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Is there a reason why Google and Apple wouldn't turn 2G downgrade off by default? Even the setting itself says "emergency calls over 2G are still allowed" so wh

Is there a reason why Google and Apple wouldn't turn 2G downgrade off by default? Even the setting itself says "emergency calls over 2G are still allowed" so what is the reasoning behind leaving people exposed to this?

simcop2387 1y ago
Likely due to areas that still have only 2g coverage. Still a lot of that in rural usa
- hypeatei 1y ago
  What areas are those? From some quick research, the only carrier left that provides 2G coverage is T-Mobile but they're phasing that out this year.
  - godelski 1y ago
    Just because the map shows you can get 5G (or 4G) does not mean you'll actually be able to use that network. It's tricky and telecom companies like to play these bullshit games. It's pretty similar to how they'll advertise "up to X MBPS" internet speeds but the average speed is far lower. You'll actually have these experiences in congested cities. Ever go to a concert and realize you don't actually have cell service? That's because the tower is fully occupied. Unfortunately phones might not report this to you and might not report the downgrade. Making Android and Apple complacent...
- yencabulator 1y ago
  Is that still true? Even 3G support was largely torn down in the US some years back. https://www.eseye.com/resources/blogs/2g-3g-network-status-updates/#shutdown-dates https://www.eseye.com/resources/blogs/2g-3g-network-status-u... https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/the-3g-shutdown-how-will-it-affect-your-phone https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/the-3g-shutdown-how-will-it-aff...
zigzag312 1y ago
My recent experience when roaming was that calls only worked on 2G even though 4G and 5G were avaliable. After a call, phone would sometimes stay stuck on 2G which meant internet was not working. I had to disable 2G to force the phone to switch to 5G. But if I forgot to enable 2G again, calls didn't work. I checked this with multiple people and they all had the same issue.
- ThePowerOfFuet 1y ago
  Then your carrier has a shitty roaming agreement where you were roaming. Enabling the 4G and 5G bearers is an option they can choose to enable (and pay for) their customers — or not.
wakawaka28 1y ago
This is totally speculative but I bet 2G is more reliable and has longer range. If your reception is bad, it may be necessary to downgrade to get any connection at all.
- SuperMouse 1y ago
  LTE/5G is available on the low bands (700/800MHz) in Europe for a long long time now. I'm running LTE-only with zero problems for 2 years now without a single coverage gap. Even in the rural parts.
  - shakna 1y ago
    Europe's size may not lead you to comprehending the US' size. East to west, Texas is larger than most European nations. Meaning it has rural areas larger than some European nations. Whilst there probably are other complaints to add to build the explanation, scale isn't one. The US does have vast and empty spaces.
    - ThePowerOfFuet 1y ago
      Enabling newer 3GPP releases on low frequency bands is not a solution that only Europe can provide; they can do it in Texas, too, if they want to.
    - CaptainOfCoit 1y ago
      > Europe's size may not lead you to comprehending the US' size. Why not? Europe seems to be about 10 million km2 in land size, and the USA 9 million km2. Are you trying to say that because Europe has bigger land size, it's hard for Europeans to imagine individual states' sizes?
      - shakna 1y ago
        By everyone thinking you can get 100% coverage across the Great Basin Desert? Yes. Yes I do think that the population density of Europe leads them to think everything is closer and easier than it is. That one desert, of many, is about 190,000 miles in size. That's half the size of the whole of France. Are you really saying covering that, with 100% coverage, with no dead spots at all, is a reasonable task to undertake?

simcop2387 1y ago

Likely due to areas that still have only 2g coverage. Still a lot of that in rural usa

hypeatei 1y ago
What areas are those? From some quick research, the only carrier left that provides 2G coverage is T-Mobile but they're phasing that out this year.
- godelski 1y ago
  Just because the map shows you can get 5G (or 4G) does not mean you'll actually be able to use that network. It's tricky and telecom companies like to play these bullshit games. It's pretty similar to how they'll advertise "up to X MBPS" internet speeds but the average speed is far lower. You'll actually have these experiences in congested cities. Ever go to a concert and realize you don't actually have cell service? That's because the tower is fully occupied. Unfortunately phones might not report this to you and might not report the downgrade. Making Android and Apple complacent...
yencabulator 1y ago
Is that still true? Even 3G support was largely torn down in the US some years back. https://www.eseye.com/resources/blogs/2g-3g-network-status-updates/#shutdown-dates https://www.eseye.com/resources/blogs/2g-3g-network-status-u... https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/the-3g-shutdown-how-will-it-affect-your-phone https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/the-3g-shutdown-how-will-it-aff...

zigzag312 1y ago

My recent experience when roaming was that calls only worked on 2G even though 4G and 5G were avaliable. After a call, phone would sometimes stay stuck on 2G which meant internet was not working. I had to disable 2G to force the phone to switch to 5G. But if I forgot to enable 2G again, calls didn't work. I checked this with multiple people and they all had the same issue.

ThePowerOfFuet 1y ago
Then your carrier has a shitty roaming agreement where you were roaming. Enabling the 4G and 5G bearers is an option they can choose to enable (and pay for) their customers — or not.

wakawaka28 1y ago

This is totally speculative but I bet 2G is more reliable and has longer range. If your reception is bad, it may be necessary to downgrade to get any connection at all.

SuperMouse 1y ago
LTE/5G is available on the low bands (700/800MHz) in Europe for a long long time now. I'm running LTE-only with zero problems for 2 years now without a single coverage gap. Even in the rural parts.
- shakna 1y ago
  Europe's size may not lead you to comprehending the US' size. East to west, Texas is larger than most European nations. Meaning it has rural areas larger than some European nations. Whilst there probably are other complaints to add to build the explanation, scale isn't one. The US does have vast and empty spaces.
  - ThePowerOfFuet 1y ago
    Enabling newer 3GPP releases on low frequency bands is not a solution that only Europe can provide; they can do it in Texas, too, if they want to.
  - CaptainOfCoit 1y ago
    > Europe's size may not lead you to comprehending the US' size. Why not? Europe seems to be about 10 million km2 in land size, and the USA 9 million km2. Are you trying to say that because Europe has bigger land size, it's hard for Europeans to imagine individual states' sizes?
    - shakna 1y ago
      By everyone thinking you can get 100% coverage across the Great Basin Desert? Yes. Yes I do think that the population density of Europe leads them to think everything is closer and easier than it is. That one desert, of many, is about 190,000 miles in size. That's half the size of the whole of France. Are you really saying covering that, with 100% coverage, with no dead spots at all, is a reasonable task to undertake?