Rate My Network: O2 UK

[Ben]

Rating your network on Talk3G helps other members make decisions about their choice of provider. It also helps Talk3G reach conclusions about how the different networks are faring in the UK.

Please be honest when casting your votes. Simply pick each of the statements that you believe is true for your network... but try not to select them all.

This poll is for O2 UK only.

[Hands0n]

I only joined O2 because of the iPhone, my previous experience (3G) with my wife's contract which we ditched at the earliest opportunity. The only reason I went O2 is because I could not believe that Apple would accept their phone on a useless network.

M O2 2G experience has been reasonably good, and so I have voted accordingly. I'm holding out hope for O2's 3G network for when the iPhone 3G comes out on 11 July 08. If their 3G is bad then I'll go back to my iPhone 2G on the O2 network, unlock the iPhone 3G and slap my Vodafone SIM into it

Two iPhones? How posey is that

[gorilla]

Any word on how their 3g network is rolling out? No matter how you "dress up" 2g, edge, free wifi etc, the O2 network is my biggest concern with the iphone.

[Hands0n]

Who knows? I have my fears and suspicions. But reports have been about saying that O2 have been investing in their 3G network. I suppose it could work in their favour, the other networks have trailblazed, pioneered, and done the hard stuff. Now O2 can come along and buy into the latest tech, latest firmware etc .. In a few more days we will begin to know for sure

[Bleubean]

I must admit guys, i always have, and most probably will always love O2!

From day 1 when GPRS and an alarm clock were the killer features, O2 have always had 100% signal and reliability! At the moment i get 85% HSDPA and when i cant get that, i can always depend on full 100% 3G.

I never have a dropped call, bad quality, or low signal. The only time i get the dreaded "emergency calls only" is when im at work. (I work in that big tin can where they lost the data discs that you may have seen on the news.)

I honestly believe the previous signal problems some have mentioned are purely regional! Up here in Tyne & Wear, O2 and Three are the best networks for me, signal wise. Its a shame O2's previous network behavior has somewhat scarred people returning to the network.

Hopefully time coupled with iPhone 3G will prove a good match!

Surprisingly, its Orange who fare the worst for me in my region.

[Ben]

I've voted that my network hardly ever drops calls, for O2. I didn't feel any of the other options were really appropriate for them.

Never having dropped a call is good. I'm also finding the call quality to be perfectly fine.

I wanted to vote for the latest and greatest new things option, given that they have the iPhone 3G, but it just didn't feel right. O2 is hardly what I'd refer to as a 'modern network'.

[gorilla]

I've found O2's reach to be quite poor. They don't seem to have invested much in their network over here, which is a shame given that most of the people I know are on O2. (Then its three and then voda if you're interested.)
If O2 don't roll out a proper network in the next 12 months there is no chance I'll be staying with them come iphone 3 or android 1 or whatever!

[miffed]

Just to try and add some positive balance here , has anyone had much experience of o2's Customer Service recently

I have found them to be pretty damned good - Always polite , helpful - and (which I find really novel from a Network ) ... If they tell you they will ring you back , they ACTUALLY DO !!

TBH I hold them as equal to - if not better than T-mobiles excellent CS.

[Ben]

They weren't doing too badly for me either, until I asked for a VAT invoice and they said yeah, sure, then posted me a print out of my online account clearly showing "THIS IS NOT A VAT INVOICE" on the bottom

I was with T-Mobile till now although on 02 (Cellnet then) about five years ago but left cos of the high price tariffs. Now 02 simplicity £20 a month 600 mins 1000 texts unlimited web bolt on is great value so switched back. I have missed the great coverage, T-Mobile was rather lacking in certain places.

The HSDPA 3.5G flies along for web browsing etc, very impressed.

[Hands0n]

Originally Posted by blush

The HSDPA 3.5G flies along for web browsing etc, very impressed.

You are not using an iPhone then



I'll get me coat

[Ben]

lol Hands0n - am glad somebody is getting decent 3G/HSDPA, blush!

Since I posted, I've had some dropped calls and cruddy call quality on O2 despite having two bars of signal. Meh.

You want to move over to Ashford then Ben! Actually the 3.5G was good in Hastings too yesterday. I'm using a Nokia E51.

[miffed]

I am noticing 3G popping up all over the place now.
in Canterbury (PC world ) yesterday I noticed a full 5 bar signal , looks like o2 really are trying !

[a_ukboy]

I didn't vote on this because although i live in London i cannot leave my iphone on 3g, if i do i get bad call quality, dropped calls and connection errors all the time..
Very poor 3g network!