Ofcom blasts O2 for poor 3G coverage
Ofcom (the Office of Communications), everyone's favourite quango, has released new 3G coverage maps by mobile operator. It's bad news for iPhone owners and prospective Palm Pre buyers with exclusive carrier O2 coming out worst. O2 announced last week that it will exclusively sell the Palm Pre in time for Christmas and already has the rights to the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. The lack of signal is bound to frustrate users of these sought-after handsets. The Ofcom maps (which you see here) show areas where customers should be able to make and receive an outside call over a 3G network shaded in purple. Orange seems to fair best out of the main operators with a Jackson Pollock-style splattering of purple patches. O2 on the other hand appear to have extremely patchy coverage with their map looking more like a winter wonderland. However, operators produce their own coverage indicators which Ofcom admits provide more reliable guidance. It says the accuracy of its maps may not match the level produced by the operators themselves. Prepared in January 2009, Ofcom's charts represent the area where mobile operators meet the regulator's minimum coverage requirements. They also don't give any indication of the data rates supplied or the number of users supported. An O2 spokeperson told Stuff: "Our 3G network covers over 80% of the population. We have rolled out our network based on where we see demand and usage and concentrate on depth and quality." How's your 3G coverage? Are you stuck in a black spot? Let us know in the comments below or on the forum now.
Comments
Lummo
2 years ago
I have an iPhone and was until recently locked onto the horrid O2 network, there is never any 3G signal with them! No matter what their website says do not believe them! Their signal and CS are awful. I recently unlocked my iPhone and have made the switch to Orange, just as thousands of other iPhone users have, Orange is the saviour for us. I constantly have a full 3G signal now, even at the bottom of the beach! Where previously with O2 was a 'no service' area!
alexs
2 years ago
Have to agree. O2 3G service is shocking. I travel a lot of the South East of England every day and only have 3G reception for about 5-10% of the day, and worse still when I come to use it, it normally then drops back to Edge. My g/f has my old iphone unlocked on Orange and gets 3G reception 90% of the time. O2 really need to improve their network if they want to keep selling the best smartphones exclusively.
phantom knight
33 weeks ago
I have been with O2 for 12 months now and all I can say is I am switching to another provider as soon as my contract runs out. Reason being NO 3G coverage any where out of London. I have been travelling out of London frequently and I have never ever been able to use 3G whenever I needed it! In London there is usually 3G but as soon as I go out of London no internet access! I have an iphone4 by the way which may make matters worse since it has an aerial problem...