No data on 3G (When in a 4G area!)

[congo181]

I was with O2 for the longest of times, but swapped over to EE for two years when I got my last iPhone. However, I didn’t get as great service so in November last year I moved back to O2 when I purchased my iPhone 14 Pro Max.

The transition wasn’t smooth at all, as although I’d provided the PAC code to O2 and from O2’s side the port has been completed, I was able to make calls on my existing number on both networks at the same time. EE had no record of the port taking place! After a week of calls between EE and O2 I finally got the port fully completed but it took a few levels up in tech support to get this working, and a few resets of network settings from my iPhone.

However, since then I had noticed that I could receive mobile data on 5G and 4G, however when my phone showed as having 3G, I could get absolutely no data.

O2 have checked all of the areas (several times) where I have been getting this 3G signal, and they say that the masts are all working fine but there is no reason I should be getting 3G as it is excellent for 4G signal throughout. I have tried this outdoors, I have tried it without the case, I have restated the iPhone, but still I am stuck without any data when my phone shows as 3G signal.

I contacted Apple Support and went through several levels of diagnostics to check if the phone was the problem. They have gone through senior tech advisor steps which have included removing any vpn’s, resetting iPhone, setting iPhone up as a new iPhone, reset network settings (several times!), tried selecting the network rather than automatic network selection. All of this has concluded that that the phone is functioning properly but the network being the issue.

With O2 I have swapped the SIM for a new one in the O2 store, spoken to customer services who checked there are no data bars on the account. The only advise they could give is to send the phone to them to check, but I can’t be without my phone as I use it for work as well as personal matters.

I am at my wits end with this issue. As I said, fine on 4G and 5G but on 3G (in different areas of the country) I literally get nothing. It doesn’t matter if it’s Safari, Waze, Siri, any other apps that require internet. It has been a real problem, and please can someone from O2 support help me out with this. I need to reply on my phone for work and personal use, but find myself being stuck in a data hole right now. I believe that the problems I had when the port was not done smoothly to start might be a problem, but can’t get through to senior tech support at O2.

I had really high respect for O2 but this has put me wanting to change network again, which I can’t do until my contract ends in a year and a half! 😞

[Silky]

Was there a solution in the end, we have the exact same issue with our iPhone 13 minis. have never been sure is it was the phones or O2. We have tried all sorts, but feel like throwing the phones in the bin. The only other option I think we have is to switch networks.

[Cleoriff]

@Silky 

All info here on network issues https://status.o2.co.uk/ 

Guide: How can I sort out my network issues? 

Guide: Do you have poor coverage / signal Indoors? This may help Explain / resolve it 

Also check your My O2 to make sure you have the iData bolt on

A guide here about connecting iPhones to data services.

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Apple/Connecting-iPhone-to-Data-Services/m-p/544210#U544210 

If nothing helps then contact O2

Give O2 a call on  202 or 0344 809 202 (Contract)  4445 or 0344 809 222 (PAYG)

Or you can message O2 on social media on Instagram https://o2uk.co/O2CIG), Facebook ( https://o2uk.co/O2CFB) , Twitter ( https://o2uk.co/O2CTW). 

[red_snow]

I have a Samsung S23 Ultra, and get the same in a LOT of so called 4G/5G covered areas. The first thing to be aware of is that the coverage checker is a completely computer generated fantasy. There are so many areas that are showing as 4G/5G coverage but are actually 3G at best. This includes a lot of major roads as well!!

So back to no data. What I've found on my travels, is when I'm in 3G coverage (a lot), then it is very hit or miss as to whether you get any data throughput. Generally it seems the more rural areas suffer, and I assume this is down to little to no upgrades for years and the bandwidth is poor, and hence over utilised. It's the same situation if you go to a large event in London, you'll get a great 4G/5G signal but no data.