MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Looking at getting a new iphone, and after looking around, 3G seems the best deal on paper.
Anyone know what they are like in reality? as in:
Coverage
Customer services
Problem solving
Thanks in advance
Edited now, with correct network name
Do you mean "3" the mobile provider, as opposed to 3G networks in general?
Yes, sorry, edited title now...
Was after a sim only deal for an existing iphone and went for 3 as their 3G coverage is reputed to be good nationally. I moved on after a couple of months as no provider(inc 3) does 3G coverage where I live and work and their normal "2G" coverage provided to them by Orange was also rubbish.
3 also do not allow data transfer when in a 2G only area unlike all other networks. This means that when in remote areas you can't check the weather forcast or your emails. For a mountain biker frequently staying away from cities this makes it a pretty useless package to me. I would rather have slow internet than no internet. I found virtually no 3G across the whole of cornwall in the summer for example which meant on 3 my iphone was "just" a phone!
I now have a virgin sim. Virgin use T mobile as their provider and T mobile share their 3G network with 3 and now Orange so the 3G coverage is pretty good and T mobiles 2G coverage is also one of the better for when in remote spots. No good for iphone purchases though.
I switched to the from O2 after their iPhone deals were much better. I've found their network coverage to very good. Though it depends where you live, if you don't get reception round there, then you don't and there's nothing you can do about it. It might be worth getting a PAYG simcard to double check beforehand.
Another thing I noticed, is that, ahem, porn, over 3G is restricted. 3 want you to go through their porn system and charge you. I'm not such a porn freak that it has caused my any problems, and if you're connected on WiFi there's no restriction. Ahem.
coverage is good, I've been with them for 6 or so years, never had no coverage when other networks have had coverage, and i regularly have coverage when other people don't. Customer service is fine in store, not so when you phone up...
I have been with them about 3 years now and they are the only supplier i have upgraded with twice running. The missus now uses them too.
coverage seems as good as any for what i have used the phone for and I have always had extremely good customer service when i have phoned them.
Was sceptical initially after the bad press when they launched but that was along time ago now.
Terrible coverage in places I would expect them to cover - A55 through North Wales is dire in my experience.