[Ben]

So I took out 5GB mobile broadband on 3 because, well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. But at home and at work the coverage is really shockingly bad.

Can I realistically cause 3 to improve their coverage by consuming as much of my 5GB/mo as possible under the crap conditions? Will they somehow detect the extra usage on the serving cells and/or detect that the connection is poor?

Since I started using Vodafone here the coverage has improved markedly - and at work, too. Coincidence, or was my usage the catalyst? Hmm!

[3g-g]

In my experience, increased traffic in an area usually results in capacity upgrades to sites... poor signal quality is usually only resolved by complaining about it... and the thought of having to negotiate Three CS to do so, makes my brain hurt!

[Ben]

In my experience, increased traffic in an area usually results in capacity upgrades to sites... poor signal quality is usually only resolved by complaining about it... and the thought of having to negotiate Three CS to do so, makes my brain hurt!
Exactly... I can't imagine how that conversation would go, I don't think I can bare trying :(

Will keep on with the usage though! Stayed connected for 12 hours for the first time last night, streaming BBC radio the whole time and pinging. Abysmal throughput though, less than 100kbps. Think it was only getting standard 3G, too, which is a bit odd.

[Ben]

Well, don't laugh, but I swear coverage is already slightly better.

I've used a few gigs this month, mostly thanks to streaming BBC radio, and pings are already better (500ms is better, believe it or not). I'm getting 2 bars of signal now instead of one, and it's 3G (Fast) which I assume means some sort of HSDPA.

Browsing is possible, too, I'm connected over it now. Not more than one page at a time, but it's something.

Thing is I've seen what would be my closest mast and it's so frickin' weedy, lol. I can't see things getting much better unless they whack in something half decent.

[3g-g]

I'm sure you're just imagining it Ben! I'd been trying the same with O2, however they insist that my 3G coverage is/should be perfect as the mast is ~1km away.... I've assured them it's not! So, I took a wee walk to the mast O2, vodafone, Three and T-mo share, and typically, O2 are the bottom set of antennas! can barely see over the road, no wonder the signal is terrible! And to rub salt in the wound, Orange have a whopping huge mast at the other end of the field with just them on it! Think O2 would notice if I changed their antenna configuration for my benefit?! ;)