UK iPad users - ISP recommendation

[JeromeOD]

Having had my ipad for almost a month now, and experienced so-so service from O2 (good on one cell tower in London SW3, no so much on another with constantly having to reset 3G to restart service) plus the terrible image compression and lack of iplayer, i decided to try Orange today, not willing to risk the indian call centre of three and I think Vodafone is too expensive.

Well, 8 hours in and I'm thrilled with Orange. No image compression, rock solid connection all day, iplayer works and it wasn't a dreadful fuss to set up either via the orange website which just worked after the APN had come over from iTunes.

Obviously your mileage will vary in different areas, but this is great in London. Getting just under 2.3k in speedtest.net, by the way.

[Zcott]

No issues with 3 here in Belfast.

[JeromeOD]

So does three run iplayer ok?

[shellbryson]

Best deal (by far) is on the 3 network - 10Gb per month for £15, no contract.

iPlayer works perfectly (watched the world cup on it), also the best coverage in the UK.

I also use 3 network with a 3G dongle for my MacBook.

[ipb1966]

Another vote for 3 - a no brainer unless you really are outside of their coverage area.

Ian

[JeromeOD]

Was the setup traumatic? The three blog is full of nothing but grief with the call centre not knowing anything about the iPad tariffs etc.

Also - any image compression or similar? Any of you in London? There are reports of low capacity here due to over-population!

[AndyMulhearn]

I'm using O2 purely because I can do all the account stuff on the iPad rather than needing to speak to a call centre somewhere on the sub continent. O2 works ok more or less but in and around Canary Wharf it's less than stellar. I went for the 1gB for a tenner option and have used about a quarter of that in the month.

I got screwed by Three last year so won't touch them with a bargepole. I'll probably switch my phone contract from O2 to vodafone and use joiku on my nokia for a wireless hotspot for those occasions where O2 coverage is crap. Spreading the risk...

[kilidar]

I tried o2, orange and vodafone, vodafone is by far the best coverage and bandwidth, I have wifi in most places I go (my 3 local pubs got wifi). Vodafone have an occasional user data tariff not specifically for iPad, I subscribed to that and asked for a micro-sim, it's a monthly contract for £3 per month, and £2 for any day u use it, you get 500MBytes for your 2 quid.

[TheBritishBloke]

I was going to go on Three when I get mine.. As they do have the largest UK 3G network, the support sucks though.

They also do a 3GB Package for £20, which lasts for upto 3 months (But if you're a power user could use all that in one month). But like someone else said, you have to call them if you want to do anything, whereas with e.g. the O2 ones, it can all be done right on the iPad, which is one reason I might go on O2.

@Killidar Why on earth would you do that? O2 do it where you JUST pay £2 for each day you want to use it... Whereas you're paying that £3/Month..

[Seamaster]

Three for coverage and price.

Anyone but Three for customer service.

[duncyboy]

I set up a Three account this week and I can't see what all the fuss is about their call centre. The guy I spoke to was South African, spoke perfect English and was really helpful. The call was quite lengthy because of the credit check etc. Was on 3G about four hours after that.

Coverage seems really good, as do the speeds.

You want a call centre based in England? You'll pay more for your service

[biffarino]

i don't have ipad yet as i'm still deciding whether to get an iphone 4 or not. it just depends if i can make do with the iphone 2g yet.

i digress, i bought a 3 mifi unit and it seems really good. it powers the 2g well enough so should be more than adequate for the ipad, if and when i get it.