3G Network.Our network.
A bigger, better, faster 3G network.
3G stands for 3rd Generation. A 3G network is designed to carry data and allows customers to get the internet on their phones and Mobile Broadband on their laptops as well as make calls and send texts.
How we’re improving our network
Improving size
In 2007 we signed an agreement with T-Mobile to share a combined 3G network. This agreement was a UK first and allows us to dramatically increase our number of sites - and in turn give you a better network.
By the end of 2010 we will have expanded our 3G geographic coverage by 20% of the total area of the UK and we will have finished consolidating our network with T-Mobile.
Improving service
We launched Mobile Broadband in 2007 and even we couldn’t have predicted how popular it would become. Within 12 months we had over one million Mobile Broadband customers.
With such a popular Mobile Broadband service we needed to upgrade our network to allow us to continue to provide a great service for all our customers. This included increasing the network’s capacity by boosting the links between our sites and the core network. Upgrading these links allows for very fast data transfer between sites and our core network ensuring that our Mobile Broadband speeds keep up with the demand for faster 3G mobile services.
Improving speed
As well as having more sites, we’re also upgrading our network and replacing older equipment. This work means that between January 2009 and March 2010 we more than doubled average Mobile Broadband download speeds*. Our customers can now experience speeds of up to 5.6Mbps (megabits per second).
*Based on a drive survey experience conducted by P3, an independent testing company.
Rated Best Network for Mobile Broadband in the independent YouGov Dongle Tracker report, July 2010
The latest YouGov survey asked 2,000 customers from Three, Vodafone, Orange, O2 and T-Mobile to rate the level of service they got from their provider on twelve key points.
We came top in ten out of the twelve judging categories, including reliability, billing, overall quality of service and ease of use.
We’ve worked tirelessly to increase our reach across the UK to more than 95% population coverage for 3G services, investing heavily in improving data speeds and strengthening our network to meet growing demands.
Measuring the size of our network
Mobile phone providers tend to use different standards for measuring network size, which makes it hard for you to know exactly what you’re getting with each provider. At Three, we talk about network size in terms of the percentage of the UK population that we cover. And with our online Coverage Checker you can find out if you’ve got network coverage in areas where you want to use your phone or Mobile Broadband.
We’re calling for a common, standard method of calculating coverage, so that customers have a clear view of what each network offers them.
Our network coverage
We currently cover over 95% of the UK population for internet on your phone and Mobile Broadband, and by the end of 2010 we aim to cover over 98% of the UK population. Our network will have over 12,500 sites which will increase coverage, as well as improve speed and reliability for our Mobile Broadband customers. We’ll continue to cover 99% of the UK population for calls and texts.
The latest YouGov survey asked 2,000 customers from Three, Vodafone, Orange, O2 and T-Mobile to rate the level of service they got from their provider on twelve key points.
We came top in ten out of the twelve judging categories, including reliability, billing, overall quality of service and ease of use.
We’ve worked tirelessly to increase our reach across the UK to more than 95% population coverage for 3G services, investing heavily in improving data speeds and strengthening our network to meet growing demands.
Measuring the size of our network
Mobile phone providers tend to use different standards for measuring network size, which makes it hard for you to know exactly what you’re getting with each provider. At Three, we talk about network size in terms of the percentage of the UK population that we cover. And with our online Coverage Checker you can find out if you’ve got network coverage in areas where you want to use your phone or Mobile Broadband.
We’re calling for a common, standard method of calculating coverage, so that customers have a clear view of what each network offers them.
Our network coverage
We currently cover over 95% of the UK population for internet on your phone and Mobile Broadband, and by the end of 2010 we aim to cover over 98% of the UK population. Our network will have over 12,500 sites which will increase coverage, as well as improve speed and reliability for our Mobile Broadband customers. We’ll continue to cover 99% of the UK population for calls and texts.
> See what's happening in Sunderland and County Durham
More on Building our network (PDF).
Read about our The Ten Commitments .
A fair price for roaming.
Our campaign for better rates abroad.
A fair price for roaming. - Our campaign for better rates abroad.The big MTR rip-off.
The big MTR rip-off. -It's your number
Find out how to keep it when you switch phone companies.
It's your number - Find out how to keep it when you switch phone companies.