O2 or Orange for new provider?

Blue_Parrot

I am looking for a new mobile phone provider from next year - I cannot get out of the Vodafone contract until then.

Preliminary research narrows the choice of coverage here, down to O2 or Orange.

All I need is:

Business tariff

Two phones

Voice and text only. (no down/uploading required, no internet access required)

MUST have a UK call centre and Customer Service Centre with very good customer service reviews.

Consistent signal (shouldn't be a problem: both of them have masts in this area) (?)

12-month contract maximum, not two years

Website customer portal which works 7 days a week

SIM-only option would be good: this assumes that Vodafone don't want their 2-3 year old Nokia phones back. Why would they, they're museum pieces now.

Based on that, can anyone recommend either O2 or Orange?

Many thanks.

buscape

Don't discount T-Mobile, they share signal with Orange so will have coverage where Orange do.

davidsuffolk

I can't say anything about O2 but Orange doesn't meet many of your criteria!
Call centre is in India (or the people are Indian)
Most of their deals are 24 month.
Signal is OK here though no 3G (maybe better where you are?)
Good customer service reviews!!! Not seen any.
Website Portal. Often down (I have been trying to send them an email for about 10 days now and keep getting [FONT=&quot]Whoops, due to issues beyond our control we are currently unable to handle your email query. If you need to contact us by calling us on 07973100150 from a landline (landline calls are charged at local rates if you're a BT customer, but if you're with another provider it may cost more so do check). You can also contact us whilst you're abroad on 07973100150, where calls are charged at international rates. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]In the meantime, you can always check or manage your account online at orange.co.uk/your account[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Our technical teams are working hard to restore the service to you[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]Must be a really serious problem if it takes their technical team so long to fix it!![/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]From what I have read, they are ALL poor but I can't recommend Orange.
[/FONT]

in_the_Cotswolds

I've just moved to Orange from O2 after been with them for 7 years. I wish I'd stayed with O2. I've had no problem with Orange but prefer O2. Again it's personal choice.

cally6008

It's personal choice but a lot can happen in the next 6 months

Guys_Dad

Before choosing either, test with a sim, borrowed or PAYG, that you can get reception where you most need it.

DO NOT RELY ON COVERAGE CHARTS.

custardy

Website customer portal which works 7 days a week

As a user of both O2 and Orange
The Orange site sucks

NFH

davidsuffolk wrote: »

I can't say anything about O2 but Orange doesn't meet many of your criteria!
Call centre is in India (or the people are Indian)
[FONT=&quot]Whoops, due to issues beyond our control we are currently unable to handle your email query. If you need to contact us by calling us on 07973100150 from a landline [/FONT]

The Orange business call centre is not in India and their number is (07973100)345, not the above number.

You clearly have no experience of Orange's business customer service, so the OP should disregard your advice.

See http://business.orange.co.uk/home/small/plans/standard-plans/business-sim-only for some competitive SIM-only tariffs.

PollyOnAMission

davidsuffolk wrote: »

I can't say anything about O2 but Orange doesn't meet many of your criteria!
Call centre is in India (or the people are Indian)

I've always been extremely impressed with Orange's customer service. Granted I've not phoned them for a while, but when I did the people were always Geordies so I assumed their call centre was in the North East somewhere. Has it moved since I last called?

custardy

PollyOnAMission wrote: »

I've always been extremely impressed with Orange's customer service. Granted I've not phoned them for a while, but when I did the people were always Geordies so I assumed their call centre was in the North East somewhere. Has it moved since I last called?

luck of the draw

Petlamb

One of the call centres is indeed in the north east, they have 2 buildings in North Tyneside I've worked for them before, my mum still does.

I know they have at least some of their business teams based there.

Orange definitely offer sim only, but not sure if you can get business sim only.

Regardless of who you pick, I hope it all goes smoothly for you.