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OK, so I've been out of contract for a couple of months, waiting to make a decision on a new phone. So I've decided what I'm going to get now, just need to know if I'd be better off changing networks now.
I've been on O2 for 5 years now, and to be honest, their performance and VFM has gradually waned IMO from the point where they seemed to be about the best, to now every time a mobile network makes the news for any reason, it's O2 with the network down. That and their offers don't represent good value any more I don't reckon...
So... Who to change to?
I mainly call just a few numbers, use less than 500 minutes a month of calls even in a busy month, send maybe 100 texts a month (if that) and err... Well I don't wanna pay a huge amount for the phone (would rather pay a few quid more each month), and I will probably use quite a bit of data.
So I'm thinking Three as they're the cheapest, have good 3G coverage, unlimited data on the packages I've been looking at. What's their mobile network coverage like these days though, as it has traditionally been poor compared to O2 and Vodafone.
Or... Should I really be bothered about 4G when it arrives, and go with a tarrif on Orange or T Mobile?
Advice appreciated!
O2 just gave me a free iphone 5, upped my data allowance and reduced my monthly payment.
Works for me.
How much have they upped the allowance to jam bo?
2gb
Nobody else matches the coverage of Vodafone & O2. That's the clincher for me.
Blimey. How much is that costing a month jambo??
£51.
I was paying £54 I think.
Nobody else matches the coverage of Vodafone & O2. That's the clincher for me.
Alot of networks piggy back on Voda and O2's networks tho, so for me using GiffGaff is exactly the same coverage as when I was on O2 previously.
Blimey. How much is that costing your work a month, jambo??
FTFY.
If you're using a lot of data, wait for the other networks to roll out 4G and see what the offers, and phones, are then.
I could upgrade to the iphone 5 on my contract now but its not 4G capable. Wait is my advice
8)
It can be considerably more than that if I'm abroad.
£51.I was paying £54 I think.
Ouch, sod that! I'm looking at about £15 a month less than that...
Nobody else matches the coverage of Vodafone & O2. That's the clincher for me.
Three's data coverage is better than both O2 and Vodafone's. Which is potentially better for me. O2 have been good for voice network, but to be honest, I'd take slightly worse phone coverage for much better/faster data coverage with a reduced price every day!
Thinking of ip5 on three for £79 up front and £36 a month with unlimited data and that sounds about the best I'm gonna get I reckon... Or is it?
Or... Should I really be bothered about 4G when it arrives, and go with a tarrif on Orange or T Mobile?
Orange and T-Mobile are now EE (Everything Everywhere), [url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/sep/11/ee-uk-4g-mobile-broadband-everything-everywhere ]and have launched their 4G service[/url], with plans to rollout to 16 major cities by Christmas.
If you're using a lot of data, wait for the other networks to roll out 4G and see what the offers, and phones, are then.
Not using masses, maybe up to 1GB at the mo, usually less, can see me using a bit more though but not masses. So not convinced proper 4G is going to benefit me yet.
Any more for any more?
Just found out the O2 deals and to be honest, the only reason to stick with them would be its less hassle to change. More expensive and/or less data than everyone else is offering.
If you're using a lot of data, wait for the other networks to roll out 4G and see what the offers, and phones, are then.
If you are planning to use an iPhone 5 for 4G then be aware that the current model won't work on the 4G frequencies proposed for the other networks.
See last posts in http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/so-4g-then
"Nobody else matches the coverage of Vodafone & O2. That's the clincher for me."
Really?
[url= http://tinyurl.com/9lqv32t ]What o2 and Vodafone tell Ofcom[/url]
That was 3 years ago. Orange, T-Mob and Three all have 98% 3G coverage - - 02 and Voda are both on around 85%. Chuck in T-Mob and Orange's new merged EE network, that reaches 99.6% population on 2G, and 99% 3G by the end of this year and O2 and Vodafone aren't even in the "runner up" category.
"If you are planning to use an iPhone 5 for 4G then be aware that the current model won't work on the 4G frequencies proposed for the other networks."
It works on all of the frequencies that Ofcom will license next year including the 1800MHz spectrum that Three and EE will partially use for 4G (and refarmed 2G in Three's case).
t works on all of the frequencies that Ofcom will license next year including the 1800MHz spectrum that Three and EE will partially use for 4G (and refarmed 2G in Three's case).
Yep, but not for the frequencies available to O2 and Vodafone will use:
The version of the iPhone 5 on UK shelves will support LTE at 1800MHz, ideal for EE which owns the whole band, and for Three, which is in the process of acquiring a chunk, but not so good for Vodafone and Telefonica (aka O2) as they are unlikely to ever get one.
..
None of this is Apple's fault: rival phone makers face the same problem and are coming up with similar answers.
-- http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/09/13/4g_iphone/
I'm on Vodafone and the 3G coverage is frankly pathetic - the phone signal is nothing to shout about either - both seem to be getting worse. Methinks they will be getting binned come December and contract renewal time.
Ok from what I can tell, EE is only rolling out 4G in 16 major cities (that I don't live in) and nobody knows yet what they're gonna charge per month for 4G usage, given that they've spent £1.5billion on the network I don't expect they'll give it away for free!
So... Doesn't seem that much point to either Orange or T Mobile to me right now.
But Vodafone and O2's phones won't be compatible with the uk's 4G network unless they significantly re-jig their networks in the next year or so.
Leads me to Three... Very competitive offer on the phone and the contract, all you can eat data, phone will be capable of connecting to uk 4G network when Three go live with it (whenever that might be) and they've got the best 3G speeds and coverage right now...
Think I've made my mind up! Bye bye O2...
O2 just gave me a free iphone 5, upped my data allowance and reduced my monthly payment.Works for me.
At £51/month that seems good until you add it up, then it's still over £200 cheaper to buy the phone outright (I'm talking the £700 64gb iP5 here) and pay £12.90/month on 3......
If that's not a 64gb, they are coining it in off you my friend!
That's what I'm planning on doing, and it's only a 1 month contract, with enough minutes (200) and texts (5000) for me easily. It's the unlimited data Iike the sound of!
It's not much hassle to change: Walk into store, get sim card, activate at home the call customer services to switch my number. 🙂
Leads me to Three... Very competitive offer on the phone and the contract, all you can eat data, phone will be capable of connecting to uk 4G network when Three go live with it (whenever that might be) and they've got the best 3G speeds and coverage right now...Think I've made my mind up! Bye bye O2...
Agreed. That's the conclusion I came to this morning.
PP, the monthly contract I'd be looking at on a SIM only would be £16 a month, on contract with the phone I'd be paying £36 a month.
So the phone will cost me £480 over 24 months, over and above what I'd spend anyway on a SIM only. Which when you add the £79 up front on too, it's only a tiny bit more expensive to have it on contract than buy outright.
That and I can't afford £500 out of my pocket right now, but £20 a month is easy to deal with...
Doesn,it it depend on where your based.
Well yes it does, so if your a southernfried lemon, then orange/tmobile, if not the. O2
Most definitely not Vodabone!
Or 3, or giffgaff or telco, the list is endless.
Rolls eyes.
That and I can't afford £500 out of my pocket right now, but £20 a month is easy to deal with...
Very true. 🙂
It' different for everyone. I only need the THREE £12.90/month deal as I don't use many minutes, mainly data. I've just knocked up a spreadsheet, stuck a load of prices into it, and buying the phone outright can't be beaten for me. O2 can actually beat THREE slightly, but they only offer 500mb/month which is flippin' USELESS....!
I've got an 32gb iP4 to sell to offset some of the cost as well. £700 is a hefty chunk, no doubt about it...! 🙂
MBOY - Nearly forgot, but make sure you look at THREE on QUIDCO, they have some iP5 cashback deals on now, that expire in 2 days! Nearly £100 off on some of them! 🙂
I can get £25 off a sim-only from 3