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Three network crash affects millions in UK Three network crash affects millions in UK
(about 2 hours later)
Millions of Three customers have been unable to use their mobile phones since Wednesday night, after a network meltdown left them without a signal or access to data.Millions of Three customers have been unable to use their mobile phones since Wednesday night, after a network meltdown left them without a signal or access to data.
The company, which has about 10 million customers in the UK, said it was investigating the outage. “Three is currently experiencing technical difficulties with our services across voice, text and data which means that some customers will be experiencing an intermittent service. The company, which has about 10 million customers in the UK, said the network was starting to return by lunchtime on Thursday, and advised users to switch their phones on and off again to restore service.
“Our engineers are working on the issue now to fix the problem as soon as possible. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused to our customers.” The problems started on Wednesday night at around 11.30pm BST after repairs to Three’s 3G network infrastructure.
Downdetector, a website that tracks outages across various networks, said the problems started at 11:28pm BST on Wednesday. A Three spokesperson said: “Following technical difficulties with our services across voice, text and data, some customers will be experiencing an intermittent service. Our engineers are working to fix the issue and the service is returning to normal, and we expect it to be resolved over the course of the day.
It has received reports of problems, mainly from users in Manchester, London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Bradford and Sheffield. “We advise our customers to turn their phones off and on or turn airplane mode on and off, which may resolve the issue. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused to our customers.”
The Three website also went down, and later carried the message: We’re aware of network issues and are working hard to fix them. We know the impact this is having on your day, and we’re sorry. Rest assured, we’ve got our best minds on the job.” Downdetector, a website that tracks outages across various networks, said it had received reports of problems from Three users in Manchester, London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Bradford and Sheffield.
Some signs that @ThreeUK network is coming back. How is it for you? #threedown The Three website also went down for a number of hours, and later carried the message: We’re aware of network issues and are working hard to fix them. We know the impact this is having on your day, and we’re sorry. Rest assured, we’ve got our best minds on the job.”
Many Three mobile users complained they had been unable to make calls or go online for hours and that there had been no communication from the company.Many Three mobile users complained they had been unable to make calls or go online for hours and that there had been no communication from the company.
@ThreeUK @ThreeUKSupport so my network and mobile usage I'm paying for has been down for at least 3 hours now with issues earlier today as well. When will it be back up and what compensation will we be receiving? #ThreeUK #Three #ThreeMobileDown@ThreeUK @ThreeUKSupport so my network and mobile usage I'm paying for has been down for at least 3 hours now with issues earlier today as well. When will it be back up and what compensation will we be receiving? #ThreeUK #Three #ThreeMobileDown
After a long silence, Three tweeted on Thursday morning:After a long silence, Three tweeted on Thursday morning:
we’re currently experiencing technical difficulties with voice, text and data, meaning some of you will be experiencing intermittent service. please accept our apologies, we’re sorting this out right now. check back here for updateswe’re currently experiencing technical difficulties with voice, text and data, meaning some of you will be experiencing intermittent service. please accept our apologies, we’re sorting this out right now. check back here for updates
Adam French, a consumer rights expert at Which?, said: “Huge numbers of Three customers have woken up to find they are unable to make calls or use roaming data and will be left feeling angry and frustrated as a result.Adam French, a consumer rights expert at Which?, said: “Huge numbers of Three customers have woken up to find they are unable to make calls or use roaming data and will be left feeling angry and frustrated as a result.
“The mobile operator has to do right by its customers by keeping them informed, ensuring no one is left out of pocket and we expect those affected by this lengthy lack of service to be compensated.“The mobile operator has to do right by its customers by keeping them informed, ensuring no one is left out of pocket and we expect those affected by this lengthy lack of service to be compensated.
“The UK is already lagging behind the rest of the world on the provision of 4G. Failures like this will only intensify the pressure on the government, industry and the regulator to up their game and ensure we get a decent service.”“The UK is already lagging behind the rest of the world on the provision of 4G. Failures like this will only intensify the pressure on the government, industry and the regulator to up their game and ensure we get a decent service.”
Telecommunications industryTelecommunications industry
Mobile phonesMobile phones
Consumer affairsConsumer affairs
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