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4G users sometimes get 3G service instead: opposition party lawmaker(China Post (Taiwan) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Although many consumers have opted for 4G mobile Internet service, consumers may not always get the faster service they signed up for, Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Tsai Chichang said on Friday. The reason is that the local 4G signal is not always pervasive, and when the signal is not strong enough, phones may switch onto 3G networks. In other words, consumers may be paying more without getting an upgrade in service, Tsai said. Since there are not sufficient 4G signal towers in Taiwan, some people have found that their phones switch onto the 3G network when they are indoors. According to a test carried out by Tsai in a Legislative Yuan building, while the 4G signal is spotty outside, the phone simply switched onto the 3G network once Tsai stepped inside the building. The National Communications Commission (NCC) confirmed that 4G technology is a heterogeneous wireless network which is able to utilize 2G, 3G or WiFi networks, depending on the signal strength of available networks. NCC Chairman Howard Shyr said that the commission has contracted a third party to conduct studies to figure out reasonable rates applicable in multiple networks. Difference in Indoor and Outdoor Coverage Tsai said that domestic telecom companies have not been thorough in the discloser of 4G coverage, as indoor and outdoor signal strengths are usually different. They should be categorized accordingly, as it is done in Britain, Tsai said. Tsai's recommendation of disclosing indoor and outdoor 4G signals was already approved by the Legislative Transportation Committee. The NCC has also agreed to study the subject and follow through. With weak penetration, it is ultimately impossible to have 100percent 4G coverage, as claimed by telecom companies, Tsai said. Tsai pointed out that telecom companies have misled the public into believing that there is a good 4G coverage in Taiwan. As telecom companies competed to grab market share and boasted about the service offered, they failed to mention that it would take some time before construction of all signal towers is complete. Telecom Companies' Defense The Consumers' Foundation pointed out that telecom companies currently promote unlimited 4G data usage plans that guarantee "no reduction in speed." As such, consumers would not be getting less service after switching plans. However, the terms of service will change by the end of October. By then, it will no longer be acceptable to charge 4G fees while providing 3G service, said foundation Deputy SecretaryGeneral Lin Tsungnan. Local telecoms have also responded to lawmaker Tsai's criticism, saying that 4G's rate is actually lower than 3G's in regard to unit data transmission cost. As consumers upgrade their plans, they are also getting better free minute deals, telecom companies said. They said that 4G coverage has expanded substantially since the launch of the new service, and the coverage is expected to exceed 90 percent in major metropolitan areas by yearend. |