G3 coverage and service providers UK

[classicxda]

am I right in presuming O2, Orange, Tmobile and Vodaphone will be selling the Universal.
which has the widest G3 coverage.
Which will be the cheapest.
Will the different models be the same spec with different cosmetics.

cheers

SteveW

[dgpurvis]

T-mobile hasn't technically launched their 3G network (except for a laptop data card). It is due to happen in October. So no coverage or tariffs yet - but the rates they offer for their data card are here: http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/Dispatcher?menuid=phones_im_cc3g_wic

Vodafone - god knows. They seem to believe that their 3G tariffs should be a secret. Coverage is here: http://www.vodafone.co.uk/coverage.htm?zl=5&x=-1&y=-1&st=UK%20Postcode&ct=gprs

Orange - offer 30 minutes free video calling per month and 1000MB data per month free of charge for three months. Then you choose one of their standard data plans (currently here - http://www2.orange.co.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=OUKPersonal&c=OUKService&t=Service&cid=1096023564495&tab=2). Coverage is here: http://coverage.orange.co.uk/uk/UKCoverageSearch.htm

O2 - data tariffs are here: http://www.o2.co.uk/business/tariffs/datatariffs/0,,203,00.html Coverage - no idea.

I would imagine the hardware will be the same for all - it has been with previous HTC models. The only prices for buying the actual Universal itself have come from O2 - from free to £179.99 to £229.99.

[Biohead]

You are forgetting the BEST 3G network in the UK.
80% coverage and always increasing, best 3G phones, best expertise, been going the longest and approprately named!
3!!

I am planning on buying one from O2, unlock it asap and then bung in a 3 sim card and happily vid call from there.

I'll be honest.
Currently, the other networks which have 3G services, Orange, Vody, T-mob and o2 are rubbish at it.
Vody have the second best coverage (about 40%) but they have seemless connections between 2.5g and 3g unlike 3 who's 2.5g service is provided by O2.

And in case you didn't know... O2 have the worst 3G coverage in the UK, they started too late and know if they don't have 80% by 2008 (i think), I am not sure whether they will loose their 3G operating license. They current;y have around 12%.

For more info on 3g go to www.3g.co.uk

[Rudegar]

would they not roam on eachothers networks ?
they do here at least with gsm

mainly because 3 have a very poor coverish and only have utms
so they have to change to gsm when ever they cant get strong enough signal

[dgpurvis]

You are forgetting the BEST 3G network in the UK.
80% coverage and always increasing, best 3G phones, best expertise, been going the longest and approprately named!
3!!

Is this an ironic use of the word 'best'? 3 have the dubious distinction of being the officially most compleined about technology company of 2004. Their network stinks, their phone return rate is through the roof, their customer service (based in India) seems to believe that answering the phone is entirely optional.

As a company and a service they stink worse than 3 month old fish...!

I am planning on buying one from O2, unlock it asap and then bung in a 3 sim card and happily vid call from there.

Tell me - how do you expect to use your Exec to surf the internet - being as 3 restrict you to a 'walled garden'...?

I'll be honest.
Currently, the other networks which have 3G services, Orange, Vody, T-mob and o2 are rubbish at it.
Vody have the second best coverage (about 40%) but they have seemless connections between 2.5g and 3g unlike 3 who's 2.5g service is provided by O2.

And in case you didn't know... O2 have the worst 3G coverage in the UK, they started too late and know if they don't have 80% by 2008 (i think), I am not sure whether they will loose their 3G operating license. They current;y have around 12%.

For more info on 3g go to www.3g.co.uk

I don't know whether those figures are correct or not (source please?) but 3 has an incredibly patchy network full stop. Not only are you lucky to get reception at all in some areas but moving from a 3G area into a GPRS area gets you cut off virtually every time. The same applies to voice calls - move from an area with 3 coverage (so very easy to do) and the transfer to GSM cuts you off.

I'll take a smaller 3G coverage with seemless GPRS transfer every time.

Not to mention - in order to do what you suggest you need to take out a minimum contract with O2 on top of your 3 contract.

Bad, bad advice...!

[Biohead]

I suppose I only use them now since I actually live in a reliable signal. If I want to surf the net I will use the wifi. I have access to 2 of my own network (long story) and tens more where I live.

3 do have a patchy network, but it is also the largest one.

Don't forget, that many people complained about the original hansets (the NECs) and they believe that that is how three will always be. The latest handsets don't have any problems

As for the O2 contract, I'm taking it out for the wife who will use it on her Moto V620.

[jdee246]

O2 coverage is here: www.webmap.o2.co.uk

Last I heard was around 40% 3g coverage but that was some time ago. I use their 3g data card and its pretty darn good.

[Rudegar]

here 3 are becomming inc unpopular they are the only utms network currently but i bet very soon after the other phonecompany's here
just the utms bandwagon they will have a bigger network and 3 will roam more on their network then the other way around

[Biohead]

I'm not saying anything for definate, but theres been a leaked memo from 3UK about 3 offering a data service as of 1st september.
But if it is the destruction of the walled garden, it's gotta be better than Vodafone £7.50 per mb for payg people.

[classicxda]

Just to let you know I have ordered a i-mate JASJAR (Crap name) from expansys UK. 4 day delivery.

I went for the Vodaphone because we just moved premises this weekend and the O2 coverage is poor.

Cheers



SteveW

[driftingaway]

Haha, the hatred for 3 in this thread is funny.

Also unfounded. Network of the year two years running, guys..... if you didn't buy from e2save and other cashback dealers you'd get fine customer service from the likes of myself in your local 3point.