[Nikhil]

Hi,

I live in london for most of the time, and i'm considering changing networks (i'm on vodafone currently) I've never had a problem with network reception in london and have used O2 and Vodafone without much trouble. I know t-mobiles reception is bad (well, much weaker than the others) but can any orange customers tell me what the orange reception is like in london?

Do you get out of signal often?

Thanks

[Smiggs]

don't go to london very much myself but everywhere else I've been Orange's signal can't really be topped for quality. Infact last time i was in london I had full strength all the time when I was above ground.

[Thanhuk]

Originally posted by Nikhil
Hi,

I live in london for most of the time, and i'm considering changing networks (i'm on vodafone currently) I've never had a problem with network reception in london and have used O2 and Vodafone without much trouble. I know t-mobiles reception is bad (well, much weaker than the others) but can any orange customers tell me what the orange reception is like in london?

Do you get out of signal often?

Thanks

Orange have quite a good signal, but it all depends on where you are. I find that usually in citys on my mob, it has 3-4 bars out opf 5, and out of the city 4-5 bars. It all depends. My dads o2 moblie, has always 4 bars on.
Thanh

[hxbro]

Never had any problems with orange in or around london. Even have managed to recieve messages whilst stopped at a jubilee line station once (think it was canada water or one of them around there) - had 1 bar at the time.

Hx

[jimijames]

Is it a known fact that t-mobile's signal is by far the worst in the UK? I always seem to have problems where I live, but thought I was just unlucky being in a weak signal area.

Your opinions will be valuable to me, as the weak signal is driving me crazy. How do vodafone rank signal wise?

thanks

[Nikhil]

yeah, t-mobile reception is poor, compared to the other networks. As i said in my post before i have experience of O2 and vodafone and their reception is very strong. I've never had any problems. I wouldn't change but its just the vodafone price plans aren't very competitive anymore, and orange is becoming much more competitive now, and they seem to be soooo friendly and efficient. If they do the orange value plus for the 3(three) network tariffs then i see a LOT of people changing.

Only had a problem in London once with Orange and I think that must have been cell related...so I'd go 4 it...

[Thanhuk]

Originally posted by Nikhil
and they seem to be soooo friendly and efficient.

yes thats true. It was their free WAP, and i brought a new phone. I was charged £1.50 for 5 minutes. I phoned up, and it seems i had the wrong settings. I set the right ones, and they also credited me with my £1.50 as well!.
Thanh
PS: - What countrys do Orange phones work in?

[jimijames]

Originally posted by Nikhil
yeah, t-mobile reception is poor, compared to the other networks. As i said in my post before i have experience of O2 and vodafone and their reception is very strong. I've never had any problems. I wouldn't change but its just the vodafone price plans aren't very competitive anymore, and orange is becoming much more competitive now, and they seem to be soooo friendly and efficient. If they do the orange value plus for the 3(three) network tariffs then i see a LOT of people changing.

Thanks Nikhil.

[dvs]

[i]What countrys do Orange phones work in? [/b]

http://www.orange.co.uk/international/

[dvs]

The science bit:

Vodafone and O2 operate on the GSM900 frequency. This frequency can carry data (i.e. the calls) further than the GSM1800 frequency that Orange and T-Mobile use. However, it cannot carry as much data as GSM1800. For that reason, Orange and T-Mobile have to have more transmitters and as a result, technically have a more superior network. Some would also say a more reliable network because of the additional transmitters.

[Gazkicka54]

...to add a little, Voda and O2 use 1800 in built up areas - city centres etc. Its true that 900 signals are more robust on paper, however the network set-up plays a significant part, how far away relative to where you are the cell-sites are, the capacity of one cell is split by micro-cells on the side of buildings (McDonalds, Pubs - they look like Alarm box's). The output power of each site is important, varying from 100 down too 1 watt.

What am I saying is the factors are so variable, that its a case of horses for courses...

'3' are competing on price only atm, their technology is cumbersome and way off the 386Kbs connection speed they'd promised, many have claimed GPRS is quicker!

France Telecom are trying to get a profit out of Orange, and will be commercially reluctant to lower prices down to 3's loss-leader. O2 and Deusche T-mob likewise.

Incidently Voda are the only network investing in their 2G network so I believe.

Voda is my personal choice, rarely have a problem with actual shown signal strength and the ability to make a call and maintain it (there's a difference)...

Rgds
Gar

[Bill Clinton]

Where I am Orange has always been terrible, but T-Mobile had a full bar. Also with Orange it always seems to be the best signal near schools and scenic locations (!)

[Thanhuk]

Originally posted by Gazkicka54

France Telecom are trying to get a profit out of Orange,

I never knew that Orange was part of France Telecom!, well better change to O2 !
Thanh

[Thanhuk]

Originally posted by Bill Clinton
Also with Orange it always seems to be the best signal near schools and scenic locations (!)

No, Lets see, cumbria, only 1 Bar, school 3 bars, not much, compared to the city with its 4 bars!
Thanh

Originally posted by dvs
The science bit:

Vodafone and O2 operate on the GSM900 frequency. This frequency can carry data (i.e. the calls) further than the GSM1800 frequency that Orange and T-Mobile use. However, it cannot carry as much data as GSM1800. For that reason, Orange and T-Mobile have to have more transmitters and as a result, technically have a more superior network. Some would also say a more reliable network because of the additional transmitters.

True, Orange and T-mobile are on 1800MHz which is more easily blocked by obstructions than the lower frequency 900MHz used by Vodaphone and O2.

All things being equal, Orange and T would need more sites to give the same sort of coverage

I saw a chart some time ago which showed Orange with the most UK sites, then O2 and Voda joint second, and T Mobile last. This may explain the reception problems.

This is a useful site

http://www.sitefinder.radio.gov.uk/