Mobile internet coverage

[Mike943672]

Hi I've been with EE for over 10 years and have just switched to 02 yesterday and my EE number ported. I checked the 02 website for data coverage and everywhere in my home town was good for both 4g indoors and outdoors and 5g. Since my sim has been active I've constantly got 1 bar of normal network my mobile data can be 5g one second then dropped to H the next.. I've not seen H on a phone for about 10 years I didn't even think it was still a thing I feel I've made a big mistake now as I've signed up via the a volt deal with virgin and only went with 02 because it said it had good signal in my home town which seems like a lie.. does it improve the longer you have your sim in? 

[pgn]

No network has perfect coverage. And the quality is unlikely to improve unless Guide: How can I sort out my network issues? link says your area has a temporary mast fault, @Mike943672 - even then, these can take months for O2 to rectify.

We usually advise people try out, using free PAYG SIMs, each network's performance in an area before making the jump to a new network. You can use the 14-day cooling-off period to cancel https://www.o2.co.uk/help/device-and-sim-support/returning-your-device - but your Volt benefits will stop and you will revert to half the speed on your Virgin broadband. Plus hassle of moving your number back to your previous network.

You need to contact O2 to terminate, all the ways in here Guide: How to find help & contact O2 

Measure twice, cut once... 🤷

Good luck, @Mike943672 

[madasaf1sh]

@Mike943672 

The coverage maps across all networks are just computer simulations based on perfect conditions, and dont take into account buildings and the laws of physics.. 

Also they do say this on the coverage maps, so they are covered..

And the excellent advice from @pgn about testing network coverage before moving networks is a good idea.,.

[Enlli]

Coverage maps may show expected signal strength but what they don't show is the quality of that signal as far as data is concerned.

O2 has many places where the capacity of the network is too low to handle the number of subscribers in that area, leading to poor data speeds at peak times

[japitts]

Did you test O2's network & service using a PAYG SIM before transferring?

The online coverage maps are a prediction for signal strength, which has nothing to do with data speeds - these are driven much more by capacity & spectrum deployment. There will always be local variations, but nationally, EE does perform consistently well for data use and O2 is regularly the opposite.

EE & VF have both completed their 3G switchoff, 3UK are in process, and O2 is the last network to be using this tech - there are strong indications that they still rely on it heavily.

All of which is why testing using a PAYG SIM is standard advice in these scenarios.

[Mike943672]

Yes I've messed up there haha, stupidly ported my number as well which should be complete tomorrow I might try ring if that can be cancelled? or if not will I have to wait until its ported, then port it back to EE within the 14 day O2 cooling off period? would that automatically cancel my O2 account in that window, I'm just worried about losing my number

[madasaf1sh]

@Mike943672 

If you are quick and call EE they can cancel the port out from there, but I would do this now, before it gets too late in the day.  This will save issues which have been know to happen by porting in and then straight back out, it doesn't happen often but something to be aware of.

Once you have cancelled the port I would speak to o2 and do a 14 day change of mind and they can cancel the sim there and then.. 

[japitts]

Once a port-in has been completed, then using any cancellation process can very easily result in your number being disconnected - hence you need to either cancel the port-in or revert it using a PAC ASAP. The former, is clearly the preferable option, to avoid other complications.

[Mike943672]

Thank you Japitts, I have spoke with 02 just now and they have said they cant cancel the port in even though its for tomorrow, by revert it using a PAC, do you mean once the porting is complete tomorrow, get a PAC code off 02 then sign back up to EE using said PAC code?

[japitts]

That's the idea, yes. The complication is that you're then technically cancelling your O2 contract prematurely this early charges may well apply. You're probably left with two choices here, unless you want to see your minimum term contract out.

1: Let the port-in complete, PAC your number back and pay the early termination fees.

2: Use 14day cancellation, but that might well cancel the number unless you can obtain a PAC at the same time.