Why does nothing load when my phone is on ‘E’?

[MitchT]

Have app designers made their apps so they’ll only load content when you’ve got a 3G connection? Previously things used to load, albeit slower, when my connection was ‘E’. Some time ago this changed and since then nothing will load at all when it’s on ‘E’, it just tells me there’s no internet connection, even though there is, albeit a relatively slow one. I’d rather the content loaded slowly than not at all and as much of the stuff I read to entertain myself when waiting for trains, queueing in shops, etc. is only text anyway it should still load fairly quickly even without 3G.

For what it’s worth the Phone is an iPhone 4S which has always been on O2, though I literally just switched to Giff Gaff, though that’s not likely to make a difference.

Edited by MitchT on Wednesday 1st October 08:43

[MitchT]

It defies my understanding that mobile operators all have their own masts. Why not just have a network of state owned masts which the network providers could rent space on. That way you'd only have one mast for each cell and providers would be able to provide better courage in places where they might otherwise not get permission to put a mast.

[MitchT]

Indeed. I'd take it further if I were running the country. I'd put wi-fi into street lamps.