3G Network Coverage In North East/Scotland

[Graeme2812]

Before I start, I'm new to the 3G, but relatively experienced with mobiles generally, so please excuse my ignorance on that part :rolleyes:

I am about to purchase two 3G handsets, one for myself (N6680, hopefully) and one for my partner, (LG U8150 or Samsung Z107...Pro's/Con's of either two welcome!). The biggest concern for me at this time is network coverage to 3G standard. 2.5G etc. coverage is probably around 95% for where we live, with 3G being very limited to the town centre (Dundee), and some parts of the outskirts of town. Sadly, I live just short of the full 3G coverage areas (DD3 9 postcode region), according to the coverage chart on the orange website.

My concern is that, even after selecting the 'Future/within 6 months coverage', there appears to be very little enhancement on the coverage for my area, with the only apparent enhancement being on the actual RIVER, which i thought was strange!

Should I expect the 'future coverage' chart to be reasonably accurate and therefore I should only every expect 3G coverage in the town centre? (i.e Very localised in the larger towns/Cities) Or can I expect, through time, for the 3G coverage to EVENTUALLY expand to the region of the current 2.5G?

I'm assuming (and hoping) the present 3G coverage is similar to how 2.5G
coverage started, very localised and in major town centres?

Apologies in advance, if this is a stupid question, but I can't see the point in buying two handsets that can't be used to there full potential, if I'm not going to have the required network coverage.

[Gunner]

Calling Orange will probably give you the most accurate picture of any future coverage plans. The right operator should be able to tell you what sites are planned and what coverage, realistically, you can expect. The online coverage maps, for all networks, are really pretty inaccurate in the real world.

Generally speaking yes, coverage is going to improve, and I'd imagine that once the networks figure out how to really make money out of 3G then we can expect rapid improvement. However, currently I'm sceptical that the networks are really committed to 3G - they're certainly not making any promises about universal coverage being acheieved, ever!

Buying 3G handsets, however, is the only way to signal to the network that an area needs upgrading.

The 6680 should be a fantastic phone, and from what I've heard the Z107 is a pretty nice, if not basic, handset too. Have Orange given you a date when the 6680 will be available to buy?

[stickystickman]

Hi. I a bought a Samsung Z107 a couple of months ago on Orange 3g. It works fine as a phone and switches seemlessly between 2g and 3g even mid call (95% of the time!). The battery lasts a couple of days in 3g coverage and about 4 in 2g areas - much better than the NEC616 I had on 3 which would only just last 24 hours!

My main reason for using 3g is for video calls to see my kids when I'm away at work. My wife is on 3 and video calls between networks works fine. The only problem with the samsung is that there is no speaker phone option which is a little inconvenient when on a video call - you either have to use the headphones or be in a quiet environment to hear the sound from the earpiece.

Regarding coverage - I would use the coverage maps as a guide only. It seems that the maps have erred on the side of caution as I have often got a 3g signal miles from where the map says I should. Usually only 1 signal bar but this is still enough to make video calls. However, this is usually in the countryside. You'll find that the 3g signal does seem to tail off quicker in built up areas.

The Orange 3g is great. I used to be on 3 and they were the pits. Cheap, but for a reason! With Orange 3g the switchover to 'normal' 2g is seemless and the 3g network is stable. I'd say go for it. Go for a phone you like the look of (and that offers who you want - bluetooth etc) and you'll have no regrets with Orange. If it really cheeses you off you could just select GSM only and use it like a normal 2g phone.

Hope this waffle helps.

[Graeme2812]

Thanks for replays,

I DID suspect the coverage charts would be portrayed in such a way that Orange, or indeed any other network, couldn't find themselves in the position of receiving comments/complaints along the lines of.."Your coverage chart says this and that, but I only receive this and that" etc.

The Nokia is destined for moi, with the LG or Samsung choice being left to my other half. Between us, were looking to the option of video calling as a major advantage for going 3G, whilst I'm also looking more to wards the advantages of the data band with aswell as the available Orange World content, which, as an 'outsider' appears impressive, compared to other networks equivalent.

I am currently with 02, (Originally with Orange MANY years ago) and they have "confirmed" the 4th of April 2005 for the availability of the N6680 on 02, yet sadly, there is no date as to when the 3G coverage will be available in my area. After enquiring with 02 as to any sort of timescale they could give me for my area, I was informed "We'll get back to you today". It's now 21:00. And I'll not hold my breath tomorrow/rest of week either.

Orange have told me there is no set date for the N6680, other than a few, probably hearsay, rumours that it will be towards the end of this month. According to people in the Orange Shops.
Although this could make sense if 02 are to release beginning of April. Lets not hope it's April 1st.

I'll get on there case a bit more tomorrow, and give them a phone/e-mail.I'll also enquire about network coverage at the same time.

I originally left Orange way back when they informed me they "Did not and will not" carry the Nokia 8310 on Orange due to software problems with the previous/similar handset, the 8210 (I think). I was less than impressed when they released the handset a few months later!

Thanks again,
Graeme

[User Has Gone]

Graeme, the coverage in and around the Dundee area may expand to bring in more of the suburbs, but it'll may take a while, the network is constantly moving through site upgrades to bring more 3 sites online, the Dundee area is one that'll see quite a bit of work happening.

As far as the 3g matching GSM, thats a long way off, remember though any area that you receive an Orange signal is a 2.5g enabled area, all sites on the O network are enabled for 2.5g services, and it is the biggest integrated 2.5/3g network in the UK.

If you're going to be in major towns and cities then you should be able to make use of extended services such as video calling, no matter what you're phone will always be able to send and receive video clips etc at any part of the country you can have service.

It really just comes down to where you are most of the time and what services you want to use. If you want a phone that has the extras like video calls you can make use of when you're in a 3g enabled area then fire in. No matter what you'll fall back on 2.5g for everywhere else that isn't covered by UMTS.

Get a contract, try it in the areas you'll use it in, if within 14 days it doesn't live up to your expectations take it back to the shop.

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

G.

[Rankrotten]

My job takes me across Scotland pretty extensively and I have a need to send data back to base therefore have been using Orange 3G since launch. Glasgow, Edinburgh and the M8 corridor are fine as are Dundee and Aberdeen city centres along with minor towns such as Gretna, Dumfries etc. I needed to get stuff back from Inverness last week and even though the Sitefinder webpage listed several Orange UMTS masts as far back as last year, no 3G coverage was available and none for the forseeable future on the Orange coverage page either.

[stickystickman]

Despite not being Scottish I had a quick look on the maps and you're right, no coverage for inverness. Odd, as its quite a large town. Even 3 have coverage there! In fact they seem to be out doing Orange in that neck of the woods and we can't be having that!

Maybe this is a job for 3g-Glasgow?

[garyhay]

3G coverage in NE scotland (i am in Aberdeen) is still best with 3

I have taken out phones and returned them just so I can check coverage.

[The_Fly_fifer]

Can 3g-Glasgow also shed any light on KY11/KY12 postcodes?...

I've an unlocked 7600 and doing a network search in KY12 (at work) reveals Orange 3G signal yet on Coverage Map there's nada.

However at home (less than 2mile away) The only 3g signal it picks up is Three. Rest are 2G. Weird.

Any ideas of when coverage will spill out?...If it meant I could only use 3g when at work that aint so bad. It's usually when the wife would phone me.


Thanks.

[User Has Gone]

Can 3g-Glasgow also shed any light on KY11/KY12 postcodes?...

I've an unlocked 7600 and doing a network search in KY12 (at work) reveals Orange 3G signal yet on Coverage Map there's nada.

However at home (less than 2mile away) The only 3g signal it picks up is Three. Rest are 2G. Weird.

Any ideas of when coverage will spill out?...If it meant I could only use 3g when at work that aint so bad. It's usually when the wife would phone me.


Thanks.

I don't work for planning, but the traffic stats and areas of 3g HO will be monitored to see the areas in which 3g handsets are present. I'd imagine if the traffic or subs demand it local masts will be upgraded to UMTS. Why you're not able to see that 3g cell two miles away is a strange one.. possibly the lay of the land or how the antennas are adjusted, if you can put the postcode of where you are and you think should be served from I'll have a look into the network and see if I can help. From a quick check it looks as if you're being served from Edinburgh.. I know of a few sites that look out over the Forth so that's probably what you're seeing. I know people want 3g coverage everywhere, but it'll take a little while, if it makes you feel any better I'm seeing progress on 2g --> 3g sites everyday!


...though the Sitefinder webpage listed several Orange UMTS masts as far back as last year, no 3G coverage was available...

Ah, Inverness... Just keep your eyes peeled! :)

[The_Fly_fifer]

Thanks for the reply. It is weird. Might stop at a few points on the way in on the bike to check and see at what point I get a signal.

I know I'm a bit thick, but could you explain what it is you said for me to check?

The only thing in my works favour is that it has a completely clear view over to Edinburgh. (Hospital in Dunfermline?...If you know it)

Naughty I know, but I can get a 3g signal indoors, place is all metal and concrete too.

Curiously enough, there's a new mast been installed on the intersection more or less of the B916 and the A90 near Hillend. Tried on sitefinder but it's not been updated since January.

Besides, maybe not a bad thing having to wait. I'm still undecided between Z800i and nK6680. Had a T610 for ages there and took a bit of gettin used having come from nK's all the time. Now that I'm back on nK with the 7600 it's just easy. Simple things like default number for SMS!

[User Has Gone]

My understanding was that handsets never really interfered with anything hospital wise, in Italy and the States you can walk about on the phone throughout the hospital, I believe it's only playing it safe turning them off in the UK. It's the same for keeping your phone on in an aeroplane, it doesn't affect anything if you do! But anyway, that's completely off topic!

If you've got a clear view over Ed then that'll be exactly where you're pulling the UMTS coverage from.

If you have a look on site finder find the sites (site IDs) that are serving you at home, fire them on here and I'll have a look at them, or any area you're usually in. I'll see if anything interesting is happening in the area.

[User Has Gone]

Despite not being Scottish I had a quick look on the maps and you're right, no coverage for inverness. Odd, as its quite a large town. Even 3 have coverage there! In fact they seem to be out doing Orange in that neck of the woods and we can't be having that!

Maybe this is a job for 3g-Glasgow?

3 may have "proper 3 coverage" in Inverness, but as soon as you leave the city your call drops as it has to hand onto O2.. that doesn't happen on Orange! ;)

Touche!

[Gunner]

Besides, maybe not a bad thing having to wait. I'm still undecided between Z800i and nK6680. Had a T610 for ages there and took a bit of gettin used having come from nK's all the time. Now that I'm back on nK with the 7600 it's just easy. Simple things like default number for SMS!
Sorry to wonder OT, but DEFINITELY take the Nokia 6680 over the Sony Ericsson. While SE have made some fantastic handsets, I've come to realise over time that they, like pretty much all of the other manufacturers, just can't rival Nokia. Their handsets may feel nicer in the hand, their screens may even be more vibrant, but for overall quality, reliability, durability, ease of use and features, Nokia are still on top (and that has surprised me somewhat given the fierce competition).

[The_Fly_fifer]

Part 1) Thanks abs0lutely. Have you had a shot of the 6680 at all?...How pocket friendly is it?...That's a big factor for me unfortunately.



Part 2) Hi 3g-glasgow,

Site ID's of the closest 2 I can find are FIF0037 and FIF0018


Thanks for the help!...

[Gunner]

I've not held it yet, no :( But the Z800i isn't particularly small either.

Z800i: 128 g, 102 x 49 x 23.6 mm
6680: 133 g, 108.4 x 55.2 x 20.5 mm

So there's really not much in it, especially when you consider how big the Z800i is once it's opened out. The 6680 is less deep, so should fit in your pocket quite nicely. Hopefully the Nokia will be in the shops soon enough so we can see if the big factor will be an issue - looks hopeful though!

[Graeme2812]

Just had a look at the site finder website myself and have identified antenna DD0020 as a UMTS site. (with DD0004 being the next closest) Am I correct in thinking these are 3G antennas? The strange thing is, this antenna (DD0020) is sited almost smack in the middle of the area where there is no 3G coverage (according to Orange coverage charts), the area that would cover me. If i remember correctly, this antenna has not long been erected also.

If anyone could shed any light, it would be greatly appreciated.

This leads me to think the hardware is there, but just not 'plugged in' ?

Graeme
Nokia 6680......still waiting :)

[User Has Gone]

Hi guys, sorry its taken a few days to get back to you, eating all that Easter chocolate has taken it's toll!

Fly_fifer: Neither of those sites listed are UMTS masts, so who knows where your 3g coverage is coming from. It could be from some distance, what are you like for major towns around your way? All I can think of is that you're picking up something from Edinburgh (or is that too far away?), it's really difficult for me to tell when not actually there.

Graeme: Those sites you've listed aren't Orange sites, they look more like 3 site references to me. If you can find some Orange ones, they'll be along the lines of (TAY0000) I'll have a look and see if there's any problems etc. :) See if we can boost your confidence in moving to Orange... where the future is bright might I add ;)

[umtsman2004]

Worth pointing out that Orange are currently trialling a second equipment vendor in areas of Scotland (Alcatel), and it may be that they have barred these sites for public use, but you would still be able to pick them up when you do a network search. You would not be able to access them however. Inverness is definitiely one of these areas, not sure about the rest though.

[Rankrotten]

Alcatel base station compatability is also the reason I was given for the 6630 being barred from public sale in Orange retail shops in Scotland at launch.

[The_Fly_fifer]

Hiya 3g-glasgow,

Thanks for coming back to me.

Edinburgh is about 15 miles due south of me. If that is of any help.



:)

[User Has Gone]

The only live vendor WBTSs just now are Nokia, and even if it was Alcatel it wouldn't cause any handset compatibility issues, I can vouch for that.

Fifer... 15 miles is a fair old distance, I don't think you'd be catching cells from Edinburgh way, but stranger things have happened! I'd really need to be in the area and check scramble codes and power levels to see what you were picking up, not really sure if I can be much more help than that! Is it Dunfermline you're in? When I'm next about that way I'll have a look. :)

[The_Fly_fifer]

It is Dunfermline. KY11 post code mate.

Is there anything else I can do?

Is it worthwhile phoning up and asking if I have coverage?....just dead weird!

OT: But I've started picking up a 3G signal from T-Mobile now! (not at home tho)

[Martin3G]

The_Fly_fifer

I think you are picking up a 3G cell from LOT0012 located in South Queensferry. One of the cells point directly across the water and can be seen for miles ;) I imagine that Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay should be able to see this cell and probably Rosyth.

[The_Fly_fifer]

I would expect Dalgety Bay to get it, but there's whopping massai hills in front of Inverkeithing and Dunfermline too. May well possibly be it tho.

Is there anyway of finding out from the handset which cell it's picking up?

[Martin3G]

Is there anyway of finding out from the handset which cell it's picking up?It's easy from the network side but not from the phone itself without having an engineering menu.

[The_Fly_fifer]

The infamous netmon menu in NK's?

[Graeme2812]

Graeme: Those sites you've listed aren't Orange sites, they look more like 3 site references to me. If you can find some Orange ones, they'll be along the lines of (TAY0000) I'll have a look and see if there's any problems etc. :) See if we can boost your confidence in moving to Orange... where the future is bright might I add ;)

Sorry for late reply, I have only just today been able to access the OFCOM sitefinder website.

The nearest TAY sites are stations TAY0014, TAY0070, TAY7010, TAY013O, TAY0111, and TAY0075 if this helps any.
I think they are all listed as GSM masts except TAY0075 and TAY0111 (two stations found at each location, each with one GSM and one UTMS, both same ID's.)

Was in my local orange shop again today (trying to convince my friend who is already with orange to get two new 3G handsets also, one for him and one for HIS other half.) and was told that pricing for the Nokia 6680 was available. Prices from around £79 on a £25/£30 per month tariff. He informed me that the Dundee shop could not take pre-orders of the handset as they did not have a suitable computer system or something, but other shops can, with the correct system, take pre-orders.

His official word on when the handset would be out was "Sometime in the first quarter of 2005" or "Sometime this month" another shop (The Link) said it would also not be available on Orange for around 3/4 weeks.

So not really any further forward on a release date sadly.

Personally, I'd prefer them to hold back the handset that little bit longer than the other networks, and do as much compatibility testing or whatever it is they do with them before they release them, rather than me having to go into the shop or spend time I've not got on the phone trying to get problems fixed.


Graeme

[Graeme2812]

Is there anyway of finding out from the handset which cell it's picking up?

If it's a series 60 handset you have, I think it's possible to track what cells you are connected to with miniGPS from Psiloc (http://www.psiloc.com/index.html?id=151)

may be worth a look.

Graeme

[JJ1]

Graeme,

Can't really answer for the 3G coverage expansion in your area, except to say that Orange's 3G support (350) have been very responsive to the complaints I made about 3G in my area.

What I really wanted to let you know was that I have a Z107 and hate it. No speakerphone and the alarm only triggers when the handset is left powered on. The ringtones are a joke, but worst of all the GSM coverage is extremely weak. 3G->2G handover works flawlessly (well done Orange!), but 2G signal is much more touch and go, compared with my old V600. Try making a GSM call in a weak-ish signal area with the Z107 and you'll notice the call breaks up (but doesn't disconnect). Try the call in the same area with a Moto V600 or SE K700 and the call won't be disjointed. My phone shipped with firmware Z107BVDL2, so possibly this firmware is worse than others. However, I haven't been able to find either firmware or a flashing tool on the net, so I'm stuck in a rut with a naff phone.

If I were you, I'd get to an Orange shop and try the Nokia for 14 days then make a decision.

Hope this helps,

James.

[The_Fly_fifer]

3g-glasgow.

Out of interest. Just gave 350 a call saying how I could get a 3g signal at work and they said that there is no 3g coverage in that area.

Nearest according to them is Dalmeny or Newbridge (still Edinburgh and 8miles at least south)

No indication of when there would be 3g coverage in Dunfermline at all.

Might speak to Voda. Just not getting good value at the mo for what I'm paying. Plus just seems crazy to upgrade to a 2g handset for the sake of it.

[stickystickman]

Graeme,

Try making a GSM call in a weak-ish signal area with the Z107 and you'll notice the call breaks up (but doesn't disconnect). Try the call in the same area with a Moto V600 or SE K700 and the call won't be disjointed. My phone shipped with firmware Z107BVDL2, so possibly this firmware is worse than others.

James.

I have one of these phones and have also found the phone to be a little hit n miss in weak signal areas. How do you find out which firmware the phone is running on?

[JJ1]

I have one of these phones and have also found the phone to be a little hit n miss in weak signal areas. How do you find out which firmware the phone is running on?

*#1234#

Regards,

Jimbo.