Well I've just had word back from the Ombudsman and they have found O2... Not Guilty,

Because I was able to use my phone to some extent, the lady on the phone said she was very sorry and that the ombudsman aren't as good as people assume and that they are also tied down by the regulators, and as usual O2 used there favourite quote "We can't guarantee coverage everywhere!"

My only option is too pay the phone plan off at £180 and then the airtime is removable without charge anyway.

O2 are hiding the true state of there network behind incorrect Statuses, and I remember this from Birmingham when they told me the local mast wasn't operating properly but the status was still green on all services, I phoned them 4 times before the status was changed to a Fault and that lasted 6-12 hours and then returned to green, though issues still existed.

I will pay off the phone, somehow but this war still rages on!

Not had any problems with O2, which I use for my personal mobile. I have a work mobile on Vodafone and I really wouldn't know where to start in describing how poor their service is. Slow data, failed calls, calls not received when the phone is switched on with a full signal and sat next to me. On Thursday at about 11am I had voicemail from such a call. Make that 11 voicemails. A full 11 calls not received, where voicemails were left dating back 3 days, and no message about any voicemails or any evidence of calls until the moment that one was received. I have no idea how many calls there were where the caller did not leave a voicemail.

I've been on the Tesco network for years, with PAYG for occasional voice calls, no data. I understand (but may be wrong) that Tesco used the Vodafone network until last year, when Sainsbury linked with Vodafone and Tesco linked with O2. Until then I was satisfied with coverage around the UK, but since the move to O2 I've had to stand outside the front door for one signal bar and even then it doesn't always work. Coverage around the UK is patchy. My wife is pleased with Three and I shall move as soon as I've exhausted my current credit.

By the way, beware the Tesco phone locking racket. In theory Tesco-supplied phones can be unlocked after 12 months, in practice it is proving difficult and one shop has told me that Samsung phones are locked for life. Another reason to hate Tesco

In reply to a post by Malwaremike:

I've been on the Tesco network for years, with PAYG for occasional voice calls, no data. I understand (but may be wrong) that Tesco used the Vodafone network until last year, when Sainsbury linked with Vodafone and Tesco linked with O2.

Not the case. Tesco has always been O2. You may be thinking of the mast / transmitter upgrades that both networks are doing, and they are sharing people, expertise and mast sites. This shouldn't reduce coverage but like EE all networks are turning off old transmitters and putting new ones online. EE's turning off should have been complete last year but O2 and Vodafone are still working hard.

In reply to a post by Malwaremike:

I understand (but may be wrong) that Tesco used the Vodafone network until last year, when Sainsbury linked with Vodafone and Tesco linked with O2.

You could be thinking of the Asda MVNO which for years was on Vodafone and then moved over to EE. Sainsburys set up a MVNO on Vodafone and a lot of the ex Vodafone ASDA users including myself defected there. I only have it as a second / backup phone, GPRS doesn't quite cut it in 2014. If I'm really lucky I might get EDGE. Vodafone love their old 2G kit!

tbh o2 coverage is terrible for me everywhere I go basically a part from the inner city and even then lacks 4G and even 3G beside my college

I find Vodafone or EE Much better.

I have found both EE and 3 have a muchnworse CS than O2, I have spent a year with EE and have given up in dispear, and am with 3 on another contract, and that is balanced on a knife edge, as although I can regularly get good speeds on 3G I have a too many dead spots in the area, was only hanging on to try 4G which was meant to go live, in two towns around here this year, and with only a week to go, still no 4G even though one transmitter is up.

I've been with T mobile now EE for over 9 years and have spoken to CS about 4 times. Not sure if bother to choose a network based on CS.

In reply to a post by jchamier:

For most of the country (outside London) without 4G coverage, the O2 and Vodafone networks are really for voice only and occasional data updates (e.g. WhatsApp or Apple iMessage). Anything else you need Three or EE - if they have coverage.

Oh really? Here in the Highlands of Scotland all networks bar Vodafone are absolute pants for voice & data. Vodafone are far from perfect but IMHO they have the best overall coverage for 3G data across the country.

Edited by deleted (Sat 27-Dec-14 07:51:23)

In reply to a post by janitor:

I have found both EE and 3 have a much worse CS than O2,

I pay for a service based on the service and not the customer service, The fact that you have had to call O2 customer service says that you have issues with your service!

Edited by mlmclaren (Sat 27-Dec-14 12:08:07)