www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

This is purely a rant......it's long too.....

It seems like telecoms companies can make their own rules and remain untouchable - it's really frustrating.

Had a run in with O2 recently and it's really wound me up.

I've been on an old tariff since 2010 that is proclaimed to be 'unlimited' data. Each time I've called up to be moved to something cheaper/better/newer they have told me:

"oh, don't do that - this tariff is MUCH better, doesn't have the limits like new ones, etc"

Well, went away for a couple of days and the weather was utter pants. Gave my phone to the little one to watch some youtube videos. Got a txt message telling me I was using 'excessive data' and that I'd be slowed down or cut off if I continue.

Speak to them online - first person says the limit is 3GB (I was over that....so wrong). Second chat says there is no such limit.

Fast forward a week and I'm cut off, mid-travels. No sat nav, maps, emails, chat - all gone.

Ring up and they are pretty much 'so what'.

They hide behind "fair usage policy" which is a HARD LIMIT of 4GB.

I'd understand IF it was fair use if it was all in one place (one mast). But it was spread over weeks and all over. It's simply a limit. There is NO discrimination as to where/how/when - just a STOP at 4GB. Pissed me right off. Worst thing was, my little lad was back in hospital again - so was unable to do video calls, or anything else while he was in. Proper crap.

3 weeks until it's reset on the 9th from when it went off.

How can that be unlimited? Really????

The really annoying thing is, they sell 5 and 8GB tariffs too.....so 4GB doesn't even make sense.

They are just cocks. That's why.

Wrote a complaint, but it'll just be a corporate robot quoting some fair use policy.

Going to move to another network - just who!!!

BG

Myself and many others I know have all quit 02 within the last year or two up here. Really poor coverage for 3G and I mean really poor. Expensive tariffs and crap customer service.
I'm now with tmobile(ee) 3G coverage where I am is spot on,I get unlimited web browsing and I've had no hassle at all.
The deal I got I thought was good as well(1 year ago mind you)
Free iPhone 4s,1000 mins,unlimited txt and unlimited web for 26 quid a month.

I think all these mobile phone companies are the same. I have been with T Mobile for years now but since they changed to EE their service and support has been dire.

When my contract is up I am getting a PAYG sim, no more £40 monthly phone contracts for 2 years!

Another annoying thing with T Mobile is that they increase the price of your contract each year inline with inflation, in return for poorer service!

Unfortunately like many large companies they are untouchable, they don't give a sh!t about the customer because most of them are locked in to long contracts and sadly these companies are not accountable to anyone.

Virgin do some good deals as well, the only network I can use indoors.

I had issues with Orange, what a buntch of crooks they are.

I've not been in a contract for years, I always buy my own handsets now - I've had the Nexus' for my last two. Awesome phones for the cash.

I've surprised myself, but I'm actually considering the One Plan from Three!!!!! I swore I'd NEVER go with them again, ever, but I've had a PAYG for the last week trying it all over the places where I go. It's been fantastic

Minimum of 3g, but mostly on H+ (4G enabled, but not turned on for my phone....YET, although I could if I were to stay with them).

20 clams a month on a 12 month SIM only contract or 23 a month on rolling monthly if I prefer. 5000 msg/5000 mins and unlimited data with 2GB of tethering to tablets/laptop.

Chez.....I think that's scummy when the do the increase in costs. They have a getout clause in their contract that allows customers to leave early if they increase the cost by X%. It's ALWAYS just under the maximum allowed to stop people escaping.

It's real poor behaviour - the trend of "screw existing customers to get new ones" continues.

BG

i am with 3 billygoat and cant fault them for data useage my phone is always on when i am at work be it sat nav or using tune to listen to net radio have used as much as 6 gig in a month and not been capped or reduced at all

Never had trouble with my two tin cans and length of string

Not too good for international calls though

i ditched o2 a few months back due to them being pricks. my contract had ran its course and i had told them i didnt want to upgrade they then informed me i would be paying more. sod that. so i got them to give me the pac code and went to 3. with them i have a rolling monthly contract which i can get out of with 30 days notice. im paying £15 a month for 200 minutes, unlimited txt and data. im currently waiting for the next iphone to be invented and when its all sorted out ill get one of them

All you can eat data with 3 means what it says. I stream films and tv all day in the background whilst I'm working. Got through 24GB last month after my broadband went down and I tethered it to my pc

If you want PAYG, go with Three. I'm on their 3-2-1 deal. Excellent value for a low user.

Well, I'm looking at moving to GiffGaff. They use the O2 network, which I KNOW covers just about all the places I usually am. Plus, it's going to get 4G soon too - which is smack bang over my house.

Currently paying O2 around 23 a month for (not) unlimited data, 600 minutes and 1200 messages.

GiffGaff will be 12 quid a month for 250 minutes, unlimited messages and unlimited data*. It's a rolling 30 day contract, so I can leave any time I like really.

IF I don't get along with them, I'm moving to my backup plan - Three.

For 20 a month, on a 12 month contract (SIM only), I'll get: 5000 messages, 5000 minutes and unlimited data. It also allowed 2GB per month of tethering to my laptop (which I'll use happily). 4G is again free and covereage has been good on my current PAYG test sim.

It's also got free roaming too, which will be STUPIDLY handy from when I'm out and about. Just need to confirm contries first.

Just need my GiffGaff SIM to arrive and then I'm going to call O2 for my PAC code and tell them to stick it up their arse pipe.

BG

*unlimited data is unlimited data, but not allowed to tether to tablets/laptops, etc

I'm with giffgaff on £10 a month 500 mins unlimited texts and 1gb of data.
I use my phone constantly and never got near any of my limits!!

Do you really need unlimited data check what you've been using and you maybe be surprised.

Contracts are only any good now if you want a brand new phone but it was cheaper for me to buy a used 4s and go with giffgaff.

Pitkin2020 wrote:I'm with giffgaff on £10 a month 500 mins unlimited texts and 1gb of data.
I use my phone constantly and never got near any of my limits!!

Do you really need unlimited data check what you've been using and you maybe be surprised.

Contracts are only any good now if you want a brand new phone but it was cheaper for me to buy a used 4s and go with giffgaff.

Well, I'm currently cut off with O2 for using 4GB, so yes....unlimited data (or at least a high limit) IS important to me. I use my phone a lot. VOIP (for work - international calling, a lot), entertaining the wee man when out, maps/navigation, local info, chat/messenging, video calling, internet, work mail, etc, etc.

The list goes on. I'm not a big user of minutes or messages though for obvious reasons.

My monthly usage is always over 2GB and that's with using WiFi where possible. I want a high limit so I don't have to worry about hitting it or being charged more than I'm expecting.

BG

Wow that is high use so unlimited would be best lol

apparently EE & few others have had major signal issues recently.

Im with virgin on a rolling contract £5 a month = 500mins,unlimited texts & 1gb internet
thats a discount rate as I have the 152mb fibre optic ( Im a gamer ) at £35pm too
otherwise it would be £12 pm for the sim.
and great signal

I use a nexus5, and at £240 it smashes 99% of other phones especially spec wise.


other half is on Giff-Gaff, £15 a month gets her plenty of everything
and no problems service wise
although a word of caution, Giff Gaff are run off 02 signal
( hence you can also buy an 02 top up and use it on giff gaff )

sadly though 3 are scrapping their unlimited internet data
but giff gaff are unlimited too at the moment

the 1gb cap that is now pretty much a standard is a pain