Thursday, January 30, 2025

Mobile Outage Disrupts 999 Calls: Three Customers Share Experiences

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People who use the mobile network Three told the BBC that they cannot make 999 calls. There is a big problem with the network.

More than 10,000 people reported issues on Downdetector. They said they could not make or receive calls on Thursday.

Some users said they could not connect to emergency services. The BBC could not check these claims.

Three says they are looking into the problem. They said most 999 calls are going through other networks.

Many people using Smarty and ID Mobile, which use Three’s network, also reported problems.

Three does not know how long the problem will last. They said they are working hard to fix it.

Many users shared their frustration on social media. Some said they missed important appointments or felt stranded.

Ofcom, the regulator, said they are aware of the problems and are talking with Three about it.


Vocabulary List:

  1. Emergency /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi/ (noun): A serious unexpected and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action.
  2. Report /rɪˈpɔːrt/ (verb): To give a spoken or written account of something that one has observed.
  3. Network /ˈnɛtˌwɜrk/ (noun): A group or system of interconnected people or things.
  4. Frustration /frʌsˈtreɪʃən/ (noun): The feeling of being upset or annoyed as a result of being unable to change or achieve something.
  5. Connect /kəˈnɛkt/ (verb): To join together; to establish a communication link.
  6. Aware /əˈwɛr/ (adjective): Having knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.

How much do you know?


What issue were people experiencing with the mobile network Three?
Cannot make 999 calls
No internet connection
Slow data speed
Cannot send text messages


How many people reported issues on Downdetector?
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000


Which networks did many people using Smarty and ID Mobile also experience problems with?
EE
Vodafone
O2
Three


What did Three say about most 999 calls?
Not going through at all
Being rerouted through other networks
Facing unknown issues
Being blocked intentionally


What did Ofcom, the regulator, say about the network problems?
No action required
Not aware of the problems
Taking legal action
Talking with Three about it


What were many users sharing on social media?
Recipes
Vacation photos
Frustration
Funny memes


The BBC confirmed the claims made by some users about not being able to connect to emergency services.


Three knows exactly how long the network problem will last.


Users using Smarty and ID Mobile did not report any problems with Three's network.


Three stated that they are not putting effort into fixing the network issue.


Ofcom is not involved in addressing the network problems with Three.


Some users reported missing important appointments or feeling stranded due to the network issue.


More than people reported issues on Downdetector.


Three said they are working hard to fix the problem, but do not know how long it will .


Many users shared their frustration on .


Ofcom, the regulator, said they are talking with Three about the network .


Three stated that most 999 calls are being rerouted through networks.


Some users mentioned not being able to connect to services.

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