Current Status of X-Series & Unlimited Broadband on 3

Bluefrog

I'm trying to get a sense of the current state of the X-Series and unlimited broadband services on Three at the moment. Specifically I would be greatful if people could tell me the following.

1. Which addon are you using - unlimited broadband or X-Series?
2. Do you have unresticted access to all websites (tinytube included)?
3. Do you have full access to real streams and are you experiencing cut-outs?
4. Does Orb work for you - please detial which services function if any?
5. Do third party apps work for you - skype, voipbuster sms sender, gmail etc. If so, which ones?

Awaiting your responses with interest.

Cyrus

i have the 250mb add on on pay monthly

only apps that make use are opera mini and system 7 push email

opera mini works

system seven doesnt!

and i really need it, rather move to voda or o2 so i can get a sim that would allow me use blackberry connect

quintron

Bluefrog wrote:

I'm trying to get a sense of the current state of the X-Series and unlimited broadband services on Three at the moment. Specifically I would be greatful if people could tell me the following.

1. Which addon are you using - unlimited broadband or X-Series?
2. Do you have unresticted access to all websites (tinytube included)?
3. Do you have full access to real streams and are you experiencing cut-outs?
4. Does Orb work for you - please detial which services function if any?
5. Do third party apps work for you - skype, voipbuster sms sender, gmail etc. If so, which ones?

Awaiting your responses with interest.

1- unlimited broadband 100MB bundle (POSTPAY)
2- it would be best to post a list of sites people have problems with in this thread so others can test them. tinytube does not work. "This web page is unavailable to view"
3- never used real streams, again links here would be useful in this one thread if op could slot some in for testing in main post, I’ll try them (or anyone else in a subsequent post).
4- don't use it at present.
5- Most 3rd pary apps work e.g. Gmail, Worldmate, Resco News, Vox
Others do not, namely Fring which used to work fine for me before.

Sorry I cannot be of more help as this thread is useful to report the current status of 3's "unlimited" offering and these latest ridiculous limitations everyone is experiencing. If everyone can put up the links, apps, etc that are problematic I will gladly test them in my browser.

Its obvious they have recently blocked ports and its not on frankly.

If they were blocked from day 1 that would be in breach of their unlimited offering (in a way similar to Vodafones current blocking on their 50MB daily allowance for 99c, but then again they never claimed it was "unlimited"!) BUT to have had access to sites and apps (like Fring) and then have that taken away, well thats just a kick in the head and unfortunately for 3, everyone has noticed. Just look at the amount of 3 issues in recent posts. Not on.

tdkeaveny

1. X-Series silver 14.99 a month
2. none that i notised before, but tinytube did not work. got a 3 page saying i could not be accsessed
3. radio streams seem to wor (bbc ones)
4. sorry never tried
5. only ones i have working are opera (but very slow on conecting), im+ skype (uses my skype out min when poeple call me.

ps. please help me out http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055148134

WezzyB

1. Which addon are you using? unlimited broadband
2. Do you have unresticted access to all websites (tinytube included)?
No certain sites blocked for no good reason, i.e. dailymotion.com
3. Do you have full access to real streams and are you experiencing cut-outs?
No, tried both rte and bbc, works fine on wifi
4. Does Orb work for you - please detial which services function if any?
Haven't tried it
5. Do third party apps work for you - skype, voipbuster sms sender, gmail etc. If so, which ones?
No, just on wifi

Terrontress

Bluefrog wrote:

I'm trying to get a sense of the current state of the X-Series and unlimited broadband services on Three at the moment. Specifically I would be greatful if people could tell me the following.

1. Which addon are you using - unlimited broadband or X-Series?
2. Do you have unresticted access to all websites (tinytube included)?
3. Do you have full access to real streams and are you experiencing cut-outs?
4. Does Orb work for you - please detial which services function if any?
5. Do third party apps work for you - skype, voipbuster sms sender, gmail etc. If so, which ones?

Awaiting your responses with interest.

1) X-Series Gold
2) No! Tinytube is blocked. I get the same "unavailable" page as if I were to try to access an adult site. Even very tame adult websites such as FHM magazine which is available in every newsagent in Ireland.
3) Access through bbcradio.mobi. Cuts out between 1 and 5 minutes
4) Have been having trouble at my side so uninstalled it from PC.
5) AFT, Gmail work fine. Opera Mini worked on broadband unlimited but not on X-Series. MSN messenger is very slow.

robinph

1. Which addon are you using - unlimited broadband or X-Series?100MB
2. Do you have unresticted access to all websites (tinytube included)?Can access tinytube, not sure what it is though? I couldn't access dailymotion though
3. Do you have full access to real streams and are you experiencing cut-outs?BBC streams appear to be working perfectly fine
4. Does Orb work for you - please detial which services function if any?Not tried it
5. Do third party apps work for you - skype, voipbuster sms sender, gmail etc. If so, which ones? Fring - No, Gmail - OK

scary

1. Which addon are you using - unlimited broadband or X-Series? Unlimited
2. Do you have unresticted access to all websites (tinytube included)?Can access tinytube and no issues acessing other sites aswell
3. Do you have full access to real streams and are you experiencing cut-outs?I stream through windows media on my smartphone and can access bbcradio.mobi with no issues
4. Does Orb work for you - please detial which services function if any?Not tried it
5. Do third party apps work for you - skype, voipbuster sms sender, gmail etc. If so, which ones? cant access gmail through pop, resco radio, slingbox or octrotalk, not tried anything else.

My brother didn't have at data add on and i could access the above using his sim card, he since has upgraded to unlimited and is experiencing the same issues as alot of us.

Corm

quintron

Cannot access bbcradio.mobi through real player at all!

robinph

quintron wrote:

Cannot access bbcradio.mobi through real player at all!

Yesterday it was working perfectly for me, today the streams keep on cutting out after about 3 minutes.

Terrontress

Yeah, after several good reports I decided to try it again after I had abandoned it.

Of course it cut me off after 3-5 minutes. Just as BBC Radio LDN was getting interesting!

Bluefrog

I note that this thread is now the fifth link on Google if you search for "X-Series Ireland".

I would urge all of you to link to this page in any comments you make elsewhere on line to get us to the top position. The more links we have into the page the higher the ranking on Google.

I am convinced that if we raise the profile of these issues then we will start getting some reasonable response from Three.

postie

1. Which addon are you using - unlimited broadband Pay monthly
2. Do you have unresticted access to all websites - No
3. Do you have full access to real streams - No access whatsoever-perfect on phones WiFi
4. Does Orb work for you - NA
5. Do third party apps work for you - skype-no, voipbuster-no, Fring-no, gmail-yes, VOIP-no, Skype-No but may be a WM6 Problem, Opera-mostly
POP3 email doesn't work either on most common smtp's

h57xiucj2z946q

1. Which addon are you using - Pay as you go - 100MB addon
2. Do you have unresticted access to all websites - Yes
3. Do you have full access to real streams - Yes
4. Does Orb work for you - Dont have it, I flashed unbrabded firmware, so the Orb icon is gone of the phone.
5. Do third party apps work for you - These all work, Msn, MGTalk, Wireless IRC, Opera, PuTTY-Symbian, Gmail and any other Application I have tried that requires internet access.


Seems that the pre pay has better iternet access than the bill pay.

quintron

^^ Question for Damo2k above, have you listened to a streaming show continously for more than 10 minutes?
Does Fring work on your handset?
I don't think anyone has issues with Gmail et al, but Fring and a couple of other apps are fried.

robinph

Terrontress wrote:

Yeah, after several good reports I decided to try it again after I had abandoned it.

Of course it cut me off after 3-5 minutes. Just as BBC Radio LDN was getting interesting!

Just been running it again today and it's been perfectly fine for nearly an hour now. Seems to be pot luck as to if it will work one day or not.

Bluefrog

Hadley Thousands Schoolwork wrote:

Seems that the pre pay has better iternet access than the bill pay.

Well that would certainly seem to be the case and gives credence to my belief that the app blocking is an attempt to free up bandwidth for USB modem customers - a product they are now advertising on TV at the expense of us phone customers.

I for one don't really care for this 'robbing Peter to pay Paul' approach.

It seems Three expect those of us on higher tariffs to continue to pay them for a higher bandwidth allowance even though they know we could never hope to even vaguely approach the transfer limits.

The_Hustler

1. Which addon are you using - Pay as you go - 100MB addon
2. Do you have unresticted access to all websites - Yes
3. Do you have full access to real streams - No, none whatsoever (not even for a second), except of course official 3 ones like news and The Hive etc.
4. Does Orb work for you - No, I can access it but nothing I download works.
5. Do third party apps work for you - Gmail, opera, google maps and stuff work, but any push email app doesn't.

quintron

both opera mini 3 and opera 4.0 (beta 2) refuse to connect at all now for me. I've been trying unsuccessfully since yesterday but they have just stopped working. It says connecting and then times out with -4145 and -33 errors... Basically they knock on 3's door but can't go further.
I'm infuriated as these apps were working fine just last week!
Needless to say they work fine over wifi so it's a network issue.
Calling 3 gets you the usual "please switch off your phone, remove the battery and sim card and restart". Please give us more credit than that waste of time!!!

Most phone users have a lot more cop on than that and the "technical department" should treat a lot of its users as having a just a little experience after all these years.
Its not exactly brand new tech here, just marginally more affordable and realistic pricing.
Excuses about upgrades et al are pointless without them showing evidence of their having achieved something better for an end user instead of retro-grading their service which seems to be the case as is.

I need opera as the built in symbian browser cannot process certain sites like zoho.com. Its pathetic. I was happily using these sites and apps on my paltry 100mb allowance, negligable bandwidth usage obviously... And now its "switched off?", blocked? Whatever.
Just sort it 3 for God's sake.

flodis79

quintron wrote:

I need opera as the built in symbian browser cannot process certain sites like zoho.com.

Sorry to hijack the thread, but how do you get the Zoho site working on Opera Mini? Or is it the Opera Mobile?

On Opera Mini, at least I cannot use the Zoho word processor or spreadsheet. Does it work for you?

quintron

Used to!!! (though I use Zoho creator not word/spreadsheet). To totally put a spanner in the works, I managed to connect very briefly with opera mini at about 1 am this morning, but it wouldn't open anything beyond the first page.. Tried the main Symbian browser and (no great shock) at first it was slower and more agonizing than dial up of yore, then its treacle pace simply halted. And refused to load anything. So everything seems to have gone wrong last night. Didn't even bother doing a speed test. It would have taken too long!
And no, its not my phone. I have 3 x 3 handsets available which I tested on with similar results.
And no its not my sim card; its less than 2 yrs old.
And no its not my coverage area as I'm getting 3G full bars in North Dublin (with 3.5G access on an E90 though you wouldn't know it with the "speed" its returning pages).
And no its not (nor should it be!), the contention ratio as it was approx 1am and I doubt there are 15+ other users downloading the entire contents of wikipedia to their laptops, phones, hamsters..

Maybe its the battery.. now if I just switch off my phone, remove the battery and sim card.... I'm sure all will be as right as rain!

Bluefrog

Rubbing your sim card can also work miracles I've heard - entire networks have sprung to life after even a brief polish.

The technical explanation is quite simple really. By gently rubbing you stimulate the sim card and thereby cause it to secrete the packet data genie who can bypass even the most bizarre proxy setup. If nothing happens immediately, do not fear. It can take from 24 to 48 hours or 'til sometime in September for the genie to appear.

However, I would advise that you use this technique with caution as the genie may take you to the magical land of tinytube.net where your mind will surely be corrupted irreversibly. And people, please remember, stimulating your sim for prolonged periods may also damage your eyesight. You have been warned!

The_Hustler

I can use zoho.

But today I even had problems streaming 3's own content!

Bluefrog

this thread is now number 2 in the google results for 'x-series Ireland' - keep those status reports and incoming links coming!

robinph

I think that everything that "should" be working for me is as I am able to stream from the bbc radio page and I am able to access zoho and tinytube on the 100Mb package. The likes of fring and orb are blocked for me though, but that is expected as I'm not on one of the X-series packages.

I am thinking of upgrading to one of the x packages though so that I can make use of the Skype and orb, but if that results in loosing access to the more basic things then I'm not interested so I'm going to hold off on that change for a while longer now by the looks of it.

quintron

^^ Fring should not be blocked irrespective of what package you have! Unlimited means just that... Unlimited. Case closed.
Now, due to the lack of any technical sense from the two 3 reps I spoke with yesterday to calmly explain my/their situation, I'm off to polish my sim card.

robinph

But they are selling Skype as part of their X package so Fring is blocked on the lesser packages as part of that. I still agree that unlimited should mean unlimited, but they are at least open about the fact that they block Skype on the less than X packages. It looks like you currently loose the ability to stream anything though once you switch to an X deal so I'm going to avoid that for the moment.

Bluefrog

Totally unannounced my third party apps apart from Fring can now connect again. Are we making progress, only time will tell but Three have a lot to do before I lose my scepticism.

postie

Which ones are working for you Bluefrog?
I am still getting nada on messenger, Slingplayer (Non 3 version), Fring, and Real streams.

Bluefrog

What Works:
Nokia Internet Radio - this was working for streams on port 80 - now seems to support radio stations on other ports - listened to KUT in Austin TX on my evening walk which is on port 80 and a Moroccan station that's on 8080 (about 40 mins)
Real Streams from the BBC - via the beebatron site - played about half an hour of radio 3 this afternoon.
Official MSN Symbian client - login was slow but it got there - no contacts were on to test file transfer or any of the fancy stuff but the encartha bot was there logged in and I could chat with it..
VOIPBuster Java app - was able to check my balance so I assume sending SMS messages would work on it too.
GMail email client but that's never stopped working.
Gizmo5 java client - could log in and contacts were listed - didn't try a call.
Orb streamed audio and internet TV fine and without interuption - first time since I've installed it.

Not Working:
Fring. Can't see why they would enable the Symbian MSN client and continue to block this.

One really has to think they don't have a clue what they're doing and that this is all hit and miss.

How long this state of affair lasts is anyone's guess - will keep posting.

WezzyB

I have noticed a small bit of progress myself:
I can now pop my yahoo e-mail.
Still can't pop my gmail as it uses a secure port 995.

Fring doesn't work, neither does Microsoft Symbian Live Messenger.

If I could get these two (gmail/livemessenger) to work I'd be happy as Streaming just eats my battery.

Bluefrog

Can now report that Fring is working too.

culabula

Bluefrog wrote:

Can now report that Fring is working too.

Brilliant!

postie

Nothing working for me! Am I unlucky?:(

Bluefrog

I don't expect it to last for long - seeing reports that some of the broadband addon users have lost connectivity - maybe my getting it and their losing it is a fluke that Three will reverse shortly.

If this keeps up I may actually consider paying my X-Series addon charge this month just to encourage them.

I know this is a bit of a personal question but did you try stroking your SIM?

postie

Bluefrog wrote:

I don't expect it to last for long - seeing reports that some of the broadband addon users have lost connectivity - maybe my getting it and their losing it is a fluke that Three will reverse shortly.

If this keeps up I may actually consider paying my X-Series addon charge this month just to encourage them.

I know this is a bit of a personal question but did you try stroking your SIM?

Its been buffed to within an inch of its life!! I'll put in another call to Mumbai this morning and will of course share any words of wisdom they may have...!

quintron

Well Fring ain't working here on the 100MB price plan! Hit and Miss? How can a company run on hit and miss? It either works or it doesn't, or in this case it either works for all persons via their handsets on x-series or not, or all persons via their handsets on the unlimited bb add-on, or not.
Too confusing.
It can't work for some and not for others, assuming people know ehat they are doing...that makes no sense..

So.. xseries users, is it working for more than just one person. Need some veracity to these outlandish claims!

*goes for coffee...*

brightech

Hi folks!
Any news on using fring? Still blocked?

DemoniK

Fring still not working on BB-100

Bluefrog

Once again it seems there are problems with Three's service. Tried to stream RTSP streams from several different sources last night and got between 1.40 and 1.50 minutes streaming before the stream was disconnected. Same today.

Before I go and avail of Three's 'excellent customer service' (ehem, that's for the benefit of the moderators) I'd like to know if anyone else is having similar issues.

I've been talking to Three about RTSP streaming issues since August so this is getting a tad irksome.

robinph

I have been having trouble steaming the bbc radio using real player over 3 as well. I am just guessing that is the same type of stream that you are on about. I've just not built up the desire to bother calling the support people up as yet.

jimmycrackcorm

My orb streaming is working flawlessly. I suspect that 3 have prioritized streaming traffic on ports used by slingbox and orb.

Bluefrog

Well, given that they undertook in August to look into this I think its about time they were taken to task.

carbsy

What's the latest on this? I just found this thread after I bought an N95 online from Three with the 250mb mobile broadband package ... I thought I could access the net freely with numerous applications? Man what's the point of paying for this service? God I'll be livid if things don't work when it arrives! :mad:

jimmycrackcorm

carbsy wrote: »

What's the latest on this? I just found this thread after I bought an N95 online from Three with the 250mb mobile broadband package ... I thought I could access the net freely with numerous applications? Man what's the point of paying for this service? God I'll be livid if things don't work when it arrives! :mad:

Brill.

wheresthebeef

1. Which addon are you using - unlimited broadband or X-Series?
X-Series Silver 14.99 a month
2. Do you have unresticted access to all websites (tinytube included)?
No but most of the sites i use are accessible
3. Do you have full access to real streams and are you experiencing cut-outs?
I seem to have access to anything i've tried, but it tends to need to buffer a lot and just gets unbearable
4. Does Orb work for you - please detial which services function if any?
Yes orb works fine
5. Do third party apps work for you - skype, voipbuster sms sender, gmail etc. If so, which ones?
MSN Messenger and Skype work fine, i am signed in all day everyday. Mobile mail whilst not a third party app really works excellently and pushes all my email to my phone from my college email account

The only thing i'm disappointed about is an apparent inability to use my phone as a modem for my pocketpc. Before i got the x-series add-on i was able to do this to make use of the slightly larger screen on my pocket pc. my new nokia n73 with x-series refuses to allow my pocket pc to connect at all. very annoying retrograde step for three. (and yes i am aware that i technically shouldnt be using the phone as a modem).

Canada J Soup

Just registered an account with boards.ie specifically to chime in on this topic due to the unbelieveably poor service and technical support I have been receiving from 3 Ireland. The responses below apply both for an unlocked Nokia E90 originally purchased with a Vodafone pay as you go SIM and for the Nokia 6120c that I was forced to purchase in order to get a 3 SIM.

1. Which addon are you using - unlimited broadband or X-Series?
X-Series Silver

2. Do you have unresticted access to all websites (tinytube included)?
No. www.tinytube.net generates the 'This web page is unavailable to view' message.

3. Do you have full access to real streams and are you experiencing cut-outs?
Have not tried. Anyone able to provide a convenient link where I can check this?

4. Does Orb work for you - please detial which services function if any?
Have not tried Orb (I'm on a Mac and there does not appear to be an Orb client for OS X).

5. Do third party apps work for you - skype, voipbuster sms sender, gmail etc. If so, which ones?
The Gmail Java client works, as does Opera Mobile, but that's about it. While the 3 version of iSkoot(Skype) works on the 6120c, the version for the E90 won't connect (I expect it is blocked as the E90 is not a supported 3 handset). No joy at all with Fring, IM+, AgileMessenger, ProfiMail.


Furthermore, the Nokia Messenger client (which can be configured to connect to IMAP servers) will not connect using the '3' Access Point. The fact that the SSL port setting gets changed from the manually set 993 back to the default whenever I attempt to connect suggests to me that 3 is blocking ports. Note that the same settings, when used on the E90 with WLAN, allow for a seamless connection.

Aside from the interminable hold times (average 45 minutes every time I call) and technically clueless technical support staff reading from poorly written cue sheets, what is most frustrating about this is the fact that I 'upgraded' to the X-Series Silver because 3 technical support told me that it was the only way I would have full (no ports blocked) Internet (as opposed to just web) access on my phone.

Canada J Soup

Slight aside: does anyone know what the corporate email format is for 3 Ireland? I would like to be able to copy Robert Finnegan and Stephen Pilkington on my emails to their technical team.

MagicBusDriver

1. Which addon are you using - unlimited broadband or X-Series?
Signed up for X-Series Silver a couple of days ago.

2. Do you have unresticted access to all websites (tinytube included)?
Tinytube.net gives 'This web page is unavailable to view' message. Other websites seem to work.

3. Do you have full access to real streams and are you experiencing cut-outs?
Not sure?

4. Does Orb work for you - please detail which services function if any?
Orb not available on silver.

5. Do third party apps work for you - skype, voipbuster sms sender, gmail etc. If so, which ones?

Fring - Can't connect.
YouTube - Starts but cannot connect to streaming server.
GoogleMaps - Works fine. May have worked before X-Series.
Gmail - Works with occasional signal strength errors, but worked before X-series.

So in all, not a good experience!

Any recommendations? I'd really like to get Fring working on X-Series. It's my only way of contacting the gf in US when outside the house and away from unsecured wi-fi.

Bluefrog

Not really to help you on the complexities of what is and isn't available on the Silver package but I can tell you that on Gold all of these are working for me.

However, whether they work for anyone else on the same package is a matter of speculation at this point.

All I can confirm is that third party Real streams still consistently timeout after 1 minute and 45 seconds despite me and others telling Three Ireland about this for the past 5 months. Their staff are totally out of their depth with the product range they are providing. Its a shame but that's Three Ireland for ya.

Canada J Soup

I'm fairly certain that the problems with X-Series Silver (at least, the problems that I've been experiencing) lie with the add on simply not having been properly provisioned. Apologies if this is already abundantly clear to Three Ireland customers who have been suffering longer than I, but my line of thinking goes like this...

• The fact that the Gmail, iSkoot and YouTube apps (which connect via HTTP/HTTPS ports) are working OK, but not Fring or various IM or email apps suggests that ports are being blocked when I use the 3 Access Point (despite what Three Ireland technical support maintains).
  
  
• That the 'This web page is unavailable to view' message displayed in my web browser when I attempt to access TinyTube is the same as the one seen by users without a data add on suggests that my data traffic is going though the same gateway.
  
  
• That the X-Series Gold users are not having the same problems (presumably since for Slingbox and Orb to work, ports need to be confirmed to be open) suggests that the X-Series Silver provisioning is not subject to the same verification.

The clincher for me is that Three Ireland technical support told me that I would receive an automated system notification once my X-Series Silver add had been activated. I never received such a message.

It would appear that they basically changed my account to bill me 14.99 for X-Series Silver instead of 5.99 for 100mb of 'mobile broadband', but provided me with the same level of service available to a 3Pay user who sporadically checks the web.

What is most frustrating about this is that I have suggested to Three Ireland technical support staff that this might be the problem...yet all they do is check my account to see what services I have signed up for.

Is it worth upping to X-Series Gold (I have no intention of purchasing a Slingbox and can't run Orb on my Mac) to get the service I want? Would removing and then re-provisioning X-Series Silver have any likely effect? Is there someone in Dublin I can harass in person during their lunch hour to get this sorted out?