Switching networks - which one

b.cummins

b.cummins

b.cummins

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Joined
23 Mar 2006
Posts
906
Location
Guildford, Surrey
I've been with EE for 2 years now and I'm not impressed with the coverage, in particular at home and at work. I know they are meant to be the fastest but my work phone on Vodafone always seems to have better reception. I was also with O2 long ago and enjoyed the coverage there.

I am considering Vodafone or O2 as a low-risk switch on a SIM only deal. The deals they are both offering are basically the same so I was wondering what the consensus is on a network. I'm based in Surrey so ideally a good network for the home counties, hampshire and wiltshire would be preferrably.
 
I would get a couple of PAYG sims and give it a test for yourself. Signal strength can be localized to roads rather than towns.
 
As above, I tried a few and Vodafone came up best for me.

I only have signal issues in the office at work where it'll drop down to 3G, but other than that, everywhere else I get a strong 4G signal. Plus the WiFi calling works (though I've not had to use it anywhere other than in a test scenario)
 
Thanks guys - whats the easiest way to get free or close to free PAYG sims for these networks? I see that GiffGaff offer free sims so that covers O2
 
PAYG SIM testing is the way to go. So it might cost you a couple of quid to test each network, but there is nothing like testing it yourself - only fools believe what the network tell you coverage is like :)
 
b.cummins said:
Thanks guys - whats the easiest way to get free or close to free PAYG sims for these networks? I see that GiffGaff offer free sims so that covers O2
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Vodafone I know you can just request on on their website for free, usually comes in about 2 days from the two I ordered to test.
 
If there were no other network signals where I lived apart from Vodafone, I would still refuse to use them and put up with having no signal.

The most incompetent bunch of ***** I've ever had the misfortune to deal with.
 
killsta said:
If there were no other network signals where I lived apart from Vodafone, I would still refuse to use them and put up with having no signal.

The most incompetent bunch of ***** I've ever had the misfortune to deal with.
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Kind of pointless :confused:

But they (Voda) can be a right pita I'll agree. That said I got onto live support at Voda the other day to request my pac code. For some reason at 'Retensions dept' I got someone who was half helpful. I'd been overcharged all year on a sim only deal and the idiots in the shop were about as much use as a choccy fireguard. They cocked up but either couldn't or wouldn't sort it out. In truth Voda has a better service where I live and work and wasn't too bothered about moving. Anyway I got all the overcharged amount back and was offered a reasonable deal for another year sim only with Vodafone.

If and when EE get 800mhz sorted then they could be an option where I live.

To OP, try the other networks via payg, as has been said, before entering into any contracts. Though with Vodafone I think you have 30 days to try the network and if it's no good you can cancel without penalty .... or I'm sure I read on their website....

https://www.vodafone.co.uk/the-vodafone-difference/index.htm
 
Guys thank you for your input. I've managed to order free payg sims from Vodafone, O2 and GiffGaff (though i think the last two will be identical? unless O2 customers get more priority on the network?)
I'll be able to try them out in the most important places (home and work) to see what the scoop is.
I have to say EE has been a surprise, I was honestly expecting better from the stats and advertising. To that end I take on board not to believe what's printed about coverage.
I've read an interesting side article about EE having a history of poor indoors cover because they didn't adopt the lower frequencies which goes a long way to explain the coverage vs. speed dilemma.
 
b.cummins said:
(though i think the last two will be identical? unless O2 customers get more priority on the network?)
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A year ago before I moved away from them, giffgaff speeds was lower than my friends on O2, even on the same location. Not sure how it is now but they had congestion issues as well as lower priority than O2/Tesco.
 
Orcvader said:
A year ago before I moved away from them, giffgaff speeds was lower than my friends on O2, even on the same location. Not sure how it is now but they had congestion issues as well as lower priority than O2/Tesco.
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It seems there's merit to this reading around - I've ordered an O2 sim as well luckily!
 
Just in case anyone is interested - I compared Vodafone, EE, O2 and GiffGaff.

Vodafone consistently took the lead in signal strength and really came into its own indoors. there wasn't much in it between O2 and EE. On that basis I am going with Vodafone, thanks for your input!
 
killsta said:
If there were no other network signals where I lived apart from Vodafone, I would still refuse to use them and put up with having no signal.

The most incompetent bunch of ***** I've ever had the misfortune to deal with.
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Agree with this, they are a right pain to deal with.

Fingers crossed I've not had any issues with them for about 4-5 months now, hopefully it stays that way for the remainder of my contract.

The only positive is are the speeds and reception on Vodafone is the best I've had (Tried EE/02/Three).
 
I get 2 bars of 4G with Vodafone at work, but the internet barely works on the phone, or is crazy slow when it does work. Really odd but I can live with it.

Everywhere else is near full 4G and lightning fast speeds. I was on Three before which had terrible signal indoors, but Voda's been a delight.
 
b.cummins said:
Just in case anyone is interested - I compared Vodafone, EE, O2 and GiffGaff.

Vodafone consistently took the lead in signal strength and really came into its own indoors. there wasn't much in it between O2 and EE. On that basis I am going with Vodafone, thanks for your input!
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EE are rolling out 800 4g currently which if you are on contract with them and have a phone that supports volte and possibly got the phone from them rather than sim free could help with building penatration.

One of the reasons why I stuck with voda for the time being as they are better indoors in my rural location compared to EE.

I've found customer service a little more helpful of late. I know when I first joined they were dire. Thankfully it's not really had occasion to contact support of late apart from sorting my contract renewal.
 
I'm on 3 as well and overall coverage seems compatible with when I was on o2 three years ago. Obviously some areas are better on 3 and others with o2. I'm thinking of switching to Virgin (EE) on my next SIM only.
 
I'm with 3 but that's because I get unlimited data, and free roaming in most of the countries I travel to regularly so it's a bit of a no brainer for me.

Not the best, but pretty good for what you get.
 
Freefaller said:
I'm with 3 but that's because I get unlimited data, and free roaming in most of the countries I travel to regularly so it's a bit of a no brainer for me.

Not the best, but pretty good for what you get.
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I was with Three for similar reasons but they traffic shape so much (especially West coast of the US) I ended up finding it unusable and I had to change. I moved to Vodafone and now pay £3 per day in Europe and £5 a day elsewhere and the difference is like night and day, I don't mind the extra cost because I can expense it and more importantly I can actually use it for more than email.
 
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