T-Mobile/Orange Roaming.

Appleseed · 15-06-2010, 10:10

Not sure if it's posted in the forums but from July 1st all T-Mobile customers will be able to roam onto the Orange network (and vice versa) for all services. This will happen automatically if your phone is set to 'automatic' network selection - it will basically just connect to the network with the stronger signal.

Here in Norfolk it just means i'll get a weak signal more of the time!

sean2003 · 15-06-2010, 10:59

I think this has been mentioned before, but just 'later in the year'.

It's good to know the date.

Does anyone know how this will work for MVNO providers such as Virgin Mobile and the 3 network who use Orange for 2G.

Will Virgin users be able to use Orange? Will 3 users be able to use T-Mobile?

carguy143 · 15-06-2010, 13:24

Got a link to where you got this information please?

I guess it's good news for some customers. I just hope they don't get rid of the Orange signal where i live as Orange always have a slightly stronger signal than T Mobile where i use the phone.

Aye Up · 15-06-2010, 19:26

I was lead to believe this would be happening in Aug/Sept. So its good news if it happens sooner, tbh I can't bloody wait as the Orange network has been sheiser of late in the Manchester area.

TelevisionUser · 15-06-2010, 19:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by carguy143

Got a link to where you got this information please?

I guess it's good news for some customers. I just hope they don't get rid of the Orange signal where i live as Orange always have a slightly stronger signal than T Mobile where i use the phone.

Quote:

On July 1, the company will become part of Everything Everywhere, one company that runs two of Britain’s most famous brands - Orange and T-Mobile - with plans to transform the industry bygiving customers instant access to everything, everywhere, offering them the best value, best choice and best network coverage in the country.

For more information please call the Orange Press Office 0870 3731500, or visit

www.orange.co.uk/newsroom

...and there it is, direct from the horse's mouth, so to speak and there's more here http://newsroom.orange.co.uk/2010/05...ion-and-plans/.

prking · 15-06-2010, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by TelevisionUser

...and there it is, direct from the horse's mouth, so to speak and there's more here http://newsroom.orange.co.uk/2010/05...ion-and-plans/.

Neither of those links say that roaming will happen on 1st July, just that Everything Everywhere comes into existence and roaming will happen later in the year.
I was led to believe it would be autumn, so it would be good if it happened earlier.

matty1000kk · 15-06-2010, 20:05

Just as prking said.
There is nothing there to suggest they will start sharing there networks as of the 1st of July. The sooner the better though

Daveoc64 · 15-06-2010, 22:16

The MVNO question is quite interesting.

Naturally they'll want to rationalise the network over time, so if they start dropping cell sites because of overlap then MVNOs would obviously have problems.

Appleseed · 15-06-2010, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by carguy143

Got a link to where you got this information please?

I guess it's good news for some customers. I just hope they don't get rid of the Orange signal where i live as Orange always have a slightly stronger signal than T Mobile where i use the phone.

Kelly at T-Mobile retentions in Dundee (Scotland anyway and Dundee I believe) assures me that July 1st is the 'roam' day.

Having said that, and after reading the articles on the above links, i'm not holding my breath! I assure everyone that the information I was given was that July 1st is the day for roaming across networks.

skimminstones · 16-06-2010, 00:08

T mobile retail shops were told a few weeks ago that July 1st would be the date network sharing would happen. Not sure if it will be all over the country though or phased in over a period.

prking · 16-06-2010, 07:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by skimminstones

T mobile retail shops were told a few weeks ago that July 1st would be the date network sharing would happen. Not sure if it will be all over the country though or phased in over a period.

Is it network sharing or roaming which is supposed to start on 1st July?

plymouthbloke1974 · 16-06-2010, 10:32

From the Orange side: There is going to be a 2G national roaming agreement in place from "July". (Not 1st July I may add)

PAYG customers will be first to benefit. PAYM later in the month/August.

3G national roaming is currently not on the cards. I suppose because of the technical implications of the 3/T-Mobile RAN agreement?!?!?

Resonance · 16-06-2010, 10:58

So as an Orange customer will I see T-Mobile on my phone is I roam onto one of their masts? Or will it still say Orange on Orange phones and T-Mobile on T-mobile phones, much like 3 still says 3 even when roaming onto Orange?

goomba · 16-06-2010, 12:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974

3G national roaming is currently not on the cards. I

That is gutting. Getting a 2G signal is not much problem on Orange - 3G and HSDPA are more important to get roaming enabled on.

Deanparkr · 16-06-2010, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by goomba

That is gutting. Getting a 2G signal is not much problem on Orange - 3G and HSDPA are more important to get roaming enabled on.

Agreed that is most disappointing.

prking · 16-06-2010, 12:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by goomba

That is gutting. Getting a 2G signal is not much problem on Orange - 3G and HSDPA are more important to get roaming enabled on.

With a 3G site the same transmitter can appear on both networks. To T-Mobile customers it would appear as a T-Mobile site and to Orange as an Orange site.
This isn't possible with a 2G site, so roaming is needed for 2G.
As Orange have also signed a network share agreement with 3, there will be a (slow) roll-out of shared T-Mobile/Orange/3 sites.

carguy143 · 16-06-2010, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by prking

As Orange have also signed a network share agreement with 3, there will be a (slow) roll-out of shared T-Mobile/Orange/3 sites.

Could this potentially lead to a slower, more congested data network like that which o2 users seem to complain about?

goomba · 16-06-2010, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by prking

With a 3G site the same transmitter can appear on both networks. To T-Mobile customers it would appear as a T-Mobile site and to Orange as an Orange site.
This isn't possible with a 2G site, so roaming is needed for 2G.

Ah - superb. Well explained.

Quote:

Originally Posted by carguy143

Could this potentially lead to a slower, more congested data network like that which o2 users seem to complain about?

In theory it would help to balance things out even further. O2's problem is a couple of million iPhone users.

Daveoc64 · 16-06-2010, 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by carguy143

Could this potentially lead to a slower, more congested data network like that which o2 users seem to complain about?

In the future potentially.

They aren't going to be able to keep two networks running in the long term.

They'll have to cut sites where there's too much overlap, resulting in more customers using the same capacity.

r_mitchell85 · 16-06-2010, 23:11

the sooner this happenes - the better. Orange signal in my house is terrible - but T-mobile seems OK.

hopefully won't have to go outside to make a call for much longer

i love sky · 18-06-2010, 00:08

Will that mean then that as im with Orange will i start to see T Mobile on my phone when i go into there network?

Resonance · 18-06-2010, 05:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by i love sky

Will that mean then that as im with Orange will i start to see T Mobile on my phone when i go into there network?

That's what I was wondering. There will be a lot of confused customers if this is the case. Most won't know Orange/T-Mobile are now the same company.

My guess is it will still say Orange on Orange phones and T-Mobile on T-Mobile phones. I used to be on 3 and when their phones roamed on to Orange they still said 3 on the screen. Only a guess though, I don't know for sure.

mjdj1689 · 18-06-2010, 05:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resonance

My guess is it will still say Orange on Orange phones and T-Mobile on T-Mobile phones. I used to be on 3 and when their phones roamed on to Orange they still said 3 on the screen. Only a guess though, I don't know for sure.

I agree with what you are saying, there are ways which we could know, if the signal all of a sudden goes up in your area where it has been poor in the past, that must mean you are on a t mobile mast, or look on the coverage maps on t mobiles site.

If you do a manual search I wonder if you can choose T Mobile if you will be able to select it ?

Resonance · 18-06-2010, 06:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjdj1689

I agree with what you are saying, there are ways which we could know, if the signal all of a sudden goes up in your area where it has been poor in the past, that must mean you are on a t mobile mast, or look on the coverage maps on t mobiles site.

If you do a manual search I wonder if you can choose T Mobile if you will be able to select it ?

I'm guessing you will be able to. That's if it even appears as T-Mobile in the list. I remember when I was on 3 Orange was listed as 3 even in the list after a manual search. There were two 3's listed, one being 3 and the other Orange.

mjdj1689 · 18-06-2010, 06:12

Just a shame its not on the 3g network as well, where I live there is a t mobile mast but its at such a low power, that it does nothing.

15-06-2010, 10:10	#1
Appleseed Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Norfolk Posts: 3,673	T-Mobile/Orange Roaming. Not sure if it's posted in the forums but from July 1st all T-Mobile customers will be able to roam onto the Orange network (and vice versa) for all services. This will happen automatically if your phone is set to 'automatic' network selection - it will basically just connect to the network with the stronger signal. Here in Norfolk it just means i'll get a weak signal more of the time!

15-06-2010, 10:59	#2
sean2003 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Reading Posts: 2,618	I think this has been mentioned before, but just 'later in the year'. It's good to know the date. Does anyone know how this will work for MVNO providers such as Virgin Mobile and the 3 network who use Orange for 2G. Will Virgin users be able to use Orange? Will 3 users be able to use T-Mobile?

15-06-2010, 13:24	#3
carguy143 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Leyland Posts: 1,971	Got a link to where you got this information please? I guess it's good news for some customers. I just hope they don't get rid of the Orange signal where i live as Orange always have a slightly stronger signal than T Mobile where i use the phone.

15-06-2010, 19:26	#4
Aye Up Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: North West Posts: 4,885	I was lead to believe this would be happening in Aug/Sept. So its good news if it happens sooner, tbh I can't bloody wait as the Orange network has been sheiser of late in the Manchester area.

15-06-2010, 19:31	#5
TelevisionUser Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Storbritannia Posts: 28,930	Quote: Originally Posted by carguy143 Got a link to where you got this information please? I guess it's good news for some customers. I just hope they don't get rid of the Orange signal where i live as Orange always have a slightly stronger signal than T Mobile where i use the phone. Quote: On July 1, the company will become part of Everything Everywhere, one company that runs two of Britain’s most famous brands - Orange and T-Mobile - with plans to transform the industry bygiving customers instant access to everything, everywhere, offering them the best value, best choice and best network coverage in the country. For more information please call the Orange Press Office 0870 3731500, or visit www.orange.co.uk/newsroom ...and there it is, direct from the horse's mouth, so to speak and there's more here http://newsroom.orange.co.uk/2010/05...ion-and-plans/.

15-06-2010, 20:01	#6
prking Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 9,167	Quote: Originally Posted by TelevisionUser ...and there it is, direct from the horse's mouth, so to speak and there's more here http://newsroom.orange.co.uk/2010/05...ion-and-plans/. Neither of those links say that roaming will happen on 1st July, just that Everything Everywhere comes into existence and roaming will happen later in the year. I was led to believe it would be autumn, so it would be good if it happened earlier.

15-06-2010, 20:05	#7
matty1000kk Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 272	Just as prking said. There is nothing there to suggest they will start sharing there networks as of the 1st of July. The sooner the better though

15-06-2010, 22:16	#8
Daveoc64 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bristol (BBC1 West) Posts: 15,143	The MVNO question is quite interesting. Naturally they'll want to rationalise the network over time, so if they start dropping cell sites because of overlap then MVNOs would obviously have problems.

15-06-2010, 23:02	#9
Appleseed Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Norfolk Posts: 3,673	Quote: Originally Posted by carguy143 Got a link to where you got this information please? I guess it's good news for some customers. I just hope they don't get rid of the Orange signal where i live as Orange always have a slightly stronger signal than T Mobile where i use the phone. Kelly at T-Mobile retentions in Dundee (Scotland anyway and Dundee I believe) assures me that July 1st is the 'roam' day. Having said that, and after reading the articles on the above links, i'm not holding my breath! I assure everyone that the information I was given was that July 1st is the day for roaming across networks.

16-06-2010, 00:08	#10
skimminstones Inactive Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 8,186	T mobile retail shops were told a few weeks ago that July 1st would be the date network sharing would happen. Not sure if it will be all over the country though or phased in over a period.

16-06-2010, 07:09	#11
prking Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 9,167	Quote: Originally Posted by skimminstones T mobile retail shops were told a few weeks ago that July 1st would be the date network sharing would happen. Not sure if it will be all over the country though or phased in over a period. Is it network sharing or roaming which is supposed to start on 1st July?

16-06-2010, 10:32	#12
plymouthbloke1974 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Destination: Hard Brexit Posts: 6,368	From the Orange side: There is going to be a 2G national roaming agreement in place from "July". (Not 1st July I may add) PAYG customers will be first to benefit. PAYM later in the month/August. 3G national roaming is currently not on the cards. I suppose because of the technical implications of the 3/T-Mobile RAN agreement?!?!?

16-06-2010, 10:58	#13
Resonance Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 9,212	So as an Orange customer will I see T-Mobile on my phone is I roam onto one of their masts? Or will it still say Orange on Orange phones and T-Mobile on T-mobile phones, much like 3 still says 3 even when roaming onto Orange?

16-06-2010, 12:27	#14
goomba Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 5,444	Quote: Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974 3G national roaming is currently not on the cards. I That is gutting. Getting a 2G signal is not much problem on Orange - 3G and HSDPA are more important to get roaming enabled on.

16-06-2010, 12:37	#15
Deanparkr Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 813	Quote: Originally Posted by goomba That is gutting. Getting a 2G signal is not much problem on Orange - 3G and HSDPA are more important to get roaming enabled on. Agreed that is most disappointing.

16-06-2010, 12:54	#16
prking Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 9,167	Quote: Originally Posted by goomba That is gutting. Getting a 2G signal is not much problem on Orange - 3G and HSDPA are more important to get roaming enabled on. With a 3G site the same transmitter can appear on both networks. To T-Mobile customers it would appear as a T-Mobile site and to Orange as an Orange site. This isn't possible with a 2G site, so roaming is needed for 2G. As Orange have also signed a network share agreement with 3, there will be a (slow) roll-out of shared T-Mobile/Orange/3 sites.

16-06-2010, 21:08	#17
carguy143 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Leyland Posts: 1,971	Quote: Originally Posted by prking As Orange have also signed a network share agreement with 3, there will be a (slow) roll-out of shared T-Mobile/Orange/3 sites. Could this potentially lead to a slower, more congested data network like that which o2 users seem to complain about?

16-06-2010, 21:11	#18
goomba Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 5,444	Quote: Originally Posted by prking With a 3G site the same transmitter can appear on both networks. To T-Mobile customers it would appear as a T-Mobile site and to Orange as an Orange site. This isn't possible with a 2G site, so roaming is needed for 2G. Ah - superb. Well explained. Quote: Originally Posted by carguy143 Could this potentially lead to a slower, more congested data network like that which o2 users seem to complain about? In theory it would help to balance things out even further. O2's problem is a couple of million iPhone users.

16-06-2010, 21:17	#19
Daveoc64 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bristol (BBC1 West) Posts: 15,143	Quote: Originally Posted by carguy143 Could this potentially lead to a slower, more congested data network like that which o2 users seem to complain about? In the future potentially. They aren't going to be able to keep two networks running in the long term. They'll have to cut sites where there's too much overlap, resulting in more customers using the same capacity.

16-06-2010, 23:11	#20
r_mitchell85 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,884	the sooner this happenes - the better. Orange signal in my house is terrible - but T-mobile seems OK. hopefully won't have to go outside to make a call for much longer

18-06-2010, 00:08	#21
i love sky Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,957	Will that mean then that as im with Orange will i start to see T Mobile on my phone when i go into there network?

DS Forums

T-Mobile/Orange Roaming.

18-06-2010, 05:16	#22
Resonance Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 9,212	Quote: Originally Posted by i love sky Will that mean then that as im with Orange will i start to see T Mobile on my phone when i go into there network? That's what I was wondering. There will be a lot of confused customers if this is the case. Most won't know Orange/T-Mobile are now the same company. My guess is it will still say Orange on Orange phones and T-Mobile on T-Mobile phones. I used to be on 3 and when their phones roamed on to Orange they still said 3 on the screen. Only a guess though, I don't know for sure.

18-06-2010, 05:45	#23
mjdj1689 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cheshire Posts: 2,470	Quote: Originally Posted by Resonance My guess is it will still say Orange on Orange phones and T-Mobile on T-Mobile phones. I used to be on 3 and when their phones roamed on to Orange they still said 3 on the screen. Only a guess though, I don't know for sure. I agree with what you are saying, there are ways which we could know, if the signal all of a sudden goes up in your area where it has been poor in the past, that must mean you are on a t mobile mast, or look on the coverage maps on t mobiles site. If you do a manual search I wonder if you can choose T Mobile if you will be able to select it ?

18-06-2010, 06:02	#24
Resonance Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 9,212	Quote: Originally Posted by mjdj1689 I agree with what you are saying, there are ways which we could know, if the signal all of a sudden goes up in your area where it has been poor in the past, that must mean you are on a t mobile mast, or look on the coverage maps on t mobiles site. If you do a manual search I wonder if you can choose T Mobile if you will be able to select it ? I'm guessing you will be able to. That's if it even appears as T-Mobile in the list. I remember when I was on 3 Orange was listed as 3 even in the list after a manual search. There were two 3's listed, one being 3 and the other Orange.

18-06-2010, 06:12	#25
mjdj1689 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cheshire Posts: 2,470	Just a shame its not on the 3g network as well, where I live there is a t mobile mast but its at such a low power, that it does nothing.