topic Re: when o2 network gets taken over by 3 in Pay Monthly

when o2 network gets taken over by 3

Anonymous — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 12:19:03 GMT

I have kept with O2 for the last 15 years (actually now Tesco but same coverage so I don't care) as the coverage is pretty reliable where I work.

I'm excited by the prospect of being taken over by 3 because they seem to be the only provider with a decent 'unlimited' data policy - and that you can use data and minutes in Europe 'like at home' instead of being borderline criminally overcharged for merely visiting a couple of websites or checking flight details.

Does anyone have any idea when this changeover will happen - or will I have to just get a 3 PAYG again for when I travel?

Re: when o2 network gets taken over by 3

Anonymous — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 12:23:44 GMT

@Anonymous 3 have put a bid in for it and it's been checked which could take upto a year or more ...so not for a while yet.

Re: when o2 network gets taken over by 3

MI5 — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 12:23:44 GMT

It'll be a good 12 months before anything definite happens.....

Re: when o2 network gets taken over by 3

Anonymous — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 12:26:54 GMT

Based on this, I think it will take a while!

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9d43d52c-d250-11e4-9c25-00144feab7de.html#axzz3VmDYRZF9

http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2015/march/hutchison-whampoa-finalises-10bn-deal-to-buy-o2-from-telefonica/

Re: when o2 network gets taken over by 3

Anonymous — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 12:33:18 GMT

It is subject to regulatory clearance, which may take upto a year, assuming no problems crop up.

Re: when o2 network gets taken over by 3

jonsie — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 12:45:44 GMT

Personally I don't see it taking that long.

Re: when o2 network gets taken over by 3

Deag — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 12:48:16 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I have kept with O2 for the last 15 years (actually now Tesco but same coverage so I don't care) as the coverage is pretty reliable where I work.

I'm excited by the prospect of being taken over by 3 because they seem to be the only provider with a decent 'unlimited' data policy - and that you can use data and minutes in Europe 'like at home' instead of being borderline criminally overcharged for merely visiting a couple of websites or checking flight details.

Does anyone have any idea when this changeover will happen - or will I have to just get a 3 PAYG again for when I travel?

And no guarantee that Three tariffs will be applied to O2 or that the tariffs they currently have will continue. We may find the market is less competitive and as Three will be the laregst network they may not want to have the best tariffs, the biggest supplier rarely offers the best deals (look at EE, the largest at the moment).

Re: when o2 network gets taken over by 3

Bambino — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 13:16:49 GMT

@jonsie wrote:
Personally I don't see it taking that long.

I certainly hope you're right @jonsie If not, there are going to be a thousand threads like this one asking the same question.

If the OP wants a take on what may happen when Three takes over, they should take a look at this thread and read the post from gadget_hq, who has had experience of the Three takeover of O2 Ireland.

http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Discussions-Feedback/When-3-take-over-o2/td-p/863760/page/2

Re: when o2 network gets taken over by 3

Anonymous — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 18:40:38 GMT

Thanks for all the replies (and the links to O2 Ireland).

IIRC BT's takeover of EE was announced after 3's proposed takeover of O2 but BT are already selling sims and offering 'quad play' bundles including 4G plans. So why the delay?

I'll repeat what I said above, the best innovation that any provider has done recently has been 3's 'use like at home' facility in Europe. It removes the 'gotcha' swindle of stupidly high overseas data charges. I'm not suggesting that it should necessarily be done 'for free' as clearly there are costs to the provider but excessive charges are just profiteering. If 3 can do it (and clearly they aren't bankrupt yet) then all of them can.

Re: when o2 network gets taken over by 3

MI5 — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 18:52:05 GMT

BT are currently just using EE network as a MVNO - The sale isn't finalised yet either.

Re: when o2 network gets taken over by 3

terminusaquo — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 11:31:30 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I have kept with O2 for the last 15 years (actually now Tesco but same coverage so I don't care) as the coverage is pretty reliable where I work.

I'm excited by the prospect of being taken over by 3 because they seem to be the only provider with a decent 'unlimited' data policy - and that you can use data and minutes in Europe 'like at home' instead of being borderline criminally overcharged for merely visiting a couple of websites or checking flight details.

Does anyone have any idea when this changeover will happen - or will I have to just get a 3 PAYG again for when I travel?

As others have said, it could take up to a year before this happens. However, I would imagine this will happen in two stages. First O2 customers will be able to roam onto the 3 network for free then, as they integrate the networks, O2 customers will see 3 as the network on their devices.

Re: when o2 network gets taken over by 3

jonsie — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 11:33:14 GMT

Whether unlimited data will remain is uncertain as yet....

Re: when o2 network gets taken over by 3

Deag — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 06:13:15 GMT

@terminusaquo wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I have kept with O2 for the last 15 years (actually now Tesco but same coverage so I don't care) as the coverage is pretty reliable where I work.

I'm excited by the prospect of being taken over by 3 because they seem to be the only provider with a decent 'unlimited' data policy - and that you can use data and minutes in Europe 'like at home' instead of being borderline criminally overcharged for merely visiting a couple of websites or checking flight details.

Does anyone have any idea when this changeover will happen - or will I have to just get a 3 PAYG again for when I travel?
As others have said, it could take up to a year before this happens. However, I would imagine this will happen in two stages. First O2 customers will be able to roam onto the 3 network for free then, as they integrate the networks, O2 customers will see 3 as the network on their devices.

And also will likely continue on their O2 tariff until it comes up for renewal so no unlimited data until upgrade date.