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
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 Postcode&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/Sa...=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.
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
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
Biohead said:
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!!
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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.
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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
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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...!
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.
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.
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
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.
i-mate JASJAR
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
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.
Ok guys here is whats going on. I have been talking to Jacob and a few others on the board about cingular data plans with the 8125.
They had me on the dtcnulrn or something like that for 60 buckas a month. Also I had media net bundle on there for unlimited text messages! I was paying over 100 bucks a month for a normal bill.
Now jacob said to just use media max and cancle everything else because Cingular can't tell the difference between using a smart phone or using a phone that uses media net and that it was all just unlimited internet access.
So what are your thoughts and concerns about me doing this. I have tried to check my data usage since i switched but it tells me I cant get this data untill the next billing cycle on dec 10th. thanks for any input!
Jeb
its me! check over @ howardforums.com and go into the cingular section. there are tons of people posting what they do. between this forum and hofo i dont need any other mobile forum site!
It's not worth the $$$, Cingular and Tmo now has HSDPA speed and their charging way too much for even the slowest GPRS service. I wish the FCC would deregulate the data portion of GSM cell towers so other, cheaper companies would flood in and offer data only SIMS at more resonable prices.
Move to South Africa then, you might enjoy it here ! We pay R2.00/meg. When it comes to data connections i think sa is one of the most expensive countries.
Well I am on a Business plan with Telstra in Australia and if you go PAYG on the data side you are charged 50c per KB!!!!!!! Then on the $29 data pack I am on you only get 70mb of data for $29!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi there
My t-mobile contract ends within few weeks and I really want the HD2! My early upgrade offers were reallly bad, so I wait what they offer when the contract actually ends.. BUT - if I switch to other network... please let me know:
***Is there any difference in unlimited internet between T-Mobile (its fast on my Web&Walk!), Virgin, Vodafone?
***Customer service... Im really been happy with T-Mob, I had bad exp with Virgin but that was years ago... what you think?
***Any other plusses having HD2 with certain network?
Thanks guys and girls!
It depends on where you live and on the signal of where you are, there isn't a BEST NETWORK for a phone.
Yes- it's no good getting a cheap deal but finding yourself with no signal!
Mobile Internet: They all still advertise 'unlimited' but they all impose a fair usage policy.
Virgin, T-Mobile and Three have 1GB FUP; O2 say theirs is genuinely unlimited but they reserve the right to throttle the accounts of those they consider abusing the service; Vodafone and Orange both have a limit of 500MB.
but vodafone don't charge you when you go over 500mb unlike orange
I would say go with which ever network doesn't have the iphone clogging up the network but they all seem to have them now
fz9999 said:
but vodafone don't charge you when you go over 500mb unlike orange
I would say go with which ever network doesn't have the iphone clogging up the network but they all seem to have them now
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or you can actually use because they have the signal they advertise..
I can't wait to leave vodafone now, because I've found their coverage to be so bad, despite shown as getting 3g and told it was a temporary fault I find coverage at home to be poor to non existent, and 3g spots to be much smaller than stated often losing coverage outside any halfway decent sized town..
VF Customer service (business) are very good in my experience, until a complaint gets passed onto the network team when they start to come up with every excuse known to mankind.
Seriously tempted to just use my spare "3" payg sim when the contract runs out as I get full coverage and it's cheaper, and I get coverage 99% of the places I travel.
O2 work out quite a bit more than the others - you pay £100 for the HD2 on a £35/month contract, with 600 minutes talk and 1000 texts (if you order over the internet - 500 texts if you do the deal in store). This comes with the Unlimited Web bolt on (which normally costs £7.50), but this is limited to 500mb. And it seems you are charged if you go over this.
I've never dealt with O2, so my apologies if the info is wrong, but this is how I'm finding it.
I'm going to give mobilesphonesdirect a ring, to see what they can do the HD2 for as an upgrade on Tmobile. Tmobile want £340 for me to upgrade, or I can cancel and take out a new contract with m.p.d and pay £93 for the phone for £25 a month. That's £13 more for the phone than Virgin, but we're still not sure if Virgin throttle the data speeds more than Tmobile.
Final note - I'm more interested in the Internet on the phone, then texting with actual phone calls far behind. I talk to my misses enough in the house...
Towserspvm2000 said:
Final note - I'm more interested in the Internet on the phone, then texting with actual phone calls far behind. I talk to my misses enough in the house...
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I'm with Vodafone on their £20/month sim-only deal and worryingly I've found signal to be better where I live (which is advertised as variable outdoor coverage on their 3G map) than where I work (which is advertised as strong indoor 3G), so don't rely on their 3G coverage map service as the gospel truth.
I can achieve decent download rates via 3G, typically 150-200kbps which I guess equates to a 5mb broadband link, not too shabby.
Order a load of free pay and go sim cards from the different networks and try them out in the areas you frequent all the time.
H2D2 said:
I can achieve decent download rates via 3G, typically 150-200kbps which I guess equates to a 5mb+ broadband link, not too shabby.
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??? 5Mb (megabit) = roughly 5000Kb so your 150-200Kb is way, way under that!
Your speeds are consistent with a fair 3G signal. HSDPA should give about 1200Kbps (= 1.2Mb or thereabouts) in real life though that will depend on proximity to the cell site, cell congestion etc.
NeilM said:
??? 5Mb (megabit) = roughly 5000Kb so your 150-200Kb is way, way under that!
Your speeds are consistent with a fair 3G signal. HSDPA should give about 1200Kbps (= 1.2Mb or thereabouts) in real life though that will depend on proximity to the cell site, cell congestion etc.
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Fair enough, I'm just relating to real-world conditions where 5mb broadband doesn't equal anywhere near 5000kbps My 18mb broadband connection only achieves 1mb/s download speeds for example
Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought Virgin piggyback off T-mobile?
So does this mean that if t-mob throttle the usage, the throttle is also applicable to Virgin Mob customers?
I used to be with Virgin and the coverage was great, now with Vodafone and was always told about their superior coverage compared to other networks.
I have to say I'm sadly dissapointed, I often find it drops out completely. Even in the city centre where you'd assume coverage would be good, I often get "cold" spots with no signal, yet 25m down the road I have full HSDPA signal..... weird.
bdb25 said:
Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought Virgin piggyback off T-mobile?
So does this mean that if t-mob throttle the usage, the throttle is also applicable to Virgin Mob customers?
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That's what it seems, although we are trying to see if Tmobile restrict and throttle the Virgin side of things even more...
See this thread here... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=615643
O2's data limit is actually 1GB per month, they just don't like to tell people.
If you negotiate a bit with T-Mobile you may be able to get onto their 3GB/month tariff at not much (if any) extra cost. (When I was buying I had a choice between 900 minutes, unlimited texts and 1GB/month or 1000 minutes, 500 texts and 3GB/month at the same price).
T-Mobile handset deals generally work out cheaper than other networks, but there are hidden extras: you have to pay for Voicemail calls (they don't come out of your minutes) and you don't get any free MMS messages at all (while O2, say, counts an MMS message as four SMS messages from your allowance).
One thing that irritates me about T-Mobile is that they don't support EDGE, which means if there's no 3G signal you drop straight to basic GPRS speeds. Back when I was with O2, if there was no 3G signal there was still a chance you could get EDGE, which is substantially quicker than plain GPRS.
I'd advise any buyer to be wary of mobilephonesdirect - their after-sales service is simply shocking, so if your phone develops a fault you may not get a replacement unless you're willing to take legal action.
Just to add to the previous post,
Vodafone and Virgin Mobile also charge you for MMS messages
Virgin mobile seem to cap data speed at about 384kbps.
Most of them cap the speed.
In fact I tried m.speedtest.com in a vodafone store and the phone refused to load the site.
My vodafone account got defrauded and they charged me for calls which were obviously fraudulent - masked number to US/canada at over £1 a minute that appeared as 121 on my bill....on the 29th of the month every month since November.
So I'm not happy with their idiocy but it forced me to try T-mobile.
I've found that in most places T-mobile works better than vodafone - I seem to have a 3G signal in more places and more consistently. however, that means that my E65 only lasts barely a day....With vodafone's 3G constantly dropping most of the time I was on 2G...haha, funny that!!
I think the 2/2.5G signal of vodafone is better. The 3G T-mobile signal is better. At least where i go. T-mobile reaches deep into the basement of my law school, whereas vodafone could only reach 2feet into the area.
Vodafone pluses:
includes voicemail to mins
Much cheaper fixed rate roaming not per minute
Robust 2G network
competitive plans.
T-mobile plusses:
1GB data
Much better 3G network.
-ves:
Charge for voicemail
Expensive roaming.
Less good 2G network.
Quite expensive tariffs and phones.
Virgin pluses:
Cheapest deal with mins+phone for free without going ot reseller.
T-mobile network
-ves:
unknown newbie - reseller.
Data capped at 384.
I was on a T-Mobile Combi 30 + W'n'W for £35 a month (18 month contract, 600mins/unlimited txts) plan, when it came time to upgrade a fortnight ago they wanted £70 for the phone, which I would happily have paid. Fortunately they didn't have any in stock at the time. I say fortunately as another rep called me back about a week later and proposed I go on the Flext 35 for 18 months, which has a £180 per month allowance (plus internet) but the phone is free, since I never use anywhere near my minutes, or send millions of txts it's a good plan for me, plus free HD2!
The phone comes without any T-Mobile graffiti on it thankfully, and since HardSPL was released, the stock branded T-Mobile ROM lasted all of an hour.
Also really depends in which country you reside.
Vodafone NL never warned me for over-usage, while I had months exceeding 500MB PER SESSION.. Never heard from them.
Speed is about 1mbit/s here at home. Signal is good in most cases. On the highway I usually get 2mbit/s.
May be slightly off topic but anyone else using this phone with Virgin and having issues with connection?
Mine says 3g sometimes but then reverts to H or even G. Also having issues at work where coverage is supposed to be good but there are times I'm not getting any signal at all. Did try the sim in anoether phone and the signal was strong so wondering if its the phone.
Thanks in advance!
Towserspvm2000 said:
O2 work out quite a bit more than the others - you pay £100 for the HD2 on a £35/month contract, with 600 minutes talk and 1000 texts (if you order over the internet - 500 texts if you do the deal in store). This comes with the Unlimited Web bolt on (which normally costs £7.50), but this is limited to 500mb. And it seems you are charged if you go over this.
I've never dealt with O2, so my apologies if the info is wrong, but this is how I'm finding it.
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Hi im new here, thought i would register as i have my new leo coming 2morrow, cant wait. I ordered a hd2 from o2 today, unlimited txts, unlimited web, 600 xnet mins free phone 18 month contract for £35pm. had to ring up and say i was going to leave if they couldent match the deal they were very friendly. t-mobile and voda do the same sort of deals on dialafone n places like that.
Duddy1986 said:
Hi im new here, thought i would register as i have my new leo coming 2morrow, cant wait. I ordered a hd2 from o2 today, unlimited txts, unlimited web, 600 xnet mins free phone 18 month contract for £35pm. had to ring up and say i was going to leave if they couldent match the deal they were very friendly. t-mobile and voda do the same sort of deals on dialafone n places like that.
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Welcome to the group!! Hope the phone is what you want. You will be in for a steep learning curve, but this is the best forum group to ask questions in.
Im after selling my iphone 3g and buying this phone sim free and using a sim only plan/pay as you go smart phone plan....
anyone seen any good deals on a decent network? im looking for unlimited txts and as much net time as possible, dont care about minutes...who uses the phone part these days eh!
i know tmobile do a basic £10 +£5 per perk which could be internet or unlimited txts but i dont know how good the network actually is....
also tesco mobile seem to be a dirt cheap one too and thats meant to be based on the o2 network?
im quite interested in knowing what vodaphone/orange are like as a 3g/HSDPA provider...my house is just outside the 3g range on o2 but seems to be well in range for orange/vodaphone according to the coverage "maps"
thanks in advance.
3 PAYG has a data add on for £5 which gives you 1GB downloads in a month. Personally speaking I havent had any issues however much I download.
according to the 3 coverage map i may struggle to get a signal indoors.... lol.
orange seems by far the best coverage for me, all excellent coverage for 3g. of course it depends how you interpret these maps...
while on the subject does anyone else think the new 500mb download limits for the majority of UK networks is simply horrible? over 30 days thats around 16-17mb per day.......even browsing and viewing a few videos on youtube might be touching around that.....