
I do hope someone brings a 3G service out in the next month, as that will be when I can take a new contract out! 
If i go the 3G route, that is.
"All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke
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scotsboyuk
Joined: Jun 02, 2003
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From: UK
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@Sammy_boy
Agreed, they are able to make money because they have a monopoly on 3G content, but this will no doubt change when the other networks come into the game.
I still think 3 should be given some credit, they are the first 3G network in the UK and they have had to deal with a new technology and they have, for the most part, improved a great deal over the last several months.
@methylated_spirit
I have used video calling and I have to admit that I found it to be rather good. The quality was good, for the most part, although it was a bit 'jumpy' at times; having said that, a video call to Australia was surprisingly clear, if a little on the expensive side.
"I may be drunk my dear woman, but in the morning I will be sober, and you will still be ugly." WSC |
Sammy_boy
Joined: Mar 31, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Staffordshire, United Kingdom
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@scotsboy - I'm not knocking 3 (yet - I'll see how I go!  ) but look forward to them having some competition. Apart from the variable signal and the topup/internet gripes, I'm so far quite impressed with 3, but of course only time will tell if I continue to use it - I can certainly see where I would!
How much do people use the video part of the phone? Both for video calling, and how often do you download video content/music videos/ringtones etc. ?
I can't see me using it a huge amount - perhaps 10-15 videos a month, the very occasional music video, and the odd video call if my girlfriend gets a 3G phone (don't really know many other people with them at the moment!). As when I'm at home, I've got a variety of free (ish) methods of accessing some of these things - broadband internet, TV with Freeview (and access to 3 news channels, music channels, etc.), radio, etc. But I could use it a bit if there's an interesting story in the news when I'm out and about or not near a TV/radio.
"All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke
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scotsboyuk
Joined: Jun 02, 2003
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From: UK
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@Sammy_boy
I did find myself using 3's services more than I thought, the news clips are rather handy when one is out and about as are the weather reports. I also made quite a number of video calls.
"I may be drunk my dear woman, but in the morning I will be sober, and you will still be ugly." WSC |
Jake Blues
Joined: May 24, 2004
Posts: > 500
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does anyone have an idea when 3 will start proper e-top ups? i feel like a dinosaur when i put type the code into the phone!
[addsig] |
Sammy_boy
Joined: Mar 31, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Staffordshire, United Kingdom
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I've just put some credit on mine via their '3 today' services page and my debit card with no problems! Was all secure, quick and easy and no topup cards!
Another signal complaint - went to Birmingham and the theatre this evening, and despite being in the centre of the 2nd biggest city in the UK, I was stuck in 2G mode most of the time whilst in central birmingham!  It came back on the way home just after getting to Spagetti Junction, but before then not even a restart bought it back!  Don't know if there were any problems in that area this evening, or if my phone has a bit of a signal/firmware problem still.
Very dissapointing 3, I expected better reception than that!! At least there was still a strong 2G signal so that calls\texts could be made if needed be. I could usually tell when the phone was switching between 2G/3G mode as the signal totally dissapeared for a few seconds before re-appearing again. I still had my main contract K700i phone with me though!
"All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke
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scotsboyuk
Joined: Jun 02, 2003
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From: UK
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@Sammy_boy
I was told that the NEC 616 locks onto whichever signal is strongest, so even if there is a 3G signal it will hold the 2G signal if it is stronger. You could set your mobile to remain on 3G permanently, which has the added bonus of improving battery performance as well.
"I may be drunk my dear woman, but in the morning I will be sober, and you will still be ugly." WSC |
vladichelsea
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 50
From: London
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just a couple of weeks ago i read in the newspapers that orange is going to start its 3G service in november and just before christmas voda and t-mobile shoud start as well. they said that orange is going to have a couple of completely new 3G phones including new nokia (6630?) se (v800?) lg (8150) and motorola (a1000). dont know what to believe though... |
vladichelsea
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 50
From: London
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btw i have a 3G contract for a couple of months now, got it with nokia 7600. the price for the minutes is bargain (12,50 for 500mins), network coverage is not perfect though, even in central london if you are in the building behind a couple of concrete walls, signal may be a big problem. its pretty normal for me that i have to go outside on the balcony when i want to make a call (btw. i live in zone 1, so i suppose this is a big problem). |
Sammy_boy
Joined: Mar 31, 2004
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From: Staffordshire, United Kingdom
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@scotsboy - I've just put the phone into permanent 3G mode - so far it's held the signal with no problems, but stil early days!
@vladi - thanks for the info - sounds like my contract's come up for renewal just at the right time! If I do go the 3G route for a contract phone, it may have plenty of choice - possibly including the  V800
"All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke
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scotsboyuk
Joined: Jun 02, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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@Sammy_boy
You might want to consider waiting a few weeks after the V800 is released, that will hopefully give you enough time to determine if the other netowrk's 3G services are up to standard or if they are facing problems.
"I may be drunk my dear woman, but in the morning I will be sober, and you will still be ugly." WSC |
mmsman
Joined: Dec 14, 2002
Posts: > 500
From: slovenia
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umm well this thread is a little uk but ok anyway i got my z1010 a few days ago, it's a good phone though a little bulky and the menus aren't as nice as the ones in my k700 but ok.
i've tested some features of 3g already, the signal strength where i live is excellent (it never falls down from 5 bars), our provider offers some televison programs in real time, i have found that totally pointless with my old p800 as the quality was awful but umts is a totally different story, clear programs, good sound almost like a mini tv, music videos, weather forecasts, news are also great but they aren't real time so nothing special. I haven't tested the video call yet as not a lot of my friends have 3g phones but i'm going to test it tomorrow or today....
umts is definitely the future....
and radio over umts is also a fun addition but all these things do cost a lot, i know it depends on which gprs-umts subscription you choose but still.... |
scotsboyuk
Joined: Jun 02, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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@mmsman
I was really looking forward to the Z1010 being released in the UK, but it has taken so long that it looks set to be much less of a success here, if not a failure, than it could have been. If the Z1010 had been released in the UK even a few months ago it would still have been in a position to dominate much of the 3G market; the LG8110 has assumed that role.
"I may be drunk my dear woman, but in the morning I will be sober, and you will still be ugly." WSC |
mmsman
Joined: Dec 14, 2002
Posts: > 500
From: slovenia
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Quote:
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On 2004-10-21 20:23:47, scotsboyuk wrote:
@mmsman
I was really looking forward to the Z1010 being released in the UK, but it has taken so long that it looks set to be much less of a success here, if not a failure, than it could have been. If the Z1010 had been released in the UK even a few months ago it would still have been in a position to dominate much of the 3G market; the LG8110 has assumed that role.
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well the price is saving z1010 here as you can get it even cheaper than k700 (with mobitel.si (our provider)) i actually saw more z1010's on the streets today than k700's, the count was about 4-1 lol | |
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Posted: 2004-10-20 16:13
