Orange data down again

toyotacity · 08-11-2010, 18:00

This weekend was the straw that broke the camels back for me

I've documented the issues with Orange further up in the thread, but i've just come back from a weekend in Newcastle

and either had 1 or 2 bars of 3g, with no internet, or 4 bars (out of 5) 3g coverage where data either didn't work or was extremely slow

A lot of the time I didn't even have 3g

So as I was making my way back to Manchester today, I passed the 3 store in Sunderland

I ended up with a 12 month sim only contract, 300 mins, 5000 texts, 3gb internet (1gb included, plus 2gb add on free) and 2000 3 to 3 minutes

£10 a month, I couldn't argue with that, my best mate is on 3 and never has any issues

So I've told Orange to shove their 750mb data, unlimited texts and 300 mins for £25 a month

toyotacity · 10-11-2010, 07:57

Me again

just used my 3 sim for the first time

1 bar of signal at work my speeds are

ping - 250ms
download - 2.84mbps
upload - 0.31mbps

which is good I think considering theres only 1 bar of signal, fluctuating between 1 and 3 bars

Orange speeds whether full 3g signal or 1 bar

3g signal

Average ping - 359
download - 0.37mbps
upload - 0.20mbps

Mystic Eddy · 10-11-2010, 13:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyotacity

Me again

just used my 3 sim for the first time

1 bar of signal at work my speeds are

ping - 250ms
download - 2.84mbps
upload - 0.31mbps

which is good I think considering theres only 1 bar of signal, fluctuating between 1 and 3 bars

Orange speeds whether full 3g signal or 1 bar

3g signal

Average ping - 359
download - 0.37mbps
upload - 0.20mbps

You could be in for trouble when the MBNA is fully operational (merging of Everything Everywhere's network and Three's); although I've found the T-Mobile roaming to be superior to Orange in 2G data speeds so hopefully EE will take a leaf out of T-Mob's book and improve the Orange side of the network.

Thine Wonk · 10-11-2010, 20:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mystic Eddy

You could be in for trouble when the MBNA is fully operational (merging of Everything Everywhere's network and Three's); although I've found the T-Mobile roaming to be superior to Orange in 2G data speeds so hopefully EE will take a leaf out of T-Mob's book and improve the Orange side of the network.

MBNA is a credit card company isn't it? MBUK is what you mean.

Also regardless of the network share the networks have their separate backbone internet connections and capacity.

toyotacity · 10-11-2010, 20:58

Well given that my route to and from work on the tram in Manchester, I never have full signal, and my data works about 30% of the journey

Even entering the city centre I lose all 3g for it to come back a few mins later

3, I get 1 to 3 bars at work, the speeds above, and never lost signal or dropped below 2 bars on my way home

£10 for all that I get, I can't complain, happy I ditched orange

old bill2 · 25-11-2010, 20:19

Its down again. Premier CS say that about 70% of Oranges customers are affected.

mjdj1689 · 25-11-2010, 22:10

Its working for me , but its slow.

Aye Up · 25-11-2010, 22:25

been piss poor today.....was working around 9am this morning lovely then no internet at all for the duration of the day.

Completely unacceptable imho. I pay a substantial amount each month for 2 lines and neither is able to benefit from 3G internet at the moment or at least when it can speeds are atrocious.

However the same line is towed by CS that they "hope" the issue will be solved when the networks are merged next year. Areas that are highly congested will continue to be highly congested for the forseeable future.

If you take Manchester as an example the city centre and surrounding areas have had poor data service on 3G since around June. I may work for the company but I am still a customer and even I can't excuse this one.

moox · 26-11-2010, 08:29

Orange seems to be taking a leaf out of O2's book.

plymouthbloke1974 · 26-11-2010, 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by moox

Orange seems to be taking a leaf out of O2's book.

???

My O2 internet has gone down once in 14 months?!?

campioni06 · 26-11-2010, 12:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974

???

My O2 internet has gone down once in 14 months?!?

I've had no down time at all in 3-4 years. Their CS are the worst, but the important part, ie the recption you get is second to none.

moox · 26-11-2010, 22:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974

???

My O2 internet has gone down once in 14 months?!?

Good for you - but it seems that there are definite issues, which aren't always a complete loss of service across the country.

Google doesn't suggest "o2 data network down", "o2 data network issues", "o2 data network issues" without good reason.

Aye Up · 26-11-2010, 23:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by moox

Good for you - but it seems that there are definite issues, which aren't always a complete loss of service across the country.

Google doesn't suggest "o2 data network down", "o2 data network issues", "o2 data network issues" without good reason.

That maybe so, I was previously one of those people that would slag off O2 for having a rubbish network but they have invested somewhere in the region of £400m over the last 18 months in network infrastructure and it seems to be showing in terms improved speeds and 3G access. Orange used to shout from the rooftops about how good its coverage is, now not so much given it knows it has a piss poor 3G network in regards to capacity.

As of 3rd November Orange discontinued its Panther Mobile Broadband plans as they didn't want to add strain to an already oversubscribed network. What frustrates me and I am sure its the same for any customer is little difference it makes when you mention problems with the network, just yesterday I called Tech again and was told they couldn't do anything and just move to 2G (the tech guy was nice enough). But when you have a 3G handset I don't think its acceptable when you can't download at 3G rates.

Stupid thing is Orange is aware of the problems facing certain locations. Tech yesterday said it should improve in the future when the networks merge, which is march at the earliest. This is no good in the short term, when Orange should be concentrating on fixing the problems it suffers now before it loads them on to the larger network.

Thine Wonk · 27-11-2010, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974

???

My O2 internet has gone down once in 14 months?!?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/12/29/o2_apology/ - 29th Dec 09

"O2 has apologised for the repeated network failures in the capital before Christmas, claiming it was caught unawares by excessive data use."

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/09...own_yet_again/ 1st Sept 09

"O2 again showed its commitment to mission-critical wireless by dropping the national data network on Saturday, another unexplained outage that left customers having to talk to each other again."

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/08...own_yet_again/ - 5th Aug 09

"O2 UK customers are again being left disconnected, disenfranchised and disillusioned as they struggle to get a data connection for the third time in as many weeks."

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/07/28/o2_down_again/ 28th July 09

"The latest outage follows a failure of the data network last week, and the disconnection of roaming customers the following day. Meanwhile, the O2 website has been up and down for the last week or two, and is currently unavailable."

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/07/21/o2_data_down/ - july 09

"UK operator O2 is having data network problems that are making it impossible for most users to access the internet, as well as preventing data-based applications such as MMS.

Despite initial reports that the problem was down to congestion in the London area, it now seems that the whole network is refusing to carry packet data"

http://www.telecompaper.com/news/o2-...network-outage - June 2010

"O2 UK has suffered another network outage, BBC News Online reports. The company's 3G network went offline in some parts of England on 17 June for up to three and a half hours. A company spokesperson told the BBC that 3G coverage was 'patchy' in parts of London, Sussex and Hertfordshire"

http://www.telecompaper.com/news/o2-...network-outage - May 2010

"O2 UK suffered another major outage of its voice and data network on the evening of 11 May, reports The Register. A company spokesperson confirmed there was a fault on the network that evening, caused by a loss of power after planned engineering works in Yate, near Bristol. This affected voice and data services across parts of the Midlands, Northern Ireland and the South West, although the spokesperson insisted that services had been restored by 03.00 hours on 12 May. "

plymouthbloke1974 · 27-11-2010, 17:05

The bottom one was an HLR outage that affected everything, and as I joined O2 on 1st Oct 09, I missed all the other issues. Once suffered 1 data outage (HLR issue does not count as that was not related).

prking · 27-11-2010, 17:24

Its amazing how people keep googling issues (on all networks) and exagerate them. Remember when there was a fire at a BT building in London. Certain posters on here were ready to hang Vodafone and O2 for the temporary loss of service.
In my experience O2 are slightly more reliable than other networks. But as they say, your mileage may vary.
What I have noticed is that whilst O2 acknowledge the problems they had, and invested heavily. Other networks have not. For example, it took some persistence from The Register to get Orange to admit there is a congestion problem in Manchester.

moox · 27-11-2010, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by prking

.
What I have noticed is that whilst O2 acknowledge the problems they had, and invested heavily. Other networks have not. For example, it took some persistence from The Register to get Orange to admit there is a congestion problem in Manchester.

What have they been investing in? Payments to Apple for then-exclusivity of the iPhone? Improving coverage by just enough to get OFCOM of their back?

Their 3G coverage is dire (along with Vodafone, but at least Vodafone's network seems to work), and even when you can get a working HSDPA connection, it is a bit slow.

Thine Wonk · 27-11-2010, 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by prking

Its amazing how people keep googling issues (on all networks) and exagerate them. Remember when there was a fire at a BT building in London. Certain posters on here were ready to hang Vodafone and O2 for the temporary loss of service.
In my experience O2 are slightly more reliable than other networks. But as they say, your mileage may vary.
What I have noticed is that whilst O2 acknowledge the problems they had, and invested heavily. Other networks have not. For example, it took some persistence from The Register to get Orange to admit there is a congestion problem in Manchester.

It's not Googling issues o2 is the only network to have suffered that much.

plymouthbloke1974 · 27-11-2010, 19:16

At least O2 are now transparent about their network and any faults...

http://www.o2.co.uk/network

Daveoc64 · 27-11-2010, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by moox

Their 3G coverage is dire (along with Vodafone, but at least Vodafone's network seems to work), and even when you can get a working HSDPA connection, it is a bit slow.

In your experience.

moox · 27-11-2010, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daveoc64

In your experience.

3G coverage isn't just my experience - it's fact. Look at the coverage maps, and not just the outdated OFCOM one.

Speeds are somewhat more subjective, but independent reviewers haven't been overwhelmingly complementary of O2.

Quote:

Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974

At least O2 are now transparent about their network and any faults...

http://www.o2.co.uk/network

Having said the above, their new coverage map is extremely dodgy. At least in my area (and others, according to the original thread on it) they are vastly exaggerating the "outdoor coverage" for 3G. The "indoor coverage" is accurate, if it were described as being the total 3G coverage area.

O2 must be investing all this money in a mapping system with the truthfulness of the Iraqi Information Minister.

Daveoc64 · 27-11-2010, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by moox

3G coverage isn't just my experience - it's fact. Look at the coverage maps, and not just the outdated OFCOM one.

Still that is your experience.

If I look at the coverage maps where I live and use my phone, they show that O2 isn't that bad:

http://www.daveoc64.co.uk/mobile/signalStrength.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by moox

Speeds are somewhat more subjective, but independent reviewers haven't been overwhelmingly complementary of O2.

Many others have.

Orange's signal is much worse here and I've experienced several of these data outages with my Mobile Broadband dongle. I've had far more problems with that in ~12 months than the ~24 months I've had an O2 phone with 3G.

prking · 27-11-2010, 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by moox

What have they been investing in? Payments to Apple for then-exclusivity of the iPhone? Improving coverage by just enough to get OFCOM of their back?

Their 3G coverage is dire (along with Vodafone, but at least Vodafone's network seems to work), and even when you can get a working HSDPA connection, it is a bit slow.

You are talking about things that happened some years ago. Get some up to date knowledge. All the networks have changed since then.

moox · 27-11-2010, 19:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daveoc64

Still that is your experience.

If I look at the coverage maps where I live and use my phone, they show that O2 isn't that bad:

http://www.daveoc64.co.uk/mobile/signalStrength.html

Is Bristol considered a rural, middle-of-nowhere wasteland these days? It comes as no surprise that O2 has 3G coverage in one of the largest cities in the country. I can get O2 3G in piddly little market towns, however:

Once you start venturing into the wilds of the countryside, do things take a turn for the worse. O2's GSM coverage is of course superb, but 3G, no chance.

Daveoc64 · 27-11-2010, 19:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by moox

Is Bristol considered a rural, middle-of-nowhere wasteland these days? It comes as no surprise that O2 has 3G coverage in one of the largest cities in the country.

Once you start venturing into the wilds of the countryside, do things take a turn for the worse. O2's GSM coverage is of course superb, but 3G, no chance.

So it's better for Orange to have 3G coverage where there isn't anyone to use it than in one of the largest suburbs of Bristol?

08-11-2010, 18:00	#26
toyotacity Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 730	This weekend was the straw that broke the camels back for me I've documented the issues with Orange further up in the thread, but i've just come back from a weekend in Newcastle and either had 1 or 2 bars of 3g, with no internet, or 4 bars (out of 5) 3g coverage where data either didn't work or was extremely slow A lot of the time I didn't even have 3g So as I was making my way back to Manchester today, I passed the 3 store in Sunderland I ended up with a 12 month sim only contract, 300 mins, 5000 texts, 3gb internet (1gb included, plus 2gb add on free) and 2000 3 to 3 minutes £10 a month, I couldn't argue with that, my best mate is on 3 and never has any issues So I've told Orange to shove their 750mb data, unlimited texts and 300 mins for £25 a month

10-11-2010, 07:57	#27
toyotacity Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 730	Me again just used my 3 sim for the first time 1 bar of signal at work my speeds are ping - 250ms download - 2.84mbps upload - 0.31mbps which is good I think considering theres only 1 bar of signal, fluctuating between 1 and 3 bars Orange speeds whether full 3g signal or 1 bar 3g signal Average ping - 359 download - 0.37mbps upload - 0.20mbps

10-11-2010, 13:52	#28
Mystic Eddy Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 3,885	Quote: Originally Posted by toyotacity Me again just used my 3 sim for the first time 1 bar of signal at work my speeds are ping - 250ms download - 2.84mbps upload - 0.31mbps which is good I think considering theres only 1 bar of signal, fluctuating between 1 and 3 bars Orange speeds whether full 3g signal or 1 bar 3g signal Average ping - 359 download - 0.37mbps upload - 0.20mbps You could be in for trouble when the MBNA is fully operational (merging of Everything Everywhere's network and Three's); although I've found the T-Mobile roaming to be superior to Orange in 2G data speeds so hopefully EE will take a leaf out of T-Mob's book and improve the Orange side of the network.

10-11-2010, 20:00	#29
Thine Wonk Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 14,577	Quote: Originally Posted by Mystic Eddy You could be in for trouble when the MBNA is fully operational (merging of Everything Everywhere's network and Three's); although I've found the T-Mobile roaming to be superior to Orange in 2G data speeds so hopefully EE will take a leaf out of T-Mob's book and improve the Orange side of the network. MBNA is a credit card company isn't it? MBUK is what you mean. Also regardless of the network share the networks have their separate backbone internet connections and capacity.

10-11-2010, 20:58	#30
toyotacity Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 730	Well given that my route to and from work on the tram in Manchester, I never have full signal, and my data works about 30% of the journey Even entering the city centre I lose all 3g for it to come back a few mins later 3, I get 1 to 3 bars at work, the speeds above, and never lost signal or dropped below 2 bars on my way home £10 for all that I get, I can't complain, happy I ditched orange

25-11-2010, 20:19	#31
old bill2 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 621	Its down again. Premier CS say that about 70% of Oranges customers are affected.

25-11-2010, 22:10	#32
mjdj1689 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cheshire Posts: 2,470	Its working for me , but its slow.

25-11-2010, 22:25	#33
Aye Up Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: North West Posts: 4,885	been piss poor today.....was working around 9am this morning lovely then no internet at all for the duration of the day. Completely unacceptable imho. I pay a substantial amount each month for 2 lines and neither is able to benefit from 3G internet at the moment or at least when it can speeds are atrocious. However the same line is towed by CS that they "hope" the issue will be solved when the networks are merged next year. Areas that are highly congested will continue to be highly congested for the forseeable future. If you take Manchester as an example the city centre and surrounding areas have had poor data service on 3G since around June. I may work for the company but I am still a customer and even I can't excuse this one.

26-11-2010, 08:29	#34
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Orange seems to be taking a leaf out of O2's book.

26-11-2010, 11:28	#35
plymouthbloke1974 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Destination: Hard Brexit Posts: 6,368	Quote: Originally Posted by moox Orange seems to be taking a leaf out of O2's book. ??? My O2 internet has gone down once in 14 months?!?

26-11-2010, 12:21	#36
campioni06 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 304	Quote: Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974 ??? My O2 internet has gone down once in 14 months?!? I've had no down time at all in 3-4 years. Their CS are the worst, but the important part, ie the recption you get is second to none.

26-11-2010, 22:36	#37
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Quote: Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974 ??? My O2 internet has gone down once in 14 months?!? Good for you - but it seems that there are definite issues, which aren't always a complete loss of service across the country. Google doesn't suggest "o2 data network down", "o2 data network issues", "o2 data network issues" without good reason.

26-11-2010, 23:09	#38
Aye Up Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: North West Posts: 4,885	Quote: Originally Posted by moox Good for you - but it seems that there are definite issues, which aren't always a complete loss of service across the country. Google doesn't suggest "o2 data network down", "o2 data network issues", "o2 data network issues" without good reason. That maybe so, I was previously one of those people that would slag off O2 for having a rubbish network but they have invested somewhere in the region of £400m over the last 18 months in network infrastructure and it seems to be showing in terms improved speeds and 3G access. Orange used to shout from the rooftops about how good its coverage is, now not so much given it knows it has a piss poor 3G network in regards to capacity. As of 3rd November Orange discontinued its Panther Mobile Broadband plans as they didn't want to add strain to an already oversubscribed network. What frustrates me and I am sure its the same for any customer is little difference it makes when you mention problems with the network, just yesterday I called Tech again and was told they couldn't do anything and just move to 2G (the tech guy was nice enough). But when you have a 3G handset I don't think its acceptable when you can't download at 3G rates. Stupid thing is Orange is aware of the problems facing certain locations. Tech yesterday said it should improve in the future when the networks merge, which is march at the earliest. This is no good in the short term, when Orange should be concentrating on fixing the problems it suffers now before it loads them on to the larger network.

27-11-2010, 10:50	#39
Thine Wonk Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 14,577	Quote: Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974 ??? My O2 internet has gone down once in 14 months?!? http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/12/29/o2_apology/ - 29th Dec 09 "O2 has apologised for the repeated network failures in the capital before Christmas, claiming it was caught unawares by excessive data use." http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/09...own_yet_again/ 1st Sept 09 "O2 again showed its commitment to mission-critical wireless by dropping the national data network on Saturday, another unexplained outage that left customers having to talk to each other again." http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/08...own_yet_again/ - 5th Aug 09 "O2 UK customers are again being left disconnected, disenfranchised and disillusioned as they struggle to get a data connection for the third time in as many weeks." http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/07/28/o2_down_again/ 28th July 09 "The latest outage follows a failure of the data network last week, and the disconnection of roaming customers the following day. Meanwhile, the O2 website has been up and down for the last week or two, and is currently unavailable." http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/07/21/o2_data_down/ - july 09 "UK operator O2 is having data network problems that are making it impossible for most users to access the internet, as well as preventing data-based applications such as MMS. Despite initial reports that the problem was down to congestion in the London area, it now seems that the whole network is refusing to carry packet data" http://www.telecompaper.com/news/o2-...network-outage - June 2010 "O2 UK has suffered another network outage, BBC News Online reports. The company's 3G network went offline in some parts of England on 17 June for up to three and a half hours. A company spokesperson told the BBC that 3G coverage was 'patchy' in parts of London, Sussex and Hertfordshire" http://www.telecompaper.com/news/o2-...network-outage - May 2010 "O2 UK suffered another major outage of its voice and data network on the evening of 11 May, reports The Register. A company spokesperson confirmed there was a fault on the network that evening, caused by a loss of power after planned engineering works in Yate, near Bristol. This affected voice and data services across parts of the Midlands, Northern Ireland and the South West, although the spokesperson insisted that services had been restored by 03.00 hours on 12 May. "

27-11-2010, 17:05	#40
plymouthbloke1974 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Destination: Hard Brexit Posts: 6,368	The bottom one was an HLR outage that affected everything, and as I joined O2 on 1st Oct 09, I missed all the other issues. Once suffered 1 data outage (HLR issue does not count as that was not related).

27-11-2010, 17:24	#41
prking Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 9,167	Its amazing how people keep googling issues (on all networks) and exagerate them. Remember when there was a fire at a BT building in London. Certain posters on here were ready to hang Vodafone and O2 for the temporary loss of service. In my experience O2 are slightly more reliable than other networks. But as they say, your mileage may vary. What I have noticed is that whilst O2 acknowledge the problems they had, and invested heavily. Other networks have not. For example, it took some persistence from The Register to get Orange to admit there is a congestion problem in Manchester.

27-11-2010, 18:38	#42
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Quote: Originally Posted by prking . What I have noticed is that whilst O2 acknowledge the problems they had, and invested heavily. Other networks have not. For example, it took some persistence from The Register to get Orange to admit there is a congestion problem in Manchester. What have they been investing in? Payments to Apple for then-exclusivity of the iPhone? Improving coverage by just enough to get OFCOM of their back? Their 3G coverage is dire (along with Vodafone, but at least Vodafone's network seems to work), and even when you can get a working HSDPA connection, it is a bit slow.

27-11-2010, 18:52	#43
Thine Wonk Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 14,577	Quote: Originally Posted by prking Its amazing how people keep googling issues (on all networks) and exagerate them. Remember when there was a fire at a BT building in London. Certain posters on here were ready to hang Vodafone and O2 for the temporary loss of service. In my experience O2 are slightly more reliable than other networks. But as they say, your mileage may vary. What I have noticed is that whilst O2 acknowledge the problems they had, and invested heavily. Other networks have not. For example, it took some persistence from The Register to get Orange to admit there is a congestion problem in Manchester. It's not Googling issues o2 is the only network to have suffered that much.

27-11-2010, 19:16	#44
plymouthbloke1974 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Destination: Hard Brexit Posts: 6,368	At least O2 are now transparent about their network and any faults... http://www.o2.co.uk/network

27-11-2010, 19:20	#45
Daveoc64 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bristol (BBC1 West) Posts: 15,143	Quote: Originally Posted by moox Their 3G coverage is dire (along with Vodafone, but at least Vodafone's network seems to work), and even when you can get a working HSDPA connection, it is a bit slow. In your experience.

DS Forums

Orange data down again

27-11-2010, 19:25	#46
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Quote: Originally Posted by Daveoc64 In your experience. 3G coverage isn't just my experience - it's fact. Look at the coverage maps, and not just the outdated OFCOM one. Speeds are somewhat more subjective, but independent reviewers haven't been overwhelmingly complementary of O2. Quote: Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974 At least O2 are now transparent about their network and any faults... http://www.o2.co.uk/network Having said the above, their new coverage map is extremely dodgy. At least in my area (and others, according to the original thread on it) they are vastly exaggerating the "outdoor coverage" for 3G. The "indoor coverage" is accurate, if it were described as being the total 3G coverage area. O2 must be investing all this money in a mapping system with the truthfulness of the Iraqi Information Minister.

27-11-2010, 19:29	#47
Daveoc64 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bristol (BBC1 West) Posts: 15,143	Quote: Originally Posted by moox 3G coverage isn't just my experience - it's fact. Look at the coverage maps, and not just the outdated OFCOM one. Still that is your experience. If I look at the coverage maps where I live and use my phone, they show that O2 isn't that bad: http://www.daveoc64.co.uk/mobile/signalStrength.html Quote: Originally Posted by moox Speeds are somewhat more subjective, but independent reviewers haven't been overwhelmingly complementary of O2. Many others have. Orange's signal is much worse here and I've experienced several of these data outages with my Mobile Broadband dongle. I've had far more problems with that in ~12 months than the ~24 months I've had an O2 phone with 3G.

27-11-2010, 19:35	#48
prking Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 9,167	Quote: Originally Posted by moox What have they been investing in? Payments to Apple for then-exclusivity of the iPhone? Improving coverage by just enough to get OFCOM of their back? Their 3G coverage is dire (along with Vodafone, but at least Vodafone's network seems to work), and even when you can get a working HSDPA connection, it is a bit slow. You are talking about things that happened some years ago. Get some up to date knowledge. All the networks have changed since then.

27-11-2010, 19:36	#49
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Quote: Originally Posted by Daveoc64 Still that is your experience. If I look at the coverage maps where I live and use my phone, they show that O2 isn't that bad: http://www.daveoc64.co.uk/mobile/signalStrength.html Is Bristol considered a rural, middle-of-nowhere wasteland these days? It comes as no surprise that O2 has 3G coverage in one of the largest cities in the country. I can get O2 3G in piddly little market towns, however: Once you start venturing into the wilds of the countryside, do things take a turn for the worse. O2's GSM coverage is of course superb, but 3G, no chance.

27-11-2010, 19:38	#50
Daveoc64 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bristol (BBC1 West) Posts: 15,143	Quote: Originally Posted by moox Is Bristol considered a rural, middle-of-nowhere wasteland these days? It comes as no surprise that O2 has 3G coverage in one of the largest cities in the country. Once you start venturing into the wilds of the countryside, do things take a turn for the worse. O2's GSM coverage is of course superb, but 3G, no chance. So it's better for Orange to have 3G coverage where there isn't anyone to use it than in one of the largest suburbs of Bristol?