Hi, this has probably already been asked but iv been unable to find the answer im looking for....

Im looking to get the Iphone 4, 3 mobile do the best deal but is that reason because its a pants network??? I live in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. I know o2 is the best network for Iphone, so fast etc but can't afford what there asking. I'd really like to hear your user experiance with iphone on 3 especially in my region.

Many thanks

Lindz

Ive found that the three network nationally has significantly improved over the last couple of years, however as with all networks reception may be patchy in places.

Pay as you go Sims are cheap and easy to get hold of, it may be worthwhile getting a PAYG sim card and putting that in a 3G phone to test the network, before you jump into a contract.

It's also worth noting at 3 switch off the Orange 2G backup in certain areas, you may find you have coverage one day but none the next. Also, with the phone being on 3G for the majority of time, battery life will be diminished.
The advantage of being on another network is that you can turn 3G off and still have 2G coverage for voice and texts until you need a fast data connection and turn it back on, conserving battery life.

I recently changed my iPhone 4 onto 3, and certainly wont look back!

The 3G signal is excellent, fast speeds, excellent tariffs, excellent call quality etc.

Where you say O2 is the best network for iPhone, i highly doubt that anymore, their 3G signal outside of urban areas is abysmal, not the most reliable of networks, and their tariffs getting increasingly poorer value.

3 has been voted the best network for iPhone by YouGov.

I don't find this problem at all with mine.

The fact that with 3 your iphone will most probably constantly have a very strong 3G signal compared to o2/Voda etc where your iphone is probably constantly struggling to find/keep a 3G signal you will probably have better battery life with 3!

I recently had an Iphone 4 on o2 and have switched over to 3 and overall I have found that 3 offers a better service overall compared to o2, when I was using o2 their Data Network would be down quite alot and the way they are changing their tariffs doesn't make them good value for money now I've switched over I'm not heading back to o2.

its good signal in my area and loads of places I have recently visited, there has been a couple of places where signal has been lower but its expected due to mast heights etc

as said before get a 3 pay as you go sim and try it out for coverage.

i am on 3 and also have an iphone 4, i do live in the opposite end of the country to you in somerset, i have been with them for over 5 years now, never had an issue with signal, had an outage last week for a couple of days, but that was down to a mast going down, and that vould happen on any network, first time it has happened to me in over 5 years, also i would expect the signal to be worse around here as it is mainly countryside, but it is very rare when i have no signal, even went to lands end last year, and was pleasantly surprised with the signal i recieved

same here, people was telling dont go to 3 its rubbish signal but I went ahead and had no problems.

iphone works great and the data is fast, 5 bars signal in my area must be near a mast.

I live in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne and have used 3 for many years without problem or fault. Now on Virgin (Cheaper Deal)

I went on 3 for my iPhone but 4 weeks later they turned 2g off and was left with no signal at work. Now back on vodafone after 3 let me out of my contract and never looked back, yes the 3G is not as good but I have a full signal everywhere I go and whats the point of a phone if you can't use it most of the day?

As you said, the 3G isn't as good, so you are probably receiving a 2G signal most of the time if it's usually full signal. And what is the use of 2G on an iPhone really? Other than calls/texts.

what is the use of a PHONE if you have no signal at all? rather have fantastic 2g than hit and miss 3g and loads of missed calls? my priorities are phone first internet second. plus theres loads of place i can use my free wifi which is faster than 3g

I bought the 'mili' 2000mAh battery pack/protector around £40. It gives me around 3-4 days standby.

Don't forget that O2 only has 3.6Mbps data, as opposed to 3 having 7.2Mbps which makes a massive difference if you're using a lot of data.

@Mystic Eddy: Most modern phones are optimised for use with 3G, so talk-time is comparable to 2G and standby time is usually only slightly worse. Obviously using a lot of data over 3G is going to consume battery, but then if you compare the speed boost against the battery savings, you're probably still better off downloading over 3G than 2G.