T-Mobile Connection Problems

I've had exactly the same problems and I work for them based at the Merthyr office. I've checked the HLR that I am connected to and it appears to be a odd one - valid etc., but it may be that some lines are routing through one specific connection that is not working well. I've raised an incident internally as others are experiencing same problem and are on teh same HLR. Will advise on outcome when I am back in the office on Monday :icon14:

Thanks very much. I always find T-Mobile staff to be very helpful and personally think the service is great when you call up. Having said that I've just had the strangest conversation with someone there about this:

I did a little experimenting this morning after finding out my colleague was having the same problems. I figured that the places where my phone has actually worked recently have quite poor signal in comparison to the places where it has worked. So I went into the settings and switched Dual Mode to GSM only and low and behold it works perfectly ever time. I got my colleague to so the same with the same result.

So I phoned T-Mobile today and the bloke basically said that although my phone is showing full signal the actual 3G signal may be very poor and when it tries to connect it can't because of the lack of signal. It then doesn't attempt to connect via GSM even though its in Dual Mode for some reason. His answer to solve this problem is simply to leave my phone on GSM mode all the time???!!!

That's pants to put it mildly! As far as I'm concerned I signed up to T-Mobile on a 3G contract with W'n'W and if I have to now leave my phone on GSM only then I'm not receiving the service I signed up for? If this is the case and that is going to be their solution what is the scope for getting out of my contract now?

I don't particularly want to leave because up until now they've been great and as it is I should be up for an upgrade in November which I figure should be about the right time for the Nokia Touch phone. If I go to another network now I'm looking at another 12 months on an expensive contract or 18 on a better one but with the N95 8GB. I don't really want another 12-18 months with effectively the same phone.

All through today I have had zero issues with any out/in-bound calls/txts etc. I have not changed to GSM - very odd. I know that there are develoments on our 3G network (we recently announced RAN sharing with 3 mobile - maybe it is more of a cost-cutting exercise and we - the customers - are suffering). If there are 3G issues then I will dig on Monday - as an employee you wud think we would find out first via the internal rumour mill. Agree that if you hve paid for 3G and cannot use it that you should be entitled to refund/cancellation provided service has been v.bad. Keep you posted on what I find

Yep had exactly the same problem for over a month. It can even cut out mid call too with the "connection error" message popping up. I did hear about the switch from dual to GMS and it does work every time but then noone should have to stick to GSM when their on a WnW £7.50 a month package, if i want slow browsing id get a iPhone. So yes it would be nice for someone to clarify what our rights are where the T's & C's are concerned. Each time i phone T-Mobile i always get "ah we are experiencing 3G problems in that area at the moment" this was 3 months ago and still is the case.

There seems to be all sorts of problems with 3G and W'n'W linked issues at the moment.
CS don't really know what is happening.
My best guess is that they have been tinkering with data monitoring on the 3G layer and from time to time they cock it up!
Ask questions about this a nd no-one wants to give a straight answer as they probably have amended T&Cs in mind and then you got contract liability problems which have the knock-on customer relations issues!

So are you saying there's scope there for getting out of your contract if this isn't sorted? I have been having issues connecting to the internet for a couple of months now from time to time but was told they were doing work in my area. The 'Connection Error' problem has only started fairly recently. Still it's annoying having to have my phone on GSM mode all the time, and even more annoying that this was the remedy supplied by T-Mobile themselves.

I was against changing network becasue I'd just be going to Voda instead and getting the N95 8GB, which meant being stuck with the exact same phone (for all intents and purposes) for another year at least. But seeing as the N96 doesn't look that appealing and there's no talk to the Touch UI it might actually be an option. And of course I'd actually have a 3G phone that can use 3G.

Ok - it appears that there have been '3G congestion issues' in the South Wales and South West areas of UK - and that is all I have been able to get out of the IT guys @ TMUK. I'm not happy with this and I still have an outstanding incident logged that I have escalated. Hopefully someone will give it up!

As for contract - your best and only bet is to contact Customer Service and request some refund on your WNW line rental for the period that you have been without/had limited service. They can check your data usage and verify that you've had limited traffic. As to what they will give you depends on how hard you push. There are official notes on the systems that agents use to confirm the problems. They will not release you from the contract because - in switching to GSM - the issue is not there so the MRC you are paying 'outside WNW' is still ok.

There is a big push on WNW sales at the moment - a mild threat to remove it may generate a decent enough refund to cover the � outlay - and hopefully the problem has gone away (well, as far a it can given the significant increase in data usage across all telcos) 😉

Good luck

Aurial wrote:So are you saying there's scope there for getting out of your contract if this isn't sorted? I have been having issues connecting to the internet for a couple of months now from time to time but was told they were doing work in my area. The 'Connection Error' problem has only started fairly recently. Still it's annoying having to have my phone on GSM mode all the time, and even more annoying that this was the remedy supplied by T-Mobile themselves.

I was against changing network becasue I'd just be going to Voda instead and getting the N95 8GB, which meant being stuck with the exact same phone (for all intents and purposes) for another year at least. But seeing as the N96 doesn't look that appealing and there's no talk to the Touch UI it might actually be an option. And of course I'd actually have a 3G phone that can use 3G.

Call CS and ask them to send to you a copy of the T&Cs that apply to your account. Also request clarification as to whether they have been amended during the life of the contract. If they have and you have not been informed then you have the grounds you need.
And this does happen.
Last year they ammended the 'time after which you could lower your tarrif' from six months to eleven months. They insisted that they had informed me, but, when I asked them to prove it they backed down and let me lower after six months.

Just tried switching 3G back on but I still can't make calls/send texts/use internet. Seems crazy paying for a phone when I can't use half of the features (mobile tv, video calls, etc). I hope they get it sorted soon.

The latest from my end on this is that after sending an arsey email to T-Mobile a nice lady called me back the next day to discuss it. The downside is that T-Mobile still don't seem to recognise that there is a problem with the network and she again offered to replace my phone. The alternative now is that I have to make a list of times when this is happening and call her back so she can pass this info onto the technical guys/gals so they can have a look at it for me. Since it happens every time I use 3G it shouldn't take long to come up with a list.

Yes, I've got this problem too on my N95- also in parts of London. It is fixed with the dual/GSM switch, but thats hardly satisfactory. Putting my Tmobile SIM in my work phone (non locked SE P1i) means that I can make calls, but getting a connection, both to the internet and voice calls can be very slow indeed. Maybe the P1i just has a slightly better antenna or is more persistent.

Either way, I'm also feeling a bit annoyed at having WnW which has to be turned off to get the phone to work properly.

Lets hope for a fix soon.

Aurial, to throw a potential spanner into the works...

Whilst I have not had the time or the inclination to wade through the T-Mobile T&Cs, is there any point where they SPECIFICALLY promise to provide a 3G service to you? Normally, providers are very cagey in stating what they will actually provide and may only refer to it in broad mobile telephony terms. They may not be contractually bound to provide 3G services to you. On a similar theme, I assume W'n'W is defined more as a mobile data service and not a specific 3G service so as to cater for those accessing it via 2/2.5G handset.

Just because your N95 has 3/3.5G functionality doesn't mean T-Mobile automatically supports it.

Not helpful I know but just looking at your situation from T-Mobile's point of view.

Incidentally, from time to time I get the same "connection error" message as you when trying to make voice calls. However, if I redial once or twice the problem seems to sort itself out without having to switch to GSM only.

I do, however, experience considerable problems sending SMS/MMS from Old Trafford on matchdays but if I switch to GSM only there is no such problem.

F

this always happens to me in an area of chester, every saturday.

Texts wont send or come through, and calls wont make or recieve.
Sometimes web works, if I keep trying.
I'm on 3G, but the same thing happens to friends on T-Mobile GSM.

As soon as we walk back up the road after a few minutes its fine.

ffcphone, you make several good points and you're right, Web n Walk isn't a specifically 3g service, but a data usage plan. My one qualm is that T-Mobile are always plugging their Street Check service or whatever its called where they check the service at postcodes you'll be using the phone in to let you know what the reception will be like. They did this for me at the time I signed up in the shop and told me that I would have good 3g service at home and at my place of work. That's what's really annoyed me about it. I felt like I wasn't receiving the service I had been told I was getting. As luck would have it though the problem seems to have gone for me now touch wood. It was there one day and gone the next.

The problem is with the 3g infastructure, issues are still going on, please use gsm mode untill resolved

Aurial wrote:ffcphone, you make several good points and you're right, Web n Walk isn't a specifically 3g service, but a data usage plan. My one qualm is that T-Mobile are always plugging their Street Check service or whatever its called where they check the service at postcodes you'll be using the phone in to let you know what the reception will be like. They did this for me at the time I signed up in the shop and told me that I would have good 3g service at home and at my place of work. That's what's really annoyed me about it. I felt like I wasn't receiving the service I had been told I was getting. As luck would have it though the problem seems to have gone for me now touch wood. It was there one day and gone the next.

Again, without taking sides, I'm sure T-Mobile's Street Check facility comes with its own smallprint. Remember, T-Mobile can't be expected to model the individual nuances of homes including thickness and construction of walls etc.

As far as Street Check goes, I'm pretty certain I was given 14 days or something like that after purchasing my handset during which I could cancel at any time if the service I received did not match up to the Street Check indications. Thereafter, of course, I was stuck with it regardless!

But glad all is now better again for you.

F

I am on Orange as are 3 of my colleagues.

In the office we don't recieve calls or texts, go outside to the car and the phone goes ballistic with texts and missed calls 😞

We have found that if we try to utilise the phone from withing the office, sometimes it connects and seems to open a "floodgate" of data.

I'm in Derbyshire and it only affects me at work.

I'm wondering if it has something to do with the nearest transmitter being faulty or is it the men in Black watching us!!! 😮 LOL

Calling my message centre works too. I get loads of texts and missed call notifications

The signal and street check and other networks coverage checkers are based on alot of aspects, geographical aspects, the type of masts, some nortel cells put out alot of signal but have alot of drops and ericsson masts put out less signal but are better quality, then nokia 3g sites have various configurations, all of this goes into a mathematical calculation, i dont think any network could really give 100% accurate readings, thats what the 14day and 7day returns are for, what needs to be done when a cell company want a mast go and run the picketers over who spoil fast 3.5g speeds for us all 😎

What about the old.... it used to work and now it don't......... routine

N95 dude wrote:What about the old.... it used to work and now it don't......... routine

Do you mean signal used to be there then not?

😎

LOL, yeah I do but us thick folk always blame the operator first, phone second and then who ever else happens to be nearby next.

I don't care WHY it's not working, just that it's not 😉

im sure i heard the government want all networks to become one, this would irradicate the signal issue and make it a price plan war, with anti competition laws in place it would be very interesting. on the other hand they might go along the lines of becoming like bt with all the unbundled exchanges so no body takes responsibility for internet faults.

hongkongphooey6 wrote:Ok - it appears that there have been '3G congestion issues' in the South Wales and South West areas of UK - and that is all I have been able to get out of the IT guys @ TMUK. I'm not happy with this and I still have an outstanding incident logged that I have escalated. Hopefully someone will give it up!

Hi All, Totally new to the forum and i'm so glad I found this thread.

I have a n95 v20 firmware on t-mobile. I live in Cardiff and experience the same problems as you lot but only when I'm in certain areas of the centre. (If any one knows Cardiff always around the institute for the blind, Holland house hotel and where I work around that area) It been driving me Crazy. Should I report this to t-mobile?

The GSM switch worked perfectly but I don't think this is acceptable considering I spend 8 hours a day in that area of the City.

anyway... rant over. I must admit.. The problem seemed to get worse after the sharing with Three was announced. But that could be all in my mind. :con?

Cheers 😉

There been any update Aurial on your connection now? Still having these problems and the huge floodgates of no messages all day then a barrage that evening or the next day of missed calls and texts.

It's very much an intermitant problem for me at the moment. It seems to work most of the time now but I occassionally get the "connection error" message when I try to make a call. I've always got, and always have had, full 3G signal.

I'm just going to sit it out and hopefully it'll work itself out. If not then come upgrade time I'll be going to Vodafone.

Glad I found this thread, thought it was only me having issues. I had the SE M600i and now have the SE P1i, and this issues has happened on both phones, so must be a T-mobile or 3G issue.

I live in central Croydon, as London's largest borough and because it has loads of offices, it has a very strong 3G signal.... but although I live centrally, I sometimes can�t get phones calls, make phone calls or get the web in my own flat! Turn off 3G to basic old GSM and guess what� all is fine. You really see the problem if you have push email with Gmail (by the way, great that they now do IMAP!! so good and free!! Super cool Google guys and girls!!), if I have 3G and GSM on you will get the email... in the end but not always in a few seconds, not good as the reason for having push email is to get them in a few seconds!! And what good is it if you cant even get phone calls! It is after all� a phone.

This sounds very much to me like a contention issue, they don�t have the capacity to take the level of 3G activity on T-mobile, you see the mini world flashing like mad on the P1i trying to connect, it either does in the end, fast or comes up with an error�.what is the point of 3G on T-mobile, if it takes you longer to connect to it, than using just GSM in the first place!! Come on guys.

Thinking of going to O2 now, as they do that simplicity deal, no contract 600 mins calls and 500 texts with bolt on unlimited web �25 a month, better deal than T-mobile for me and maybe I can actually use my phone with 3G and GSM. O2 actually do the SE P1i, so you would think it would work on O2 correctly.

Anyone tried a SE M600i or SE P1i on any other network in a very good 3G area, so high population area? Do you get any issues? Is this T-mobile, or something more fundamentally wrong with 3G?

Dont know about SE phones as this is a N95 forum but it sure sounds like its a T-Mobile problem. I have switched my phone now to GSM for good as believe it or not the internet is faster on GPRS than a low 3G signal. Ive phone tmob many times and gone trough the laborious ritual of them sending me settings and resetting the phone and still nothing changes. I either have to pay a �420 termination fee or wait until 11 months into the contract to reduce my tariff. So im now stuck with GPRS paying �42.50 a month for a phone capable of many things.... thanks tmobile..........

Sorry didn't find this issue in the SE forum, but If Nokia and SE are having this issue, it must be T-mobile... unless it is symbian?

Anyone having this issue with any other networks? If not, then it must be T-mobile.