Vodafone and O2 4G experience thread

Pedro_C · 27-07-2015, 10:51

I got my anorak on and decided to test some signal levels about 10ft from the base.

On the two CTIL urban monopole masts tested, it was: E -51dBm, H+ -51dBm, 4G -53dBm. So the 4G is only just weaker than the 2G/3G. 4G Speeds were 30-50mbps depending which side I was on (same cell id, but diff sectors experience diff load).

The rural sites tended to be around -55dBm GPRS, -60dBm H+, -70dBm 4G.

samantha_vine · 28-07-2015, 14:54

whats 02 like in london for internet speed

M1kos · 28-07-2015, 16:59

Vodafone is faster trust me o2 is the worst network

Gigabit · 28-07-2015, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by samantha_vine

whats 02 like in london for internet speed

Absolutely dreadful unless you're on 4G - then it's usually okay except in the rush hour.

O2 is just rubbish everywhere to be honest. At least in areas Vodafone have upgraded their 3G has a decent throughput (10Mb or more) whereas in O2 4G areas their 3G limps on at 1Mb or lower.

Never seen more than 5Mb on O2 3G, ever.

clewsy · 28-07-2015, 17:41

In fairness I've had 14mb at 2am near enough outside a local towns mast. Howveer in busy city centres o2's 3g is really poor it seems to be conjested easily.

samantha_vine · 28-07-2015, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gigabit

Absolutely dreadful unless you're on 4G - then it's usually okay except in the rush hour.

O2 is just rubbish everywhere to be honest. At least in areas Vodafone have upgraded their 3G has a decent throughput (10Mb or more) whereas in O2 4G areas their 3G limps on at 1Mb or lower.

Never seen more than 5Mb on O2 3G, ever.

So basically if I want fast 4G Internet EE is my best bet

clewsy · 28-07-2015, 17:54

Or Vodafone and maybe 3 if your in the capital.

Thine Wonk · 28-07-2015, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by samantha_vine

So basically if I want fast 4G Internet EE is my best bet

Do you care that much about fast 4G though to the point where you're willing to pay extra and go on a limited (capped) plan? or would normal speed DC-HSPA / 4G at 4-8Mb/s with a more relaxed usage restriction matter.

I don't get why people need superfast mobile speeds? if 4-8Mb/s is good enough then I'd say you've got a large choice of different operators at different prices and with the option of unlimited data plans etc.

If you must have 60Mb/s speeds then Voda or EE is what you need, but it doesn't make browsing any faster and if you've got a cap of 2GB of data then what's the point!

Gigabit · 28-07-2015, 20:24

In a lot of areas you won't even get a Mb with Three now.

samantha_vine · 28-07-2015, 23:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

Do you care that much about fast 4G though to the point where you're willing to pay extra and go on a limited (capped) plan? or would normal speed DC-HSPA / 4G at 4-8Mb/s with a more relaxed usage restriction matter.

I don't get why people need superfast mobile speeds? if 4-8Mb/s is good enough then I'd say you've got a large choice of different operators at different prices and with the option of unlimited data plans etc.

If you must have 60Mb/s speeds then Voda or EE is what you need, but it doesn't make browsing any faster and if you've got a cap of 2GB of data then what's the point!

Okay if speed isn't a requirement which provider you recommend?

DevonBloke · 29-07-2015, 00:01

Ee

: )

DevonBloke · 29-07-2015, 00:04

Well, is that a glitch on the forum?
I can't edit that last post to show "EE".
It keeps going to "Ee".
Kinda spoiled the moment!!!
Hahahahaha

samantha_vine · 29-07-2015, 00:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevonBloke

Ee

: )

are you answering me lol?

DevonBloke · 29-07-2015, 00:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by samantha_vine

are you answering me lol?

Probably but it's not happening.
Story of my life.
Hahahah

Pedro_C · 29-07-2015, 00:52

EE or Vodafone. I've had good customer service from vodafone, not so good from EE.

DevonBloke · 29-07-2015, 00:57

General story from EE I think but I'm EE business and they are excellent at all times.
Always get through quickly and always helpful.

Grayburn · 29-07-2015, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gigabit

Absolutely dreadful unless you're on 4G - then it's usually okay except in the rush hour.

O2 is just rubbish everywhere to be honest. At least in areas Vodafone have upgraded their 3G has a decent throughput (10Mb or more) whereas in O2 4G areas their 3G limps on at 1Mb or lower.

Never seen more than 5Mb on O2 3G, ever.

I know O2 are utter shite in areas but it's not rubbish everywhere, plus it's not always dreadful in London, but it's not always great either

On 4G i can get over 25Mbps and then 2 minutes down the road it's less then 1Mbps. I respect your opinion though as i hold the same view with regards to Three who i utterly detest. O2 CS seem to be going down the same route as Three CS with lie upon lie about masts being fixed.

I know some people say EE isn't that great in areas but i'm going to give them a go when my O2 contract's up.

xreyuk123 · 29-07-2015, 13:22

In my experience where they all have 4G you'll get the best speeds on Vodafone and EE, so given that EE is generally more expensive I'd say go Vodafone.

In areas where Vodafone don't have 4G, I'd say EE and Three tend to be the best.

Obviously if one network has 4G and the others don't, where you are, that network is probably your best bet.

I'm a field engineer so get around a lot. In built up areas where 4G is, EE and Vodafone have been best, but in areas without 4G vodafones 3G can be awful at times. Their 3G is better where they've put 4G because they upgrade 3G at the same time.

uno · 29-07-2015, 18:21

I have been working in Birmingham for the last few days no sign of any 4G+ coverage all over the city and out towards the M6 motorway.

The Vodafone 4G network was performing quite strange when I use the CellMapper and LTE discovery apps it shows the main 800mhz mast you are connected to and then briefly if available a 2600mhz mast but then drops the latter hence no 4G+ coverage. This must be how they have chosen to configure the network to prevent most customers using it until they are ready for the full consumer launch.

On my work EE phone i had use of plenty of their 2600mhz signal and actually got the best speed ever yesterday of over 100Mb down i tried putting the EE sim in my S6 thats on Vodafone but would not accept that sim.

I have also noticed that Vodafone have relaunched their Call & message + service which use the IMS core so further evidence that VOLTE and Wifi Calling is not far away

Gigabit · 29-07-2015, 18:33

O2 3G: 0.16Mb down in London.

Denco1 · 29-07-2015, 18:38

I'm not quite sure what Vodafone are doing with 2600MHz, but they need to hurry up and do something so EE don't completely overtake them. On my phone which has no credit I've latched onto 5 2600MHz sites in Salford, Eccles and Spinningfields in Manchester City Centre. The one site I was allowed a speedtest on I got 20mbps down and 25mbps up, adequate but worrying if that's all they can do with carrier aggregation. I will probably revisit all five sites once I have topped up my phone as I think I can force 2600MHz if needed but it seems to latch on automatically anyway.

jchamier · 29-07-2015, 19:29

I assume Vodafone will do the same as EE and need a specific contract price plan to get Carrier Aggregation.

With EE you need to be on a 4G+ capable plan, which today seems to be anything tagged "EE Extra". Can't find a Vodafone equivalent.

Which Cat6 device are you using?

uno · 29-07-2015, 19:40

Jchamier- I am using an S6 and am on a high end £65pm price plan so would expect CA and to be able to use 2600mhz I have only been able to use it a few times and was before I did equipment swap

Stereo Steve · 29-07-2015, 19:53

Essentially, nothing works. VOD and O2 have the best 2G voice coverage (generally) but data is hopeless in too much of the country. They state 3G coverage but a lot of this is 3G900 with no capacity so it doesn't work. EE and 3 have better data coverage but neither yet have used sensible frequencies which make actually making a phone call possible in many places. 3 are apparently doing some huge 800Mhz 4G rollout which will be switched on with the launch of their VoLTE service in the Autumn. This won't work properly for 2 years. EE read this board too much and think that 1800 is good enough.

We're all doomed.

lightspeed2398 · 29-07-2015, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denco1

I'm not quite sure what Vodafone are doing with 2600MHz, but they need to hurry up and do something so EE don't completely overtake them. On my phone which has no credit I've latched onto 5 2600MHz sites in Salford, Eccles and Spinningfields in Manchester City Centre. The one site I was allowed a speedtest on I got 20mbps down and 25mbps up, adequate but worrying if that's all they can do with carrier aggregation. I will probably revisit all five sites once I have topped up my phone as I think I can force 2600MHz if needed but it seems to latch on automatically anyway.

I've been on the one in spinning fields didn't get a good speed on it. Didn't know they'd rolled out Salford way. Shame as I was that way last week.

27-07-2015, 10:51	#851
Pedro_C Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Surrey, UK Posts: 660	I got my anorak on and decided to test some signal levels about 10ft from the base. On the two CTIL urban monopole masts tested, it was: E -51dBm, H+ -51dBm, 4G -53dBm. So the 4G is only just weaker than the 2G/3G. 4G Speeds were 30-50mbps depending which side I was on (same cell id, but diff sectors experience diff load). The rural sites tended to be around -55dBm GPRS, -60dBm H+, -70dBm 4G.

28-07-2015, 14:54	#852
samantha_vine Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 1,167	whats 02 like in london for internet speed

28-07-2015, 16:59	#853
M1kos Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 499	Vodafone is faster trust me o2 is the worst network

28-07-2015, 17:03	#854
Gigabit Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 2,887	Quote: Originally Posted by samantha_vine whats 02 like in london for internet speed Absolutely dreadful unless you're on 4G - then it's usually okay except in the rush hour. O2 is just rubbish everywhere to be honest. At least in areas Vodafone have upgraded their 3G has a decent throughput (10Mb or more) whereas in O2 4G areas their 3G limps on at 1Mb or lower. Never seen more than 5Mb on O2 3G, ever.

28-07-2015, 17:41	#855
clewsy Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Midlands Posts: 2,860	In fairness I've had 14mb at 2am near enough outside a local towns mast. Howveer in busy city centres o2's 3g is really poor it seems to be conjested easily.

28-07-2015, 17:51	#856
samantha_vine Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 1,167	Quote: Originally Posted by Gigabit Absolutely dreadful unless you're on 4G - then it's usually okay except in the rush hour. O2 is just rubbish everywhere to be honest. At least in areas Vodafone have upgraded their 3G has a decent throughput (10Mb or more) whereas in O2 4G areas their 3G limps on at 1Mb or lower. Never seen more than 5Mb on O2 3G, ever. So basically if I want fast 4G Internet EE is my best bet

28-07-2015, 17:54	#857
clewsy Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Midlands Posts: 2,860	Or Vodafone and maybe 3 if your in the capital.

28-07-2015, 19:10	#858
Thine Wonk Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 14,577	Quote: Originally Posted by samantha_vine So basically if I want fast 4G Internet EE is my best bet Do you care that much about fast 4G though to the point where you're willing to pay extra and go on a limited (capped) plan? or would normal speed DC-HSPA / 4G at 4-8Mb/s with a more relaxed usage restriction matter. I don't get why people need superfast mobile speeds? if 4-8Mb/s is good enough then I'd say you've got a large choice of different operators at different prices and with the option of unlimited data plans etc. If you must have 60Mb/s speeds then Voda or EE is what you need, but it doesn't make browsing any faster and if you've got a cap of 2GB of data then what's the point!

28-07-2015, 20:24	#859
Gigabit Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 2,887	In a lot of areas you won't even get a Mb with Three now.

28-07-2015, 23:17	#860
samantha_vine Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 1,167	Quote: Originally Posted by Thine Wonk Do you care that much about fast 4G though to the point where you're willing to pay extra and go on a limited (capped) plan? or would normal speed DC-HSPA / 4G at 4-8Mb/s with a more relaxed usage restriction matter. I don't get why people need superfast mobile speeds? if 4-8Mb/s is good enough then I'd say you've got a large choice of different operators at different prices and with the option of unlimited data plans etc. If you must have 60Mb/s speeds then Voda or EE is what you need, but it doesn't make browsing any faster and if you've got a cap of 2GB of data then what's the point! Okay if speed isn't a requirement which provider you recommend?

29-07-2015, 00:01	#861
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Ee : )

29-07-2015, 00:04	#862
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Well, is that a glitch on the forum? I can't edit that last post to show "EE". It keeps going to "Ee". Kinda spoiled the moment!!! Hahahahaha

29-07-2015, 00:30	#863
samantha_vine Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 1,167	Quote: Originally Posted by DevonBloke Ee : ) are you answering me lol?

29-07-2015, 00:42	#864
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Quote: Originally Posted by samantha_vine are you answering me lol? Probably but it's not happening. Story of my life. Hahahah

29-07-2015, 00:52	#865
Pedro_C Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Surrey, UK Posts: 660	EE or Vodafone. I've had good customer service from vodafone, not so good from EE.

29-07-2015, 00:57	#866
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	General story from EE I think but I'm EE business and they are excellent at all times. Always get through quickly and always helpful.

29-07-2015, 10:43	#867
Grayburn Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Essex Posts: 225	Quote: Originally Posted by Gigabit Absolutely dreadful unless you're on 4G - then it's usually okay except in the rush hour. O2 is just rubbish everywhere to be honest. At least in areas Vodafone have upgraded their 3G has a decent throughput (10Mb or more) whereas in O2 4G areas their 3G limps on at 1Mb or lower. Never seen more than 5Mb on O2 3G, ever. I know O2 are utter shite in areas but it's not rubbish everywhere, plus it's not always dreadful in London, but it's not always great either On 4G i can get over 25Mbps and then 2 minutes down the road it's less then 1Mbps. I respect your opinion though as i hold the same view with regards to Three who i utterly detest. O2 CS seem to be going down the same route as Three CS with lie upon lie about masts being fixed. I know some people say EE isn't that great in areas but i'm going to give them a go when my O2 contract's up.

29-07-2015, 13:22	#868
xreyuk123 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 509	In my experience where they all have 4G you'll get the best speeds on Vodafone and EE, so given that EE is generally more expensive I'd say go Vodafone. In areas where Vodafone don't have 4G, I'd say EE and Three tend to be the best. Obviously if one network has 4G and the others don't, where you are, that network is probably your best bet. I'm a field engineer so get around a lot. In built up areas where 4G is, EE and Vodafone have been best, but in areas without 4G vodafones 3G can be awful at times. Their 3G is better where they've put 4G because they upgrade 3G at the same time.

29-07-2015, 18:21	#869
uno Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 507	I have been working in Birmingham for the last few days no sign of any 4G+ coverage all over the city and out towards the M6 motorway. The Vodafone 4G network was performing quite strange when I use the CellMapper and LTE discovery apps it shows the main 800mhz mast you are connected to and then briefly if available a 2600mhz mast but then drops the latter hence no 4G+ coverage. This must be how they have chosen to configure the network to prevent most customers using it until they are ready for the full consumer launch. On my work EE phone i had use of plenty of their 2600mhz signal and actually got the best speed ever yesterday of over 100Mb down i tried putting the EE sim in my S6 thats on Vodafone but would not accept that sim. I have also noticed that Vodafone have relaunched their Call & message + service which use the IMS core so further evidence that VOLTE and Wifi Calling is not far away

29-07-2015, 18:33	#870
Gigabit Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 2,887	O2 3G: 0.16Mb down in London.

29-07-2015, 18:38	#871
Denco1 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 983	I'm not quite sure what Vodafone are doing with 2600MHz, but they need to hurry up and do something so EE don't completely overtake them. On my phone which has no credit I've latched onto 5 2600MHz sites in Salford, Eccles and Spinningfields in Manchester City Centre. The one site I was allowed a speedtest on I got 20mbps down and 25mbps up, adequate but worrying if that's all they can do with carrier aggregation. I will probably revisit all five sites once I have topped up my phone as I think I can force 2600MHz if needed but it seems to latch on automatically anyway.

DS Forums

Vodafone and O2 4G experience thread

29-07-2015, 19:29	#872
jchamier Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: This forum Posts: 3,392	I assume Vodafone will do the same as EE and need a specific contract price plan to get Carrier Aggregation. With EE you need to be on a 4G+ capable plan, which today seems to be anything tagged "EE Extra". Can't find a Vodafone equivalent. Which Cat6 device are you using?

29-07-2015, 19:40	#873
uno Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 507	Jchamier- I am using an S6 and am on a high end £65pm price plan so would expect CA and to be able to use 2600mhz I have only been able to use it a few times and was before I did equipment swap

29-07-2015, 19:53	#874
Stereo Steve Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,378	Essentially, nothing works. VOD and O2 have the best 2G voice coverage (generally) but data is hopeless in too much of the country. They state 3G coverage but a lot of this is 3G900 with no capacity so it doesn't work. EE and 3 have better data coverage but neither yet have used sensible frequencies which make actually making a phone call possible in many places. 3 are apparently doing some huge 800Mhz 4G rollout which will be switched on with the launch of their VoLTE service in the Autumn. This won't work properly for 2 years. EE read this board too much and think that 1800 is good enough. We're all doomed.

29-07-2015, 20:16	#875
lightspeed2398 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 1,325	Quote: Originally Posted by Denco1 I'm not quite sure what Vodafone are doing with 2600MHz, but they need to hurry up and do something so EE don't completely overtake them. On my phone which has no credit I've latched onto 5 2600MHz sites in Salford, Eccles and Spinningfields in Manchester City Centre. The one site I was allowed a speedtest on I got 20mbps down and 25mbps up, adequate but worrying if that's all they can do with carrier aggregation. I will probably revisit all five sites once I have topped up my phone as I think I can force 2600MHz if needed but it seems to latch on automatically anyway. I've been on the one in spinning fields didn't get a good speed on it. Didn't know they'd rolled out Salford way. Shame as I was that way last week.