3 is the cheapest, but is it best

memark

Orange have a plan that they don't publish and is only available it seems - to quote their customer services chap I spoke to today - "now and again". It's called the "Select 500" plan and gives you 500 cross network minutes for £25 pcm, with a limited choice of free phones, provided you commit to another 12 months with them (Motorola v500, Nokia 6230, SPVc500, Sony K700i). I've just checked Orange's website and 400 minutes is listed at £50 pcm, so on that basis, it's a bargain. It doesn't obviously beat 3, though.

What I'd be really interested in is a 3 bluetooth handset that I could guarantee always works on the O2 2g network so as to guarantee reliability of service; I'm not interested in the frivolous "extras" you get with 3, I just want a good old fashioned telephone (ie to make calls).

(For those that don't know: the problem with the 3 network is 1) coverage (about 60%) and, when not in the 3 coverage area, 2) switching down to O2's 2g service, when it will drop your call).

I know the Nokia 7600 can be permanently switched to operate on 2g but what a horrible phone (IMHO). I was considering an NEC616v or Motorola E1000 but I don't know if you can permanently switch these to only operate on 2g in the same way.

Actually, it seems that with all of the phones, switching to 2g is actually possible. The problem is you have to do a factory reset on some of them (ie it's in a hidden menu) and that 1) costs money and 2) can really mess up your phone. On that basis, it seems it's not worth it (not the cost, just it makes a mess of all your settings).

If anyone can help by letting me know of a good Bluetooth 3 phone that can be switched  (via a menu option) to run permanently on O2's 2g and they are getting reliable service without having to hack into the software (ie it's just an existing menu option), please let me know. Assuming you can actually do what I want to and it works, that makes the deals 3 offer even better than Orange's mysterious tariff.

As an update, I took the plunge and ended up buying the Motorola E1000. The deal was fantastic: 750 minutes a month for the equivalent of £12 pm (via cashback redemption). The "conventional" operators just can't get anywhere close.

Now the thorny subject of "is it any good?" Well, so far, I have to say "yes". I live in Manchester, have a great 3G signal and haven't had a problem at all. I've even spoken to customer services a couple of times and have always found them polite, couteous and easy to understand, although you have to listen carefully sometimes but, there again, I find that with any stong accent. What's more, I manage to get through quite quickly and for anyone who's tried calling Vodaphone or Orange customer services, that is quite a novelty.

I've set up my handset to let me know when I'm travelling around when it drops its signal. Yes, it does now and again (mainly in rural areas) but it quickly regains it.

So, the jury is still very definitely out but looking good so far.

StockportGerbil

Folks :-
I've had an LG8120 on 3 for a couple of months. I live in Stockport (given my name are you surprised!? :-) ) and travel frequently down to London.

In theory the package is wonderful, 500 minutes plus 100 texts plus handset plus bluetooth for £15 a month. I switched from T-Mobile and have used Virgin in the past.

In practice the reception is not as reliable as T-Mobile. The bluetooth adaptor is difficult to use for making / receiving calls in the car, the phone is a little bulkier than I'd like. The call centre is polite (too polite for my taste) but mostly useless. Using the handset is not terribly intuitive and the battery life is not all that good (2 days.) I have not played with the video clips, email etc and don't really feel the urge to.

With regards to uploading java games, ringtones etc., rather than pay 3 absurd amounts of money I use a program called GThing to upload that data (use google to find where to download it.)

Overall I'm saving £30 a month, I think it just about compensates for the hassles, but I'll have a long hard look at what's available next November....

Regards

Kev

Tarquin_2

I've just got a Nokia 7600 and it is far far better than the old e606 which I endured for far too long!! The network is now quite tolerable with a decent handset in my opinion, although I tend not to venture outside of urban areas too much.

With regard to resolving issues, as with most companies, the call centre staff are merely there to fob you off! Don't waste your time with them. Intead write to customer services, and make it clear that you have (and do do it) copied the letter to OFTEL (you can email OFTEL at https://www.oftel.gov.uk). You should then get a swift response from the executive office, who have an obligation to respond if OFTEL are involved. I have got free line rental and credit on my account for various bad service by doing this, despite call centre staff telling me that nothing could be done!

GOOD LUCK!!!

coolio_2

I just started using, over the weekend, 3 contract with an LG 8120 and so far been pretty pleased. Always on min 3 bars 3g and no dropped calls, missing texts

rgilluley

I have been with 3 now for about a year and started off with the Motorola A835 which is one of the worst phones ever brought onto the market.
It constantly dropped calls and the phone wouldnt ring even though you were in a service area so i bought a NEC e616v pay as you go phone and put my contract sim into it and it was the best thing i ever done. It hardly drops a call now and it is just in a totaly differnt league compared to the Motorola.
As for customer services , they sound like robots reading from a script and if you ask them a question that they dont have an answer for in from of them to they just cut you off ! I have found that if you want to speak to a english operator at customer services then morning are best and if you use the option to check on a previously reported problem and 9 out of 10 times you get put through to Glasgow.

rgilluley

Can anyone tell me if its possable to lock ny phone onto the O2 2g rather that 3'S 3g Service and if so how ?
Thanks

pandapone

Go onto ebay and search under _ unlock NEC e616v and you will come up with a few people that will unlock them if you send them by post. I've unlocked one and it works perfectly. Dont waste your time with all this entering '4960' codes stuff. It doesn't work on these models. You have to send them to someone who has a special cable and all the right kit

SamShah

no i dont think he wants to unlock the phone to operate on O2 network and tariff. Basically 3 and O2 have a deal so that whenever you can't get 3g coverage you get O" 2g coverage. he wants to remain with 3 tariff and network but to always be on 02 2g network, if you can understand the difference.

Also looking at the few posts above it seems that the awful 3 service was because of the poor handets rather than the network though they have been constantly improving that too.

PaulBrown_2

From my experience with a 3 pay as you go handset. Service is ok. But the loop hole of the 0870 number appears to have been closed. Well it has been in my case. Have i been victimised for over use of this little loop hole? or have 3 changed their policy ?

burns1604

I was given a lovely phone for XMas which was unfortunately locked to the the 3 network. the phone was a C795 or C975 (a new one anyway) and was great.

However I live onthe Isle of Man and as we are covered by our own network I needed to get it unlocked. I rang the now infamous incorrectly named Customer service place, to be told it would be 115quid and would take 5 days to do, and that I should ring back to check if it had been done. I should have wondered then why they weren't ringing me to say it was ready. This phone call took 40mins to complete and was hard work to say the least.

This was Boxing Day and rather than upset person who gave me phone I decided to pay the money, and use the phone.

It was debited on the next working day and I rang back on the friday of same week as instructed New years Eve. Aafter 25 mins of being on hold I was told that the handset was so new that they did not have the unlock code from Motorola yet. I therefore asked for my money to be refunded. I was told this would be 5-10days and I should call back to check if it had actioned and also to advise them. Not too happy at this stage as I had been misadvised in the first place.

i have spoken to them 4 times since, a total of 4 hours onthe phone most of which was on hold. Still don't have any money back!!! They did finally agree twice to call me back to advise progress, I am still waiting and think I will be for the next Millennia.

Having looked at the threads here it would appear the thing to do would be contact Oftel?

Also any advice here on a rough guide to the amount of ex gratia payment I think I am now due, should be? Totalling in my time calling them the 0870 number I am ringing etc etc.
:mad: