[Eddzz!!]

Same device, different networks... Would I be better off with Orange or T-Mobile? Who offer the better service with this kind of handset? I'm talking generally i.e. tariff contents but in particular internet usage allowence. Advice would be much appreciated

I have the HTC Hero and I'm using it with my O2 Simplicity SIM at the moment. Previously, I had the HTC G1 on T-Mobile and I was really impressed with the network, particularly for data. I've never been on Orange so I can't really comment there, but a vote for T-Mobile from me.

I believe Orange may have a more restrictive data allowance? (500MB compared to 1GB fair usage Web n Walk).

[Eddzz!!]

I may start looking into T-Mobile moreso... They do seem the better counterpart, especially in terms of internet allowence!

[RandomLee]

I have just left Orange to go with T-Mobile due to the fact they were offering a better deal on the Hero / G2.

T-Mob reception in my area isn't quite as good however I think the better deal makes up for it. For a start you get up to 3GB* limit for internet and I got the handset free on £35 p/m tariff whereas on Orange it would have been the same tariff but I would have had to pay something towards the phone.

Also, I think the black G2 is a lot nicer than the graphite version on orange... but that's just personal preference.

*I read in another thread that T-Mob have increased the limit from 1GB to 3GB for G1 and G2 users.

Never really had a problem with Orange whilst I was with them, although when you compare offers they're not that competitive at the moment.

[badsoden]

Originally Posted by RandomLee

T-Mob reception in my area isn't quite as good however I think the better deal makes up for it. For a start you get up to 3GB* limit for internet and I got the handset free on £35 p/m tariff whereas on Orange it would have been the same tariff but I would have had to pay something towards the phone.

Never really had a problem with Orange whilst I was with them, although when you compare offers they're not that competitive at the moment.

I had just moved to t-mobile and I have to agree that the t-mobile deals and the usage policy are far better than orange. However I also have just returned my G2 to t-mobile because I couldn't get a reception at home! There website shows the coverage should be good for 2G and 3G but it was useless. Its no good to me if I can't use it at home so I would advise anyone to check the coverage before going with t-mobile, find someone who is already with t-mobile and invite them round!!!

[RandomLee]

Sorry to hear that badsoden. What are you going to do now?

Here's the T-Mobile coverage check for anyone that needs it:

https://www.t-mobile.co.uk/services/.../street-check/

[badsoden]

Originally Posted by RandomLee

Sorry to hear that badsoden. What are you going to do now?

Here's the T-Mobile coverage check for anyone that needs it:

https://www.t-mobile.co.uk/services/.../street-check/

I don't know thats the problem, I love the phone so i would like another but the only other choice is orange who I left last year because there customer service had become so appalling!! Maybe they are better but as someone has already pointed out the data usage is a bit poor.

[RandomLee]

That's a bit of a bummer then.

Orange aren't that bad, but I rarely had reason to call their C/S. It really does suck about their 500MB limit though.

How are O2 / Voda in your area? That would open up the SIM free option.

[badsoden]

Originally Posted by RandomLee

That's a bit of a bummer then.

Orange aren't that bad, but I rarely had reason to call their C/S. It really does suck about their 500MB limit though.

How are O2 / Voda in your area? That would open up the SIM free option.

There both good but aren't there usage policies just as bad?

[RandomLee]

You're right, just as bad as Orange it would seem... I dunno what to suggest now

[badsoden]

I'm almost tempted to cancel the return and live with the bad signal!!

[Eddzz!!]

Cheers for posting the T-Mobile Coverage Street Check, it was very useful! May have made a big mistake otherwise. Seems I have no 3G coverage with T-Mobile neither at home nor at University! Looks like I'll be sticking with Orange? I'm sure I can strike a deal with them on a data useage plan...

[NicolasB]

Originally Posted by badsoden

There both good but aren't there usage policies just as bad?

Vodafone also has a 500MB a month cap. O2 doesn't actually quote a MB/GB limit in their fair usage policy, although they do prohibit things like voice-over-IP, and audio and video streaming.

[Sacred]

Originally Posted by Eddzz!!

Cheers for posting the T-Mobile Coverage Street Check, it was very useful! May have made a big mistake otherwise. Seems I have no 3G coverage with T-Mobile neither at home nor at University! Looks like I'll be sticking with Orange? I'm sure I can strike a deal with them on a data useage plan...

Well I've just ran my postcode and my area has no 3G coverage at all according to the street checker. Yet I'm sat right now browsing the internet on my Blackberry without any problems....strange!

But in general I've found T-Mobiles signal to be fickle, sometimes its perfect, I've been stood in the middle of Leeds highstreet outside a T-Mobile shop unable to get any signal at all (ironic don't you think? and not a good selling point when you can't get signal infront of their own shop!) sometimes I can move a matter of inches and lose signal, other times I get none at all then what baffles me the most is the places I use to get signal stop and places I couldn't get any signal get signal.

I'm not sure what causes the signal abnormalities but IMO its the biggest fault with T-Mobile made worse as my Blackberry shows me the networks I could have been getting signal with when T-Mobile cant, kind of like a Jim Bowen "heres what you could have won" moment!

[Eddzz!!]

Yes, a friend of mine also experiences such varying degrees of signal strength with his T-Mobile phone... I wonder why their service seems so 'fickle', as you say, here in the UK whereas in the USA T-Mobile, along with AT&T, hog all the mobile network reception - they're a massive networking provider!! Strange that they're lacking over here... No matter.

Seems I won't be getting a nice new Hero/G2 afterall - didn't cancel my current Orange contract in time!

[badsoden]

Originally Posted by Eddzz!!

Seems I won't be getting a nice new Hero/G2 afterall - didn't cancel my current Orange contract in time!

What do you mean you didn't end it in time?!? Once the 12/18/24 month is up your free to leave anytime you get the pac aren't you. Thats the way its always worked for me. I only cancelled my Vodafone contract a few weeks ago that actually expired in February.