Network Coverage Questions

Llyllyll

I’m currently on PAYG with Virgin while I'm waiting to order a Nokia 6120 (not sure with which network hence the questions). Their coverage is, quite frankly, awful. As I was told that Virgin piggyback onto the T-Mobile network it seems logical to me that the T-Mobile coverage will be equally as bad for me. Am I right in assuming this?

One of the reasons that I haven’t made the purchase yet is because I have been waiting for Dial-A-Phone to get it on any network other than 3 (as friends have, in the past, not had good reception with 3). Dial-A-Phone told me that 3 piggyback onto the Orange network and, as Orange have 100% coverage in my area that 3 will also. This seems too good to be true to me. Why would the bigger networks offer the smaller ones this service if there wasn’t something in it for them? Surely neither Virgin nor 3 customers can expect the same level of coverage as T-Mobile’s or Orange’s respectively. There must be some trade off and I’d love to know what it is.

For info I’m in South Wales and the only network I’ve had true 100% coverage from is O2. I was thinking of going to T-Mobile as I really fancy their Web’n’Walk packages and O2’s data tariffs are so uncompetitive.

I hadn’t really considered Orange/3 until I had the phone call from Dial-A-Phone earlier today.

Any experiences, help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank in advance.

thesaint

Yes, I mean no, sorry, I think it's 70-80%

What was the question

cymru

As for the phone line I have had no problems at all, area mainly Cardiff Bridgend PT and Neath, same for 3G.

Camarthen and west its down to 2G network.

Bottom line, never missed any calles, never and dropped lines. My advise is, go to three network coverage map, as far as I'm concerned I'll go 99% with that.

Hope that helps.

Llyllyll

Bump......

rednose66

Llyllyll I moved to Three as I couldnt get a signal using O2 where I lived - Llanhilleth near Abertillery - but Three worked fine. For the last 18 months I have rarely ever lost signal. The worst that has happened is that I sometimes battle to get 3G in our office outside Newport. Other than that 3 has been excellent.

DonnyDave

Llyllyll wrote: »

... Why would the bigger networks offer the smaller ones this service if there wasn’t something in it for them? ...

In this country there are four GSM (2.5G) networks: O2, Vodafone, Orange and T-Mobile. They all need their own set of base stations (masts/transmitters).

3G is a faster technology than 2.5G (as the name suggests). These four have their own 3G networks. The coverage of their 3G networks isn't as good as their GSM/2.5G networks. This is because it's a newer technology. Consequently, if you have a 3G device from these providers, it may have to switch to 2.5G, depending on your location.

Now consider the network '3'. It operates purely as a 3G network. As it is newer than the four GSM/2.5G networks, it does not have as many base stations, hence its coverage is not as good. It is for this reason that it has an agreement with Orange whereby it provides 2.5G coverage where 3's own 3G network isn't available.

I hope this helps explain, and that I haven't blinded you with science too much!

Llyllyll

rednose66 wrote: »

The worst that has happened is that I sometimes battle to get 3G in our office outside Newport. Other than that 3 has been excellent.

But you still get 2.5G ok? Building coverage/reception seems to be a problem in my office in Cardiff with Virgin/T-Mobile. I never had a single problem with O2?

Billobel

Llyllyll wrote: »

I’m currently on PAYG with Virgin while I'm waiting to order a Nokia 6120 (not sure with which network hence the questions). Their coverage is, quite frankly, awful. As I was told that Virgin piggyback onto the T-Mobile network it seems logical to me that the T-Mobile coverage will be equally as bad for me. Am I right in assuming this?

One of the reasons that I haven’t made the purchase yet is because I have been waiting for Dial-A-Phone to get it on any network other than 3 (as friends have, in the past, not had good reception with 3). Dial-A-Phone told me that 3 piggyback onto the Orange network and, as Orange have 100% coverage in my area that 3 will also. This seems too good to be true to me. Why would the bigger networks offer the smaller ones this service if there wasn’t something in it for them? Surely neither Virgin nor 3 customers can expect the same level of coverage as T-Mobile’s or Orange’s respectively. There must be some trade off and I’d love to know what it is.

For info I’m in South Wales and the only network I’ve had true 100% coverage from is O2. I was thinking of going to T-Mobile as I really fancy their Web’n’Walk packages and O2’s data tariffs are so uncompetitive.

I hadn’t really considered Orange/3 until I had the phone call from Dial-A-Phone earlier today.

Any experiences, help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank in advance.

I know that we live miles apart ( I live in south west London) but I have been experiencing REALLY BAD PROBLEMS with Orange and the network service that they offer, but they ae very good with coming up with excuses as to why my phone wont work, but NOTHING resolve the problems.