random question

[oof_suits_you]

Very random question for you guys:

Are any of you out there in Flist-land in Cambridge on the Orange network? Is reception any good? More specifically, is the 3G reception around Cambridge any good (with reference to 3G and/or HSDPA data coverage)?

Edit to clarify: I mean 3G as in UMTS/3rd Generation network infrastructure not 3 the telco

Comments

[kimbleshi]

O2 will get that phone eventually...

[oof_suits_you]

heh I know, am just curious as I've always considered O2 network coverage to be pretty good, and Orange to be worse (and hence wanting the O2 deal), so when a phone comes onto Orange as an "exclusive" my first thought is "bah, what's the point of a rubbish network getting an exclusivity deal"

Was curious to see what people's actual experience of the network is like...

[oof_suits_you]

Close, "3" is the network, "3G" is the communications protocol, short for 3rd Generation. (just in case you're interested, "2G" is GSM)

the network 3 is indeed pants and I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole

[oof_suits_you]

well, originally when the 3G technology first came out, the network 3 was the first and only network that was able to use it, hence the name. Unfortunately, when the first 3G phones came out (exclusively on 3 and they were fucking huge as well!) they could ONLY use 3G and not standard GSM in times of poor signal - which given the new cellphone masts and patchy uptake, meant that the network was, and still is to a lesser extent, awful. Even now, if you're on 3 and can't get 3G coverage, you switch to Orange...

mmm I'm such a geek :-)

[_catharine_]

I'm on Orange and have never had any problems with signal in Cambridge :-) In fact, I was recommended them by other Cambridge people as having the best coverage in the city, although I have no idea whether this is or was true. Haven't tried 3G.