From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.broadband

Due to previously explained circumstances I am considering moving to 3
Mobile Broadband.

Their coverage checker shows strong 4G coverage.

I would be grateful for details of any recent good or bad experiences.

Regards
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.broadband

On 2026-04-24 12:32, newman wrote:

Due to previously explained circumstances I am considering moving to 3 Mobile Broadband.

Their coverage checker shows strong 4G coverage.

I would be grateful for details of any recent good or bad experiences.

Regards

Landlines are almost useless around here, and I was with Three Mobile Broadband for quite a while, largely because at the time they had the
only mobile plan that allowed unlimited downloads at an affordable
price. Initially I was more or less satisfied with the service, but
after a few years they decided to rejig their entire accounts system,
and I had a great many problems thereafter, not so much with the service itself but with the app and website that were supposed, at least in
name, to allow you to administer it.

One day using the app on my tablet, I received a message that I had to uninstall it and install a newer version instead, so I uninstalled the
old one, but could not install the newer one because the version of
Android on the tablet was too old. Duh! So why didn't they check that
out first, and make their system backward compatible for those people
with old phones?

So I had to turn to the website, only to find I had been locked out of
that as well, because as part of the same system upgrade they'd frozen
all existing accounts and wanted *ALL* their customers to recreate new
ones. WTF???!!! Really???!!! Duh again!

Having two SIMS under two accounts created at different times, one for
my house mobile broadband and another for my tablet, I wanted now to
have them under one account, but found I couldn't do anything for the
second, because their programming of the new system was so bad that it
didn't allow two SIMS under one account, and, even worse, they'd used
the email as the index key to the first account, so I'd have had to use
a different email to create a second. As someone with some knowledge
and qualifications in data programming, this told me that they hadn't programmed their data storage correctly, that in fact their programmers
didn't understand even such basics of the subject as Third Normal Form.
Rather than leave important personal data in the hands of such
incompetence, I migrated both accounts elsewhere.

My house mobile broadband is now with iD Mobile and I'm paying a tenner
less pm for it, and my new phone and the old tablet both have Spusu
SIMs, no problem with having two SIMs under one account there though I
had to email and ask them to arrange it after ordering the second SIM,
and again I'm paying less for the two combined than originally I was
paying for the one with Three Mobile.

Three's service itself is fine, at least here in Sutherland, but a
little pricey by today's standards, and I'd vote against them for their
lousy treatment of customers and incompetent administration.
--

Fake news kills!

I may be contacted via the contact address given on my website: www.macfh.co.uk

--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.broadband

On 24/04/2026 12:32, newman wrote:

Due to previously explained circumstances I am considering moving to 3 Mobile Broadband.

Their coverage checker shows strong 4G coverage.

I would be grateful for details of any recent good or bad experiences.

Regards

And, Three tell me I've got excellent 5G reception inside my home...
only if I move to the bus stop 1/4 of a mile away. I have been exploring mobile broadband for some months now and IrCOm totally disillusionedEfy-
--
Andy

"Do only that which is right and may your God go with you..."

"By reading this post, you acknowledge that I may later claim I had a
point, plan or plausible deniability. Terms subject to change!"
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.broadband

On Sun 26/04/2026 11:30, Andy Newman wrote:

On 24/04/2026 12:32, newman wrote:

Due to previously explained circumstances I am considering moving to 3
Mobile Broadband.

Their coverage checker shows strong 4G coverage.

I would be grateful for details of any recent good or bad experiences.

Regards

And, Three tell me I've got excellent 5G reception inside my home...
only if I move to the bus stop 1/4 of a mile away. I have been exploring mobile broadband for some months now and IrCOm totally disillusionedEfy-

Just had a short break in NW Norfolk in caravan. VF small tower about
150m away, Smarty SIM in Huawei E5372 mifi worked perfectly. Cannot
comment on 5G on same tower as this mifi is 4G only!
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.broadband

newman <aa111@despammed.com> wrote:

Due to previously explained circumstances I am considering moving to 3 Mobile Broadband.

Their coverage checker shows strong 4G coverage.

I would be grateful for details of any recent good or bad experiences.

I've used mobile broadband for most of the last couple years. I would say I
get decent, not strong, 4G signal. I use Smarty as my provider which is on
the 3 network.

I use a TP-Link 4G router which I keep near a window.

Overall, you need to be prepared for variability. On good days it feels
like normal broadband on others it can feel like the bad old days. The bad
days are rare. I usually can stream iplayer, Netflix, etc well and I can
even do a full day's work on Teams calls with minor glitching.

One thing to note that because mobile networks use NAT heavily, and
therefore your IP can change a lot, some resources might see this as XSS attempts and block you. Keep a VPN on hand for that.

I would say it is very usable as long as you're not in a densely populated cell.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.broadband

Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:

newman <aa111@despammed.com> wrote:

Due to previously explained circumstances I am considering moving to 3
Mobile Broadband.

Their coverage checker shows strong 4G coverage.

I would be grateful for details of any recent good or bad experiences.

I've used mobile broadband for most of the last couple years. I would say I get decent, not strong, 4G signal. I use Smarty as my provider which is on the 3 network.

I use a TP-Link 4G router which I keep near a window.

Overall, you need to be prepared for variability. On good days it feels
like normal broadband on others it can feel like the bad old days. The bad days are rare. I usually can stream iplayer, Netflix, etc well and I can
even do a full day's work on Teams calls with minor glitching.

One thing to note that because mobile networks use NAT heavily, and
therefore your IP can change a lot, some resources might see this as XSS attempts and block you. Keep a VPN on hand for that.

I would say it is very usable as long as you're not in a densely populated cell.

ThatrCOs a very similar experience that a work colleague had. Too remote for reliable FTTC, no FTTP. There was a nearby Vodafone cell site and things
worked well most of the time but not all the time. In the end she went to Starlink.

I suppose the other issue with 3 is that they arenrCOt going to be around for much longer as a separate brand and who knows what will happen as cell
sites are rationalised between ex 3 and Vodafone. There will be winners and losers as far as coverage and capacity are concerned.

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.broadband

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:

newman <aa111@despammed.com> wrote:

Due to previously explained circumstances I am considering moving to 3
Mobile Broadband.

Their coverage checker shows strong 4G coverage.

I would be grateful for details of any recent good or bad experiences.

I've used mobile broadband for most of the last couple years. I would say I >> get decent, not strong, 4G signal. I use Smarty as my provider which is on >> the 3 network.

I use a TP-Link 4G router which I keep near a window.

Overall, you need to be prepared for variability. On good days it feels
like normal broadband on others it can feel like the bad old days. The bad >> days are rare. I usually can stream iplayer, Netflix, etc well and I can
even do a full day's work on Teams calls with minor glitching.

One thing to note that because mobile networks use NAT heavily, and
therefore your IP can change a lot, some resources might see this as XSS
attempts and block you. Keep a VPN on hand for that.

I would say it is very usable as long as you're not in a densely populated >> cell.

ThatrCOs a very similar experience that a work colleague had. Too remote for reliable FTTC, no FTTP. There was a nearby Vodafone cell site and things worked well most of the time but not all the time. In the end she went to Starlink.

<vomit emoji>

Would rather go dial-up than give any cash to that.

I suppose the other issue with 3 is that they arenrCOt going to be around for much longer as a separate brand and who knows what will happen as cell
sites are rationalised between ex 3 and Vodafone. There will be winners and losers as far as coverage and capacity are concerned.

Good point. I guess we'll see.


--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.broadband

On 2026/5/8 8:49:2, Tweed wrote:
[]

I suppose the other issue with 3 is that they arenrCOt going to be around for much longer as a separate brand and who knows what will happen as cell
sites are rationalised between ex 3 and Vodafone. There will be winners and losers as far as coverage and capacity are concerned.

When there is such a merger, are some sites actually turned off (unless
they were actually at the same location)>
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

It's quickly getting to a place where privacy will be cause for
suspicion. - Mayayana in alt.windows7.general, 2018-11-6.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.broadband

J. P. Gilliver <G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:

On 2026/5/8 8:49:2, Tweed wrote:
[]

I suppose the other issue with 3 is that they arenrCOt going to be around for
much longer as a separate brand and who knows what will happen as cell
sites are rationalised between ex 3 and Vodafone. There will be winners and >> losers as far as coverage and capacity are concerned.

When there is such a merger, are some sites actually turned off (unless
they were actually at the same location)>

Some sites were turned off when T-Mobile and Orange merged.
Round here thererCOs some 3 and VF sites within a few hundred yards of each other.

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.broadband

On 2026/5/9 18:14:44, Tweed wrote:

J. P. Gilliver <G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:

On 2026/5/8 8:49:2, Tweed wrote:
[]

I suppose the other issue with 3 is that they arenrCOt going to be around for
much longer as a separate brand and who knows what will happen as cell
sites are rationalised between ex 3 and Vodafone. There will be winners and >>> losers as far as coverage and capacity are concerned.

When there is such a merger, are some sites actually turned off (unless
they were actually at the same location)>

Some sites were turned off when T-Mobile and Orange merged.
Round here thererCOs some 3 and VF sites within a few hundred yards of each other.

Yes, where an area is served by two co-sited - or at least very close -
base stations, that makes sense. I was just wondering if - as Tweed
suggested - there are cases where, other than very marginally - coverage
is actually _impaired_ after such a merger; I'd have thought the new
entity wouldn't want that.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Philosophy is questions that may never be answered.
Religion is answers that may never be questioned.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.broadband

J. P. Gilliver <G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:

On 2026/5/9 18:14:44, Tweed wrote:

J. P. Gilliver <G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:

On 2026/5/8 8:49:2, Tweed wrote:
[]

I suppose the other issue with 3 is that they arenrCOt going to be around for
much longer as a separate brand and who knows what will happen as cell >>>> sites are rationalised between ex 3 and Vodafone. There will be winners and
losers as far as coverage and capacity are concerned.

When there is such a merger, are some sites actually turned off (unless
they were actually at the same location)>

Some sites were turned off when T-Mobile and Orange merged.
Round here thererCOs some 3 and VF sites within a few hundred yards of each >> other.

Yes, where an area is served by two co-sited - or at least very close -
base stations, that makes sense. I was just wondering if - as Tweed
suggested - there are cases where, other than very marginally - coverage
is actually _impaired_ after such a merger; I'd have thought the new
entity wouldn't want that.

The new entity wants savings on site rental and maintenance.

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.broadband

To explain:-

Many moons agoT-Mobile worked with 3 and set up a jointly owned company
called MBNL or Mobile Broadband Network Ltd which initially served as a distributor to both operators and eventually became their (owned) site operator. When T-Mob and Orange became EE they just continued to use the
same system AFAIK.

Seeing this, VF and O2 set up Cornerstone who did the same for them.

On most sites not only was the distribution shared (i.e. a microwave
link could have both users on the same link rather than running two independent links) but so was the broadcast antenna system.

Where VF+O2 were together and (now) EE+3 were also co-operating, what
will happen following the VF/3 merger or buyout is anyone's guess. Might
be that Cornerstone and MBNL merge or get taken over or..................... --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2