Mobile Phone Signal Anomaly

Not really a problem, mainly a question for the experts out there...

I have 3G models of the iPhone and iPad both on O2 contracts and live in a rural area, west of Glasgow and with unobstructed line of sight to the Glasgow area about 10 miles away as the crow flies. AFAIK the masts in my village area are not 3G enabled but those in the Glasgow area are.

In the house both devices show a status of 5 bars O2-UK. However, when I go into the garden the status changes to 1 bar O2-UK 3G. Once I move elsewhere in the village the status reverts to 4 bars O2-UK.

Is a weaker 3G signal overriding my strong local signal and can it be prevented?

On most phones you can disable 3G and only allow 2G connections

http://www.iphonehacks.com/2008/07/boost-signal.html

yes, it's going for a workable 3G signal where available.

The number of bars is neither here nor there - the phone knows the SNR etc.

mine uses the 3g if available. If working from home I force to 2g to get a working connection as it flips all day. On my provider a flip from 3g to 2g disconnects the call.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

On most phones you can disable 3G and only allow 2G connections

Thanks Mr Saffron I've tried that but generally forget to re-enable it when in a strong 3G signal area.

On Android phones that are not three.co.uk branded the option is actually labeled 'WCDMA (preferred)/GSM (three does not allow their customers to fix the phone to 2G as they have to pay a roaming charge to Everything Everywhere for use of the 2G GSM networks)