Since T-Mobile could use the orange signal its been fantastic. never been anywhere where i couldnt get a signal, before the merger though i had some right dead spots on T-Mobile.
Which network has given you the best/worst coverage?
3 of 3
Definitely T-Mobile, esp if you take advantage of piggy-backing on the Orange signal too. I live in the country, and there has been only the very rare spot with no coverage, but overall cannot fault.
Def T-Mobile for me. Competitively priced deals, plus (I find) instore usually get loads of freebies special deals given to me, not usually available online. Instore have found salesmen very helpful, so would def recommend an instore visit, if upgrading, etc.
Def T-Mobile for me. Competitively priced deals, plus (I find) instore usually get loads of freebies special deals given to me, not usually available online. Instore have found salesmen very helpful, so would def recommend an instore visit, if upgrading, etc.
Recently tested all the networks as my contract is up.
In Edinburgh it's Orange & Vodafone.
In Aberdeen it's Vodafone & Orange.
Pretty close between them but the others lagged behind with areas of no 3G in various places.
In Edinburgh it's Orange & Vodafone.
In Aberdeen it's Vodafone & Orange.
Pretty close between them but the others lagged behind with areas of no 3G in various places.
Best Vodafone.
Worst T-Mobile, as far as I can tell T-Mobile have about three transmitters for the whole of the UK. There coverage really is pathetic. I don’t even consider Three as real network.
I have, 2 Vodafone sims, 1 Talkmobile (also Voda) sim, 1 Teso (O2) sim, 2 Giff Gaff (O2) sims, 2 Orange sims, 1 T-Mobile sim and 2 Three sims (bizarrely it was cheaper to buy 2 Three sims than 1), so I have done my homework for where I live in Cumbria and a bit as I have travelled around the UK. But I don’t expect any two peoples experiences to be the same. Remember that not all phones are created equal when it comes to signal reception – you might find a particular network would have been better in a particular place if you had a different phone.
Worst T-Mobile, as far as I can tell T-Mobile have about three transmitters for the whole of the UK. There coverage really is pathetic. I don’t even consider Three as real network.
I have, 2 Vodafone sims, 1 Talkmobile (also Voda) sim, 1 Teso (O2) sim, 2 Giff Gaff (O2) sims, 2 Orange sims, 1 T-Mobile sim and 2 Three sims (bizarrely it was cheaper to buy 2 Three sims than 1), so I have done my homework for where I live in Cumbria and a bit as I have travelled around the UK. But I don’t expect any two peoples experiences to be the same. Remember that not all phones are created equal when it comes to signal reception – you might find a particular network would have been better in a particular place if you had a different phone.
Worst - O2, reasonable for calls, terrible for data
Best - Three, excellent data and good coverage -with the signal being no different to that which i experienced with o2 in most of the places that i use my phone in
Best - Three, excellent data and good coverage -with the signal being no different to that which i experienced with o2 in most of the places that i use my phone in
Originally Posted by Thine Wonk:
“Sitefinder is often wrong. As many have said here, T-mobile and Orange don't update it due to a row with Ofcom. As Three and T-mobile 3G are now shared and also it's voluntarily updated by the operators themselves it's often not accurate.
Mobile internet is what a lot of smartphone users use a lot of, but I do take your point. Those gaps are being slowly closed by the way, as Orange is going to also add 3G coverage to MBNL.
3G is as important to me as voice calls, it's no good being on a network with no 3G data, it would be like being back in the dark ages.
Just checked the Wirrel peninsula
Three
O2
I'm amazed by the coverage of O2 3G in that area. You are very lucky, go down south east of Chester it's gone.”
“Sitefinder is often wrong. As many have said here, T-mobile and Orange don't update it due to a row with Ofcom. As Three and T-mobile 3G are now shared and also it's voluntarily updated by the operators themselves it's often not accurate.
Mobile internet is what a lot of smartphone users use a lot of, but I do take your point. Those gaps are being slowly closed by the way, as Orange is going to also add 3G coverage to MBNL.
3G is as important to me as voice calls, it's no good being on a network with no 3G data, it would be like being back in the dark ages.
Just checked the Wirrel peninsula
Three
O2
I'm amazed by the coverage of O2 3G in that area. You are very lucky, go down south east of Chester it's gone.”
I'm an ex O2 customer. If you live on one side of Wirral O2 3G is good yes. Sadly I live on the other.
Three's coverage does look good on that map yes, but I'm getting loads of dead spots and areas where it is just about hanging on. I walk into a building and it's gone. Right at the bottom of your linked map is Gayton, very populated area. Three have no coverage whatsoever!
For me, based in Worcestershire and traveling to London regularly, I'd rate as follows.
Voice, locally: Orange. Vodafone and O2 still have big no-go areas as soon as you get into Herefordshire. Orange, in my experience, don't.
For data it has to be Three. It's the only company whose map seems to be pessimistic (at home it says no signal, in fact we get 4-5 bars), and the packages are good value.
Overall when traveling though I find my Vodafone account is the most reliable for voice (and 2G data).
Never really use Tmobile: O2 has always been a dead loss.
YMMV, of course.
Voice, locally: Orange. Vodafone and O2 still have big no-go areas as soon as you get into Herefordshire. Orange, in my experience, don't.
For data it has to be Three. It's the only company whose map seems to be pessimistic (at home it says no signal, in fact we get 4-5 bars), and the packages are good value.
Overall when traveling though I find my Vodafone account is the most reliable for voice (and 2G data).
Never really use Tmobile: O2 has always been a dead loss.
YMMV, of course.
My experience as a field engineer... (your mileage may vary)
London - Any network is good, o2/Voda/Orange (voice), h3g/tmo (data).
South of London (M25 to coast) - o2/orange (voice), h3g (data). (big dead spot for Voda A275 area)
South West (M4 to coast) - o2/Voda/orange (voice), h3g (general) / Voda (M4 corridor) (data).
Devon/Cornwall - Orange (voice), h3g/orange (data).
North Wales - o2/voda/h3g (voice), h3g (data)
South Wales - o2/voda (voice), h3g (data)
West Scotland - o2/voda/h3g (voice), h3g/orange (data)
In general, o2/voda seem to have voice covered.
Notable exceptions:
Voda south of London (A275 area) is very lacking in coverage.
Orange gives more signal (not 3g) in more places in Devon/Cornwall than any of the other operators. Very good coverage out of towns.
H3G seems to do particularly well along the North West coast of Scotland and down into North Wales. Even for voice!
For data H3G is by far the best, with much better 3G signal coverage and generally better transfer rates where the competition achieves 3G. TMO comes in second.
The Orange/TMO merger may change things, but there is a fair way to catch up.
Voda/o2's 3G coverage is a joke outside of major populations, and fairly slow within them.
London - Any network is good, o2/Voda/Orange (voice), h3g/tmo (data).
South of London (M25 to coast) - o2/orange (voice), h3g (data). (big dead spot for Voda A275 area)
South West (M4 to coast) - o2/Voda/orange (voice), h3g (general) / Voda (M4 corridor) (data).
Devon/Cornwall - Orange (voice), h3g/orange (data).
North Wales - o2/voda/h3g (voice), h3g (data)
South Wales - o2/voda (voice), h3g (data)
West Scotland - o2/voda/h3g (voice), h3g/orange (data)
In general, o2/voda seem to have voice covered.
Notable exceptions:
Voda south of London (A275 area) is very lacking in coverage.
Orange gives more signal (not 3g) in more places in Devon/Cornwall than any of the other operators. Very good coverage out of towns.
H3G seems to do particularly well along the North West coast of Scotland and down into North Wales. Even for voice!
For data H3G is by far the best, with much better 3G signal coverage and generally better transfer rates where the competition achieves 3G. TMO comes in second.
The Orange/TMO merger may change things, but there is a fair way to catch up.
Voda/o2's 3G coverage is a joke outside of major populations, and fairly slow within them.
Originally Posted by natbike:
“Voda/o2's 3G coverage is a joke outside of major populations, and fairly slow within them.”
“Voda/o2's 3G coverage is a joke outside of major populations, and fairly slow within them.”
I agree, vodafone's 3g in my experience is not great. Surely they will have to improve things as alot of people I know on Vodafone have said the same thing.
Virgin has been REALLY good on 2g since roaming on Orange was introduced yesterday.
Good deals and bundles too
Good deals and bundles too
Best: Orange I would say is the best around here (both 2G and 3G).
Worse: Wouldn't really know because i've always been with orange.
Worse: Wouldn't really know because i've always been with orange.
Vodafone are the worst by some margin in this area. Both in lack of coverage and lack of customer service.
O2 has been close to faultless by comparison.
O2 has been close to faultless by comparison.
Originally Posted by natbike:
“My experience as a field engineer... (your mileage may vary)
Orange gives more signal (not 3g) in more places in Devon/Cornwall than any of the other operators. Very good coverage out of towns...”
“My experience as a field engineer... (your mileage may vary)
Orange gives more signal (not 3g) in more places in Devon/Cornwall than any of the other operators. Very good coverage out of towns...”
Can't speak for all of Devon, but in large parts of the Exeter stretch of the Exe Valley (exwick etc) the Orange indoor 2G is total garbage, as is T-mobile. O2 is miles better.
Originally Posted by Rossby41:
“Best: Orange I would say is the best around here (both 2G and 3G).
Worse: Wouldn't really know because i've always been with orange.”
“Best: Orange I would say is the best around here (both 2G and 3G).
Worse: Wouldn't really know because i've always been with orange.”
?????
How do you know Orange is the best if you've never been with any other networks?
3 of 3
