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O2 quickly upgrading to EDGE

M

MarkW19

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Sep 13, 2002
1,209
1
Surrey, UK
Today is the first day that I've had EDGE access at home on my UK iPhone since I got it on 9th November. GPRS has been down on and off at home for the last couple of days, so I guess that's why. I use Wi-Fi at home of course, but it's still nice to see.

I've also noticed another 2 areas this week (in West Yorkshire) that have been recently upgraded to EDGE.

Good job, O2. It seems you're making progress...
 
I agree, it seems o2 are really doing here bit to try and roll out EDGE as fast as they can, although I am extremely impressed at their GPRS speeds on their network too, its not tiresome or a chore to browse on this device.
 
Yeah, I'm pleasantly surprised how much better GPRS access is on a competent device like the iPhone, vs my old Pocket PCs.

Although, it does seem to strongly depend on cell signal strength, as you'd expect I guess. ie. 2/5 bars is a bit of a chore as it seems to take ages to open a webpage, and keeps stopping/starting. But, if you've got a good sustained 4-5/5 bars, it's more than useable!
 
Very hit and miss edge access here in Edinburgh. Basically, I can get it half way down Leith Walk (where really you don't want to be seen using an iPhone if you don't want to get mugged). It's terrible. I live in a capital city, and there is almost no Edge access at all that I can find. Even worse... practically no free WIFI either.

Still, I find GPRS okay for checking my email, and my fave bar and my gym have free WIFI. I only wish there was free WIFI near my office, because I can't really connect my iPhone over the office network (I'd get shot).

I really hope it gets better.

I do love my iPhone tho! :)
 
It does seem hit and miss. Driving along, you see the "E" drop in and out every couple of minutes.

I was in Leeds city centre the other day (LS1), and barely saw EDGE at all. I went out of town (LS11), and it had it constantly. It can only get better though!
 
yeh, I agree I have to say that I have been very happy with O2, they are doing there bit very well, I started to see edge in a lot more places.
 
They are doing better, but like others have reported, bit hit and miss. Hope they keep up the rollout - would love to have EDGE everywhere!
 
tonywob said:
I've never been able to get EDGE at home, but noticed it suddenly appear earlier, it has been going off and on, but when it's on it is pretty quick. Looks like O2 are actually doing something :)
Click to expand...

Exactly the same here - it appeared for the first time earlier, and has been on and off all day.
 
I have noticed an increase in the frequency that I am picking up edge and in the quality of the reception over the last week. Good to see the updates are finally being rolled out.
 
MarkW19 said:
Exactly the same here - it appeared for the first time earlier, and has been on and off all day.
Click to expand...
I am finding that it is a bit hit and miss even in my nearest big city, Manchester.

What I don't quite understand though is how you can be stationary in one location and find that it comes and goes. What is the reason for that?
 
CD3660 said:
I am finding that it is a bit hit and miss even in my nearest big city, Manchester.

What I don't quite understand though is how you can be stationary in one location and find that it comes and goes. What is the reason for that?
Click to expand...

The same reason that you can be in the same place, and your signal strength goes up and down, I guess. Because it's just radio waves travelling through the air, so if you're in a grey area (in the middle of a GPRS/EDGE "border"), then I guess it's a bit erratic. Maybe?
 
MarkW19 said:
The same reason that you can be in the same place, and your signal strength goes up and down, I guess. Because it's just radio waves travelling through the air, so if you're in a grey area (in the middle of a GPRS/EDGE "border"), then I guess it's a bit erratic. Maybe?
Click to expand...
You're right. I am tired after a very long day and it was a stupid question really!
 
Still GPRS at my house :(

which is annoying because at the opposite end of my road you can get EDGE!
 
This is all good to hear. Chances are I'll be getting an iPhone just after xmas (incase someone buys me one :D ). I live inbetween Lancashire and Yorkshire, I see 2 giant masts outside my window and phone signals have always been good here. I should be flying on EDGE :D
 
I get the train between Cardiff and London a lot and there's great EDGE in Newport and Reading. Of course, there's free Cloud at Reading too.
 
I am from the US, so sorry if this is a really stupid question...

I always thought that other countries were WAY ahead of us in cellular technology (3g, etc). How come there is limited access to Edge over there and you are just getting it?

I've drove from Pittsburgh to Orlando and never once lost Edge service, so it is pretty much everywhere over here in the states.

Again, sorry if this is really stupid, I'm just curious.
 
Sean7512 said:
I am from the US, so sorry if this is a really stupid question...

I always thought that other countries were WAY ahead of us in cellular technology (3g, etc). How come there is limited access to Edge over there and you are just getting it?

I've drove from Pittsburgh to Orlando and never once lost Edge service, so it is pretty much everywhere over here in the states.

Again, sorry if this is really stupid, I'm just curious.
Click to expand...

EDGE was sort of skipped by the providers in the rush to provide 3G coverage
 
Gateshead Metro Centre is Edge'd up nicely, but my home in hartlepool is completely lacking in 3G and Edge. O2 haven't put up the mast because some tosser thought it didn't look very nice.
 
Sean7512 said:
I am from the US, so sorry if this is a really stupid question...

I always thought that other countries were WAY ahead of us in cellular technology (3g, etc). How come there is limited access to Edge over there and you are just getting it?
Click to expand...

Yeah - Edge is an older technology we practically didn't bother with here - we went from GPRS to 3G leaving out EDGE (Enhanced GPRS) - O2 here has had to go back and put the tech in place pretty much solely for the iphone, their 3G is far more widespread than EDGE and has been for a while.
 
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