Three's Ultrafast DC-HSDPA+ Network

Zee · 31-10-2012, 23:30

http://www.three.co.uk/Discover/Built_for_internetting (you can check here if your area has been upgraded for the new speeds)

They are to cover 50% of the UK by Christmas 2012 with speeds of up to 42Mbps

Here is a speedtest from back in September showing speeds of almost 20Mb: http://www.speedtest.net/iphone/329516475.png

And another one: http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...2-20-42-01.png

Why people wish to pay ee on their overpriced network when you're not getting much more and having to pay so much more, plus Three have truly unlimited data plans which is another plus.

qasdfdsaq · 01-11-2012, 08:58

Cause 3 traffic shape heavy users (something people often complain about VM doing)

Meh, Vodafone have been running DC-HSPA+ for a year already and O2 deployed it this summer too. EE also has it, since they run over the same network as 3, they're just keeping quiet so as to not cannibalize their "4G" sales.

And don't forget (again a frequent complaint about VM) download speed isn't everything, latency is equally if not more important. Latency on EE 4G is about half of that on 3's DC-HSPA+ (and 3's HSPA is practically the lowest latency of any in the UK).

I'm almost impressed by the download speeds though, they're an OK improvement but nowhere near what the technology is capable of. This "up to 42Mbps" is only 50% faster than Vodafone's 14Mbps service was two years ago.

(I also find it curious that 3 are claiming "realistic connection speeds" on these technologies as around about 1/3rd of what other networks offer using the same)

Zee · 01-11-2012, 17:44

Three also have been deploying it long before this, i know in Neasdon, in London a couple of months back i was getting speeds of around 20Mb+ so its only now that they've began advertising it since EE have released 4G.

And how many of those customers will benefit from O2 and Vodafone DC-HSDPA? not many as most of their masts are not upgraded.

qasdfdsaq · 01-11-2012, 18:18

Barely anyone, since barely anyone has DC-HSPA devices. The ones that do though have had it available on Vodafone for about a year longer. AFAIK everyone is only running DC-HSDPA so far though, with no DC-HSUPA.

Dunno about O2 but many major sites in my city are now running it. Then again OTA capacity doesn't help without adequate backhaul and 3 definitely have the lead there - many of their sites are fed with gigabit fibre thanks to VM

I should point out HSPA+ is widely overrated but DC-HSDPA is actually of real benefit. HSPA+ provides a small amount of capacity relief in busy areas and only under good signal conditions, DC can be of benefit under all conditions. That's why Vodafone capped out at 14Mbps and went straight for 28Mbps-DC while everyone else was banging about trying to rush out 21Mbps HSPA+ which made sod all difference, Vodafone ended up with a 28Mbps network that was nearly 3 times as fast than everyone else's 21Mbps HSPA+.

For the vast majority of people who don't have DC-HSPA+ handsets though, O2 performs better than 3 (or did, at the last national test), even when comparing HSPA-only O2 sites (not even HSPA+), they'll happily out-speed 3's DC-HSPA+ most of the time where I live.

Still, progress is progress. As you say, none of this is new, they've just had no reason to brag about it given the lack of handsets until they had to compete with "4G"

Zee · 15-11-2012, 19:07

Since our launch in 2003 we’ve been focused on building a mobile network for easy access to the internet. We’re not afraid to say that we <3 it. Right from the start, it’s what we were built for. And we know you’ve all been chomping at the bit for an update on our network story so without further ado, let me put you in the picture.

Read more: http://blog.three.co.uk/2012/11/15/t...fast-on-three/

Tezcatlipoca · 15-11-2012, 20:52

I'm glad that Cambridge is in that list. Three's actually slower than O2 here at the moment.

Qtx · 25-11-2012, 23:09

Recently switched from Virgin mobile to Three and get much better reception for calls and data is faster. Not in one of the Three upgraded areas but I have got 7.5 down/3.5 up using HSPA+ according to the speedtest app.

Really happy with it and see no need for 4G. When my area gets DC-HSPA+ it will be a bonus but I probably won't even notice. Unlimited data at my current speed is much better than 3 or 4x faster but .5 to 10GB limit.

qasdfdsaq · 17-12-2012, 02:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D

I'm glad that Cambridge is in that list. Three's actually slower than O2 here at the moment.

That doesn't come as a surprise... last time anyone did an independent comparison they were slower than O2 across the whole country.

Qtx · 29-12-2012, 16:14

Spent almost 4 hours streaming a 256 kbits/sec mp3 stream from an internet radio station yesterday. Went a good few miles on public transport, in and out of shops and didn't have one break in the music stream at all. Can't fault Three on their data at all.

350 megabytes of cell data used yesterday with that stream and some tv streaming. Gave the Nokia BH 505's a good workout too, didn't drop the connection one. Well impressed.

idfx · 18-03-2013, 14:14

Hi !

I am completely disappointed with ultrafast ... When I order my modem online last week it was working great at all. I have full signal. From 2 days it works terrible. Download speed :

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

As you see looks perfect but it still breaks my connection. Ping everytime different. I bought this for online gaming but I am unable to play. Previously was using old three modem and was good enough. Now I did another test with old modem and still good. On ultrafast not able to play ... still have a message - the connection with session is lost.

Can anyone help !

Zee · 18-03-2013, 14:52

are you sure you're using an ultrafast enabled device? that is the first thing to check, afterwords try a different speedtest.net server, some of them don't work so well.

Afterwords see if any faults or work is planned for your area, type your postcode here: http://www.three.co.uk/Support/Coverage

Also on that same page check your area is ultrafast enabled, not all areas are.

idfx · 18-03-2013, 15:05

I think so

I am using exactly this :

http://store.three.co.uk/view/search...t&intid=net004

The speedtest is not a problem .. usually have from 13 to 26 Mb sometimes like on photo even 50 Mb but it is terribly unstable what makes me unable to play online games evem with full signal. Old technology modem gives me about 2 Mb and have no problem. Only sometimes but ultrafast is ultra jumping on gaming ...

Zee · 18-03-2013, 15:26

the device is ultrafast enabled. did you check your postcode for any planned maintenance?

Post on their blog and ask them if there is a fault in your area, give them your postcode, they'll usually get back to you within a day with the details, they're better than calling up, its where I get most of my information from.

http://blog.three.co.uk/2013/03/15/s...4-coming-soon/

idfx · 18-03-2013, 15:37

Thank you. I will try. Just was thinking it is just working like this or just temporary problems. The ping is what I need. Even on 100 Mb connection gaming is impossible with low ping but first few days on ultrafast was perfect so I am confused now. Unfortunately BT can not deliver Infinity to me at the moment

idfx · 20-03-2013, 00:05

They said everything is ok and no any maintenance at the time but my broadband is still "not existing" ... unable to play. When I try to open any website usually I have a message "The connection is timed out". Trying test on speedtest.net .. looks perfect but (!!!) everytime different. One time 37 mb next 2 Mb next 51 next 17 and ping from 57 to 180 ms. That is impossible to use in 21st century. Another peace of s...it I wasted my money for ???!!! My signal is full all time I try.