> Furthermore, the study also reveals 21% of those with a 3G handset aren’t willing to upgrade, and will simply continue to use their phone without internet connectivity.
Seems reasonable. Is this supposed to be a bad thing?
2.7M Brits still use a 3G only handset
11–20 of 136 posts
Re: 2.7M Brits still use a 3G only handset
#123G has been recently switched off in the most (or all by now?) part of Hungary. I have thought that the bands get reused for 4G, but no change so far. Probably the remaining 2G occupies the same bands or whatever. Or they have gone with 5G, while all the providers banish prepaid users from using 5G, so thanks for nothing.
Anyway, the biggest downside is that where the 4G coverage sucks, I'm seeing the nightmarish EDGE on my phone instead of HSDPA+. And it happens way too many times... Sometimes it happens while just passing a corner in the streets, and sometimes it takes too much time for the phone to recover to 4G+.
Re: 2.7M Brits still use a 3G only handset
#13End-user device is one thing, but much worrying is if any critical system still using only 3G.
Critical systems are using or will fallback to 2G, which will stay with us forever. The bandwidth is not required there anyway.
Re: 2.7M Brits still use a 3G only handset
#14Earlier quoted context omitted.
You do not have to interact with the government or the central bank via these new technologies, the same way you do not have to interact with them via email or phone, since you always have the free option to do your business in person. Although obviously it is a much less convenient way to do so, but convenience isn't a right, and having more money is mostly about living more comfortably and conveniently (past the po…
The lesser known Obama phone program got devices to 20 million Americans in order to facilitate digital interaction. https://www.obamaphone.com/
What you're talking about is the Lifeline program, which was established in 1985 and expanded to include cell phones under the Bush administration. The changes took effect later during the Obama administration, and so it got the nickname "Obama phone" by some. But he didn't have anything to do with it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifeline_(FCC_program)
What you've linked is some unaffiliated site, the official website of the administrator of the program is here: https://www.lifelinesupport.org/
Re: 2.7M Brits still use a 3G only handset
#15End-user device is one thing, but much worrying is if any critical system still using only 3G.
Critical systems are using or will fallback to 2G, which will stay with us forever. The bandwidth is not required there anyway.
Is the UK not going to sunset 2G? Here in the states the last 2G towers are disappearing here in a couple of months, and much of the network has been gone for years.
Re: 2.7M Brits still use a 3G only handset
#16Earlier quoted context omitted.
You do not have to interact with the government or the central bank via these new technologies, the same way you do not have to interact with them via email or phone, since you always have the free option to do your business in person. Although obviously it is a much less convenient way to do so, but convenience isn't a right, and having more money is mostly about living more comfortably and conveniently (past the po…
> the second any interaction with a public institution mandates some kind of technology, without providing an alternative, I would assume a basic free option would have to be provided to legal resident of such country This is a strange assumption given it has zero historical basis and is, by and large, a modern invention.
Depends on how you define 'technology'. When the government needs you to fill out a form, you can go to their office and they provide the printed form and a pen. Paper and printing are human inventions, therefor I would consider them 'technology' for purposes of this debate.
That said, I know it's a bit of a leap from paper to internet access. In my country at least, I can say confidently that there is a law mandating free access to government services. At least such services that you are required by law to interact with.
Re: 2.7M Brits still use a 3G only handset
#17a yes, the great tech-poor divide nobody cares when talking about digital central bank currencies or digital government etc.
You do not have to interact with the government or the central bank via these new technologies, the same way you do not have to interact with them via email or phone, since you always have the free option to do your business in person. Although obviously it is a much less convenient way to do so, but convenience isn't a right, and having more money is mostly about living more comfortably and conveniently (past the po…
In Belgium, most (big) banks are downscaling physical servicepoints so much it sometimes is almost impossible for people to choose to do business in person.
In think in 10 years you will have almost no real bank tellers anymore. That's no problem for most of the people, but I don't think that the right thing to do in the broader sense. There are lots of (technology) illiterate people that needs some kind of physical service.
Re: 2.7M Brits still use a 3G only handset
#18[dead]
Re: 2.7M Brits still use a 3G only handset
#19> Furthermore, the study also reveals 21% of those with a 3G handset aren’t willing to upgrade, and will simply continue to use their phone without internet connectivity. Seems reasonable. Is this supposed to be a bad thing?
Imagine if Apple or Google were retroactively removing a feature. The shitstorm would be outrageous.
Where I'm from, the same discussion appears every two years, when the government tries once more to shutdown FM radio. Luckily, they always get shut down by the people. Maybe don't try to shut down public services that millions of people actually rely on.
Re: 2.7M Brits still use a 3G only handset
#20End-user device is one thing, but much worrying is if any critical system still using only 3G.
Critical systems are using or will fallback to 2G, which will stay with us forever. The bandwidth is not required there anyway.
Certainly not forever, but maybe a couple of years.
At work we use Sierra Wireless modems which are only 3G + 4G. So in practice only 4G in many countries already now or in a couple of months.
The Netherlands close down 2G but keep 3G. (I am being told, not living or working there.)