Forum Discussion
Coverage in Cities really difficult.
The 4 main mobile network operators in the UK use different parts of the radio spectrum allocated for mobile networks. Some frequencies penetrate buildings better than others, and the proximity of the signal source has a bearing on reception as well.
At any given location, there's no guarantee that each of mobile network operators will deliver the same signal strength, which maybe why your friends aren't affected to the same extent as you, Dominic_1770810.
Three UK (SMARTY Mobile's parent and owner) have an active bandwidth management policy. Three say it's designed to ensure whenever there's congestion or network issues, they'll manipulate their mobile data network in order keep things running as smoothly as possible. However, if bandwidth is limited and there are many, many concurrent users, things will slow down, despite active network management.
I also have this problem. Recently on a number of different days in Mayfair, Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road, all in Central London - I was unable to connect to mobile data even outdoors. I had a full 4G signal, calls and texts were fine but no data. An exclamation mark appears on the phone signal indicator when this happens. It was very frustrating as I was trying to meet up with friends who were sending me WhatsApp messages to tell me where they were, and I could not receive them. Also I was unable to search on Google Maps. Admittedly I was in a very busy area but it does seem to be related to Three prioritising other connections over mine.
exact same issue when I was in London 4 weeks ago. No internet at all for 5 hours no matter where I was outside and inside. Thankfully I was travelling with a friend who was on O2 and had zero issues but if I had been alone I would have been totally screwed. Leaving Smarty asap as this is dangerous for women on their own.
NatalieD_333728 Why is it dangerous for women not to have internet access? The ability to make a 999 call is surely the most important.
