Vodafone 3G to close

Glaceon

https://www.rte.ie/news/2022/0630/1307602-vodafone-3g/

Starting at the end of this year. I wonder what this means for the likes of me whose price plan doesn’t include VoLTE?

Dempo1

I'd say no difference, in reality there's very few if any 3g plans offered any more and 3g remains primarily as a back up to 4g.

2g and 3g are still available, 2g primarily used to service specific services involving things like smart meters, SMS operating systems/ alarmd/Automated access etc.

The only impact may be those still using 3g phones but again the service not ending, just not being upgraded.

The VoLTE service, is infact not available on many High end 4g devices regardless if it's included in a subscriber package.

Cork981

The MNVOs (Postmobile and ClearMobile) will likely start getting access to VoLTE and Wifi calling if they plan on shutting down the 3G network.

Sky mobile launching next year on the Vodafone network should really support VoLTE from the get go.

Embarrassingly Three have yet to launch VoLTE or Wifi Calling.

Micky 32

About time. The Vodafone network was starting to look archaic compared to Eir etc. They still have a lot of old 3g masts. I know a few big towns that only have 3g while the other operators have 4G/5G.

Ten Pin

AFAIK 2G will still be in use so the drawback of 3G closure will be no data access during a call until VoLTE is rolled out more widely.

The main issue will be for those with a 2G/3G only phone that requires data, 2G data will probably still work but at dial up speed so practically unusable.

The Cush

UK government announcement, back in Dec, on the winding down of their 2g/3g networks by 2033

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/a-joint-statement-on-the-sunsetting-of-2g-and-3g-networks-and-public-ambition-for-open-ran-rollout-as-part-of-the-telecoms-supply-chain-diversificatio

Ubbquittious

Yes they need to make room for all that shiny new Huawei equipment that's full of back doors, just to make sure it's all ready to go for when the Choinese decide to kick off WW III

GIMP

Question I have, as 4g coverage often falls back to 3g inside buildings, will this be an issue with 3g shut down. As in no indoor data coverage in many rural locations, I know 2g will still exist for calls etc.

Max Power 2010

If no improvements are made to the 4G network your phone will fallback to 2G.

I'd imagine they will overhaul the 4G network by utilising the lower bands (7/8/900Mhz) for better indoor penetration and rural coverage, the 3G switch off will free up spectrum for this purpose also.

The Cush

I assume once 3g has been switched off in the 900 MHz it will simply be replaced by 4g with the same coverage and penetration.

The 800 MHz band is 4g by default and there is temporary 4g in the 700 MHz band.

Micky 32

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119270392#Comment_119270392

I find this statement by Vodafone a bit concerning “ The 2G network provides core voice coverage, and we are continuing to invest in and maintain this network.” The cynical me thinks the likes of An Post and ClearMobile will now just fall back to 2G when on a call when 3G is shut down. VoLTE will be wishful thinking. Also i think we’ll be seeing a lot more 2G when travelling through the countryside in places where we would normally get only 3G.

KildareP

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119370771#Comment_119370771

A lot of Machine to Machine (alarms, gates, environmental monitoring, etc.) still use 2G so there's a business case to continue 2G going forward over 3G.

No reason why Post Mobile or Clear Mobile can't support VoLTE or WiFi Calling - Eir Mobile and GoMo are two separate networks on the backend and support both, similarly in the UK you have VOXI (Vodafone), Sky (O2), BT (EE), ID Mobile (Three) which all support VoLTE and WiFi Calling.

If Vodafone manage it right, then they could make the transition from a frequency band currently using 3G to be switched to 4G relatively quick - at most you might have a day or two of disruption in a given area.

They put a lot of marketing into being Ireland's number one network, there's no way they'd get away with large numbers of customers falling primarily back to 2G indefinitely. Plus, inbound roaming revenue (tourists staying within Ireland using roaming) is a big revenue generator for the networks, it's not going to be good for Vodafone if tourists find themselves latched to 2G if the phone automatically chooses Vodafone, tourists will go and manually select Three or Eir instead and get 3G/4G/5G.

Glaceon

We could be hearing a lot more of this again...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh4IR_gPuUE&t=15s

Micky 32

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119371010#Comment_119371010

Yeah i do realise there are gates and alarms etc that use 2g but It’s the specific mention “ 2G provides core VOICE coverage”. Regarding tourists there are lots of complaints from people roaming in europe being stuck on 2g because of other networks transitions. If you go to the USA your phone reverts back to 2G when you’re on a call however Vodafone claim to be working on a solution.

Vodafone Ireland have a lot of those old pole 3G only type masts. The ones that look like a CB ariel. I wonder if they will be capable of 4G or are they going to be putting up a load of shiney new masts. Getting planning permission for new masts isn’t easy these days. Rurally you will be going backwards. Where you normally get 3G only will now be edge only.

Vodafone are tight. They won’t even let you use wifi calling abroad. It is possible to glitch and i have seen it pop up on my phone when i was in the UK for an hour or so. However in the terms and conditions if you do use it abroad you could be liable for extra charges.

Micky 32

Vodafone’s 4g upgrade must be underway even though they have said late 2022. Three 3G masts ( should have been 4G long ago 🙄) in my area have been upgraded to 4G in the last month or so.

GIMP

They are way behind the other two networks, where Vodafone are upgrading to 4g Eir and 3 alread have deployed 5g. Its rare enough that I pick up 5g on Vodafone even in larger urban areas.

Micky 32

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119390203#Comment_119390203

Oh i agree, It will be interesting to see how Vodafone will progress in the coming year. Personally i’m not too bothered about who has more 5g. I’d be happy with good 4g coverage.

5g isn’t always spectacular. There are 2 masts beside each other in my area. One is Eir and the other is Vodafone. Eir is 5G and Voda is 4G. Both have the same download speeds.

I’m staying with Vodafone for a while mainly because of red roaming when i’m in the USA. I need my phone for calls and 2 euro a min will end up being too costly.

GIMP

Vodafone 5g coverage finally updated on Comreg website. Pathetic to put it mildly!

Screenshot_2022-08-05-07-22-03-384_com.sec.android.app.sbrowser.jpg.png

Micky 32

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119431269#Comment_119431269

Comreg are quite slow updating their info on the phone masts. I know quite a few Vodafone sites upgraded to 4G/5G in the last couple of months but the info on the comreg site still says they are 3G only.

GIMP

Anyone on Vodafone having an issue with calls dropping back to 3g, as in volte not working or WiFi calling not working?

Cork981

Not working here in Cork. WiFi calling not connecting and falling back to 3G making calls.

Edit: working again at 10:09pm

GIMP

Ya back here too was not working since yesterday! This has happened a few times recently, when 3g is closed and we rely on volte more often it will become an issue!

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119433715#Comment_119433715

Is it Comreg slow to update or the MNOs slow to supply the data?

Around my area, NE Co Limerick, Vodafone have installed 2 new masts and eir has installed a new mast and upgraded another to 4g (5g?) within the last 6 months, none updated on siteviewer yet.

Max Power 2010

It's a combination of both I'd imagine, but I would suspect the operators are slower.

The maps on there own websites come with some exaggeration but data supplied to COMREG would need to be spot on.

Also I believe COMREG do alot of drive testing to ensure the operators are providing the coverage they say are and it's fit for purpose so perhaps the data is only updated when this is completed, a total guess though.

Micky 32

Is Vodafone WiFi calling and 4g calling down tonight?

GIMP

Ya down again its the second time in the past few days!

MBSnr

^^^

I can see this going badly for those in rural areas for sure.... My experience of Vodafone hasn't been the best, even in cities.

On Vodafone Red and have never ever got 5G anywhere since having a 5G capable phone the past year plus.

I was seriously wondering if the company's Vodafone plan was 5G enabled.

The other day I was passing through Louisburgh, Mayo and got 5G... Of all places!

I never get the VoLTE symbol even though the phone is enabled for it. VoWifi works fine but that only kicked in and worked consistently since the early part of the year. Prior to that it was dropping, echoes, feedback and delay.

Was roaming in Greece in July and Vodafone's network was terrible. EDGE at times and dead slow 3G/4G. Was not allowed to manually choose the other providers networks either. The rest of the family on GoMo had no bother - 4G nearly everywhere with Cosmote. I was surprised how bad Vodafone actually was.

Micky 32

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119478586#Comment_119478586

I’m relieved it’s a network issue. I had just updated to ios 16 beta 6 and it wasn’t working. Seems to be working now again.

Micky 32

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119478779#Comment_119478779

Yeah. People who live rurally will be downgraded from 3G to the slower Edge. 4G signal doesn’t travel as far 3G. 3G shouldn’t be turned off in this country. Our network technology is way behind compared to other countries. Still lots of small towns and villages with no signal at all in 2022.

GIMP

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119479845#Comment_119479845

Agreed, Vodafone are playing a massive catch up as regards 4/5g coverage rollout. There are huge swathes of the country under 3g only coverage. Last year while in West Cork and Kerry I experienced very poor 3g coverage and in alot of places no coverage at all for example Béal na Bláth in Cork, zero coverage for quite a few kms around, not even 2g for calls.

Micky 32

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119479956#Comment_119479956

One good thing is Vodafone are starting to upgrade their 3G masts. They have upgraded a good few in my area to 4G in the last couple months.

Micky 32

You can tell which sites that are recently upgraded to 4G. They seem to favour band 28, at least outside of large towns anyway.

Cork981

Comreg siteviewer was updated this week. Many Vodafone sites are no longer showing UMTS only showing GSM and LTE now. These previously had UMTS.

I haven't checked for 3G on these sites recently but they have good 4G/5G coverage in this particular area.

https://siteviewer.comreg.ie/#site/CK347/51.8880202288/-8.6013673237/1/Site%20CK347

Ten Pin

Vodafone keeping 2G going for a while yet, implying that "old" 2G phones will still work.

"Will there be any changes to the 2G network?

No. The 2G network provides core voice coverage, and we are continuing to invest in and maintain this network."

https://n.vodafone.ie/network/3G-upgrade.html

Cork981

According to PM, Vodafone are shutting down 3G in Limerick City on the 14th of February.

https://www.anpost.com/Mobile/Notice-Of-3G-Upgrade

Micky 32

Looks like an post customers will be getting voice calls downgraded to 2G.

Cork981

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120184921#Comment_120184921

Yeah I sort of hoped they’d make VoLTE available to PM customers.

Id be surprised if sky mobile launch without VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling.

Glaceon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120182487#Comment_120182487

I wonder if this has gone ahead?

dollylama

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120242899#Comment_120242899

I noticed on a very rural cell Vodafone only recently added 2G along with LTE-A on 700mhz / Band 28. This cell was previously 3G on Band 1 and 4G on Band 3, both of which are still transmitting but I'll check next time I pass through if 3G remains active. I assume 2G was added to prepare for 3G removal ... which is crazy to think!

Micky 32

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120265083#Comment_120265083

Yep, feels like going backwards. It won’t be so bad if they upgrade all the existing masts from 3g/2g to 4G/5G but I’m sceptical. I suspect rural areas that was picking up 3G will soon be on 2G Edge.

dollylama

I'm not implying there's anything particularly bad about 2G, more that a newer gen is being replaced by it's predecessor! 2G possibly beats 3G for coverage, power consumption, simplicity and compatibility with a wider range of devices

The thought of going back to 2G voice calling and hearing the car radio pulsing again isn't all that attractive however! While Vodafone have some form of LTE Voice and WiFi Calling, my experience using these has been pretty terrible... missed calls, no calls, no texts, server registration failures ... and that's it they even allow you to avail of it in the first place! I get the feeling a lot of us will be reluctantly accepting 2G for a while

breeno

Having trouble connecting in my house the last few weeks. Internet non existent and lots of missed calls and texts only arriving long after they were sent.

Realistically are there any remedies available like signal boosters or is there any hope that I could be released from my contract etc if I complain? Only signed up in December and signal was fine at that point but obviously well past the cooling off period. Another 2 years of this will drive me mad.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120270844#Comment_120270844

Mobile repeaters here, prices vary depending on the number of frequency bands required

https://stelladoradus.com/product/stellahome-family/

macchoille

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120185112#Comment_120185112

Does anyone have any information when sky mobile will launch? Been a Vodafone/eircell customer for nearly 25 years (from the 088 RTG days) but with the increases coming I want to jump but stay on the VF network (I’m bill pay )

Ten Pin

Depending on your usage, you could switch to PAYG with Vodafone and avoid any future price increase.

Post Mobile and Clear are also on Vodafone's network.

Sky will probably attach competitive prices to those with TV contracts leaving higher rates for mobile only customers.

GIMP

Any reports back on the 3g switch off in Limerick?

Cork981

Going by the language on the Vodafone website it sounds like the switch was complete

“Phase 1 commenced in February 2023 when we upgraded the 3G network onto 4G & 5G in Limerick City.

We will be communicating further phases in the coming months and you can check this page for updates.”

https://n.vodafone.ie/network/3G-upgrade.html

GIMP

Has anyone any experiences? Particularly indoor cover since switch off?

rhinosaurious

Yes, was there a day ago. Entire place riddled in 4&5G, indoors aswell. I even had 5G in a basement

Micky 32

Has anyone noticed if Vodafone are now using wifi calling as preferred over the network. I noticed my iphone seems to stay connected to my wifi calling despite how good or bad the network signal is. My phone is on ios 16.4.

Cork981

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120391563#Comment_120391563

Yeah I've noticed my Vodafone SIM is a lot quicker connecting to wifi-calling and does seem to prioritise using it, acts similar to my Eir connection now.

I was testing out Three Wifi Calling which is available on iOS 16.4. It rarely connects to wifi calling as it prioritises 4G and 5G calling. I have to move to a poor coverage area of my house before it connects (Or turn on airplane mode with wifi enabled).