O2 4G

[Gary]

O2 have started rolling out activation of 4G on 4G enabled handsets with 4G sim cards, for free. I had mine auto updated this morning (just had to reboot the iPhone) Not that I have 4G mind you and 500MB data wont go far  Although they do a simplicity unlimited calls unlimited texts and 1GB of Data tariff for £21 if you don't mind being in a 12 mth Simplicity contract. Even 1GB isn't going to go far but its not bad. I'm going to Brighton this weekend where 4G is enabled so I'll be able to see what speeds are like.

Three still beat them hands down though for all you can eat data.

[Steve]

That reminds me I must move to Tesco's , as O2 is my preferred network for coverage locally.

[Gary]

That reminds me I must move to Tesco's , as O2 is my preferred network for coverage locally.

Tesco are obviously doing the same add 4G at no extra cost as well. O2 offer the best coverage where I live too.

[psp83]

I changed over from O2 contract to GiffGaff (same network) I know its pay as you go but you can basically set it up like a contract.

The only trouble I find with O2 is that the 3G/H+ is slow even with a full 3G/H+ signal, I guess the 4G will start being like that when its everywhere.

[Gary]

I changed over from O2 contract to GiffGaff (same network) I know its pay as you go but you can basically set it up like a contract.

The only trouble I find with O2 is that the 3G/H+ is slow even with a full 3G/H+ signal, I guess the 4G will start being like that when its everywhere.

I get (when I do get it)  3G/H+ over 900Mhz on the iPhone which is better than 3G at 2100Mhz. 50% More capacity I think, and better penetration as well.

[psp83]

I get (when I do get it)  3G/H+ over 900Mhz on the iPhone which is better than 3G at 2100Mhz. 50% More capacity I think, and better penetration as well.

Same here, get 900 Mhz.

I've got a Samsung Note 3 and it supports 4G, just no 4G in this town.

But as you can see, the speed from 3G is poor and this is a "good day" for speed, lucky to get 100Kbps down


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And if I look out the window, you can see the phone masts.


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[Gary]

Thats bad, Threes 3G/H+ speeds are great, I imagine 4G speeds will be good till its saturated and then it will drop. Tbh no network is great, prices have all gone up, its geting to be like the good old days of analogue when it was 50p minute. I refuse to eneter into contracts over 30 days so stick with my Simplicity, although I did update that to get tethering. I did read that some peps on O2 had speed issues with the note 3 on O2. Although that may just be a limited moaning few, its hard to tell.

[psp83]

Thats bad, Threes 3G/H+ speeds are great, I imagine 4G speeds will be good till its saturated and then it will drop. Tbh no network is great, prices have all gone up, its geting to be like the good old days of analogue when it was 50p minute. I refuse to eneter into contracts over 30 days so stick with my Simplicity, although I did update that to get tethering. I did read that some peps on O2 had speed issues with the note 3 on O2. Although that may just be a limited moaning few, its hard to tell.

I had the same speed issues when I had an iPhone, my sister is also on O2 with an iPhone and gets slow speeds, and my family have other Android phones and also get slow speed on O2..

I guess there's just a lot of people on 3G around here as after midnight, I can easily get 3+ Mbps down.

[Gary]

I had the same speed issues when I had an iPhone, my sister is also on O2 with an iPhone and gets slow speeds, and my family have other Android phones and also get slow speed on O2..

I guess there's just a lot of people on 3G around here as after midnight, I can easily get 3+ Mbps down.

Looking at EE's facebook page we should count ourselves as lucky  3G isnt even in my village, hopefully the 4G mast upgades will get 3G here at least 

[sparky]

4G! Can't even get 3G where I am, on ANY network. And I don't live miles from anywhere. 3000 in our "village" only 7 miles from Poole.

IMO It's about time the mobile companies were made to spend some money on ensuring everyone, has adequate coverage on existing technology, before ploughing money into 4G. 

[Gary]

4G! Can't even get 3G where I am, on ANY network. And I don't live miles from anywhere. 3000 in our "village" only 7 miles from Poole.

IMO It's about time the mobile companies were made to spend some money on ensuring everyone, has adequate coverage on existing technology, before ploughing money into 4G. 

3000 people probably is not viable for say O2 if they dont have many consumers there. Its about cost not coverage in truth.

[mervl]

I thought O2's 4G spectrum allocation had the 98% coverage obligation, if you believe in Government dicktats. But for example at 200m from an Orange 4G mast with line of sight and not in a built up area in a modern house, phone is no problem but one of the stupid smart meters couldn't hold a connection according to the engineer. (More Government mandates). So what should be isn't always "what is". Whatever you're happy with, is my guide. Three 3G at thee times the distance often gives me over 20Mbps down and 2-3Mpbs up, beating my IDNet landline service when there's the known trouble 't mill. (PS I've never sorted out why everyone I have to deal with spends so much effort "selling" me the recipe for happiness. There isn't one).

[pctech]

Gary is spot on as someone asked this on a forum I used to moderate and a guy who was apparently a radio network planner for one of the networks replied that apart from the major motorways where ofcom carries out drive testing the siting of masts is determined by whether they will cover the costs to build and maintain the site while making a profit by measuring the number of local subscribers.