Solved: 3G or 4G

Anonymous · ‎21-01-2015

will a 3G or 4G work in 2G or whatever. My appologies if this

a realy dumb question but can quite get my head around

this subject. I am thinking of getting a 3G phone, but I live in

a pretty rural area where you are lucky to get 2G.

Regards Andy

MI5 · ‎21-01-2015

All modern smartphones will receive 2g and 3g. Many will now also receive 4g, but it will depend entirely on the signal being transmitted in the area you are in.
In summary a 4g phone will still work in a 2g area but it will be held back on it's capabilities.

I have no affiliation whatsoever with O2 or any subsidiary companies. Comments posted are entirely of my own opinion. This is not Customer Service so we are unable to help with account specific issues.
Please select the post that helped you best and mark as the solution. This helps other members in resolving their issues faster. Thank you.

Anonymous · ‎21-01-2015

You phone will search out the strongest signal available.

Anonymous · ‎21-01-2015

In that case if you are lucky enough to get 2G then you won't get 3G & unlikely 4G

You can use the O2 status checker to see

http://www.o2.co.uk/coveragechecker

MI5 · ‎21-01-2015

All modern smartphones will receive 2g and 3g. Many will now also receive 4g, but it will depend entirely on the signal being transmitted in the area you are in.
In summary a 4g phone will still work in a 2g area but it will be held back on it's capabilities.

I have no affiliation whatsoever with O2 or any subsidiary companies. Comments posted are entirely of my own opinion. This is not Customer Service so we are unable to help with account specific issues.
Please select the post that helped you best and mark as the solution. This helps other members in resolving their issues faster. Thank you.

Anonymous · ‎21-01-2015

Thanks to everyone for their answers

Anonymous · ‎21-01-2015

Glad I could be of assistance

anticpated · ‎21-01-2015

Your mobile will use the fastest connection type your phone will support at any given time. All O2 SIM now support 4G therefore if you're in a high-speed area and the handset supports then, bob's your uncle and ted's your auntie.

Indubitably true. Samsung S21 Ultra and Xiaomi 14 Ultra

Curr946 · ‎22-01-2015

Ive noticed though that my phone will sit on a 1 or 2 bar 4G signal and drop calls, but if i change my setting to 3g only i will get full bars on H, so... its not the strongest its the quickest that it searches out.

Current Phone: Sony Xperia XZ Premium

MI5 · ‎22-01-2015

It would be of benefit if they did seek the strongest signal, but it is, as you say, the fastest, even if it is weak.....

I have no affiliation whatsoever with O2 or any subsidiary companies. Comments posted are entirely of my own opinion. This is not Customer Service so we are unable to help with account specific issues.
Please select the post that helped you best and mark as the solution. This helps other members in resolving their issues faster. Thank you.

Anonymous · ‎22-01-2015

Your phone will not pick up the strongest signal as that would almost certainly be 2g in most of the country.

If that happened we would ALL be moaning about being unable to connect to the net