UK Networks!

[Deleted User]

wow I think its fantastic three have H+ already (and the other networks are getting it as we speak) - also the SGSII never says it has HSPA+ but you are right 21mb/s is HSPA+ - doers it actually say H+ on screen?

 

[steslatt]

doers it actually say H+ on screen?

Yes it does. Although I havent noticed much speed improvement over H.

 

[smileman]

Giffgaff is my favourite company

I don't know any other company in the world that pays forum geeks like us just for helping out! I got

 

[planetf1]

Network choice is very personal.

I used to be on three, but sadly had no coverage at home/work so was forced to leave. They also dropped quite a lot of their 2G coverage (roamed onto Orange) leading to rather too many gaps for my liking. That being said in coverage they had the best 3g, throughput,prices around. Ultimately though with something like a basic text message not being possible out of coverage I just had to switch. *very reluctantly*.

"3" put all their original 3G network masts into a joint venture with TMobile known as MBNL. This covered 3G only, but was same sites, same antenna but different backhaul. so coverage should be identical. Tmob/Orange then merged to form Everything everywhere, and kept the 50% in MBNL jointly. I think the Orange network is still merging but eventually 3G coverage should be similar across all 3.

I moved to vodafone - definately far less patches -- though they still exist. 3G not as good as 3, but improving. Some HSPA+ (yes the SGS2 does show a nice H+ icon). Data prices not as good and rising :-(

Vodafone have an initiative with O2 to improve coverage (cornerstone) though I think this is site share only.

O2 itself always seemed "optimistic" in their coverage predictions. My area still marked down for full bars 3g/2G, yet whenever I tried even 2G was patchy and no sight of 3G -- this pattern was repeated in other locations locally. Nowhere near as much as 3G and issues with data in general

 

[Morat]

I love three but as im in a rural area i dont get signal - Also for HSPA+ u need a HSPA+ phone dont u? does the SGSII really have HSPA+?

If you have decent wifi at home then I'd go for Orange - they have an app installed called Signal Boost which is actually Universal Mobile Access (UMA). It allows your phone to log into the Orange network via the internet so you can receive voice calls and texts over your home wifi/internet connection.

I don't have any mobile coverage in my house so this is a Godsend for me. Other carriers (Voda?) will sell you a little box that you plug into your internet connection to achieve the same effect, but the Orange method is better (imo) because it will work anywhere there is wifi but no mobile signal.

The system isn't perfect, sometimes the connection fails until you restart your phone but it works well enough for me.

I've just renewed my 18month contract with Orange.

 

[ooberandy]

This report from Ofcom gives o2 & vodafone as the best data speeds. Orange & T mobile propping up the rear.

I've changed from Orange to o2 recently and the speed is quicker, but not a huge amount.

 

[Deleted User]

Thanks all, its very cool that it shows H+ cos in the phone specs it doesnt say it has H+ it just says 21mb/s 3G - i also know about that T-Mobile / 3 MBNL - can T-Mobile access all of 3's 3G network? & what places have u all got H+ in this country?