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[zirk]

I've moved all but the carphone away from Giffgaff.

3G coverage (as per O2) is utterly shockingly bad, and I doubt they will invest in that now.

Data throughput was next to useless for most of last year. 2G, forget even trying, 3G gave about a 33% success rate. Rumour, but never confirmed, is they have a very low priority on O2's network for data.

Tesco Mobile (an O2 MVNO) and O2 direct gave much better data throughput, but still relatively poor compared to likes of Three and EE.  In fact, on a good day, O2's 4G often lags behind 3's 3G for throughput.

Must depend where you live I guess, my iphone4 rarely says anything other than 3G. Also I think its also dependant on the phone you have. I believe a certain member on here from the Reading area, complained that getting 3G coverage when travelling down the M4 was impossible....my Iphone always gets 3G on the M4 from Bristol to Heathrow. I use Google maps for satnav on my Iphone for pickups outside Swindon and I don't know where im going....only once or twice has it said carnt connect to server....and ive had signal....but just not quick enough for the google app....

Shame you not using Android or Windows, as Nokia Maps (now called Here Maps) are offering full free use Apps across this platforms.

Bonus side to Here Maps is the UK (or Worldwide) Map Data is stored on your phone or SD Card, meaning it can just dribble the Traffic Update or Diversions using normal 2G or 3G speed, and or the Nav'i continues to work with total loss of Signal. 

[Taxi_Driver]

I've moved all but the carphone away from Giffgaff.

3G coverage (as per O2) is utterly shockingly bad, and I doubt they will invest in that now.

Data throughput was next to useless for most of last year. 2G, forget even trying, 3G gave about a 33% success rate. Rumour, but never confirmed, is they have a very low priority on O2's network for data.

Tesco Mobile (an O2 MVNO) and O2 direct gave much better data throughput, but still relatively poor compared to likes of Three and EE.  In fact, on a good day, O2's 4G often lags behind 3's 3G for throughput.

Oh and a PS.....

Ive just remembered that I complained to GG a couple of years back about speed of data....Then I had two live sims.....my main phone sim and a temp one.....the temp one....in the same phone, data was so much faster than my main phone sim....I did some testing, downloading the same large file and posted the results on GG website....I got a reply to my post.....saying that GG had compaired the settings they had between the two sims and adjusted my main phone sim settings to the temp sim.....it speeded up 
So maybe worth a try  As obviously they can buggar around with sim settings their end to determine data speed

[Taxi_Driver]

I've moved all but the carphone away from Giffgaff.

3G coverage (as per O2) is utterly shockingly bad, and I doubt they will invest in that now.

Data throughput was next to useless for most of last year. 2G, forget even trying, 3G gave about a 33% success rate. Rumour, but never confirmed, is they have a very low priority on O2's network for data.

Tesco Mobile (an O2 MVNO) and O2 direct gave much better data throughput, but still relatively poor compared to likes of Three and EE.  In fact, on a good day, O2's 4G often lags behind 3's 3G for throughput.

Must depend where you live I guess, my iphone4 rarely says anything other than 3G. Also I think its also dependant on the phone you have. I believe a certain member on here from the Reading area, complained that getting 3G coverage when travelling down the M4 was impossible....my Iphone always gets 3G on the M4 from Bristol to Heathrow. I use Google maps for satnav on my Iphone for pickups outside Swindon and I don't know where im going....only once or twice has it said carnt connect to server....and ive had signal....but just not quick enough for the google app....

Shame you not using Android or Windows, as Nokia Maps (now called Here Maps) are offering full free use Apps across this platforms.

Bonus side to Here Maps is the UK (or Worldwide) Map Data is stored on your phone or SD Card, meaning it can just dribble the Traffic Update or Diversions using normal 2G or 3G speed, and or the Nav'i continues to work with total loss of Signal. 

Google Maps is free 

If I want I can download the maps to my phone and it runs of that if I loose signal....but i decided not to do that....as theres no SD card on an iphone4 and the maps take loads of space 

[zirk]

I've moved all but the carphone away from Giffgaff.

3G coverage (as per O2) is utterly shockingly bad, and I doubt they will invest in that now.

Data throughput was next to useless for most of last year. 2G, forget even trying, 3G gave about a 33% success rate. Rumour, but never confirmed, is they have a very low priority on O2's network for data.

Tesco Mobile (an O2 MVNO) and O2 direct gave much better data throughput, but still relatively poor compared to likes of Three and EE.  In fact, on a good day, O2's 4G often lags behind 3's 3G for throughput.

Must depend where you live I guess, my iphone4 rarely says anything other than 3G. Also I think its also dependant on the phone you have. I believe a certain member on here from the Reading area, complained that getting 3G coverage when travelling down the M4 was impossible....my Iphone always gets 3G on the M4 from Bristol to Heathrow. I use Google maps for satnav on my Iphone for pickups outside Swindon and I don't know where im going....only once or twice has it said carnt connect to server....and ive had signal....but just not quick enough for the google app....

Shame you not using Android or Windows, as Nokia Maps (now called Here Maps) are offering full free use Apps across this platforms.

Bonus side to Here Maps is the UK (or Worldwide) Map Data is stored on your phone or SD Card, meaning it can just dribble the Traffic Update or Diversions using normal 2G or 3G speed, and or the Nav'i continues to work with total loss of Signal. 

Google Maps is free 

If I want I can download the maps to my phone and it runs of that if I loose signal....but i decided not to do that....as theres no SD card on an iphone4 and the maps take loads of space 

Here Maps is Free, yes I appreciate no SD Card on iPhone hence why I mentioned Android and Windows.

The Whole UK and Ireland Map Data is compressed to about 300mb. 

Give it a couple of Months and Here Maps will available for Free on iOS, there still working on it. 

[TheBoy]

I've moved all but the carphone away from Giffgaff.

3G coverage (as per O2) is utterly shockingly bad, and I doubt they will invest in that now.

Data throughput was next to useless for most of last year. 2G, forget even trying, 3G gave about a 33% success rate. Rumour, but never confirmed, is they have a very low priority on O2's network for data.

Tesco Mobile (an O2 MVNO) and O2 direct gave much better data throughput, but still relatively poor compared to likes of Three and EE.  In fact, on a good day, O2's 4G often lags behind 3's 3G for throughput.

I hate to admit this, as Im not an EE fan (due to the fact the shafted most of the Orange and T Mobile Channels around here and nicked them for EE use), but was given a couple of 200Gb Voice Data EE Sims to play with and I hammered them to death, outcome was they really have up'd the anti in terms of Signal Strength, Voice Quality and High Data Through Put, so much so there now seem to offer a better Network than the Voda and O2 in London and the South East. 

Yeah, I was impressed with them. So much so, both Mrs TB and I now use EE for out primary phones.

More expensive than GiffGaff, I pay £10pm for 150m, unltd text and 850Mb data, with no contract. Which is enough for me, hence can get away without paying more. If I paid £15, I'd get access to their double speed 4G (as well as increased allowances), instead of their standard 4G, but I don't need it.

[TheBoy]

I've moved all but the carphone away from Giffgaff.

3G coverage (as per O2) is utterly shockingly bad, and I doubt they will invest in that now.

Data throughput was next to useless for most of last year. 2G, forget even trying, 3G gave about a 33% success rate. Rumour, but never confirmed, is they have a very low priority on O2's network for data.

Tesco Mobile (an O2 MVNO) and O2 direct gave much better data throughput, but still relatively poor compared to likes of Three and EE.  In fact, on a good day, O2's 4G often lags behind 3's 3G for throughput.

Must depend where you live I guess, my iphone4 rarely says anything other than 3G. Also I think its also dependant on the phone you have. I believe a certain member on here from the Reading area, complained that getting 3G coverage when travelling down the M4 was impossible....my Iphone always gets 3G on the M4 from Bristol to Heathrow. I use Google maps for satnav on my Iphone for pickups outside Swindon and I don't know where im going....only once or twice has it said carnt connect to server....and ive had signal....but just not quick enough for the google app....

Mostly the motorway corridors are well covered (although M40 south of Bicester is patchy on O2 (for any signal, let alone 3G)).  But IME, O2's 3G network never really expanded  after the initial surge to get 3G into cities and large towns.

[TheBoy]

I've moved all but the carphone away from Giffgaff.

3G coverage (as per O2) is utterly shockingly bad, and I doubt they will invest in that now.

Data throughput was next to useless for most of last year. 2G, forget even trying, 3G gave about a 33% success rate. Rumour, but never confirmed, is they have a very low priority on O2's network for data.

Tesco Mobile (an O2 MVNO) and O2 direct gave much better data throughput, but still relatively poor compared to likes of Three and EE.  In fact, on a good day, O2's 4G often lags behind 3's 3G for throughput.

Oh and a PS.....

Ive just remembered that I complained to GG a couple of years back about speed of data....Then I had two live sims.....my main phone sim and a temp one.....the temp one....in the same phone, data was so much faster than my main phone sim....I did some testing, downloading the same large file and posted the results on GG website....I got a reply to my post.....saying that GG had compaired the settings they had between the two sims and adjusted my main phone sim settings to the temp sim.....it speeded up 
So maybe worth a try  As obviously they can buggar around with sim settings their end to determine data speed

A while ago (2 or 3yrs) they provisioned a whole bucketload of SIMs incorrectly. I guess you were affected.

I had 5 GG SIMs (well, between Mrs TB and I), they all suffered the same.

I tolerated the poor data speeds and frequent no data despite a 3G connection for 9 months or more.


I quite liked the GG setup, but after 5yrs should have sorted out the constant website issues. But the data speed was inexcusable. One of the educators all but said they had purchased insufficient capacity/priority from O2 (which could possibly translate to O2 knobbling GG to differentiate/justify the price difference).  That and the payback hunting morons that overrun the forum there.

[TheBoy]

But I would add, it's probably worth trialling for a month of so (for a tenner) to see if it works for you.

I'm sure Taxi Driver would be grateful for anyone wanting to try to use his sign-up link - the new user gets an additional £5 credit, and TD gets a bonus of some description

[tigers_gonads]

I've moved all but the carphone away from Giffgaff.

3G coverage (as per O2) is utterly shockingly bad, and I doubt they will invest in that now.

Data throughput was next to useless for most of last year. 2G, forget even trying, 3G gave about a 33% success rate. Rumour, but never confirmed, is they have a very low priority on O2's network for data.

Tesco Mobile (an O2 MVNO) and O2 direct gave much better data throughput, but still relatively poor compared to likes of Three and EE.  In fact, on a good day, O2's 4G often lags behind 3's 3G for throughput.

Oh and a PS.....

Ive just remembered that I complained to GG a couple of years back about speed of data....Then I had two live sims.....my main phone sim and a temp one.....the temp one....in the same phone, data was so much faster than my main phone sim....I did some testing, downloading the same large file and posted the results on GG website....I got a reply to my post.....saying that GG had compaired the settings they had between the two sims and adjusted my main phone sim settings to the temp sim.....it speeded up 
So maybe worth a try  As obviously they can buggar around with sim settings their end to determine data speed

A while ago (2 or 3yrs) they provisioned a whole bucketload of SIMs incorrectly. I guess you were affected.

I had 5 GG SIMs (well, between Mrs TB and I), they all suffered the same.

I tolerated the poor data speeds and frequent no data despite a 3G connection for 9 months or more.


I quite liked the GG setup, but after 5yrs should have sorted out the constant website issues. But the data speed was inexcusable. One of the educators all but said they had purchased insufficient capacity/priority from O2 (which could possibly translate to O2 knobbling GG to differentiate/justify the price difference).  That and the payback hunting morons that overrun the forum there.

Anymore info on that TB ?
My lad joined GiffGaff around that time and his internet speed has always been crap while mine on a Apple 4s is miles faster.
Do GiffGaff admit to this or is it one of those where they deny everything ?

[zirk]

My 3 contract is coming up to 24 months and tethering issues is not something I'd thought of.    I'm getting my phone fixed at the moment so I might be better off staying put! 

More info on Three Tethering here ST (Jan 2015), which may or may not effect your old Three Plan. -

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2014/11/existing-three-uk-customers-wave-goodbye-unlimited-tethering.html

[Sir Tigger KC]

Thanks for that Zirk, I'll stick with what I have until 3 kick me out and then I'll go elsewhere.   

Although I'm eligible for a free upgrade from the end of April, my 24 month contract dosn't finish until the end of June.  That's when I'll expect 3 to get in touch terminating my unlimited data allowance! Forwarned is forarmed! 

Thanks! 

[zirk]

Thanks for that Zirk, I'll stick with what I have until 3 kick me out and then I'll go elsewhere.   

Although I'm eligible for a free upgrade from the end of April, my 24 month contract dosn't finish until the end of June.  That's when I'll expect 3 to get in touch terminating my unlimited data allowance! Forwarned is forarmed! 

Thanks! 

Glad it was informative, let us know how you get on. 

Strangely enough I had a call a few days back from EE as I have a second Sim on T mobile Full Monty (ie, full everything) which tends to get hammered on Data when Im out and about, Ive had the Sim Contract for 3 years now as I originally got 50% discount bringing down to £14 pm and they've always renewed the same deal for me every 12 months, on the basis I dont leave.

Anyway my contract is up mid April, so the Upgrade Team from EE are telling me 'we not playing that game anymore, your have to sign up for an EE 4G Plan as from Jan 15 were not not selling or upgrading Orange or T Mobile plans anymore as were closing down the Networks this year'. My response was unless your prepared to offer me some kind of decent Data Package, it probably wont happen as I tend to use my Voda Full Red Plan for mins and txts which they almost give away to me. Needless to say, they couldn't offer me anything like to Unlimited Data thats part of the Full Monty Pack on an EE 4G Tariff, let alone the price, so with that I politely said I'd think about it and ended the call.

I then thought I would try it on and called the 'If you are thinking of leaving us team' (Retention), and asked for my PUK Code and to give 30 days notice to quit, when asked what the problem was, and I explained, the outcome is Im now on another 12 months on the Full Monty Plan and the same 50% price deal.

Guy did say though, 'I wouldn't count on this happening again next year though'. 

[TheBoy]

I've moved all but the carphone away from Giffgaff.

3G coverage (as per O2) is utterly shockingly bad, and I doubt they will invest in that now.

Data throughput was next to useless for most of last year. 2G, forget even trying, 3G gave about a 33% success rate. Rumour, but never confirmed, is they have a very low priority on O2's network for data.

Tesco Mobile (an O2 MVNO) and O2 direct gave much better data throughput, but still relatively poor compared to likes of Three and EE.  In fact, on a good day, O2's 4G often lags behind 3's 3G for throughput.

Oh and a PS.....

Ive just remembered that I complained to GG a couple of years back about speed of data....Then I had two live sims.....my main phone sim and a temp one.....the temp one....in the same phone, data was so much faster than my main phone sim....I did some testing, downloading the same large file and posted the results on GG website....I got a reply to my post.....saying that GG had compaired the settings they had between the two sims and adjusted my main phone sim settings to the temp sim.....it speeded up 
So maybe worth a try  As obviously they can buggar around with sim settings their end to determine data speed

A while ago (2 or 3yrs) they provisioned a whole bucketload of SIMs incorrectly. I guess you were affected.

I had 5 GG SIMs (well, between Mrs TB and I), they all suffered the same.

I tolerated the poor data speeds and frequent no data despite a 3G connection for 9 months or more.


I quite liked the GG setup, but after 5yrs should have sorted out the constant website issues. But the data speed was inexcusable. One of the educators all but said they had purchased insufficient capacity/priority from O2 (which could possibly translate to O2 knobbling GG to differentiate/justify the price difference).  That and the payback hunting morons that overrun the forum there.

Anymore info on that TB ?
My lad joined GiffGaff around that time and his internet speed has always been crap while mine on a Apple 4s is miles faster.
Do GiffGaff admit to this or is it one of those where they deny everything ?

Easiest solution is just order some SIMs (as if you were going to give them out) and do a SIM Swap (a fairly painless procedure now, unlike a couple of years back).

If you need help, let me know and I'll try to dig out specific links.

Either way, GG data speeds have been hopeless for about a year now.