[cipo73]

My contract with Vodafone will run out in six months and after two years with them I've been thinking about switching to O2. I live in London and whenever I am in a place where there is very poor or no signal at all (e.g. basements, houses etc), I have noticed that O2 is the only network with signal (I can select other networks on my phone and although I don't actually have access to them, the display shows the strength of signal). Other times it's just O2 and Vodafone, but overall O2 seems to have a strongest signal in London. Another reason why I'm considering leaving Vodafone is because for exactly the same amount of money I'm now paying every month, O2 would offer me a much better deal (more free minutes plus invlusive free texts). Finally, Voda's International Calling Service is rubbish compared to O2's International Traveller Service: calls to most of Europe are 25p/min on Voda whilst on O2 they cost "only" 17p/min. Also, texts sent overseas are more than 10p cheaper on O2.

What I am a bit wary about though is the fact that calling customer service is NOT free on O2 and that the feedback on their cs is not brilliant either.

Any ideas/opinions?

[ianoel230982]

i work for o2 CS mate i can tell u whenever you get thru to me i give great cust service

[lost boy]

Honest opinion? Well, if you think you're going to need to rely on customer service - avoid avoid avoid. I was with them 5 years and only had 3 members of staff actually willing to help me and actually doing so too in all that time... and 2 of them were in the last 6 months

On the other hand, if you're confident with a mobile and see cs as a last resort then they are worth a look as a) they have the coverage you need, and b) admittedly competitive tariffs, particularly for number of included texts and the fact that - unlike most if not all the other networks - O2 include 08 calls (e.g. 0845/0870) within free minute allowances

[flagpole]

Have you tried e-mailing vod customer service, they're great.

[PFMprod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cipo73

My contract with Vodafone will run out in six months and after two years with them I've been thinking about switching to O2. I live in London and whenever I am in a place where there is very poor or no signal at all (e.g. basements, houses etc), I have noticed that O2 is the only network with signal (I can select other networks on my phone and although I don't actually have access to them, the display shows the strength of signal). Other times it's just O2 and Vodafone, but overall O2 seems to have a strongest signal in London. Another reason why I'm considering leaving Vodafone is because for exactly the same amount of money I'm now paying every month, O2 would offer me a much better deal (more free minutes plus invlusive free texts). Finally, Voda's International Calling Service is rubbish compared to O2's International Traveller Service: calls to most of Europe are 25p/min on Voda whilst on O2 they cost "only" 17p/min. Also, texts sent overseas are more than 10p cheaper on O2.

What I am a bit wary about though is the fact that calling customer service is NOT free on O2 and that the feedback on their cs is not brilliant either.

Any ideas/opinions?

Funnily enough, I have just replied to another thread. I live in Hampshire and for me O2 is the best network. No other network gives me 100% coverage for where I travel, customer service is 'good' and its cheaper than vodafone.

Be careful of the advice you may receive on these forums, there are a lot of people with axes to grind against particular networks, because they couldn't get something for nothing probably. 95% of these people have absolutely no idea what they are talking about, they've probably read it somewhere in another forum!

When buying a new phone I often wish you could have it for a 'test drive' and see how well it works!

Here was my reply to someone slagging off O2 and Vodafone:

Thats all well and dandy BexTech, as long as you can actually receive a good signal. The 1800Mhz networks are great if you live and work next to a transmitter and never venture away from your town or city. As I'm sure you are aware, the higher frequency doesn't travel as far as the 900Mhz networks (approx half the distance for the same radiated power), nor does it permiate brick or concrete as well so 'in building' coverage is also not as good.

I take a lot of car and train journeys for my job and as far as the 1800 Mhz networks go you can forget it, the coverage away from conurbations is at best patchy, with the phones constantly 'hunting' for the next cell. The 900Mhz networks are much more stable. Oh, and don't forget, both O2 and Vodafone can and do use both frequencies in areas where the call volumes are of a higher density. The T-mobile and Orange can't even if they wanted to.

A lot of the O2 network was set up when it was BT Cellnet. This has the advantage that a lot of the major cells are 'hard wired' to the country's major land line network making it more stable and less prone to 'falling over'. No other network has this, they all use rf backhauls.

The O2 network is technically superior to the others.

Therefore, anyone using a mobile as a serious means of being in touch should, in my humble opinion choose either Vodafone or O2.

In my experience Vodafone are more expensive, the coverage isn't as good and their customer service poor. Over several years I have tried other networks to get better deals, new phones etc, but I now know that only O2 can offer me the best coverage and a good 'customer experience' for the right money. I can't remember the last time I had any sort of problem with them.


Ben1800, don't be swayed by people on these forums, 95% don't have a clue what they are talking about. Make up your own mind by your own experiences.

[Garyo2]

Axes to grind Too true, lots of people have this problem. It funny how a lot of customers return when they realise the grass isn't that much greener on the other sie (or maybe is for a year).

[BexTech]

I have no axes to grind.

I do use both O2 and Vodafone, however not as my main providers.

Here was my reply:

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFMprod

As I'm sure you are aware, the higher frequency doesn't travel as far as the 900Mhz networks (approx half the distance for the same radiated power), nor does it permiate brick or concrete as well so 'in building' coverage is also not as good.

This is true, you do need more 1800 Mhz transmitters to cover the same area.

Vodafone can be dearer and most often is compared to O2, the only trouble with O2 other than the lower call quality is the often constant dropped calls.

The only trouble with Vodafone for me other than the lower call quality, in there are too many areas in Birmingham with no coverage.

Being field service myself, I to have to travel 1000+ miles per week, for the vast amount of my job the 1800Mhz network is fine, I do however have both O2 and Vodafone SIMs available in a spare phone, on the odd occasion I get no signal with my main 1800Mhz network or my backup 1800Mkz network.

[cipo73]

Thank you all for your opinions. PFMprod, you are right and what you say makes perfect sense to me. That's why I've always only considered either Vodafone or O2.
I've got absolutely nothing negative to say about Vodafone's CS, they've always replied to my queries withing one or two days and have consistently been helpful, both via email and on the phone. My only problem with Vodafone, like I said, are the tariffs and the not-as-good-as-O2 (apparently) coverage.
A couple of minor questions are: does O2 let you choose your new number from a list of available ones (same as with Vodafone), so that you can pick up a fairly easy to remember one? Does O2 also offer a text back service to give you info on your balance in terms of inclusive minutes and texts used? Is O2 online billing as detailed as Vodafone's (Vodafone's though only includes the transactions up to two days before unfortunately). Lastly, does anyone know if O2 is planning on ever making calls to CS free?

[Garyo2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BexTech

I have no axes to grind.

I do use both O2 and Vodafone, however not as my main providers.

Here was my reply:



This is true, you do need more 1800 Mhz transmitters to cover the same area.

Vodafone can be dearer and most often is compared to O2, the only trouble with O2 other than the lower call quality is the often constant dropped calls.

The only trouble with Vodafone for me other than the lower call quality, in there are too many areas in Birmingham with no coverage.

Being field service myself, I to have to travel 1000+ miles per week, for the vast amount of my job the 1800Mhz network is fine, I do however have both O2 and Vodafone SIMs available in a spare phone, on the odd occasion I get no signal with my main 1800Mhz network or my backup 1800Mkz network.

Dropped calls all the time? I dont think so. If you are getting this, its YOUR equipment. O2 dropped call rate was the lowest out of all the providers in 2004.

Also the difference between the two freq is very minimal using the mobile phone. The actual phone itself has a larger impact on the call quality and clarity than the actual infrastructure does (in real life not text book). Granted if you had a phone with excellent speech and sound quality (bearing in mind there are very few phones which fufil this criteria then yes the 1800mhz does have better SQ. However it also suffers from an annoying high pitched background squeal that a certain amount of people can still hear.

[BexTech]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garyo2

Dropped calls all the time? I dont think so. If you are getting this, its YOUR equipment. O2 dropped call rate was the lowest out of all the providers in 2004.

I didn't say all the time, just often they will constantly drop, strange how when I put in SIM for any of the other networks, the dropped calls disappear. Meaning when I use O2 at times a call will stay connected for about 10 - 15 seconds and then drop, call again a few seconds later it will drop, and again and again, yet swap the SIM in any of the phones I have and problem dissapears, would seem strange to have 5 faulty phones only when using O2.

[Garyo2]

Well if your situation was normal then o2 would have NO customers. In the 5 years I have worked for o2 the amount of complaints re dropped calls can be added on 1 hand. And just about all of these where from a situation back in 2003. 5 dropped calls would have people shouting from the hills. If SMS stops working for 1/4 of a second then people are knocking down o2's door.

Have you considered your sim card is faulty? As that is the only viable issue. You sure you are not trying to use a 5v sim in a 3.3V handset, because this is far more likely.

[SeanMcQ]

I've never had O2 drop a call in two years...

[BexTech]

No, no faulty SIM (have had several) or 5V SIM in 3.3V handset.

It's just one of those things I live with, I use O2 (also Vodafone) when I'm not getting coverage from an 1800Mhz network, it could be on those occasions I am also in an O2 struggling area, as you can't rely on the signal strength the phones report half the time.

[BexTech]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanMcQ

I've never had O2 drop a call in two years...

Some people are just lucky, I must be getting your share.

[Garyo2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BexTech

Some people are just lucky, I must be getting your share.

TO be honest you must be getting nearly everyone's share.

I have never come across anyone, with this type of problem. Even on forums like this where all the moaners congregate (not saying you are a moaner).

If you enter a deep tunnel, or go out of range it would normal for the call to be cut off as you would have lost coverage. However loosing a connection multiple times in the space of a couple of mins is certainly very odd.

The only time this would happen is if the network was at capacity and someone with higher call privilages than yourself (such as a 999/112 caller) tried to make a call would you be booted. Network capacity is hardly an issue, it is very rarely breeched on o2, even at new years eve etc. Or if the police initiate network shut down as they requested this year on July 7th.

[BexTech]

Must just be me they don't like.

[PFMprod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cipo73

A couple of minor questions are: does O2 let you choose your new number from a list of available ones (same as with Vodafone), so that you can pick up a fairly easy to remember one? Does O2 also offer a text back service to give you info on your balance in terms of inclusive minutes and texts used? Is O2 online billing as detailed as Vodafone's (Vodafone's though only includes the transactions up to two days before unfortunately). Lastly, does anyone know if O2 is planning on ever making calls to CS free?

Not sure if you can choose your number, why don't you just port your Vodafone number across?

I am a pay monthly customer so not up to speed on the way PAYG works, but the online billing is good.

I'm sure my calls to CS are free, but I guess if you pay for it on PAYG they probably won't change that. Not unless their possible new owners have that policy.

[cipo73]

Great, thanks, hope I'll bump into you then when I have a problem!

[cipo73]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianoel230982

i work for o2 CS mate i can tell u whenever you get thru to me i give great cust service

Forgot to quote what I was referring too, sorry.

[cipo73]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFMprod

Not sure if you can choose your number, why don't you just port your Vodafone number across?

I am a pay monthly customer so not up to speed on the way PAYG works, but the online billing is good.

I'm sure my calls to CS are free, but I guess if you pay for it on PAYG they probably won't change that. Not unless their possible new owners have that policy.

Sorry, my mistake, I wasn't very clear. I'm actually on contract and the text-back service I was referring to is the one whereby you call CS, dial a certain option and they send you a text back to let you know how many of your monthly inclusive minutes and text you've used so far, plus any unbilled call amount. Not sure if you can obtain this automated information on O2 other than checking the online billing page or speaking to an operator?

[japitts]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFMprod

Be careful of the advice you may receive on these forums, there are a lot of people with axes to grind against particular networks, because they couldn't get something for nothing probably. 95% of these people have absolutely no idea what they are talking about, they've probably read it somewhere in another forum!

When buying a new phone I often wish you could have it for a 'test drive' and see how well it works!

Er, this is what 14day return policies are all about when you first connect to a network.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFMprod

Here was my reply to someone slagging off O2 and Vodafone:

Thats all well and dandy BexTech, as long as you can actually receive a good signal. The 1800Mhz networks are great if you live and work next to a transmitter and never venture away from your town or city. As I'm sure you are aware, the higher frequency doesn't travel as far as the 900Mhz networks (approx half the distance for the same radiated power), nor does it permiate brick or concrete as well so 'in building' coverage is also not as good.

1 - Great in theory, but quite frequently the local terrain means that the maximum footprint of sites in rural areas can rarely be reached. Since this argument is only ever trotted out where remote areas are concerned, it needs to be considered very carefully.

2 - Yes, 1800Mhz doesn't permeate walls as well - but 900Mhz can be lot worse with certain windows and doors.

3 - Quite often, in locations where there's a lot of in-building usage (offices, railway stations, shopping centres etc), "in-building systems" ensure there's blanket coverage anyway. Where these aren't deployed, any network with sufficient depth of coverage (obtained through street-level installations if necessary) will be fine indoors.

It all boils down to the number of sites a particular network has in a given area, and their location.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFMprod

I take a lot of car and train journeys for my job and as far as the 1800 Mhz networks go you can forget it, the coverage away from conurbations is at best patchy, with the phones constantly 'hunting' for the next cell. The 900Mhz networks are much more stable. Oh, and don't forget, both O2 and Vodafone can and do use both frequencies in areas where the call volumes are of a higher density. The T-mobile and Orange can't even if they wanted to.

I'll only respond to the bandwidth issue here, because coverage is always a localised, subjective issue.

Orange & T-Mobile have more available capacity at 1800Mhz alone, than Voda & O2 have at 900Mhz & 1800Mhz combined. Again, in situations where capacity rather than coverage is concerned, the most critical factor can be cell size. The smaller the cell, the sooner its frequency can be re-used. 1800Mhz networks are at an inherent advantage here, although again - the design and planning of the network in any given area (i.e. the use of "umbrella" macrosites and "in-fill" microcells/picocells) can change all that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFMprod

A lot of the O2 network was set up when it was BT Cellnet. This has the advantage that a lot of the major cells are 'hard wired' to the country's major land line network making it more stable and less prone to 'falling over'. No other network has this, they all use rf backhauls.

Untrue. I can only speak for one network here, but I know for a fact they use a mixture of microwave and landline backhauls. Both have their advantages.

You also seem to be assuming that technical faults on sites are only ever caused by backhaul failures. Not so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFMprod

Ben1800, don't be swayed by people on these forums, 95% don't have a clue what they are talking about. Make up your own mind by your own experiences.

Hmmm... you do make some good points but also some very poor ones.

Regards

[crickletail]

I live in Hants. Really good coverage with them. Customer service is really good. Only slight problem is that very rarely Tex's take a few hours to be delivered. But can live with that. Good coverage abroad unlike T mobile.

[lost boy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by flagpole

Have you tried e-mailing vod customer service, they're great.

Me? Yes. they're fab... and fast! Same day replies usually Definitely faster than Orange are these days... Orange took 5 days to answer my last email to them

[lost boy]

Quote:

axes to grind

I should have known that little 3 word phrase would turn up somewhere along the line lol IMO that's a cop-out - sorry, but it is...

In my experience - which at the end of the day is what we all share on here, our oen experiences - I used the network as a back up phone only, as my main network is Orange which freely admitted it's coverage here is weak - and it is - however, although O2 has three times as many cells here, it also has three times as many blackspots... which considering two of its cell sites share with T-Mobile which has one blackspot (I've tested) and has booming signal everywhere else is odd to say the least

Getting back on topic however, Bextech's comments:

Quote:

...Vodafone can be dearer and most often is compared to O2, the only trouble with O2 other than the lower call quality is the often constant dropped calls.

Quote:

I didn't say all the time, just often they will constantly drop, strange how when I put in SIM for any of the other networks, the dropped calls disappear. Meaning when I use O2 at times a call will stay connected for about 10 - 15 seconds and then drop, call again a few seconds later it will drop, and again and again, yet swap the SIM in any of the phones I have and problem dissapears, would seem strange to have 5 faulty phones only when using O2.

I can't agree with those enough. Indeed, neither can my employer which fairly recently lifted every field worker off O2 and onto either a choice of Vodafone or Virgin/T-Mobile due to... how can I put this subtly... "repeated communication difficulties in the field by workers on assignment" Now I'm aware that service is not guaranteed at all times before I get jumped on, however one team in the building had 10 field workers - 7 had problems... not the best odds really eh?

Anyway, as I said before, O2's tariffs are good - no question. I personally know I'd save £10+ a month if I went with them. However, be prepared for problems with customer services... because you WILL have problems with them.

[KETKKKK]

i had been with vodafone for several years. beginning of the year thought i d defect to o2. big mistake.

January i am going back to vodafone.