[Spod]

I know people only tend to post when they have a complaint but is the O2 network really as bad as it's made out?

I have a works Orange phone at present and pretty much experince full signal permanently but looking to get the 3GS, would I end up hunting around for a signal all the time or can I drop back to Edge and most of the time then work?

[mikeossy]

Are you just asking what the 3g signal is like or o2 signal in general?

[DannStarr]

You can't ask in general, it really depends on your area. O2's 2g signal in my part of the county is excellent, I also found I had a 3g signal in some places I didn't expect it, but I had to leave o2 because of bad data services. Most of the time, even if with full 3g signal, I could not connect to the web or use any data apps - the whole reason for me having the iPhone.

[jamesivi]

My opinion of the network is it is not that good. I am in the City of London near St Paul's at work and I have an Edge signal.
When I was on 3 has had 3G nearly everywhere and I remember people telling my why are you on 3 they are rubbish, in my experience their network was better.
I was surprised with the coverage.
I can still make calls ok though just the internet side of things is slower.

[kdc]

every network has good areas and bad areas... for some orange will be brilliant for others absolutely useless.. the same applies to o2. the only way to check for absolute certainty is to go out and buy a payasyou go o2 sim and try it in a phone...

[UEF]

I tried an orange SIM from a blackberry in my iPhone the other day

Where I struggle to get Edge at home, it had full bar 3G. However, the 3G itself was Edge-like speed. So its almost as if you get 100% of the connection to the server, but the server itself isn't very fast, if that makes sense?

The most useful comparison would not be whether you get GPRS, Edge or 3G or even how many bars you get but a true measure of your upload and download speed from the speedtest app.

[Spod]

It's one of those chicken or egg situations, I don't want to fork out for an iPhone and 2 year contract to find it ends up as a lump of fancy plastic on my desk as I can't get a signal.

Edge is supposed to have slightly better coverage over 3G so was thinking of forcing the phone back to Edge when it struggles, It's supposed to do it by itself but not that quick.

What's O2s cancellation policy like especially if you buy through Apple direct?

[jamesivi]

Just done some speed tests the fastest download 46kbps and the fastest upload 52kbps

[zoidy]

I find O2 to be fairly patchy in Surrey. Especially on the train from London to Croydon. When I was on T-Mobile I had a very good (and fast) signal most of the journey. With O2 the signal drops off several times in 30 minutes.

Call-wise no problems, just issues with data.

[fat jez]

From my experience of using O2 around the country (Bristol, Glasgow, Belfast), I've found their 2G network to be excellent and their 3G network to be dire. According to coverage maps released by OFCOM, O2 have one of the worst deployments for 3G of all the networks. 3 and Orange have about the best (as long as you understand that these coverage maps should be taken with a pinch of salt, although my experiences with O2, Orange, 3 and Vodafone tend to bear them out).

[UEF]

Originally Posted by fat jez

From my experience of using O2 around the country (Bristol, Glasgow, Belfast), I've found their 2G network to be excellent and their 3G network to be dire. According to coverage maps released by OFCOM, O2 have one of the worst deployments for 3G of all the networks. 3 and Orange have about the best (as long as you understand that these coverage maps should be taken with a pinch of salt, although my experiences with O2, Orange, 3 and Vodafone tend to bear them out).

However as I've said, once you're connected how fast are they, in measured terms?

[sh3hryar]

Hi,

I have been with o2 since early 2005.

I will def recomend you the network. The converage is fab. So is the customer services. Dealing with Insurance can be tricky at times but then its never a easy job.

I do tend to make negotiations with o2 when due an upgrade i.e. discounts etc etc. But then I am a gold account holder and I can get away with it.

Also the fact where ever I tend to go internationally o2 has got it all covered which does help when in need.

Hope this helps.

[fat jez]

Originally Posted by UEF

However as I've said, once you're connected how fast are they, in measured terms?

On 3G, pretty quick. On 2G, very slow. Subjective, I know, but that's just my experience, people can take it or leave it as they wish.

[dpb69]

In north london I always get a good reception. In central london near holborn 3G does get patchy.

All i get from my mate is that 3G was fine till you iphone users turned up

[DannStarr]

Just ran a speed test on three. Results: download = 1850kbps upload = 257kbps, ping 266.

I shall upload a screen shot later, but not a bad result considering it's a peak usage time. Never saw anything like that with o2, glad I unleashed my iPhone to 3

[bobbytoad]

you get a 14 day cooling off period if you buy from Apple direct or O2.

I would recommend Apple fast service trustworthy customer service, quidco cash back, and you don’t have to deal with useless O2 staff in the shop who seem to know very little about the product they’re selling. (my experience of my 2 local O2 stores)

[UEF]

Yeah, o2 service is just mobile phone shop service really - hardly CEO of IBM material!