[rooster1]

I've had an e71 on the three network in the UK for a couple of months. I've found that I only have reception for calls, texts, and 3G for less than half the time. Three now want to change me to an LG Viewty saying the keypad of the e71 is blocking the reception to the antenna. This would be a once only swap. Anybody know if this is a genuine fix? Anyone else have the same problem, as the e71 has been part of a big Three promotion in the UK. Anything I can do to improve the situation, other then try to cancel my Three contract! Have always had Nokia handsets so don't really want to change. What's the Viewty like anyway.

Thanks, R

[psychomania]

Three are talking out of their backsides as per usual, they are using it as an excuse for their poor network.  Do not accept the viewty as it's a much older, cheaper phone with a very unresponsive touchscreen, it can be picked up for £80 now too so it's not in the same league as the E71.

The E71 doesn't have the strongest antenna but it works very well on other networks and in other areas. The main problems with three's E71 is that they are using old software on it instead of using nokia's latest version.

If I was you I would take the approach that the viewty is not a like for like replacement.  Hopefully this will release you from the contract. If they are saying that the E71 is at fault then you can take the angle that they have knowingly sold you something that is not fit for purpose.

Do not accept an E63 if they offer that to you, say you will only accept a same or greater value nokia.

[shuntfield]

My comments can only echo Psychomania's.

The E71's antenna is located in the lower rear base section of the handset, the keypad is clear of the antenna so what they told you is pure call centre/shop jibberish.

/discussions/board/message?board.id=topfaq&thread.id=119

There is a link to the US FCC website with internal pictures of the handset in that thread.

My E71 will fluctuate between good and poor signal just by moving it and that is with the O2 network. If you touch the antenna area whilst you are using it or block it with your hand then it will have to work harder to obtain a signal. The antenna unfortunately is very fickle. (heres hoping the E72 rectifies it)

The E71 operates at a higher power output (as defined by the SAR figures). The base of the handset even though it looks steel is plastic to allow the signal to be recieved.

You can attempt to try and lock the phone to GSM only (some operator varients do not allow this) which would offer a slightly better signal however 3 UK uses Orange for its GSM service, which is at 1800MHz and its building penetration is not that brilliant. UMTS or 3G at 2100MHz which 3 uses can be even worse.

Three's UK network can be pretty lame in places. That combined with the old firmware its not helping. If you have to have a replacement then an E72 when its released would be the only alternate. (or release from the contract)

Shunts...

[rooster1]

Shunts, what network are you on? Can I upgrade to the 300.21.012 software and still use with Three? Where do I get the download. They have booked it in for a repair. Doubt it will make any difference but happy to give it a go. It's just come back from repair for faulty power button. Anyone gone through this before. Tempted just to cancel direct debit and then face it that way as I have logged this issue with them many times. Their consultant called me this morning and the call cut off three times in as many minutes. Same this evening, so they can't say my claims aren't true. Must say I'm totally fed up with the whole thing now.

R

[shuntfield]

I am on O2-UK

You can only have the software that Three have approved for use in their network if you have a three branded handset, the best thing to do is check if you can update and use the Nokia Software updater to check.

More information on updating can be found here;

http://europe.nokia.com/get-support-and-software/download-software/device-software-update

Whilst it is tempting to cancel the direct debit, that will leave you in breach of contract because you have signed a contract undertaking to pay the agreed charges. If the network provider cannot provide the service then they in my opinion are in breach of the contract. However by breaching it from your side, means that you then have no grounds to pursuing it, also phone companies are quite fast at striking your credit record with a default.

Shunts...

[pennypenny]

Hi

I have a very similar problem with my E71 on the 3 network. 

My E71 drops its signal whenever it wants - often I have internet access but no signal for calls or texts.

In the morning it has always dropped its signal and the only way to get it back is to turn it off and on again.  This I have to do a couple of times a day.

I took it into store and asked what the problem was and the 'assistant' restored it to factory settings and said here it works now! Incredible. Then he told me I have to delete cookies every day to keep the signal and that the problem as the fact that there was not enough memory on the phone.......

Now I have read your comments and the answers you have had I will take it back tomorrow - no doubt they will send it off for a week and I will be phoneless and then it will come back with the same problem.

Don't accept an LG Viewty - I had one of those before the E71 and it was OK but slow and not very responsive. Its also old now.

To be honest I don't know why I have been loyal to 3 as the service is sporadic at best.

Too annoying.

Penny

[sizzers]

Try your SIM in another phone to check the network. I've been with 3 for nearly 2 years and had no problems whatsoever UNTIL I bought an E52. 3 C/S are technically incompetent but I suspect they may be correct on this occasion. On 3 other phones I have a perfectly strong, stable signal; this 4th one is pure rubbish.

[jerry1]

i was with Three and a E71. The contract was terminated - more info if you require... - and i simply put a vodaphone 30 days call and internet sim. And i can assure you that it is MUCH better. it's NOT a little better, it is massively better. EVEN though not perfect. If you want to test:

- get the phone unlocked: £10

- get an ASDA pay as you go card - that's on vodaphone £10.47

and see if you get different results.

The point is that the phone is not great for reception (sony ericsson is much better), and this is compounded by the fact that Three's network does not actually belong to them. Their network is O2 and O2 is crumbling under the weight of the traffic that all their iPhone contracts have brought in. So Three customers it seem get a very short - and sticky - end of the stick.

[hooker1uk]

whatever you do don't send the phone for repair at three. they use a slighty older firmware than the current three one on NSU. (if it needs repair send it to carphone warehouse with your reciept they will fix and possibly update the firmware too)

also this may sound silly, but i reinstalled my firmware yesterday and the phone seems to run faster. the FW is still the same one, but it seems to have had a few minor bug fixes,

• the camera does not lag any more (quicker than my sim free e71)
• software seems faster
• wifi runs faster than before
• browser spazzes out less

there was a memo in the three store in dunstable and luton stating they were authorising firmwares at this time and should be on NSU by the 25th october (it's always good to keep good ties with phone companies) so hopefully were near the end of the torture.

Paul

[rooster1]

Can anyone remind where the firmware update is from3 network.

Thanks,

R

[hooker1uk]

i'm certain the e71 costs more than £10 to unlock, well round here the average cost of bb5 device unlocking is about £25-30

[hooker1uk · Accepted solution]

use NSU

http://www.nokia.co.uk/get-support-and-software/download-software/device-software-update

BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING BACK UP THE PHONE, USING THE NOKIA PC SUITE (note the settings may not be the same when you update so it may not be the best idea to backup the settings just in case)

plug the phone in via usb and select PC Suite mode

then run the software updater,

it will say the handset is already on the latest version. but reinstall anyway.

give it a while (as it's 100+mb so if your on a slow connection make a cuppa and grab some cake, if your on a fast service like O2 home 20mb , grab some orange juice it'll download quickly 45 seconds yesterday on my connection)

then chill while it updates. then it should be quicker

the default firmware on the e71 on three  makes the soft buttons

MENU            Planet3

whereas this time it was

Quicklinks        Planet3

once you restore your backup you made before all should be well

hope this helps

Paul

[jerry1]

depends where you go probably. my little man in deptford - a 'popular' area in south east london - did a good job for £10.  but some high street places might charge more.

[hooker1uk]

thats cheap, as normally involves obtaining  codes from nokia or the operator. hence it's normally more lol oh well, now i know wherew to go, cheers  Kudos to you

[hooker1uk]

has anyone else reinstalled there firmware,

if so how has it gone for you so far.  

i have so far seen no errors since reinstalling.

[jerry1]

I'm waiting for my "micro USB" cable (from amazon £1.48 inl deliv!) and i'll be trying that upgrade.

as i mentioned in an earlier post, i broke off the contract from Three, which was good for me because they left me the handset. And when i got to vodaphone i instantaneously got a much better service and connection. That means that now i can wipe the Three firmware, if i have to and if i can. Because think the three firmware is still in the 110.xx.xx version (someone said earlier. My phone is on 100.07.76 (date 08.06.2008) and the latest is something like 300.xx.xx

I'll let this post know how well i fare with the upgrade, including if i get stuck by some Three firmware lock or anything. Cable is ETA in a few days.

cheers

[hooker1uk]

obviously there are naughty ways to get new firmware, but cannot be discussed here but if you look for sites like e71 fanatics on google it will show you some information i do not reccomend doing this as it does void any warranty you do have left on the handset.

Paul

[hooker1uk]

---

pennypenny wrote:

Hi

I have a very similar problem with my E71 on the 3 network. 

My E71 drops its signal whenever it wants - often I have internet access but no signal for calls or texts.

In the morning it has always dropped its signal and the only way to get it back is to turn it off and on again.  This I have to do a couple of times a day.

I took it into store and asked what the problem was and the 'assistant' restored it to factory settings and said here it works now! Incredible. Then he told me I have to delete cookies every day to keep the signal and that the problem as the fact that there was not enough memory on the phone.......

Now I have read your comments and the answers you have had I will take it back tomorrow - no doubt they will send it off for a week and I will be phoneless and then it will come back with the same problem.

Don't accept an LG Viewty - I had one of those before the E71 and it was OK but slow and not very responsive. Its also old now.

To be honest I don't know why I have been loyal to 3 as the service is sporadic at best.

Too annoying.

Penny

---

Penny, the sms and call failing but internet working happened with my purple SE z750i on three, i was told when they replaced the sim that some of the older sim cards still try and latch to o2 from the old days of there partnership. hence calls and texts fail, but internet would always work. Request a new sim card and it should fix it all

p.s. the firmware tweeks have shown one more thing,  camera LED does nothing when you select no flash  whereas it used to flash beforehand briefly. .

pps i have a viewty here you can have the pile o junk (the three variant is so unstable) it's been used for a week and still boxed

[hooker1uk]

New 300.xx firmware is on NSU for three - so finally they came through - YAYS