I have had ongoing issues for over 4 months when Orange decided in their wisdom decided as part of thier merger with T-Mobile to switch of masts and those that did remain to have ongoing maintenance issues. Things never improved so orange decided to drop the line rental in cost but still hold me to contract which I disputed.

Eventually Orange operations agreed to offer 50% off the erly termination fee, but because of this and the fact i had an i-phone 4s, their own security team has put a stop to the 50% off bit but Orange has referred the balance to a debt collection agency. Clearly if in dispute they should not be doing this.

So I would advise people to stay clear of Orange cause when you end up getting no signal, they still tie you to contract, and then if they terminate your account which is normal practice for early termination then expect your name, address to be flagged as fraud.

So Orange over to you !

I had an issue with Orange last year with an iPhone 4, Signal was fine when I took out the contract but 6 months in they decided to kill my local mast leaving me with no signal at home, I complained, they let me out early, had to return the phone right enough.

This is the issue the handset does not form part of the contact and the handset was unlocked. I informed Orange that I had sold the handset and they admitted they had caused the issue which is why an early termination fee was agreed at 50% which I have no issue with. But I object that they caused the problems, and now because a member of THEIR staff applied such a huge discount it's flagging up as suspicious activity/fraud.

If I was committing fraud I would not be calling them every week to get a simple confirmation letter out of them, but this seems an impossible task.

Did you cancel the direct debit? I don't understand why they referred the balance to a debt collections agency.

No the direct debit was not cancelled but because Orange operations agreed verbally to then allow early termination at a reduced rate and whilst still in dispute they still sent part of monies owed to an agency. Even an adviser said last night this would have been an oversight but there is nothing they can do.

Orange customer care is not the best. What amazes me is they say there is no mobile number to call me on, yeah cause my contract has been terminated, I have given them a landline number and all I got was silent calls from Orange and that matter is reported to OFCOM as a seperate issue.

Where does it state that the Phone is not part of your contract?
The phone is subsidised by the tie in to that contract as it is a £500 plus device.

Secondly have you attempted to contact the executive office at all?

Section 14 clearly states Devices. Your device is not part of the contract. Amazing how even Orange operations and advisers do not know that part of THEIR own contract

it's probably part of the contract when it suits them and not when it doesn't (e.g. if it has a fault outside the handset warranty but still within your contract).

Yep, they did that with me in the past with a faulty 3GS, didn't want to know.

Tell me about it ForestChav yet again another promised call back this evening has not been made, seems the norm For Orange to deal with complaints. I had a massive arguement with their adviser cause every sentence he contradicted himself. Seems Orange are also very economical with the notes advisers put on your account.

Tonight called Orange as promised callback not made, and yet again footprints have not been left on their systems.

Mobile networks don't have a clause that state that if signal drops in an area you can simply cancel your contract. It all states that factors may inhibit reception as its a radio network.

Regardless of circumstance the only situation written in the contract that allows you to end it scot-free is if the network becomes insolvent or loses a particular licence. That is all. So in my eyes you have to buy out of your contract.

That being said, the CSR or manager may agree to an early termination as long as you agree to send the phone back (as the cost of recycling will offset the cost of the remainder of the contract), however this is unusual.

The signal has not simply dropped they switched off masts in my area then said if I wish to leave Orange I have to try T-Mobile first. But hang on the same mast that was turned off was originally T-Mobiles aswell so how would that work. They also admitted I was in a 3G Blackspot after Technical looked into coverage but the normal coverage maps customer see says I had perfect coverage. Either way I am happy paying 50% of the termination fee it is just the attitude of Orange that makes accusations of fraud just cause a member of their own staff has given such a heafty discount. I bet they wouldn't have even flagged any suspicion if I was to pay the full amount though.

And TBH it has taken over 4 months to get this far, so my advise to people is check and double check coverage before signing one of their contracts.

I changed from Vodafone to Orange recently with my new phone contract as the cost was cheaper and it meant I could keep my number.

It was a massive mistake as I had no service anywhere, I was OK at home but work was hopeless (and the vast amount of my life is spent there). I even went to London for the weekend and the service was even terrible there! I would get a message and then go to reply and it would go out of service in the very same spot

Luckily, I went back to the shop within the week and managed to get myself out of the contract with no costs (apart from the week I used phone) and am now back with Vodafone. Phew.

My advice is stay clear of Orange. I am also in dispute with them over cancelling my broadband. They love me. Ha

With the T-Mo merger Orange/T-Mo signal seems to have got worse instead of better, I would put them at the bottom of all the UK Networks.

1- O2
2- Vodafone
3- Three
4- Orange/Tmo

I have O2 down as not very good as my parents have no signal at their caravan, which means when they are there every weekend, they are virtually uncontactable

We get no signal from Vodafone here, O2 is spotty, Orange and 3 are the best. It just shows that who has the best coverage depends very much on where you live.

Yup, no O2 3G at my house, full signal on Three / T-mobile.

I think it's better to avoid using bars as a comparison tool:

O2
Three
Vodafone
Orange
T-Mobile (using a Virgin SIM)

I am out of contract with Orange at the end of June and looking at upgrading to IP4S with Orange (as they will match a Three tariff) but in reading all these, I dont know if to switch network while I have the chance.
I have been with Orange for over 10 years and can honestly say I have had no problem with handsets, network or Customs service.

I'm still with Orange and NEVER had a single problem

The problem is the complainers are far more vocal than the positive customers.

EE have the most amount of customers in the UK yet they get complained about the same as the other networks.

They have the largest 3G coverage combined, Orange for me has had the best customer service for myself. I've had keeps of issues trying to get things sorted with Three & O2.

As with every network, they do not cover every area equally so it's best to check out your local coverage with PAYG sims from all operators. If you are with Orange already just get a great deal and stay with them

well said. I totally agree