Thousands of users have reported that they are unable to make or receive phone calls due to a severe outage that has affected Three, one of the biggest mobile networks in the UK. Outage tracker Downdetector has received almost 10,000 complaints, many of them from consumers who are upset about the interruption of their mobile services. Social media has been used by impacted consumers to draw attention to the problem, stating that they are unable to make emergency 999 calls. Many users are stranded as a result of the three network outages and are unable to contact emergency services when they are most needed.
“I couldn’t get through to 999 on my phone today; what if it was an emergency?” a frustrated One Three customer wrote on Twitter. This is not acceptable.
Several people have complained that emergency calls won’t connect from their devices when using the Three network outage, albeit the claims haven’t been officially confirmed. The network provider has expressed regret for the trouble and stated that it is looking into the matter immediately.
Are emergency services primarily unaffected, and how is Three looking into the matter?
“We are “investigating this quickly,” Three informed customers, adding that emergency services data showed the “bulk” of 999 calls were still “linked via other networks.”
“We are aware of several reports that customers have not been able to connect to 999 calls,” a spokeswoman for Three stated. We are looking into this immediately because we take it extremely seriously. If someone has had trouble contacting emergency services, we sincerely apologize.
What Are the Long-term Effects of the Outage, and When Can Customers Expect a Fix?
Three’s support team has advised consumers that despite the broad outage, they do not yet have a projected date for when the difficulties will be addressed. According to the company, it is “working hard to resolve this as soon as possible.”
“We are currently experiencing technical difficulties, but our team is doing everything possible to resolve this issue,” a Three support person informed clients. We acknowledge the disruption this has created and sincerely regret any inconvenience.
Many consumers have been left stranded due to the network outage and are unable to interact efficiently. Some have reported missing crucial appointments or finding themselves in challenging circumstances. One client posted about their experience on social media, stating: “I was unable to answer the phone, thus I missed my doctor’s appointment. This isn’t very pleasant.
Another commenter said, “My daughter got stuck in an unfamiliar area because she couldn’t receive calls. ” We are quite distressed by this outage.
Are Some Users Still Using Mobile Data Services, and Why Are There Data Problems?
During the downtime, mobile data services continued to function despite some users reporting that they were unable to make or receive calls. Despite a number of customers reporting problems accessing data, three previously said that mobile data services were still operational.
Three’s official statement had earlier confirmed: “999 calls may still be placed, and mobile data services are still available, even though some users are having issues. Customers are urged to remain composed and report any problems.
However, a number of people have complained about not being able to use data services, which has made matters more complex and confusing.
How is Ofcom keeping an eye on the situation and handling it?
The UK’s telecom watchdog, Ofcom, has admitted that Three’s network continues to have problems. “We are aware that Three is having issues with its network,” the regulatory authority said in a statement. We are in communication with Three to determine the scope and root cause of the issue as quickly as possible.
The number of Three’s 10.5 million subscribers impacted by the outage is still unknown. Three has reassured customers that attempts are being made to restore service, but no formal resolution date has been given.
Will Consumers Receive Payment for the Interrupted Service?
Many consumers are asking if they will be entitled to compensation because of the service interruption as it continues. Refunds may be expected from providers “while repairs are being made,” according to the Ofcom website. However, no formal announcements have been made on specific compensation measures for Three’s customers.
While Three works to resolve the problems impacting its service, those affected by the outage are encouraged to consider making emergency calls from a different network or landline.
What Effect Will the Outage Have on Three and Vodafone's Merger Agreement?
Given that the UK regulator recently approved Three’s £16.5 billion merger with competitor Vodafone, this network failure comes at a particularly delicate moment for the company. Although the deal is anticipated to impact the UK mobile market significantly, the ongoing service problems may impact customer confidence.
“If Three can’t even handle basic calls, how can they be trusted with this merger?” was the summation of one irate consumer.
Three will probably face more scrutiny from customers and regulators as it attempts to address the problems. For updates and fixes regarding the continuing Three network outage, consumers are encouraged to continue interacting with Three’s support channels.
