Orange and T-Mobile to offer big network boost

13. @ si_smith

How can you say T-Mob's 3G coverage is better than Orange's? T-Mob have such an impoverished network that they resort to compression of all images on their mobile web, rendering most pictures an unsightly mass of pixels.

T-Mob's 3G and voice coverage is not as good as Orange's in my experience (I have used both networks in the North West of England).

12. Hi guys, may I ask you some advice related to the topic? I'm about to buy an HTC Desire with a 24 months contract, but I don't know which provider to choose among Vodafone, 3, Orange, T-mobile, O2.

How about their networks?

Tks!

11. @calum

I am truly astonished that T-Mobile are allowing their brand to be positioned as a "Budget Brand" given the superb HSDPA network they operate (At least south of Hadrian's handiwork)

IF the merger means I will be subjected to Orange's appalling handset branding and butchering, customer service and indifferent network coverage then I shall have to reconsider my network provider at my next renewal.

In the four years I have been with T-Mobile I have to admit I do sometimes experience a lack of Signal in the Northamptonshire area but no more than any of my colleagues on Vodafraud other than that I get excellent coverage.

In fact the only real complaint I have is their move to Philippine call centres, I truly miss the fine ladies of Scotland that used to deal with my questions so quickly and efficiently!

10. @nitrofan interesting, my t-mob internet is rubbish here (Glasgow) 2G is excellent near town but dies the more you move out. Friends Orange on seems much faster and consistent overall. Never been on Orange but they appeared to rate higher in terms of coverage.

I understand under the merger that T-mob will be placed as a budget brand with orange being the premium in a vain attempt to not compete with each other. Looks hard to accomplish when the premium brand has such a problem with their reception.

9. Well, Orange has the worst 2G network Ive ever used (all is forgiven vodafone). Their 3G is patchy as well... so patchy infact that on my 1hr train journey into London its usable for probably 15mins total (fragmented of course so its really useless).

In my house, an area claimed by orange as 'GOOD' signal. I drift between 0 bars and 2 bars max.

Yet they seem to be able to get away with advertising claiming they have this amazing network. What a load of rubbish.

This T-Mobile announcement hasnt changed the fact that Im ditching Orange and moving to Vodafone.

8. @calum

I am not sure you completely understood the piece.

T-Mobile users already have access to the best 3G HSDPA network,all they are going to get is access to the Orange 2G network in poor signal areas.

Whilst Orange customers will keep their existing 3G network and gain access to T-Mobiles 2G network.

Given the abysmal coverage (in my experience) of the Orange network, I rather think the Orange customers will be doing considerably better out of the deal, they should be praying they get access to the very fast T-Mobile HSDPA network.

7. This is only really a bonus, as T-Mobile already offers a much better 3G service than Orange has, so T-Mobile get the best 3G, plus they get Oranges better general voice network coverage.

6. It is opt in as if they switch each and every customer there is bound to be teething problems and reception issues, which would result in a large number of unnecessary complaints, this way only those who agree to the "beta" would be effected.

Also I don't think it's been highlighted but it is only 2G signal that will be on offer. T-mob customers won't be allowed to clog up Orange's 3G or HSDPA networks. On your phone it will simply roam onto Orange (if you were a t-mob user) when there is not sufficient coverage.

In the end of the day this is great news for t-mob customers; not particularly exciting for Orange ones. However, users beware constantly switching between your current providers 2G, 3G and HSDPA networks, as well as roaming on another networks 2G will even further reduce your handsets battery life.

5. it should do it automagically i think... this is good until the merged company knows its duplicated footprint and gets rid of the excess masts giving evryone an equally bad service!

4. With the Opt-In, are they saying you can switched from Orange to T-Mobile or vice-versa manually if one network is better coverage in your area?

Or are they saying if you opt in, your phone will use whatever is best whereever you are?

3. i see what you mean about a phased introduction but surely the truest test can only occur with a heavy network loading... having a few thousand self confessed geeks signing up doesnt reallt test anything! unless the early adopters are asked for a diary as to how many calls were made on what network (judged by looking at the op logo on the screen perhaps?) and their impression of how increased the coverage is - cos it cant go down can it?? - how does it stress test the system?

this is no different to a roaming agreement in terms of technology so i reckon they should shout form the rooftops their new coverage map cos surely its better than everyone elses isnt it? isnt it? :o)

2. By making it opt-in, it becomes a staged rollout. Only tech-savvy people will even be aware this is an option (unless they do a mailshot) and percentage of those will opt-in. This will allow T-Orangbile to see the impact in the real world with a subset of users who actually have a clue what's going on.

Quite a clever way to do it, really.

1. why on earth should you have to sign up for this??? surely the better way would that if you join T-Mob or Orange you get this benefit anyway! this would attract users from the other networks wouldnt it? making an opt-in is crazy! does that mean some people would prefer a lower coverage than wht is actually available??