Thoughts on O2 as a provider in the UK

[Badgerguy]

I'll be switching to O2 from Orange, and am so far reasonably optimistic. My only experience of O2 so far is through a phone provided by the company I work for, which works very well and enjoys full 3G HSDPA coverage.

Remember, the experience you have is going to differ depending on where you live - O2 (like all the UK carriers) don't have anywhere near 100% 3G HSDPA coverage. You can of course join your iPhone to your home WiFi network if you have one (and you really should!), and the access to all those wireless hotspots makes the deal all the sweeter.

I'm fortunate enough to live in Birmingham, where BT Openzone operate an outdoor WiFi network - when i switch to O2 and iPhone, I hope to gain access to this

I only hope their data service is able to cope with all the new iPhones coming online on the 11th, and over the weekend!

--
BG

 

[ayzee]

Nothing annoys me more than receiving bad service to someone your giving your money to. I stay well clear of them e.g 3mobile, Setanta and Norwich Union just to name a few companies that ill never be doing business with again.

Ive also been with every major UK network and O2 is by far the best for customer service. And im glad they are looking after their iPhone customers, which gives me further reason to think they are a pretty good network.

 

[Vereina]

Ive also been with every major UK network and O2 is by far the best for customer service.

That is consistent with my experience (O2, Vodafone, T-Mobile, Orange). Actually, Orange and Virgin Mobile had perfectly acceptable customer service, but significantly worse network coverage. For the limited number of 'phone calls I make, all four networks seem fine in cities, but T-Mobile and Orange were poor, in some cases verging on non-existent, in rural parts of Hampshire and Herefordshire where I frequently happen to be. That's why I changed from Virgin to O2 Simplicity for my personal 'phone (having observed far better coverage from O2 for my work 'phone.

Vodafone GPRS seems pretty good in all locations I have tried to use it (for my work Blackberry ... ); I'll be happy if O2 is as good.

 

[DenniZ]

That is consistent with my experience (O2, Vodafone, T-Mobile, Orange). Actually, Orange and Virgin Mobile had perfectly acceptable customer service, but significantly worse network coverage. For the limited number of 'phone calls I make, all four networks seem fine in cities, but T-Mobile and Orange were poor, in some cases verging on non-existent, in rural parts of Hampshire and Herefordshire where I frequently happen to be. That's why I changed from Virgin to O2 Simplicity for my personal 'phone (having observed far better coverage from O2 for my work 'phone.

Vodafone GPRS seems pretty good in all locations I have tried to use it (for my work Blackberry ... ); I'll be happy if O2 is as good.

I have the O2 GPRS, its usually on as long as you have signal. So no worries there. 3G coverage around me is great, better than vodafone.

 

[felixkunze]

I just hope we won't have major problems upgrading on Friday. I couldn't access the registration process on the website yesterday, and from what I can see on the forums, most others also had issues.

If I can't get my hands on a new 16GB iPhone (black) on Friday, I'll be dissappointed with O2.

 

[Alith]

I've been really happy with O2. I've had this mobile number for 13 years, back when it was BTCellnet, that got bought out (?) or whatever happened before it was all replaced by O2. I've upgraded my handset pretty much every year without problems.

They really impressed me when they phoned me one day to let me know that I wasn't using my inclusive minutes and that I'd save money in the long run on a cheaper contract, which they sorted out right there and then over the phone.

To be honest, you just get so used to being on hold or routed to Bangalore to struggle to communicate with someone reading a script these days that any company with a UK call centre is going to seem appealing.

 

[nusynergy]

I was with Orange before i moved to o2 for the 1st gen iPhone. I had no complates with O2 when doing this and still dont now.. There Network is usually at full signal where ever i go I never never wait in a queue when i call Customer services and always get through after 2 rings!

If i have only one complate its that a couple of months ago i changed my Tariff from the iPhone £45 to iPhone £35. The Person who did this made a bit of a mistake and put me on a standard voice tariff slapping an extra £42.50 of Data charges on my bill that month. But as soon as they realized this mistake i was moved onto the correct tariff and had the money refunded to me.

I have no worries about staying with o2 now or in the future.. iPhone or not.

 

[nusynergy]

I've been really happy with O2. I've had this mobile number for 13 years, back when it was BTCellnet, that got bought out (?) or whatever happened before it was all replaced by O2. I've upgraded my handset pretty much every year without problems.

They really impressed me when they phoned me one day to let me know that I wasn't using my inclusive minutes and that I'd save money in the long run on a cheaper contract, which they sorted out right there and then over the phone.

To be honest, you just get so used to being on hold or routed to Bangalore to struggle to communicate with someone reading a script these days that any company with a UK call centre is going to seem appealing.

Oh yeah and i forgot to mention that there call center is in the Uk,, Unlike T-mobile or Orange..