O2 data is rubbish

[casbar]

Since O2 was amalgamated with Virgin, the data coverage has gone down hill. It is not uncommon to have 4g which allows calls, but you can't even load google maps. This I believe is because the O2 network is not robust enough for the number of customers now using it. Has anyone else experience the data coverage depreciating.

[japitts]

National benchmarking surveys are fairly consistent in rating the big-4 networks for data performance.

One particular network tends to perform well, one performs badly. The other 2 fight it out for the middle-ground.

But as with all things mobile, local differences will always apply.

[Cardiffman282]

Further to japitts see the official stats at https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/quality-of-service#mobile...

[SophieT98]

Hi,

I feel the same way I’ve had issue with service even when I’m outside. I know a few people who have been with virgin and after they merge with o2 have gone else where as they wasn’t happen with virgin/o2

[Ayisha_B]

Hi @casbar 👋

Welcome back to our Community Forums and thanks for your post. 

Have you spoken to O2 about the coverage issues you are experiencing? 

[japitts]

Although in fairness to those Ofcom stats, the figures for O2 vary depending whether you look at the operator or the 4 MVNO's listed - which demonstrates that perception is everything. Tesco Mobile achieved 92% coverage satisfaction against O2's 78% - on the same network.

The benchmarking I refer to, are comparative speed & accessibility tests performed across the 4 MNO's alone.

[casbar]

Stats are all well and good, but do not reflect reality. I live 1.5 miles outside of Salisbury city centre, I don't even get 1 bar of 3g outside my house and have to use wi fi calling inside. But my point is, even in the city centre, my phone shows 3 bars of 4g, I can make calls, but can't use any data, my wife is on the same contract and her phone is the same. I have experienced the same in other areas, so my conclusion is, the data is being restricted on the network, probably due to too many users.

[Adduxi]

Is there any maintenance or expansion work going on in the area?  If some of the cell towers are "offline" the rest are left overloaded for a period of time.  Or perhaps like you say, O2 are oversubscribed in your particular area.

I don't think VM will have any answers on this Forum, so maybe a root around in the O2 Forums may produce some answers.  

[Roger_Gooner]

It's worth trying another phone to see if you can get a better connection.

[enlli]

@casbar I was in your area in the last 3 weeks. Shall we say I switched my data over to EE to do what I needed.

It seems to be capacity issues in the main.