A new research has suggested that people living in rural areas should stop using 3G smartphones and instead switch to older 2G versions which are better in making calls from rural areas. Communication regulator Ofcom’s study has found that feature phones fared better in making, starting and completing calls from rural areas as they allowed more internal space for aerials. ”
"In the more rural areas that the phones were tested, the feature/entry—level phones generally returned somewhat better performance than smartphones for call completion and call setup “, the Telegraph quoted the study, as saying.
”This may be due to the reduced complexity of antenna on these devices and 2G phones not having issues in switching between 2G and 3G networks “, the study revealed.
However both types of phones reported similar sound quality.
Ofcom’s study also tried to assess whether mobile consumers were well— informed about mobile network coverage.
It found that though individual phone companies provided valuable network maps, just three out of every ten consumers consulted them. The study also found mobile service providers are making progress in addressing poor network coverage both in rural areas and in buildings.
