In a new major network enhancement, Three is introducing an innovative service, 4G Super-Voice, to boost coverage across Bath and the UK, and spell an end to troublesome network black spots.
4G Super-Voice allows a mobile signal to travel much further into buildings and extends its reach to more rural areas, removing many of the current coverage ‘blackspots’ across the country that cause frustration for every mobile user.
The enhancement is the latest initiative in the network’s drive to improve indoor coverage, which includes adding new sites to the network and launching its WiFi calling application, Three InTouch, last year.
Three is the first UK operator to launch this service in the UK and expects it to improve the mobile experience for all its customers and for those in Bath from today.
Bath has had its fair share of bothersome coverage blackspots, with half (50%) of local residents saying that they have lost signal on their current network, and most losing signal when they are indoors (35%) or in shopping centres (15%).
However, those customers on Three will now be able to make calls, send texts and get online in places that previously had poor or no signal at all.
4G Super-Voice is made possible by the addition of the low frequency spectrum to the Three network, that will enable its 4G network to carry voice calls using VoLTE technology as well as texts and data.
The combination of both lower and the higher frequency spectrum, which Three currently uses, means customers will benefit from the advantages of each, resulting in improved indoor coverage, less blackspots and better call connections.
4G Super-Voice already covers 75% of the UK population for indoor coverage and is now fully rolled out in Bath. This is combined with Three’s 3G network, which already offers 99% outdoor UK population coverage. To date there have been more than 30 million calls over 4G Super-Voice.
Director of Customer Strategy and Base Marketing, Danny Dixon, said: “Not being able to use your phone as and when you want, no matter where you are, is one of the biggest pain points for customers.
“Today’s announcement is the latest step in our efforts to offer customers in Bath, and across the UK, a quality experience on what is already the UK’s most reliable network.”
Bryn Jones, Chief Technology officer at Three, added: “By the end of the year, millions of our customers will have access to better indoor coverage and be able to use their phones in more places than ever before.
“We are proud to be the first network to roll this out across the country, and deliver better coverage to the people living in Bath and the surrounding areas.”
4G Super-Voice is currently available on the following devices; iPhone 6, 6 Plus and above, Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 edge, S6 edge, S6, S6 edge +, S5, S5 Neo (in retail only), Sony Xperia Z5, Sony Xperia Z5 Compact, LG G4, LG G4c, LG Spirit. A full list of devices is available on www.three.co.uk.
The customer simply needs to update the software on their compatible device to the latest version to access 4G Super-Voice completely free of charge.
When the update is ready for a customer’s handset an alert will be sent, notifying them to update their operating system, by following the on-screen instructions.