View Full Version : 3 Branded Handsets
Gordo8989
11-09-2007, 02:28 PM
I recently purchased a Sony Ericsson s500i sim free and unlocked. This is a 2.5G phone and only works on the '3' network for voice calls and sms. 3 customer services have just told me that only '3' branded handsets will work on the '3' network. Can anyone confirm this? I was considering buying a Motorola Z8, it is a 3G (or 3.5G) phone, but not '3' network branded. Can I assume that this phone will not give me internet access with my '3' sim card? Thanks,
Gordon
3GsInGH
11-09-2007, 04:24 PM
The S500i is as you say 2.5g and i dont reccommend you use it with 3 unless you are on PAYG. The Z8 is a 3g phone and will work on 3 and you will get internet access. Basically you can use any phone that works on the 3G band on 3.
paulmccristall
12-09-2007, 09:32 PM
I recently purchased a Sony Ericsson s500i sim free and unlocked. This is a 2.5G phone and only works on the '3' network for voice calls and sms.
I'm considering getting one of these, do MMS work as well?
3GsInGH
12-09-2007, 09:54 PM
Are you on contract or PAYG? If contract i highly recommend you dont get this phone as 3 can suspend or cancel your contract and still make you pay for it if they find out you are using this phone.
munkimatt
12-09-2007, 09:59 PM
3 actually told me off a little today for using a sim free N95, despite the fact it's locked onto 3G. I told them to get stuffed.
3GsInGH
12-09-2007, 10:01 PM
Was that India? Most of them dont know that their policy has changed and you can use any 3G phone.
scoobystu2
12-09-2007, 10:14 PM
Was that India? Most of them dont know that their policy has changed and you can use any 3G phone.
How long ago was this please
munkimatt
12-09-2007, 10:17 PM
Was that India? Most of them dont know that their policy has changed and you can use any 3G phone.
Yeah, I told them that, the tool just wouldn't listen. Not my problem.
paulmccristall
12-09-2007, 10:47 PM
Are you on contract or PAYG? If contract i highly recommend you dont get this phone as 3 can suspend or cancel your contract and still make you pay for it if they find out you are using this phone.
I'm on contract, how would they find out & shouldn't you be allowed to use whatever phone you want?
chaslam
12-09-2007, 11:13 PM
Yeah, I told them that, the tool just wouldn't listen. Not my problem.
Strange. Ive been using my N95 sim free on 3 for about 6 months, and havent yet had a complaint? Infact, im using it locked to 2G at the moment, as the 3G signal in my area has gone down, so I rang them and they told me to lock it to 2g!
3GsInGH
12-09-2007, 11:17 PM
I'm on contract, how would they find out & shouldn't you be allowed to use whatever phone you want?
3's T&C that you agreed to state that you can only use a phone that is authorised by 3. This means any phone that uses the 3G band or WCDMA 2100. The Sony is a 2.5g phone and therefore cannot use the 3G band, 3 will find this out when you are constantly roaming on o2/orange and costing 3 money (as they dont have a 2g network and use o2/orange for backup). You can use any phone you want as long as it works on the 3G band.
@ Scooby that's been in place for quite a few months now and was confirmed by 3's Director of Handsets, Fergal Walker.
Gordo8989
13-09-2007, 02:04 PM
Thanks 3GsInGH, for your advice. I'm now happily using a Motorola Z8 on the '3' network with 'Free Internet 30' :)
It's a shame customer services are being a bit anal about 3 branded handsets. They told me again yesterday (when I was asking for data connection settings) that I would not get web access because their software was not pre-installed on my phone. Clearly, this is not the case. And it seems a bit silly that they would risk chasing customers away like that.
Gordon
PeteMc
13-09-2007, 02:39 PM
Can 3 tell you are using a 2G phone by the IMEI number?
drwalker
13-09-2007, 03:28 PM
3 actually told me off a little today for using a sim free N95, despite the fact it's locked onto 3G. I told them to get stuffed.
I was happy with 3, despite what follows. I find it laughable that they ever thought it was acceptable to tell people to only use their phones (hey, they're getting paid), with the excuse being along the lines of their wanting to deliver the whole 3g experience.
All well and good - but like a doofus, I desired a V3x, and forked out on a contract I really didn't want just to get it (what can I say, there were no cheap smartphones back then). Before the first 12 months was up, I couldn't use the music downloads service because they had messed around with the formats (on the LG 8120 music downloads were sent as m4v!) and the V3x just didn't want to know. It was the handset, not the network, but I did feel narked considering that I had £5 of downloads that I could not spend.
I would have stayed with them, if the N95 debacle had been sorted quicker (to 3: announce your damn phones, otherwise people will walk), but I doubt I'll go back, since web'n'walk has proven to be a very handy item indeed.
paulmccristall
13-09-2007, 07:39 PM
3's T&C that you agreed to state that you can only use a phone that is authorised by 3. This means any phone that uses the 3G band or WCDMA 2100. The Sony is a 2.5g phone and therefore cannot use the 3G band, 3 will find this out when you are constantly roaming on o2/orange and costing 3 money (as they dont have a 2g network and use o2/orange for backup). You can use any phone you want as long as it works on the 3G band.
@ Scooby that's been in place for quite a few months now and was confirmed by 3's Director of Handsets, Fergal Walker.
Thanks, that's understandable to a degree but what (for instance) if you damage your phone, are locked into a contract, are not insured & can't afford another so use whatever phone you can get your hands on? Seems harsh if 3 then suspend/cancel your contract & make you pay up.....
munkimatt
14-09-2007, 07:54 AM
Thanks, that's understandable to a degree but what (for instance) if you damage your phone, are locked into a contract, are not insured & can't afford another so use whatever phone you can get your hands on? Seems harsh if 3 then suspend/cancel your contract & make you pay up.....
The main point in the quote is that you shouldn't use a 2G phone as you'll be always roaming. If you buy a sim free 3G phone, you should be OK.
scoobystu2
14-09-2007, 12:12 PM
I did have a strange "effect" whilst in Jersey using my unlocked sim free phone with my 3 sim. Since the 3g reception is poor I swiched to gsm and it worked fine. They 3 CS phoned up (nothing related to the usage) and the next day the phone would not log onto any network. Only on my retrun to the UK did it work again. 3's CS could offer next explanation. Bizarre.
Hi
I have just got a Motorola Z8 and wanted to know how to access the My 3 service on the phone. Any help would be gratefully recieved!
Thanks
Justin