Orange 3G Blackouts

Orange customers have complained of being unable to receive 3G coverage in locations where signal was previously good.

Most customers said their handsets would not automatically switch to 2G in those areas, and had to manually shift onto the slower connection.  Areas affected include parts of Hatfield, Ipswich, Colchester, North Lanarkshire, Glasgow, Dumbarton, Alexandria and London, customers claimed.

Orange was unable to confirm 3G problems in all sites, but admitted to problems in London, Colchester and Ipswich.

An Orange spokesperson said: “Unfortunately [EC1Y 2BJ] lies half way between two mast sites of our current [locations]. We are currently in the process of updating these sites to improve coverage and also looking at opportunities for new masts in this area to ensure customers in this area receive an improved service.

“As with all mobile operators, continuous 3G network coverage cannot be guaranteed and network coverage can be affected by factors outside our control such as local and physical conditions.

“We are continuing to invest in and improve our network every day to provide customers who live and work in rural locations such as CO5 1AP, with the best possible service. We advise all prospective customers to visit the Orange coverage tracker where they can find out about the level of coverage in their area.

“Ensuring our network enables our customers to access multimedia content such as music, the web and photos wherever they want is extremely important to us, so we continue to invest in and improve our network every day to provide customers with the best possible service.

“We are aware that there is a technical fault on a mast serving the  IP1 1QJ area and are working to rectify this.  We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Orange was unable to comment on when the service will be fully operational again.