3 is the cheapest, but is it best

gromituk

Unfortunately you'll find people saying exactly the same thing about all networks. You are going to get black-spots wherever you are and your sample of one is statistically insignificant, however frustrating it is. According to the report obtained from Ofcom under FoI, "Three appears to have the best coverage."

mutley74

gromituk wrote: »

Unfortunately you'll find people saying exactly the same thing about all networks. You are going to get black-spots wherever you are and your sample of one is statistically insignificant, however frustrating it is. According to the report obtained from Ofcom under FoI, "Three appears to have the best coverage."

I have been with them for almost 5 years..only been cut of about 2-3 times due to bad coverage. a few times when i could not get coverage (usally when out on the beach) otherwise decent coverage even when travelling on the train! Customer service can be hit and miss but so far i still think they are a reasonable company. Just make sure you check the contract when signing up and deal offered. And the 3G services and mobie web facility is pretty reasonable too..shame they dont have the Nokia 5300 express on offer..maybe next year!

chrissyxx

I was with 3 quite happily for over 5 years. Didnt really suffer from bad reception, always got a decent upgrade and discount. This year it was a total shambles. I was lied to on 3 separate occasions about discounts, they attempted to charge me twice for an upgrade phone that was supposed to be free, and was offered exactly same as new customers re upgrading. Had 5 separate conversations with CS lasting an average of an hour each, whilst attempting to give notice, and just got so fed up I defected to Virgin. I used to recommend 3 to all my friends and family, now I feel embarrassed that I did!

happywarmgun

I note this thread has started in 2004 or something when it would have been fair game to say that three coverage was rubbish. But I have walked around with two phones since then - my work Orange phone and my personal Three phone and think I am in an objective position to say that by and large both have excellent coverage in the UK but both occasionally hit network downspots (in different places) with about the same frequency.

Knowing with certainty about the way coverage has worked for me with both Orange and three over the last year unless your home is in one of the downspots I would have no hesitation in recomending three. Their prices are superb.

gromituk

Three is actually in a privileged position - it pays lower "termination charges" to other networks when sending calls to them than they do to it and each other. This mechanism was put in place to give the then new network a helping hand against the established networks which had had a head start. Whether this anomaly is now justified I don't know, and how long it will continue I don't know, but it is a concrete reason why Three might be better value than the other networks.

fiish

I have bought a 3 Skypephone S2, one because it's a bargain at £40 and two for making Skype calls on the move. So I'll have plenty of time to get to know 3's coverage before I actually take the plunge and transfer my main phone over (not that I definitely shall).

steve99

Gynd05 wrote: »

I strongly disagree, 3's coverage is not better that everyone elses. I have been with them for about 2 and half years, and their coverage has never been good. Unfortunately last November I was talked into renewing my contract with them, as they promised me that my coverage would improve with my new phone. In fact, it has actually got worse!

Same for me. They even told me that a mast was faulty in my area and that it was just coincidence that I was getting a worse signal with my new phone.

I spent 53mins on the phone to them to cancel my upgrade and get a PAC code. They kept passing me from operator to operator and let me listen to lots of music. They had a 'slow system' that didn't help but it was a very frustrating time until finally I was able to get the cancellation and PAC code. I was just calm and firm with their CS but I did feel like screaming at them !

Steve

BOBS

fiish wrote: »

I have bought a 3 Skypephone S2, one because it's a bargain at £40 and two for making Skype calls on the move. So I'll have plenty of time to get to know 3's coverage before I actually take the plunge and transfer my main phone over (not that I definitely shall).

I have been looking at this phone too - what do you think of it?? I am currently 3 contract which is almost finished and as I make most of my calls to OH have been considering 3 PAYG for both of us - where £10 top up lasts 3 months and you get free 3 to 3 calls - reckon I could save a few pounds. Just a bit unsure that a £40 phone would do the job - love to know what your impression of it is??
Dont know the 1st thing about skype so that isnt an influencing factor.

fiish

I have had the Skypephone S2 for only 3 days and have made only one (Skype) call on it so far. Like with Skype on the desktop it took me a few tries bafore I got a satisfactory connection (where both sides could hear each other coherently). I made the call in the middle of a noisy train station and it was mostly loud enough, except when the trains were being announced (it was the middle of the concourse in Kings Cross). The phone feels a bit cheap, but then again, it is!

Sound quality was OK, not as good as on my PC but the PC has a webcam microphone which by itself cost more than the Skypephone.

As far as 3's network coverage is concerned, it is OK for me although not as reliable as my primary O2 phone. I do get signal in my flat but the strength seems to vary even when I move about the house and there seem to be dead pockets where I get no reception at all. Also I have seen the 'No Service' indicator in some parts of London while outdoors. However, a very good thing is that the Skype works properly if there is any signal at all.

I am satisfied so far, I may post again in the future as I use it more, this is just my first impression.

digitaltoast

fiish wrote: »

I am satisfied so far, I may post again in the future as I use it more, this is just my first impression.

Can you do me a quick favour? This is a new Skypephone S2, right?

Can you please enter *789# into the keypad and let me know what the numbers are? (It's a firmware revision).

Thanks.