GiffGaff vs TalkMobile in the SouthEast

TheGibbon_2

Hi
As a low usage mobile owner, I am torn between going GiffGaff (probably Hokey Cokey) and TalkMobile (£5 pcm tariff), both of which would suit me well.

Are there any views on the relative coverage of these two operators, with respect to raw coverage and also 2G/3G data coverage?

I am aware they use O2 and Vodafone respectively.

Neil49

You should also take a look at Ovivo as they offer 150 mins, 200 texts and 500 m/b data for free.

There is a £15 up front charge which is a float to cover out of package charges such as picture messages, international calls/texts etc. After that, the above allowance is refreshed every month at no extra charge.

If you don't like the service you can always leave (although you lose your £15 credit).

Ovivo use the Vodaphone network

www.ovivomobile.com

TheGibbon_2

Thanks Neil, very valid point, I'm aware of Ovivo but detest any form of "disruption" such as SMS, cold calls.

Would be OK with the internet ads but T&Cs allow them to send SMS marketing, which I would hate. My usage is low enough that I'd prefer to pay for what I use. So, sadly, not for me, but very good for others, I'm sure.

Brianrh

For me in this part of rural Norfolk, Vodaphone coverage was patchy where as O2 signal is generally good althought not always 3G quality. The coverage charts you find on line give you a good idea of signal but I ended up getting or borrowing sims to see what signal I got at the main places I needed coverage .i.e. work, home, in the local town, etc. So I ended with giffgaff and I have happily been with them for quite a while now.

I don't know if you noticed but one added advantage of the giffgaff Hokey Cokey goodybag is that you can accrue a minute of credit for every minute you get called by other networks. This has been handy for me at times

With giffgaff you can pay the minimum and try it out as PAYG but with the Talkmobile you may be tied up for a contract period.

d123

TheGibbon wrote: »

Thanks Neil, very valid point, I'm aware of Ovivo but detest any form of "disruption" such as SMS, cold calls.

Would be OK with the internet ads but T&Cs allow them to send SMS marketing, which I would hate. My usage is low enough that I'd prefer to pay for what I use. So, sadly, not for me, but very good for others, I'm sure.

I've had a number on Ovivo for almost a year now (it was around July/August last year I got it) that has never had any sort of SMS marketing text or cold call from, or associated with, Ovivo.

TheGibbon_2

d123 wrote: »

I've had a number on Ovivo for almost a year now (it was around July/August last year I got it) that has never had any sort of SMS marketing text or cold call from, or associated with, Ovivo.

Yes I realise that people haven't been SMS'd yet, it's just that the T&Cs allow for marketing texts in the future. Am not sure they allow for cold calls though.

gravitytolls

I'm also in rural Norfolk, I liked TalkMobile, am now with Orange and the network used to be one of the best, but service has been very disrupted lately. I have a friend who can only use Orange in her village, another who can only use vodafone. They both live in 'dips', don't know if that has anything to do with it, but in 15 years I've not been able to get a signal with another network in either of those villages.

Giffgaff is very popular with a lot of my sons friends, and they seem to have coverage from everywhere.

cookie365

I have giffgaff on my main phone and ovivo on one of my tablets.

Giffgaff signal is usually fine wherever I've been in the SE. If you want to be absolutely sure get an O2 payg sim (since you can activate them without topping up) to check coverage.

The ads on Ovivo aren't that disruptive, though I've not used it much away from wifi since they restarted them.

Don't know anything about Talkmobile, though hopefully they're better at mobile than they are at landline broadband.

Rusty!

I'm more south central, but O2 and Vodafone are pretty much identical here

mumps

Brianrh wrote: »

For me in this part of rural Norfolk, Vodaphone coverage was patchy where as O2 signal is generally good althought not always 3G quality. The coverage charts you find on line give you a good idea of signal but I ended up getting or borrowing sims to see what signal I got at the main places I needed coverage .i.e. work, home, in the local town, etc. So I ended with giffgaff and I have happily been with them for quite a while now.

I don't know if you noticed but one added advantage of the giffgaff Hokey Cokey goodybag is that you can accrue a minute of credit for every minute you get called by other networks. This has been handy for me at times

With giffgaff you can pay the minimum and try it out as PAYG but with the Talkmobile you may be tied up for a contract period.

I love the minutes you get with giffgaff, when I get cold called I just let them rabbit on for a couple of minutes and laugh when I get my message to tell me I have extra minutes. I know its childish but it just makes me laugh.

I get good coverage with giffgaff with family in West Mids, SW, SE, NE I have tested quite a few locations.

gwapenut

Great use for cold callers, mumps!

NB It's talkmobile, not talktalk mobile - very similar name, similar owners, but different company and talkmobile have an excellent rep for customer service