which phone network is the best?

tropical_igloo · 12-08-2006, 20:47

hey im on vodaphone at the moment and i am wanting to change to a better company as at the moment i am charged 12p per text (unless i send 3 in a day then they all become 10p for that day) and i like vodaphone because i live in quite a rural area and my signal is quite good, and because i can top up £5 rather that £10 and because im a student thats a benefit!

anyway, i want to change to one which will give me better offers, for example the o2 300 free texts a month sim card but i need some advice as to which is the best PAY AS YOU GO company.
please help!

BIGDOGUK · 13-08-2006, 00:19

If u text alot t-mobile's text apeal tariff is very good http://www.tmobile.co.uk/ 3p per text any netowork or if you call other networks alot try tesco mobile's extra tariiff http://www.tescomobile.com/ only 10 per min any network and 5p er text any network but you get to top up £15 per month to stay on this tariff.

Hope this helps.

BIGDIGUK

13-08-2006, 00:23

(a) This thread should really be in the Mobile Telephony forum, so expect it to be moved shortly

(b) Every network is both the best and worst depending on who you ask.
If you want to see the majority view, then there is a poll in the mobile telephony forum that should give you a fairer overall view of which networks FMs prefer.

VirtualR · 13-08-2006, 05:24

Be really careful about coverage being as you are in a rural area. Vodafone has the best and O2 comes second, but there is still a massive difference between the two. Check out the coverage maps for each via google.

flicker · 13-08-2006, 08:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by VirtualR

Be really careful about coverage being as you are in a rural area. Vodafone has the best and O2 comes second, but there is still a massive difference between the two. Check out the coverage maps for each via google.

I was going to say the same thing re coverage in a rural area, but here, sadly Vodaphone is not good at all. In a journey of 12 miles in either direction, there is no network for approximately half of it, hopeless if you break down in the car, which is the main reason I have a mobile phone. Where my friend lives, she has to walk about 100 yards up her field to get even a weak signal.

Here Orange is the best. We can't get at all O2, Virgin, Tesco or any others.

jenneigh · 13-08-2006, 11:23

im on o2. they're good. i get 300 free texts a month if i top up £10.
at the moment they're giving away free sim cards, you can claim up to 4 sim cards... have a look on some of the freebie websites, you might find them.

daveyboywales · 13-08-2006, 11:30

I'm in a rural area and O2 and Vodafone have the best signal, Orange and T-Mobile are useless, infact I've noticed both Orange and T-Mobile only seem to have good coverage in or around towns and citys, once you venture out signal is rubbish

Garyo2 · 13-08-2006, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by VirtualR

Be really careful about coverage being as you are in a rural area. Vodafone has the best and O2 comes second, but there is still a massive difference between the two. Check out the coverage maps for each via google.

What a load of tosh. You do realise there are rural areas all over the country don't you?

Totally dependant on where you want to use your phone who will provide the best coverage.

Ask your friends and collegues what they use (people who live/work in same area).

VirtualR · 13-08-2006, 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garyo2

What a load of tosh. You do realise there are rural areas all over the country don't you?

Totally dependant on where you want to use your phone who will provide the best coverage.

Ask your friends and collegues what they use (people who live/work in same area).

To save both argument and to dispute what I said was "a load of tosh" check out these maps:

o2

Vodafone map

Also this site has a short run down of coverage for most networks:
http://www.mobileshop.org/buyguide/coverage.htm

Garyo2 · 13-08-2006, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by VirtualR

To save both argument and to dispute what I said was "a load of tosh" check out these maps:

o2

Vodafone map

Also this site has a short run down of coverage for most networks:
http://www.mobileshop.org/buyguide/coverage.htm

Yes that would be the sensible thing to check each networks webmaps. Each network has areas of strength whether that be rural or built up areas, and thus the reason why I have given the orginal quote tosh status. As its hugely misleading and incorrect.

mattworld · 13-08-2006, 18:07

I wouldn't read too much into the Mobileshop article, its a bit dated (clue: it says Vodafone have the most subscribers, they don't, not in the UK anyway).

Nationally there isn't much in the coverage of the mobile providers, as you can see from these maps, O2 and Vodafone probably have an very slight advantage over T-Mobile and Orange for various reasons.

On a local basis in some areas will be better served by one network than another one. I wouldn't read too much into the online coverage maps provided by the operators or anyone else, they are good for a general guide but thats it. They only provide an estimate, there are still black spots etc & they don't really give an indication as to general signal quality where you will be. As GaryO2 said, its best to ask other people in your area what their signal is like.

iDan · 13-08-2006, 18:20

Vodafone *do* have the most subscribers don't they?

I've always been with Vodafone, they're expensive but i've never had any problems!

Garyo2 · 13-08-2006, 18:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telly_Man

Vodafone *do* have the most subscribers don't they?

I've always been with Vodafone, they're expensive but i've never had any problems!

No not anymore.

I believe o2 have the most now closely follwed by T-mobile, then Vodafone.

O2 were the only company to increase customer base in the last quarter. T-mobile lost 400,000 (NET)

mattworld · 13-08-2006, 18:30

Quote:

Vodafone *do* have the most subscribers don't they?

I've always been with Vodafone, they're expensive but i've never had any problems!

No as at June 30th 2006 Vodafone had 16,185,000 subscibers & O2 had 16,814,000.

According to T-Mobile's lates update on 10/08/06, T-Mobile UK has 16.7 million customers, including 4 million Virgin Mobile customers.

Haven't been able to find Oranges latest figures, but at the end of Q3 2005 they had 14.5 million subscribers

moox · 13-08-2006, 20:49

As someone who lives in a rural area, I've found that all 4 GSM networks are just as good as each other with only T-Mobile being a bit weaker than the rest.

3G wise, I can only get Orange and even then 1 bar (but a consistent 1 bar, I don't have to stay still) of signal. Vodafone are supposed to have 3G here but they don't.

As such, I go with the one who offers me what I want. I use Orange and o2 - Orange for the cheap GPRS and o2 for the free allowances.

(you really should check the various provider websites for coverage info, and people who have a phone on the network you want near you, though)

coyle06 · 13-08-2006, 22:47

o2 is the best for pay as you go - 300 free texts and 150 xnet off peak minutes for a £15 top up and you can still use the £15 credit on anything you want!

Paul_7 · 15-08-2006, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garyo2

O2 were the only company to increase customer base in the last quarter. T-mobile lost 400,000 (NET)

Out of interest, what was the source of this 400,000 figure?

From this Guardian article...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guardian article

T-Mobile UK, the British subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, saw a 127% rise in new customers in the first half of the year...

...the mobile phone operator said it had achieved its fastest growth in contract customers: the number of net new customers rose to 629,000, 14 times that of the first half of 2005. This was driven mainly by its Flext contract, which gives customers a monthly amount within which they can use variable amounts of texts, calls and video messaging, as opposed to fixed numbers of texts and call minutes. The plan has attracted more than 771,000 customers since its launch in March.

mattworld · 16-08-2006, 01:19

Acutally, if we are talking about how many customrs they gained/lost in a quater, which Garyo2 was, the the figure for T-Mobile is way off 629,000. The actual figure is an addition 369,000 in the first quater, of which 363,000 were contract customers.

Corporate websites are your friend

... http://www.t-mobile.net/CDA/press200...d-1885,en.html

12-08-2006, 20:47	#1
tropical_igloo Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 38	which phone network is the best? hey im on vodaphone at the moment and i am wanting to change to a better company as at the moment i am charged 12p per text (unless i send 3 in a day then they all become 10p for that day) and i like vodaphone because i live in quite a rural area and my signal is quite good, and because i can top up £5 rather that £10 and because im a student thats a benefit! anyway, i want to change to one which will give me better offers, for example the o2 300 free texts a month sim card but i need some advice as to which is the best PAY AS YOU GO company. please help!

13-08-2006, 00:23	#3
dawson Posts: n/a	(a) This thread should really be in the Mobile Telephony forum, so expect it to be moved shortly (b) Every network is both the best and worst depending on who you ask. If you want to see the majority view, then there is a poll in the mobile telephony forum that should give you a fairer overall view of which networks FMs prefer. Last edited by dawson : 13-08-2006 at 00:26.

16-08-2006, 01:19	#18
mattworld Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 701	Acutally, if we are talking about how many customrs they gained/lost in a quater, which Garyo2 was, the the figure for T-Mobile is way off 629,000. The actual figure is an addition 369,000 in the first quater, of which 363,000 were contract customers. Corporate websites are your friend ... http://www.t-mobile.net/CDA/press200...d-1885,en.html Last edited by mattworld : 16-08-2006 at 01:20.

13-08-2006, 00:19	#2
BIGDOGUK Guest Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 182	If u text alot t-mobile's text apeal tariff is very good http://www.tmobile.co.uk/ 3p per text any netowork or if you call other networks alot try tesco mobile's extra tariiff http://www.tescomobile.com/ only 10 per min any network and 5p er text any network but you get to top up £15 per month to stay on this tariff. Hope this helps. BIGDIGUK

13-08-2006, 05:24	#4
VirtualR Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: UK Posts: 546	Be really careful about coverage being as you are in a rural area. Vodafone has the best and O2 comes second, but there is still a massive difference between the two. Check out the coverage maps for each via google.

13-08-2006, 08:58	#5
flicker Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: West Wales Posts: 14,065	Quote: Originally Posted by VirtualR Be really careful about coverage being as you are in a rural area. Vodafone has the best and O2 comes second, but there is still a massive difference between the two. Check out the coverage maps for each via google. I was going to say the same thing re coverage in a rural area, but here, sadly Vodaphone is not good at all. In a journey of 12 miles in either direction, there is no network for approximately half of it, hopeless if you break down in the car, which is the main reason I have a mobile phone. Where my friend lives, she has to walk about 100 yards up her field to get even a weak signal. Here Orange is the best. We can't get at all O2, Virgin, Tesco or any others.

13-08-2006, 11:23	#6
jenneigh Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wirral, UK Posts: 156	im on o2. they're good. i get 300 free texts a month if i top up £10. at the moment they're giving away free sim cards, you can claim up to 4 sim cards... have a look on some of the freebie websites, you might find them.

13-08-2006, 11:30	#7
daveyboywales Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 1,144	I'm in a rural area and O2 and Vodafone have the best signal, Orange and T-Mobile are useless, infact I've noticed both Orange and T-Mobile only seem to have good coverage in or around towns and citys, once you venture out signal is rubbish

13-08-2006, 13:21	#8
Garyo2 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Posts: 566	Quote: Originally Posted by VirtualR Be really careful about coverage being as you are in a rural area. Vodafone has the best and O2 comes second, but there is still a massive difference between the two. Check out the coverage maps for each via google. What a load of tosh. You do realise there are rural areas all over the country don't you? Totally dependant on where you want to use your phone who will provide the best coverage. Ask your friends and collegues what they use (people who live/work in same area).

13-08-2006, 16:22	#9
VirtualR Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: UK Posts: 546	Quote: Originally Posted by Garyo2 What a load of tosh. You do realise there are rural areas all over the country don't you? Totally dependant on where you want to use your phone who will provide the best coverage. Ask your friends and collegues what they use (people who live/work in same area). To save both argument and to dispute what I said was "a load of tosh" check out these maps: o2 Vodafone map Also this site has a short run down of coverage for most networks: http://www.mobileshop.org/buyguide/coverage.htm

13-08-2006, 18:06	#10
Garyo2 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Posts: 566	Quote: Originally Posted by VirtualR To save both argument and to dispute what I said was "a load of tosh" check out these maps: o2 Vodafone map Also this site has a short run down of coverage for most networks: http://www.mobileshop.org/buyguide/coverage.htm Yes that would be the sensible thing to check each networks webmaps. Each network has areas of strength whether that be rural or built up areas, and thus the reason why I have given the orginal quote tosh status. As its hugely misleading and incorrect.

13-08-2006, 18:07	#11
mattworld Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 701	I wouldn't read too much into the Mobileshop article, its a bit dated (clue: it says Vodafone have the most subscribers, they don't, not in the UK anyway). Nationally there isn't much in the coverage of the mobile providers, as you can see from these maps, O2 and Vodafone probably have an very slight advantage over T-Mobile and Orange for various reasons. On a local basis in some areas will be better served by one network than another one. I wouldn't read too much into the online coverage maps provided by the operators or anyone else, they are good for a general guide but thats it. They only provide an estimate, there are still black spots etc & they don't really give an indication as to general signal quality where you will be. As GaryO2 said, its best to ask other people in your area what their signal is like.

13-08-2006, 18:20	#12
iDan Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,812	Vodafone do have the most subscribers don't they? I've always been with Vodafone, they're expensive but i've never had any problems!

13-08-2006, 18:24	#13
Garyo2 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Posts: 566	Quote: Originally Posted by Telly_Man Vodafone do have the most subscribers don't they? I've always been with Vodafone, they're expensive but i've never had any problems! No not anymore. I believe o2 have the most now closely follwed by T-mobile, then Vodafone. O2 were the only company to increase customer base in the last quarter. T-mobile lost 400,000 (NET)

13-08-2006, 18:30	#14
mattworld Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 701	Quote: Vodafone do have the most subscribers don't they? I've always been with Vodafone, they're expensive but i've never had any problems! No as at June 30th 2006 Vodafone had 16,185,000 subscibers & O2 had 16,814,000. According to T-Mobile's lates update on 10/08/06, T-Mobile UK has 16.7 million customers, including 4 million Virgin Mobile customers. Haven't been able to find Oranges latest figures, but at the end of Q3 2005 they had 14.5 million subscribers

13-08-2006, 20:49	#15
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	As someone who lives in a rural area, I've found that all 4 GSM networks are just as good as each other with only T-Mobile being a bit weaker than the rest. 3G wise, I can only get Orange and even then 1 bar (but a consistent 1 bar, I don't have to stay still) of signal. Vodafone are supposed to have 3G here but they don't. As such, I go with the one who offers me what I want. I use Orange and o2 - Orange for the cheap GPRS and o2 for the free allowances. (you really should check the various provider websites for coverage info, and people who have a phone on the network you want near you, though)

13-08-2006, 22:47	#16
coyle06 Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Glasgow Posts: 1,079	o2 is the best for pay as you go - 300 free texts and 150 xnet off peak minutes for a £15 top up and you can still use the £15 credit on anything you want!

15-08-2006, 23:41	#17
Paul_7 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: London / Herts Posts: 277	Quote: Originally Posted by Garyo2 O2 were the only company to increase customer base in the last quarter. T-mobile lost 400,000 (NET) Out of interest, what was the source of this 400,000 figure? From this Guardian article... Quote: Originally Posted by Guardian article T-Mobile UK, the British subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, saw a 127% rise in new customers in the first half of the year... ...the mobile phone operator said it had achieved its fastest growth in contract customers: the number of net new customers rose to 629,000, 14 times that of the first half of 2005. This was driven mainly by its Flext contract, which gives customers a monthly amount within which they can use variable amounts of texts, calls and video messaging, as opposed to fixed numbers of texts and call minutes. The plan has attracted more than 771,000 customers since its launch in March.

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which phone network is the best?