Three UK reportedly confirmed to be purchasing O2 for £10 billion

Mark in Essex · 23-01-2015, 11:41

Quote:

It might "suck" for you, but don't assume the same applies to everyone.

It was fine for me, albeit no 4G.

Same here,

I would like to see O2 or Vodafone streaming high quality Internet Radio from Basildon to Norwich and from Poole to Harlow like I have done recently with it only dropping out for 20 seconds for the whole journey (and that was right in the sticks).

They would be lucky to not drop out as soon as you leave the built up areas.

Just hoping all the extra people from O2 don't effect Three's data speeds in rural areas as that's where they really come into their own.

Grayburn · 23-01-2015, 11:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent No More

After month 6, did you not twig you were being BS'd?

Yeah but what could i do, i could'nt exactly afford to buy out the contract as much as i'd of like to have done.

Silent No More · 23-01-2015, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grayburn

Yeah but what could i do, i could'nt exactly afford to buy out the contract as much as i'd of like to have done.

If you'd posted here about your issue, I'm sure someone would have given you the CEO's email address to get it properly escalated.

Old Endeavour · 23-01-2015, 12:13

...and more 800mhz which my phone doesn't do!

Time to leave Three and go to EE which already has good 4G in my area on frequencies that my phone does. Just a shame their data is so expensive and not unlimited.

Grayburn · 23-01-2015, 12:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent No More

If you'd posted here about your issue, I'm sure someone would have given you the CEO's email address to get it properly escalated.

I'm pretty sure i said about it on here plenty of times.

Synthetic42 · 23-01-2015, 12:26

Where I live Three's network is tonnes better than o2, on 4g and 3g there's a massive difference

finbaar · 23-01-2015, 12:33

The combined network will be called Ozone.

Three are in with EE, O2 are in with Vodafone. I wonder what will happen to those agreements. One thing for certain is that prices will rise.

enapace · 23-01-2015, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synthetic42

Where I live Three's network is tonnes better than o2, on 4g and 3g there's a massive difference

Yeah but like has been said that situation is sadly limited by area I know a few places where O2 has better 4G then Three and loads of places where Three has been 3G than O2.

swb1964 · 23-01-2015, 12:42

So how will this affect giffgaff and tesco mobile?

jabbamk1 · 23-01-2015, 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Endeavour

...and more 800mhz which my phone doesn't do!

Time to leave Three and go to EE which already has good 4G in my area on frequencies that my phone does. Just a shame their data is so expensive and not unlimited.

EE and Three use 1800MHz.....?

EE and Three will both use 800MHz?

What's your point?

Unless you mean EE has 4G in more places right now.

d123 · 23-01-2015, 13:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by swb1964

So how will this affect giffgaff and tesco mobile?

Giffgaff could well get the chop as its a wholly owned subsidiary that is rumoured to be making little profit and Li Ka-shing seems to be pushing for profitability above price recently.

Tesco is a 50/50 venture so probably safe for as long as their agreement lasts.

Mr_DB · 23-01-2015, 13:13

If this goes ahead surely a regulatory offer/option/concession/sacrifice could be to spin out/sell off GiffGaff as a proper MNO and give it some spectrum (and maybe some masts) along with a roaming agreement for customers to fail back to Three/O2?

That way a fourth MNO would still exist, it wouldn't need to start completely from scratch with its own infrastructure but could build out over a longer period (not exactly the same but also not completely dissimilar to how Three started itself)? It would also allow O2 (/Hutchison) to lose GiffGaff, whilst making GiffGaff attractive for investment of new owners with ambition?

Maybe even Tesco Mobile could "buy" GiffGaff and switch its MVNO base easily to GiffGaff (renamed Tesco Mobile I've no doubt)?

Zee_Bukhari · 23-01-2015, 13:14

everyone saying a flood of O2 customers onto Three's 3G network. I don't see this happening, this wont happen straight away, they will need to upgrade all those O2 masts to Three's quality first otherwise all customers will suffer.

Even if this does go through, I don't see it happening for another 18 months at minimum once it goes through.

O2's 2G network could be opened up quickly though I suppose.

Mr_DB · 23-01-2015, 13:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zee_Bukhari

everyone saying a flood of O2 customers onto Three's 3G network. I don't see this happening, this wont happen straight away, they will need to upgrade all those O2 masts to Three's quality first otherwise all customers will suffer.

Even if this does go through, I don't see it happening for another 18 months at minimum once it goes through.

O2's 2G network could be opened up quickly though I suppose.

This is what T-Mobile / Orange did isn't it? Open up 2G roaming first, then start sharing "new" infrastructure, then open up existing infrastructure that had the capacity so it eventually became one network? Seems a common-sense approach.

1manonthebog · 23-01-2015, 13:18

Here in NI 3s coverage is dire. Outside a major town nothing where as O2 has coverage everywhere.

DevonBloke · 23-01-2015, 13:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee18xx

How would this affect MBNL?

Can't see how it would have any effect on MBNL really.
Three aren't changing, O2 are.
MBNL will still manage the network on behalf of EE and Three.
Whether Three allow O2 users to use it is up to them.
Spectrum is totally separate so doesn't affect EE.

toofast · 23-01-2015, 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent No More

Fixed that for you.

Do not come on these forums just so to correct someone's sentence. That is so 1990's!

gazzz02 · 23-01-2015, 13:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevonBloke

Three aren't changing, O2 are.

Where have they said that?

B_W2 · 23-01-2015, 13:29

As long as AYCE data is not lost on contract plans then I am happy.. They can increase the minimum monthly spend to £25 on PAYG to keep that and get some extra revenue

It is a lot of customers to add though isn't it, hasn't 02 got 25M odd?

Three need to do it smart. Integrate 02 2g nationwide as a backup and specifically ensure that any coverage areas not covered by 3 3G are covered.

I guess 3 will need a massive increase in backhaul, and amount of connections, going from 7M to nearly 32M will be a massive increase.............

bigpete15 · 23-01-2015, 14:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1manonthebog

Here in NI 3s coverage is dire. Outside a major town nothing where as O2 has coverage everywhere.

O2 may have very good coverage on 2g but their 3G is nowhere near the coverage and speed of 3 or EE in Northern Ireland.
After 2 years of investment by EE and 3 the MBNL 3G network now covers 95% of the northern Ireland population.
Would be interesting to know what area your in as your experience is the opposite of mine.

jabbamk1 · 23-01-2015, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1manonthebog

Here in NI 3s coverage is dire. Outside a major town nothing where as O2 has coverage everywhere.

http://i.imgur.com/NQHKSVE.gif

When was the last time you tried a Three SIM card?

In terms of 3G coverage, Three has over 420 sites in NI with over 95% population coverage. It's the best 3G network (along with EE) in NI. O2 don't even have half the 3G sites that Three have in NI.

moox · 23-01-2015, 15:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabbamk1

http://i.imgur.com/NQHKSVE.gif

When was the last time you tried a Three SIM card?

In terms of 3G coverage, Three has over 420 sites in NI with over 95% population coverage. It's the best 3G network (along with EE) in NI. O2 don't even have half the 3G sites that Three have in NI.

Probably the NI version of "it doesn't work in my house so it doesn't work anywhere"

binary · 23-01-2015, 15:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevonBloke

Can't see how it would have any effect on MBNL really.

I can see every reason why it might have an effect on MBNL and indeed Cornerstone.

Rush · 23-01-2015, 15:20

Would be a shame to see such a huge brand like O2 leave the UK.

jabbamk1 · 23-01-2015, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rush

Would be a shame to see such a huge brand like O2 leave the UK.

They're Spanish.......?

And they're not leaving the UK yet.

Can people please get educated on what's going on. No one is merging with anyone yet.

23-01-2015, 11:41	#26
Mark in Essex Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,644	Quote: Originally Posted by Silent No More It might "suck" for you, but don't assume the same applies to everyone. It was fine for me, albeit no 4G. Same here, I would like to see O2 or Vodafone streaming high quality Internet Radio from Basildon to Norwich and from Poole to Harlow like I have done recently with it only dropping out for 20 seconds for the whole journey (and that was right in the sticks). They would be lucky to not drop out as soon as you leave the built up areas. Just hoping all the extra people from O2 don't effect Three's data speeds in rural areas as that's where they really come into their own.

23-01-2015, 11:47	#27
Grayburn Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Essex Posts: 225	Quote: Originally Posted by Silent No More After month 6, did you not twig you were being BS'd? Yeah but what could i do, i could'nt exactly afford to buy out the contract as much as i'd of like to have done.

23-01-2015, 12:03	#28
Silent No More Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 466	Quote: Originally Posted by Grayburn Yeah but what could i do, i could'nt exactly afford to buy out the contract as much as i'd of like to have done. If you'd posted here about your issue, I'm sure someone would have given you the CEO's email address to get it properly escalated.

23-01-2015, 12:13	#29
Old Endeavour Inactive Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 9,746	...and more 800mhz which my phone doesn't do! Time to leave Three and go to EE which already has good 4G in my area on frequencies that my phone does. Just a shame their data is so expensive and not unlimited.

23-01-2015, 12:20	#30
Grayburn Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Essex Posts: 225	Quote: Originally Posted by Silent No More If you'd posted here about your issue, I'm sure someone would have given you the CEO's email address to get it properly escalated. I'm pretty sure i said about it on here plenty of times.

23-01-2015, 12:26	#31
Synthetic42 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Newcastle Posts: 1,510	Where I live Three's network is tonnes better than o2, on 4g and 3g there's a massive difference

23-01-2015, 12:33	#32
finbaar Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,921	The combined network will be called Ozone. Three are in with EE, O2 are in with Vodafone. I wonder what will happen to those agreements. One thing for certain is that prices will rise.

23-01-2015, 12:33	#33
enapace Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 4,249	Quote: Originally Posted by Synthetic42 Where I live Three's network is tonnes better than o2, on 4g and 3g there's a massive difference Yeah but like has been said that situation is sadly limited by area I know a few places where O2 has better 4G then Three and loads of places where Three has been 3G than O2.

23-01-2015, 12:42	#34
swb1964 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 2,455	So how will this affect giffgaff and tesco mobile?

23-01-2015, 12:51	#35
jabbamk1 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,759	Quote: Originally Posted by Old Endeavour ...and more 800mhz which my phone doesn't do! Time to leave Three and go to EE which already has good 4G in my area on frequencies that my phone does. Just a shame their data is so expensive and not unlimited. EE and Three use 1800MHz.....? EE and Three will both use 800MHz? What's your point? Unless you mean EE has 4G in more places right now.

23-01-2015, 13:07	#36
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by swb1964 So how will this affect giffgaff and tesco mobile? Giffgaff could well get the chop as its a wholly owned subsidiary that is rumoured to be making little profit and Li Ka-shing seems to be pushing for profitability above price recently. Tesco is a 50/50 venture so probably safe for as long as their agreement lasts.

23-01-2015, 13:13	#37
Mr_DB Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 47	If this goes ahead surely a regulatory offer/option/concession/sacrifice could be to spin out/sell off GiffGaff as a proper MNO and give it some spectrum (and maybe some masts) along with a roaming agreement for customers to fail back to Three/O2? That way a fourth MNO would still exist, it wouldn't need to start completely from scratch with its own infrastructure but could build out over a longer period (not exactly the same but also not completely dissimilar to how Three started itself)? It would also allow O2 (/Hutchison) to lose GiffGaff, whilst making GiffGaff attractive for investment of new owners with ambition? Maybe even Tesco Mobile could "buy" GiffGaff and switch its MVNO base easily to GiffGaff (renamed Tesco Mobile I've no doubt)?

23-01-2015, 13:14	#38
Zee_Bukhari Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,319	everyone saying a flood of O2 customers onto Three's 3G network. I don't see this happening, this wont happen straight away, they will need to upgrade all those O2 masts to Three's quality first otherwise all customers will suffer. Even if this does go through, I don't see it happening for another 18 months at minimum once it goes through. O2's 2G network could be opened up quickly though I suppose.

23-01-2015, 13:17	#39
Mr_DB Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 47	Quote: Originally Posted by Zee_Bukhari everyone saying a flood of O2 customers onto Three's 3G network. I don't see this happening, this wont happen straight away, they will need to upgrade all those O2 masts to Three's quality first otherwise all customers will suffer. Even if this does go through, I don't see it happening for another 18 months at minimum once it goes through. O2's 2G network could be opened up quickly though I suppose. This is what T-Mobile / Orange did isn't it? Open up 2G roaming first, then start sharing "new" infrastructure, then open up existing infrastructure that had the capacity so it eventually became one network? Seems a common-sense approach.

23-01-2015, 13:18	#40
1manonthebog Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,332	Here in NI 3s coverage is dire. Outside a major town nothing where as O2 has coverage everywhere.

23-01-2015, 13:24	#41
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Quote: Originally Posted by lee18xx How would this affect MBNL? Can't see how it would have any effect on MBNL really. Three aren't changing, O2 are. MBNL will still manage the network on behalf of EE and Three. Whether Three allow O2 users to use it is up to them. Spectrum is totally separate so doesn't affect EE.

23-01-2015, 13:25	#42
toofast Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 2,198	Quote: Originally Posted by Silent No More Fixed that for you. Do not come on these forums just so to correct someone's sentence. That is so 1990's!

23-01-2015, 13:26	#43
gazzz02 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 21	Quote: Originally Posted by DevonBloke Three aren't changing, O2 are. Where have they said that?

23-01-2015, 13:29	#44
B_W2 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 62	As long as AYCE data is not lost on contract plans then I am happy.. They can increase the minimum monthly spend to £25 on PAYG to keep that and get some extra revenue It is a lot of customers to add though isn't it, hasn't 02 got 25M odd? Three need to do it smart. Integrate 02 2g nationwide as a backup and specifically ensure that any coverage areas not covered by 3 3G are covered. I guess 3 will need a massive increase in backhaul, and amount of connections, going from 7M to nearly 32M will be a massive increase.............

23-01-2015, 14:15	#45
bigpete15 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ballymena Posts: 237	Quote: Originally Posted by 1manonthebog Here in NI 3s coverage is dire. Outside a major town nothing where as O2 has coverage everywhere. O2 may have very good coverage on 2g but their 3G is nowhere near the coverage and speed of 3 or EE in Northern Ireland. After 2 years of investment by EE and 3 the MBNL 3G network now covers 95% of the northern Ireland population. Would be interesting to know what area your in as your experience is the opposite of mine.

23-01-2015, 14:36	#46
jabbamk1 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,759	Quote: Originally Posted by 1manonthebog Here in NI 3s coverage is dire. Outside a major town nothing where as O2 has coverage everywhere. http://i.imgur.com/NQHKSVE.gif When was the last time you tried a Three SIM card? In terms of 3G coverage, Three has over 420 sites in NI with over 95% population coverage. It's the best 3G network (along with EE) in NI. O2 don't even have half the 3G sites that Three have in NI.

DS Forums

Three UK reportedly confirmed to be purchasing O2 for £10 billion

23-01-2015, 15:08	#47
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Quote: Originally Posted by jabbamk1 http://i.imgur.com/NQHKSVE.gif When was the last time you tried a Three SIM card? In terms of 3G coverage, Three has over 420 sites in NI with over 95% population coverage. It's the best 3G network (along with EE) in NI. O2 don't even have half the 3G sites that Three have in NI. Probably the NI version of "it doesn't work in my house so it doesn't work anywhere"

23-01-2015, 15:12	#48
binary Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 636	Quote: Originally Posted by DevonBloke Can't see how it would have any effect on MBNL really. I can see every reason why it might have an effect on MBNL and indeed Cornerstone.

23-01-2015, 15:20	#49
Rush Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 420	Would be a shame to see such a huge brand like O2 leave the UK.

23-01-2015, 15:21	#50
jabbamk1 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,759	Quote: Originally Posted by Rush Would be a shame to see such a huge brand like O2 leave the UK. They're Spanish.......? And they're not leaving the UK yet. Can people please get educated on what's going on. No one is merging with anyone yet.