giffgaff 3G internet tediously slow

snukr · 24-02-2016, 20:52

I've been using giffgaff for 3 years, mainly for the internet, I had been fairly happy with it up until the turn of the year when webpages have started to load really slowly, like old dial up analogue used to or the signal has been non existent.
At first I thought it might be a problem with the local transmitter, but it's the same when I use my phone at work 11 miles away. I can't believe that giffgaff would deliberately reduce their 3g internet speeds as it would drive customers away, but I can't think of any other reason.
They are abandoning their 3g service next month in favour of their 4g service, but as I only have a 3g capable phone, I'm not sure it will make any difference.

Pedro_C · 24-02-2016, 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by snukr

I've been using giffgaff for 3 years, mainly for the internet, I had been fairly happy with it up until the turn of the year when webpages have started to load really slowly, like old dial up analogue used to or the signal has been non existent.
At first I thought it might be a problem with the local transmitter, but it's the same when I use my phone at work 11 miles away. I can't believe that giffgaff would deliberately reduce their 3g internet speeds as it would drive customers away, but I can't think of any other reason.
They are abandoning their 3g service next month in favour of their 4g service, but as I only have a 3g capable phone, I'm not sure it will make any difference.

Giffgaff runs at very low priority on O2's network so slow speeds are very typical.

d123 · 24-02-2016, 21:29

Though their 4G service is quite usable.

david16 · 24-02-2016, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by snukr

I've been using giffgaff for 3 years, mainly for the internet, I had been fairly happy with it up until the turn of the year when webpages have started to load really slowly, like old dial up analogue used to or the signal has been non existent.
At first I thought it might be a problem with the local transmitter, but it's the same when I use my phone at work 11 miles away. I can't believe that giffgaff would deliberately reduce their 3g internet speeds as it would drive customers away, but I can't think of any other reason.
They are abandoning their 3g service next month in favour of their 4g service, but as I only have a 3g capable phone, I'm not sure it will make any difference.

Guff Gaffe really are the pits.

d123 · 24-02-2016, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by david16

Guff Gaffe really are the pits.

What about giffgaff?

beans0ntoast · 24-02-2016, 22:40

Just to confirm that Giffgaff will run slow due to being rock bottom priority on O2's network priority list.

I have been on a full strength 3G signal and got 0.5Mbps off Giffgaff - chances are, the O2 speed would be much higher (can't test as I don't have an O2 SIM). And anyway, the local MBNL mast provides 10-20Mbps 3G.

binary · 24-02-2016, 23:34

GiffGaff reckon you just need to open your mind.

Perhaps they mean like this?

Echo1 · 25-02-2016, 01:31

4G works well on giffgaff.

duffman25 · 25-02-2016, 09:25

Giffgaff speeds are shocking, I left for 02 pay as you go and the difference in speeds is a lot and for some reason the signal is a little better then on giffgaff

joeluken · 25-02-2016, 09:33

I have a spar giffgaff sim but when I used if I found data very slow to unusable pretty anywhere during the daytime.

You only need to look at giffgaff own forums, or it's facebook and twitter feeds to the number of complaints about slow 3G and 4G.

It appears even loyal customers are now trying the pleading approach - https://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Co.../td-p/18170987

Penty of theads on the giffgaff forum some only running and thousands of posts long about poor data.

InfamousTeal · 25-02-2016, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by snukr

I've been using giffgaff for 3 years, mainly for the internet, I had been fairly happy with it up until the turn of the year when webpages have started to load really slowly, like old dial up analogue used to or the signal has been non existent.
At first I thought it might be a problem with the local transmitter, but it's the same when I use my phone at work 11 miles away. I can't believe that giffgaff would deliberately reduce their 3g internet speeds as it would drive customers away, but I can't think of any other reason.
They are abandoning their 3g service next month in favour of their 4g service, but as I only have a 3g capable phone, I'm not sure it will make any difference.

What do you mean by that?

d123 · 25-02-2016, 18:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by InfamousTeal

What do you mean by that?

It's BS, 3G will be around for many years yet.

InfamousTeal · 25-02-2016, 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by d123

It's BS, 3G will be around for many years yet.

I know, that's why I'm confused as to what he meant

Aye Up · 25-02-2016, 19:21

The problem with Giff Gaff is that it loses more money than it receives as income/profit. The initial idea behind the service was quite positive, you got free data usage for a number of months as well. As smartphones have invaded the market, there has been a sea change in how people use their phones. I would place a good bet that the majority of Giff Gaffs customers are under the age of 30, they use their phones more than most people, social networking, youtube etc. They all place demands on the service received. O2 restricts the service because its not a revenue earner, better to guarrantee the network for comparatively premium customers who they can make a profit on.

Should the merger go ahead or the eventual disposal of the asset by Telefonica, Giff Gaff will be the first thing that gets the chop, it only survives by virtue of having a MNO as its parent.

I would suggest going to Three, they have bundles that are quite similar, their 321 PAYG tariff is market leading. Each time you topup they throw 150mb of free data at you, plus there are no speed restrictions that I know of.

simcard · 25-02-2016, 20:22

I have had a GiffGaff sim for years but haven't used it recently because of the previous bad experience of very slow data. I put some credit on the sim and tried a speedtest comparing 4g on o2 and GiffGaff. I had a download speed of 51mb/s on o2 compared to 1.5mb/s on GiffGaff and both phones had full 4g signal. I have tried the comparison several times at different locations and get very similar results.

snukr · 26-02-2016, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by InfamousTeal

What do you mean by that?

giffgaff won't be selling 3g goodybags or gigabags from next month, I will only have the choice of buying a 4g goodybag with 1GB less data for the same price or paying £3 more for a 4g gigabag with 1GB more data.

snukr · 26-02-2016, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by d123

It's BS, 3G will be around for many years yet.

I was specifically referring to giffgaff, I didn't mean 3g is coming to an end.

snukr · 26-02-2016, 16:31

I don't get anywhere near the data speeds some have mentioned on here, 1.5MB/s, I wish, sometimes I'm lucky if I can get 1.5KB/s!

d123 · 26-02-2016, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by snukr

giffgaff won't be selling 3g goodybags or gigabags from next month, I will only have the choice of buying a 4g goodybag with 1GB less data for the same price or paying £3 more for a 4g gigabag with 1GB more data.

Quote:

Originally Posted by snukr

I was specifically referring to giffgaff, I didn't mean 3g is coming to an end.

Of course they are still selling 3G compatible goodybags, all they are doing is rationalising to a single set of goodybags for use on both 3G and 4G. If you have a 3G phone you might only have access to 3G (but that is your own choice for having a 3G only phone), if you have a 4G phone you can also use 4G.

A bit like how EE, o2, Three, ID Mobile, Tesco, Lyca etc do it...

clewsy · 26-02-2016, 17:00

As pointed out giff Gaff is real budget end of the market and as a result you get what you pay for. O2 are going to look after their own customers first, then it appears those on Tesco and finally everyone else, including GG.

They should be thankful they get 4g really as its a wonder they do offer it given its a basic network that is cheap and cheerful.

snukr · 26-02-2016, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by d123

Of course they are still selling 3G compatible goodybags, all they are doing is rationalising to a single set of goodybags for use on both 3G and 4G. If you have a 3G phone you might only have access to 3G (but that is your own choice for having a 3G only phone), if you have a 4G phone you can also use 4G.

A bit like how EE, o2, Three, ID Mobile, Tesco, Lyca etc do it...

I realise they will still work on 3G, but if I want the same amount of data as I get now I will have to pay more for it, because it's 4G.

d123 · 26-02-2016, 18:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by snukr

I realise they will still work on 3G, but if I want the same amount of data as I get now I will have to pay more for it, because it's 4G.

That's nothing to do with them "abandoning 3G", that is just called a price increase.

You should ask the Three customers what that entails, they've had some experience of it recently as well,,.

neil79 · 26-02-2016, 22:34

I am considering going back to giffgaff as I used them from 2012 to last June after previously using O2 from 2007. I currently have a BT 4G ( EE ) sim and it's slower than Giffgaff / O2.
My sim deal lasts till June and the only thing that concerns me about moving back to Giffgaff is the Three takeover. I don't beleive there is any difference between O2/giffgaff / Tesco data speeds. Giffgaff offers a better deal because it's a flexible online service.

clewsy · 01-03-2016, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by neil79

I am considering going back to giffgaff as I used them from 2012 to last June after previously using O2 from 2007. I currently have a BT 4G ( EE ) sim and it's slower than Giffgaff / O2.
My sim deal lasts till June and the only thing that concerns me about moving back to Giffgaff is the Three takeover. I don't beleive there is any difference between O2/giffgaff / Tesco data speeds. Giffgaff offers a better deal because it's a flexible online service.

There is a difference. People on here have proved it. Tesco works well I find, GG not a hope in hells chance. It's just so low down the order, after people like me with Tesco, you don't get a look in.

24-02-2016, 20:52	#1
snukr Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4,414	giffgaff 3G internet tediously slow I've been using giffgaff for 3 years, mainly for the internet, I had been fairly happy with it up until the turn of the year when webpages have started to load really slowly, like old dial up analogue used to or the signal has been non existent. At first I thought it might be a problem with the local transmitter, but it's the same when I use my phone at work 11 miles away. I can't believe that giffgaff would deliberately reduce their 3g internet speeds as it would drive customers away, but I can't think of any other reason. They are abandoning their 3g service next month in favour of their 4g service, but as I only have a 3g capable phone, I'm not sure it will make any difference.

24-02-2016, 20:56	#2
Pedro_C Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Surrey, UK Posts: 660	Quote: Originally Posted by snukr I've been using giffgaff for 3 years, mainly for the internet, I had been fairly happy with it up until the turn of the year when webpages have started to load really slowly, like old dial up analogue used to or the signal has been non existent. At first I thought it might be a problem with the local transmitter, but it's the same when I use my phone at work 11 miles away. I can't believe that giffgaff would deliberately reduce their 3g internet speeds as it would drive customers away, but I can't think of any other reason. They are abandoning their 3g service next month in favour of their 4g service, but as I only have a 3g capable phone, I'm not sure it will make any difference. Giffgaff runs at very low priority on O2's network so slow speeds are very typical.

24-02-2016, 21:29	#3
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Though their 4G service is quite usable.

24-02-2016, 21:36	#4
david16 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Central Belt Posts: 12,290	Quote: Originally Posted by snukr I've been using giffgaff for 3 years, mainly for the internet, I had been fairly happy with it up until the turn of the year when webpages have started to load really slowly, like old dial up analogue used to or the signal has been non existent. At first I thought it might be a problem with the local transmitter, but it's the same when I use my phone at work 11 miles away. I can't believe that giffgaff would deliberately reduce their 3g internet speeds as it would drive customers away, but I can't think of any other reason. They are abandoning their 3g service next month in favour of their 4g service, but as I only have a 3g capable phone, I'm not sure it will make any difference. Guff Gaffe really are the pits.

24-02-2016, 21:55	#5
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by david16 Guff Gaffe really are the pits. What about giffgaff?

24-02-2016, 22:40	#6
beans0ntoast Inactive Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 932	Just to confirm that Giffgaff will run slow due to being rock bottom priority on O2's network priority list. I have been on a full strength 3G signal and got 0.5Mbps off Giffgaff - chances are, the O2 speed would be much higher (can't test as I don't have an O2 SIM). And anyway, the local MBNL mast provides 10-20Mbps 3G.

24-02-2016, 23:34	#7
binary Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 636	GiffGaff reckon you just need to open your mind. Perhaps they mean like this?

25-02-2016, 01:31	#8
Echo1 Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Home Posts: 5,864	4G works well on giffgaff.

25-02-2016, 09:25	#9
duffman25 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 489	Giffgaff speeds are shocking, I left for 02 pay as you go and the difference in speeds is a lot and for some reason the signal is a little better then on giffgaff

25-02-2016, 09:33	#10
joeluken Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 248	I have a spar giffgaff sim but when I used if I found data very slow to unusable pretty anywhere during the daytime. You only need to look at giffgaff own forums, or it's facebook and twitter feeds to the number of complaints about slow 3G and 4G. It appears even loyal customers are now trying the pleading approach - https://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Co.../td-p/18170987 Penty of theads on the giffgaff forum some only running and thousands of posts long about poor data.

25-02-2016, 18:47	#11
InfamousTeal Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 303	Quote: Originally Posted by snukr I've been using giffgaff for 3 years, mainly for the internet, I had been fairly happy with it up until the turn of the year when webpages have started to load really slowly, like old dial up analogue used to or the signal has been non existent. At first I thought it might be a problem with the local transmitter, but it's the same when I use my phone at work 11 miles away. I can't believe that giffgaff would deliberately reduce their 3g internet speeds as it would drive customers away, but I can't think of any other reason. They are abandoning their 3g service next month in favour of their 4g service, but as I only have a 3g capable phone, I'm not sure it will make any difference. What do you mean by that?

25-02-2016, 18:50	#12
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by InfamousTeal What do you mean by that? It's BS, 3G will be around for many years yet.

25-02-2016, 18:52	#13
InfamousTeal Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 303	Quote: Originally Posted by d123 It's BS, 3G will be around for many years yet. I know, that's why I'm confused as to what he meant

25-02-2016, 19:21	#14
Aye Up Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: North West Posts: 4,885	The problem with Giff Gaff is that it loses more money than it receives as income/profit. The initial idea behind the service was quite positive, you got free data usage for a number of months as well. As smartphones have invaded the market, there has been a sea change in how people use their phones. I would place a good bet that the majority of Giff Gaffs customers are under the age of 30, they use their phones more than most people, social networking, youtube etc. They all place demands on the service received. O2 restricts the service because its not a revenue earner, better to guarrantee the network for comparatively premium customers who they can make a profit on. Should the merger go ahead or the eventual disposal of the asset by Telefonica, Giff Gaff will be the first thing that gets the chop, it only survives by virtue of having a MNO as its parent. I would suggest going to Three, they have bundles that are quite similar, their 321 PAYG tariff is market leading. Each time you topup they throw 150mb of free data at you, plus there are no speed restrictions that I know of.

25-02-2016, 20:22	#15
simcard Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Kent UK Posts: 24	I have had a GiffGaff sim for years but haven't used it recently because of the previous bad experience of very slow data. I put some credit on the sim and tried a speedtest comparing 4g on o2 and GiffGaff. I had a download speed of 51mb/s on o2 compared to 1.5mb/s on GiffGaff and both phones had full 4g signal. I have tried the comparison several times at different locations and get very similar results.

26-02-2016, 15:29	#16
snukr Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4,414	Quote: Originally Posted by InfamousTeal What do you mean by that? giffgaff won't be selling 3g goodybags or gigabags from next month, I will only have the choice of buying a 4g goodybag with 1GB less data for the same price or paying £3 more for a 4g gigabag with 1GB more data.

26-02-2016, 15:30	#17
snukr Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4,414	Quote: Originally Posted by d123 It's BS, 3G will be around for many years yet. I was specifically referring to giffgaff, I didn't mean 3g is coming to an end.

26-02-2016, 16:31	#18
snukr Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4,414	I don't get anywhere near the data speeds some have mentioned on here, 1.5MB/s, I wish, sometimes I'm lucky if I can get 1.5KB/s!

26-02-2016, 16:53	#19
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by snukr giffgaff won't be selling 3g goodybags or gigabags from next month, I will only have the choice of buying a 4g goodybag with 1GB less data for the same price or paying £3 more for a 4g gigabag with 1GB more data. Quote: Originally Posted by snukr I was specifically referring to giffgaff, I didn't mean 3g is coming to an end. Of course they are still selling 3G compatible goodybags, all they are doing is rationalising to a single set of goodybags for use on both 3G and 4G. If you have a 3G phone you might only have access to 3G (but that is your own choice for having a 3G only phone), if you have a 4G phone you can also use 4G. A bit like how EE, o2, Three, ID Mobile, Tesco, Lyca etc do it...

26-02-2016, 17:00	#20
clewsy Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Midlands Posts: 2,860	As pointed out giff Gaff is real budget end of the market and as a result you get what you pay for. O2 are going to look after their own customers first, then it appears those on Tesco and finally everyone else, including GG. They should be thankful they get 4g really as its a wonder they do offer it given its a basic network that is cheap and cheerful.

26-02-2016, 18:09	#21
snukr Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4,414	Quote: Originally Posted by d123 Of course they are still selling 3G compatible goodybags, all they are doing is rationalising to a single set of goodybags for use on both 3G and 4G. If you have a 3G phone you might only have access to 3G (but that is your own choice for having a 3G only phone), if you have a 4G phone you can also use 4G. A bit like how EE, o2, Three, ID Mobile, Tesco, Lyca etc do it... I realise they will still work on 3G, but if I want the same amount of data as I get now I will have to pay more for it, because it's 4G.

DS Forums

giffgaff 3G internet tediously slow

26-02-2016, 18:40	#22
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by snukr I realise they will still work on 3G, but if I want the same amount of data as I get now I will have to pay more for it, because it's 4G. That's nothing to do with them "abandoning 3G", that is just called a price increase. You should ask the Three customers what that entails, they've had some experience of it recently as well,,.

26-02-2016, 22:34	#23
neil79 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 506	I am considering going back to giffgaff as I used them from 2012 to last June after previously using O2 from 2007. I currently have a BT 4G ( EE ) sim and it's slower than Giffgaff / O2. My sim deal lasts till June and the only thing that concerns me about moving back to Giffgaff is the Three takeover. I don't beleive there is any difference between O2/giffgaff / Tesco data speeds. Giffgaff offers a better deal because it's a flexible online service.

01-03-2016, 23:11	#24
clewsy Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Midlands Posts: 2,860	Quote: Originally Posted by neil79 I am considering going back to giffgaff as I used them from 2012 to last June after previously using O2 from 2007. I currently have a BT 4G ( EE ) sim and it's slower than Giffgaff / O2. My sim deal lasts till June and the only thing that concerns me about moving back to Giffgaff is the Three takeover. I don't beleive there is any difference between O2/giffgaff / Tesco data speeds. Giffgaff offers a better deal because it's a flexible online service. There is a difference. People on here have proved it. Tesco works well I find, GG not a hope in hells chance. It's just so low down the order, after people like me with Tesco, you don't get a look in.