Just a few days ago, I made the purchase of an iPhone 12 with 64 GB from Flip. I’m aware that some might question my choice of the 12 over the 13, especially in almost 2024.
The straightforward answer is: Did it fit my budget?
Why iOS and not Android?
Let’s not start a war in the comments, even though it would boost the blogs traffic. Instead, let’s get back to the issue, specifically the absence of the 3G network selector in the software.
I understand that in a highly interconnected world with 4G coverage in rural areas and 5G in urban centers, the lack of this selector may not seem like a significant problem. Unfortunately, we don’t quite live in such a world yet.
The reality is that the vast majority of the country barely has 3G coverage, even though ANCOM’s measurements may suggest otherwise.
“We’re doing well. We have 4G everywhere!”
“Quick, Johnny, make that report and let’s take it to the EU to boast about our numbers.”
That’s the way it goes. An old habit from the communist era. To brag about results, even if they are false. To make things up as we go along.
From a technological standpoint, I perfectly understand Apple’s decision to remove the 3G network selection and retain only 4G, 5G, and traffic prioritization for 5G when possible. They are thinking about the future, not the past.
A Google search indeed shows that the situation is different, not just in our country but also in the US. Clearly, the situation is identical in the EU as well. There are areas with good signal, areas with so-so signal, and areas with nearly non-existent signal, just enough to make an emergency call.
In this area, Brezoaele (Dâmbovița), Digi is gradually strengthening its presence. While Telekom is the “leader” in signal strength, presumably out of inertia and luck, Orange may not see reasons to invest further, and Vodafone has no indoor coverage. Digi has installed some 3G cells in the area.
We don’t know how they did it. Are they authorized/approved? Are they not? What’s certain is that they are taking small steps in that direction, even though years have passed.
As for the other service providers, it seems like they haven’t done much, at least from here.
Should I stick with Orange or switch back to Digi? I have no idea. It’s tempting. For now, I will return with another article in which I will retest the coverage of all providers soon. Let’s see, with real numbers, what the situation is.