Which Is The Best Mobile Network?

[andyc941]

Hi all in with three network and at times when i travel about Mancheter the signal is hit and miss. I like the all you can eat data but i think what is the point of it when you cant get a signal at all. Dose anyone know what is the best network for 4G coverage around the Manchester area,i wont change to EE because heard so many nightmare stories about them.Im thinking of joining BT mobile because of their WI-FI coverage,any help welcome Thank you.

 

[Ashley.S.]

BT own EE now and BT Mobile have been carried under the EE Network since launch in 2015, so expect the signal levels to be the same as that. I don't know if BT Mobile have a different customer service base or not but I certainly can confirm that EE's customer service was terrible when I wanted to buy a dongle from them a while back...

As for three, you're right their signal levels are very much hit'n'miss (despite advertising themselves as the most reliable) as a few friends/family are with them across the UK and are forever having problems. Personally, I'm with Vodaphone PAYG with BT Broadband at home, so I get access to BT Wi-Fi with that.

It looks like certain Vodaphone plans offer access to BT Wi-Fi too: http://www.vodafone.co.uk/shop/internet/wi-fi/ so that might be another option to look into

 

[Aviador]

I know the government has been looking at ways of making the main mobile companies share networks but this apparently not an easy thing to do.

They could always try running the mobile masts like the national power grid. The mobile phone companies could buy usage from them?

 

[Scottie Dog]

As some of you may be aware I spend rather a lot of time using my mobile phone both for personal and moderating purposes.

So, I hear you say, what is he rabbitting on about? Well a month ago my phone, on an EE contract, started to display battery life problems. I decided to go into my local Samsung Service Centre and, after running a diagnostic chrck they said the fault was with the CPU on the motherboard. Bad news? Yes but the phone was under warranty and so no problem - no problem they say except that the phone then would not connect to the EE network!

Much time was spent in discussions with both the Samsung Centre and EE and with each blaming the other. Anyway to cut a long story short EE's call centre in Waterford finally agreed to replace my phone, without effecting my contract that ends on 1st August

So I now have a brand new phone with only a month before I could change to a SIM only contract and thus save myself £14 per month. Again I called into the local EE shop to ask about SIM only rates to be told that 4GB would cost me £17 (I'm currently pushing it on 2GB) but BT are offering 6GB for £13.

Anyway long story - are you still awake!! - and after talking to retention at EE I've ended up with 6GB for £14, a new phone, no need to change supplier and no early exit fees.

Anyway there you have it. If you have a problem then speak to your supplier and be polite but firm and you'll hopefully have the same kind of success that I had.

Now I've got time spend more time reading all of your posts while away from a Wi-Fi connection. Joy of joys.

 

[Jerry]

I was lucky with mine i got 24GB with Vodafone for £35 originally but they have put the line rental up now so it's £38 a month. With EE i was paying £50 a month with only 10GB. Does mean now i can video call the girlfriend now without worrying about it using up my data!

 

[Aviador]

I use Vodafone at the moment and have done now for about 10 years. It's a love hate relationship we have together. I love the Vodafone network which I can't fault. My overall package I have is reasonable with 8GB shared between three devices. What I can't stand about Vodafone is their shockingly hopeless customer service if you have a problem.

The numerous calls to India to speak to "David", or "Kathrine",who pass you around from pillar to post and pretend as if they know you and your British life. The different culture and different way of doing things doesn't work at all. Eventually you get transferred back to a UK call centre and dealt with. This kind of mobile network service is unacceptable. If that wasn't enough, the numerous calls from Vodafone's UK call centres by sales persons trying to sneak a so-called free upgrade in. "we'll give you a free tablet, there's no catch!", apart from the extra time you'll be required to hold on to your duff phone paying your expired mobile contract to cover the contract for your "absolutely free" tablet device.

Needless to say, I will be leaving Vodafone a the first opportunity but I'm looking for a comparable network at a similar cost but with a company that has UK call centres who don't try to con people into purchasing tablets for free that aren't free.

 

[Scottie Dog]

First question I suppose is whether you need a new phone or if your happy with your current one?

If, like me, your happy to go "SIM only" then it might depend on your home broadband supplier. I know that BT are doing a special discount of £5 off their SIM cards until tonight and, as they share the EE network their coverage is good. EE only appear to use either Waterford or NCL for their call centres or maybe I've just been lucky.

Hope that helps.

 

[Aviador]

I'm considering buying a phone separately that can be used on any network. I've heard GiffGaff have some good deals but I've not really looked around yet.