Best network for Internet

BarGin

I am coming to the end of my contract soon. I currently have a 3 deal with X-Series Silver Internet add-on. This works fine in their 3G areas but outside this mainly in rural areas where I believe they are serviced by Orange, Internet browsing does not work at all.

I would settle for the slower gprs as long as it worked albeit slowly.

Does anyone know if O2's mobile Internet is more widespread?

nickmack

BarGin wrote: »

Does anyone know if O2's mobile Internet is more widespread?

Probably best to check on here:

http://webmap.o2.co.uk/

and ideally check with someone on O2 near you or get a PAYG to check yourself.

punkstoner

tmobile is about the best im led to believe, widespread hsdpa, decent limits, and very reasonable prices.

shame about the customer service though.

I've been with them for mobile internet/broadband since mid 2005. Never found a product that equally replaces it. otherwise i would, because their customer service SUX.

Cavey

There was a group test of mobile Broadband in a recent issue of PC Pro. The individual reviews are linked to from that page, however that is Mobile Broadband (ie on a laptop from a dongle) rather than internet on your phone. The marks therefore include the quality of the dongle, but they do discuss the quality, reliability and speed of the connection.

Also, I have my phone limited to GPRS (ie ignoring 3G) as it improves the battery life. I also find the connection speed on GPRS to be reasonable - if you are browsing the web from a phone, chances are you don't have anything better to do, so can afford to wait a few seconds. It is annoying if it is doing a large email download or synchronising an off-line news browser, but then if you do regular updates it doesn't take so long.

I am using O2's mobile web and have used it with little complaint in Exeter, Fraserburgh (North Scotland), Worcester, central Birmingham and places in between. If anything was to tempt me from O2 it would be T-Mobile, but it would end up being more expensive (currently pay £25 for 600 mins, 100 texts and "unlimited" internet) and I am quite happy with the level of customer service from O2.

As far as I am aware, the biggest difference between the networks is the "Acceptable use policy". T-Mobile and Three both seem up front about having a 1Gb "limit". I like T-Mobile's policy of capping your speed should you exceed 1Gb such that it is unlimited. By contrast, O2 have a hidden policy in that it is impossible to get a copy and you only find out it is 200Mb limit by reading between the lines.