As a user from UK, what are the pros and cons of your wireless / cell phone carrier in 2017?

Question

Review of United Kingdom mobile / cell phone service providers

Provide a review of  your  cell phone service provider from the following aspect at your location (city/state) in UK.

- Plan cost

- Coverage of the network

- Limit on data

- Speed of internet using data plan

- Customer care and issue resolution

- Comparing with other cell phone service providers in your region

Comments

I live in the South East, Kent to be specific and my provider is Vodafone. I pay a lot of money a month (£47) for my phone service but the service isn't always great and my internet is incredibly slow.

- Plan cost: £47

- Coverage of the network: Good coverage but bad signal

- Limit on data: 8GB

- Speed of internet using data plan: N/A

- Customer care and issue resolution: I can never get through because the live chat is always busy and the phone calls take ages.

- Comparing with other cell phone service providers in your region: I think Virgin/02 might be better.

For the amount I pay I expect more personally so I'll probably start looking around soon.

Answer 1

I'm in West Yorkshire and I use EE, I just pay £20 a month to top up my pay as you go sim card ,£15 for the plan and £5 because I need to call abroad and the £15 plan doesn't cover international calls. So for the £15 a month plan I get :-

• 5Gb Data
• Unlimited Texts
• 500 minutes talk time

Never had an issue with EE but I do know they have live chat and I can access help and info through the app which also tells me the current status of my data/mins/texts balance.

The internet has good coverage and good speed and allows me to use my phone as a hotspot when I require to run my tablet or laptop.

I believe this to be the best pre-paid monthly deal so I have no reason to look around for a new provider at the moment which is good as I hate messing around porting my number which I've had a long time.

Topping up I do by card each month on their website and there are data bonuses given for continually monthly topping up the plan starting at 3 months.

Overall, I'm very happy with the cost and connection speeds I'm getting and haven't had any issues for which I've needed to call customer services.

Answer 2

The main Cell phone provider in my UK area.

EE (Everything Everywhere)

- Cost of the plan

High Meduim plan with good reliability in major areas. High Mobile data and most popular netork plan with best commerical application, £30-£40 pm

- Network coverage

Some of the largest coverage maps in the UK, a merger of the major mobile providers

- Data limit

High data limit, depending on plan, 20-30 gig.

- Data speed

4G 5-7 mbs + charges

- Customer service

Average customer service, with a high volume of complaints.

- Compare to other cell phone carriers in your region

A mixed bag, with good service for a reasonable price most of the time.

Answer 3

The main Cell phone provider.

Vodafone

- Cost of the plan 

Pay as you go.

Instant TopUps 

Topping up is quick, safe and secure. Use vodafone apps for makes me easy. I can collect Rewards points with each and every TopUp. Also I can manage my costs and avoid getting stung by unexpected charges.

- Network coverage 

Strong and reliable network. Continuing to offer calls over 4G in more cities, as well as expanding the number of devices that are compatible with the service.

- Data limit 

Up to 20GB data on  best-ever Big Value Bundles.

- Data speed 

4G 5-7 mbs + charges

- Customer service 

Average customer service, with a high volume of complaints.

- Compare to other cell phone carriers in your region

A mixed bag, with good service for a reasonable price most of the time.

Answer 4

O2 / WEST YORKSHIRE

-PLAN COST

AT £59/MONTH IT'S A BIT MORE THAN MOST PLANS OUT THERE BUT CONSIDERING THE HANDSET IT'S INCLUDED IN THE MONTLY COST IT'S NOT TOO BAD OVERALL.

-COVERAGE OF THE NETWORK
I'VE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES AT ALL. IT'S ALWAYS 100% UP AND WORKING 24/7. I CAN IMAGINE THERE MIGHT BE SOME ISSUES IN SMALL VILLAGES.

-LIMIT ON DATA AND SPEED OF INTERNET
HAVING 30 GIGS/MONTH IT'S PRETTY DECENT CAN'T COMPLAIN. WHAT I REALLY ENJOY ABOUT O2 THEY DON'T SLOW YOUR BANDWITH IF YOU USE TO MUCH INTERNET.

-CUSTOMER CARE AND ISSUE RESOLUTION
CUSTOMER SERVICE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY NICE AND PROMP IN FIXING ANY ISSUES. DIDN'T REALLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH 02 AT ALL.

-COMPARING WITH OTHER PROVIDERS
I'VE HAD VODAFONE AND 3 BEFORE SWITCHING TO O2. HAD A LOT OF ISSUES WITH NETWORK COVERAGE WITH VODAFONE.
WHILE ON 3 THE INTERNET WAS ALWAYS REALLY SLOW. WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND O2 TO ANYONE LOOKING TO CHANGE NETWORK ;)

Answer 5

The main Cell phone provider in my UK area. 

(Three) - East midlands- Nottingham

- Cost of the plan

High Mobile data and three is one of the most popular UK network plans. £32.50 per month for 3g of internet, 500 minutes and unlimited texts

- Network coverage

Some of the largest coverage maps in the country, covering nearly all major cities and towns, less coverage in remote places, but overall coverage is good !

- Data limit

Medium Data limit, Around 3g per month, suitable for my needs

- Data speed

4G 10-15 mb's

- Customer service

Fairly decent customer service, have always been able to reach them and they provide a good standard of care for their customers. Quick, friendly and decisive, never had any problems with three

- Compare to other cell phone carriers in your region

Before i was with three i had a phone contract with EE, who in my opinion were the worst people ever, customer service was unreliable and their network coverage in my area was poor, I would also like to try out O2 as many people have high praises for them.

Answer 6

Live here in Manchester, spend a great deal of time in the Greater Manchester area also. My provider is 3.

- Plan cost - £29 per month sim only rolling monthly contract. Bought the phone separately.

- Coverage of the network - It seems to have good coverage in all of the UK. Struggles a bit in enclosed spaces, but I think most networks struggle with that. ie If you're in a basement bar 

- Limit on data - Unlimited

- Speed of internet using data plan - 

- Customer care and issue resolution - Had a good customer service experience with 3. Very rarely get bumped from advisor to another advisor.

- Comparing with other cell phone service providers in your region - I think 3 works well in the region at a low cost compared to other providers. I do think other providers offer better perks. However, I like the Feel at Home where you can use you allowance abroad.

Answer 7

Hi all, from the north west of England (Liverpool) I've been with EE for over 2 years now on a sim only contact for 14.99 a month i found this a better way of getting a good deal and not spending 45-60 pounds a month on the latest phone.

my current plan is
-10gb Data
-Unlimited tests and Calls

i moved to EE as o2 didnt cover large event areas as well as others which i have seen a massive coverage increase with EE. only issue i have a the moment is the audio on calls which is alot lower and maybe just my setting on the phone which i will check.

one thing i do like about EE is the amounth of customer service i have been given with alot of support and promotions about the coverage.

overall i like the sim only deal as it allow me to move around without any major issues.