mobile connection issue Three UK
-
Just had an issue with my mobile connection on my Pixel 3a XL. The signal had been a bit flaky the last few days, dropping off intermittently. I had a chat with my supplier Three UK and they concluded that I needed a VoLTE calling feature compatible phone now.
The thing is that I swapped the SIM into my old Meizu pro 5 and it worked fine.
I also have a spare Pixel 3a XL to use as a backup but have not installed UBPorts on it and the sim works fine in Android.Do you think that it is a hardware issue with the Pixel 3a XL with UBports on it, or something else.
I was thinking of getting a Vodafone UK SIM and testing that to see if it is an issue with the provider, is that worth trying? -
@halucigenia If the SIM card is running Android, not so much. If your provider does not have GSM telephony or UMTS, it will be difficult. Most UT devices do not yet have VoLte telephony. As your provider said you need a compatible device for VoLte it will be so. If you want to test Vodafone it is best to ask if they still have GSM telephony.
-
@Enrico13011978 from a website about 2G 3G switch off in the UK
Vodafone completed its switch-off in early 2024.
EE completed its switch-off in early 2024..
Three expects to switch-off by the end of 2024.
O2 is planning to switch-off in 2025.But I thought that to get and make calls having a 4G phone was sufficient.
Ironically Three sent a text to say that they have sorted the issue and of course I could not get it on my UBPorts Pixel 3a XL if it was not fixed.
I did get the text on my old Meizu pro 5 because I had the SIM in that one.
My UBPorts Pixel 3a XL is still not getting a signal. When I try and get a carrier in mobile settings it is not able to, it just keeps coming up with none.Nexus4, Meizu MX4, Meizu Pro5, PinePhone UBPorts edition, PineTab, Pixel 3a XL
-
@halucigenia No, just a 4G phone is not enough. You have to be able to switch on the VoLte option. With some Android models there is a key combination, but with most devices you have to activate a switch. However, I can't say how this will be integrated into UT later. Maybe some devices will get VoLte for UT soon. I found the page from England where the providers report that they want to switch off 3G and in some cases also GSM. In Germany there is no UMTS anymore, only 5G, 4G and 2G GSM.
-
@halucigenia I am also on 3 in the UK. If you for to Settings, Mobile, and then select 2G/3G/4G then mobile data and text work fine.... but you will struggle to make a phone call as VoLTE is not currently supported in UT and 3 have mostly only now got 4G and 5G coverage (VoLTE = 4G).
If you select 2G/3G then you might be able to make calls if your nearest tower has any 3G kit installed and switched on. I struggle to get a 3G signal in most of the UK now but weirdly it is still OK around Newark.
I am definitely thinking of running my Vollaphone X as a WiFi tablet and buying a cheap Android phone to make and receive calls until the VoLTE problem is sorted in UT. -
@Ian Can you still call 333 and get through to get a voice call of your balance, I can on my old Meizu pro 5. I can't even get a signal on my Pixel 3a XL.
-
@halucigenia Only if 3G is available.
-
UK on a FP4 with EE calls are fine with 2,3,4G selected.
-
OK, so it looks like I will be keeping the SIM in the Pixel 3a XL which is still on android.
-
@halucigenia I'll try and remember to give the pixel 3a a try over the weekend on 2,3,4g which is also on UT Devel and see if there is any change in signal or calls.
In fact will charge it now so it's ready. -
2G and 3G will be switched off by 2033 in the UK. There is a massive failure of successive Governments to grasp the reality of the situation and are being led blindly by Industry insiders.
BTW Australia is going through with the same issue see - Hugh Jeffries Youtube
There are so many devices that are let's say "silent" rely on a 2G, 3G and non VoLTE 4G network, from water pumping stations, monitoring sites to the emergency services. 2033 is only 10 years off and the 5G network is poor outside of major cities, some areas struggle on 4G still.
5G in some devices reverts to 4G LTE, 4G or even 3G on some devices for voice calls.
As seen in discussion, there are no industry standard protocols for 4G VoLTE or 5G, making the move to UT running on 5G devices at 5G very difficult.
All I can say in the UK, money talks and the stupidity walks.....
-
@MrT10001 To be honest, 2G has terrible encryption (A5/1), which has been decrypted in real time since early 2010s. It is really easy nowdays to crack it with not too expensive hardware, an SDR, 12TB of rainbow tables and a mid-range GPU is all you need to listen what everybody still using GSM says.
Sure it is compatible with older devices but 4G (and whatever comes next) is the way to go, although even the newer A5/3 has been proven to have vulnerabilities.May the source be with you
-
@ikoz True, however losing a functioning system however insecure is not good. Moving on with technology is mostly a good thing, but from vast experience, getting rid of a fully functioning old system whatever that is, is a calculated risk that usually results in a loss of data and at worst, loss of life.
-
You don't even need an SDR stick to tap a phone. I bought a hands-free kit from a discount store a few years ago. Terrible thing as you can listen to it on any simple FM radio. Well, only a few meters but at least it is possible to listen to the neighbor
-
@Enrico13011978 Just watched a YouTube video where they hacked Linus from LinusTechTips, phone. The service providers really need to tighten up their security. Another one I watched was an ex-SEAL who talked about using a phone as a listening device, even when it was switched off -similar to what the Soviets did to the US in Moscow's US Embassy in the 1950s.
-
@MrT10001 Yes, you have to be careful these days. I watch this LinusTechTips channel from time to time, I think.
