Three doesn’t rely on just one frequency for band for its mobile network. In fact, it uses three of them, namely the 800MHz, 1800MHz and 2100MHz frequency. It also has access to other frequencies which it isn’t currently using for mobile.
But what are the advantages and disadvantages of each? And what does that mean for you? Read on below for answers to all that and more.
But first, we’ll explain what we actually mean by a frequency in the first place.
Frequencies are what mobile networks use for the transmission and reception of their network signals. So without access to frequency there would be no network.
But a number of different frequencies are used. In the UK there are 5 different ones currently used by mobile networks, namely 800MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz and 2600MHz. That’s not always been the case, and more are likely to be added to that list in order to power 5G, as there’s a limited amount of capacity offered by each, but for 4G these currently suffice.
Three uses the following frequencies for mobile:
You’ll find full details of these and what Three uses them for below, along with information on the other frequencies Three has access to.
The 800MHz band is the lowest frequency of the bands used by UK mobile networks, and being that low frequency comes with some key advantages, as the lower the frequency the further a signal can travel on the band.
That means masts can be more spread out, so less infrastructure is potentially required and rural locations (where masts tend to be few and far between) can still get a signal.
Low frequencies are also better than high frequencies at penetrating walls and other solid objects, so you’re more likely to get a signal in your home or office if the 800MHz band is in use. More generally this also makes the 800MHz band good for built up urban areas like cities.
It’s a good all-rounder then, but it’s also in relatively short supply. Mobile networks were only able to acquire small 5MHz and 10MHz blocks of it, which means it won’t necessarily cope with heavy data traffic as well as some other bands.
In that sense it’s less suited to cities, where a lot of people will be using mobile data at the same time. That’s one of the reasons it’s not alone. Three uses the 800MHz band for 4G, but it also uses another.
Three acquired two lots of 5MHz blocks of this band in Ofcom’s 2013 spectrum auction after the band was freed up by the death of analogue TV.
The 1800MHz (aka 1.8GHz) band is also used by Three for 4G and is the highest frequency band that Three uses for speedy mobile data.
Being higher frequency means that it’s available in greater capacity, so it can deal with more simultaneous connections.
On the other hand, the 1800MHz band isn’t as long range as 800MHz and nor can it penetrate walls as well, so masts need to be closer together for it to work effectively and it’s better outside than inside.
Individually both bands are flawed then, but they work well together, and even the 1800MHz band isn’t as high frequency as some bands used by other networks for 4G, or as the 2100MHz band, which is used by Three, but only for 3G.
Three acquired its 1800MHz holdings from EE, which was required to sell some of its spectrum back in 2012 to ensure fair competition.
However, Three wasn’t allowed to access any of this until late 2013, with more becoming available for use in mid-2015.
As you can probably imagine, the 2100MHz (aka 2.1GHz) band emphasises the strengths of the 1800MHz band (namely capacity) but also suffers from the same weaknesses to a greater extent, as it’s shorter range still and not good at passing through walls and other solid objects.
However, it’s worth noting that Three doesn’t use this frequency for 4G, just for 3G, so when it comes to the speediest mobile data the 2100MHz band’s strengths and weaknesses won’t be a consideration.
It’s useful for Three to have though, since the more frequency the network has in total the more reliable and widespread its network can be.
Although not currently used for its mobile network, Three also has access to frequency on the 3400MHz (aka 3.4GHz) band, acquired when it purchased UK Broadband.
Currently there’s no evidence that Three will use this spectrum in it mobile network, with the company instead said to be focused on offering a widespread fixed wireless broadband service, but if it does tap into 3.4GHz for 4G it will be limited by the very short range of the frequency.
Three has also purchased some L-Band (1452-1492MHz) frequency spectrum from Qualcomm. This could be beneficial for its mobile network, but again, isn’t currently in use, as aside from anything else smartphones and network equipment will first need to be tuned to L-band frequencies.
The information contained on this website has been written to assist our readers. We do not represent Three or speak on its behalf and are entirely independent of Three.
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