I am ot telling you something new but it makes me feel better to vent!

[Robtheupset]

Hi everyone! Let me tell you a bit about myself and my telecom journey. I've lived in four countries and had my fair share of experiences with major telecom providers. In Australia, I worked with Telstra; in the U.S., it was Verizon; in Canada, Rogers; and here in the UK, I’m currently with O2 after switching from EE for the (hopefully) better pricing. I thought the service couldn’t get any worse than EE, but I was in for a surprise!

If you’re not familiar, the UK has some of the world’s worst mobile network coverage and speed—and it’s costly too. With only three major providers, there’s little incentive for them to really compete or innovate. We don’t have the likes of T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T to keep them on their toes. And that lack of competition shows.

Here’s my gripe: when you’re signing up, they’re all over you with smiles and offers, but once you’re locked into a contract, it’s like you’re invisible. Need help with an issue? Good luck battling through their automated phone system, listening to tinny hold music, and getting absolutely nowhere. It’s night and day compared to companies like Apple or Amazon, which know a thing or two about excellent customer service. Why can’t O2—or any UK provider—aim higher?

Instead of flashy gimmicks like concert tickets, how about investing in the basics? I don’t want 5G in every nook and cranny; I want a solid, reliable 4G signal that doesn’t drop my calls or sound like I’m talking through a tin can—especially right in the city center. So here’s to hoping O2 and others can start delivering the service we deserve in this century. Stay tuned—I've got plenty more to say!

[Oxonian]

You had a similar vent earlier @Robtheupset :-

DHL and O2 : a match made is Customer Service Hel... - O2 Community

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Discussions-Feedback/DHL-and-O2-a-match-made-is-Customer-Service-Hell/...

It is good to let off steam ! 👍

[RunrigForever]

Hello @Robtheupset sorry about your experience and yes it is good to vent.

To me, from an office background, a person on the phone who is your first point of contact represents the company ... also ... whatever happed to market research ? I agree no incentive to improve for loyal customers as not much competition.

I go to the town's O2 shop where they help me very well considering I am an old person not very good with tech.

Well done you for saying your piece @Robtheupset 

[Peter_L]

I agree that the UK mobile networks are slow and really bad. I am currently on O2 and in Manchester city centre where I have a full 5G signal on my iPhone and also 5G Standalone on (and there should be 5G SA), I can't even open a simple website and many times getting error "couldn't load the page" or if it at least loads, it takes ages to do it - you have a feeling like you're on 2G/3G network instead. However I had Vodafone and Three and even EE and in some parts of city centre even when the signal is full you can't load anything. I can strongly agree with the UK mobile networks being probably one of the worst in the world - and like it's been told - very expensive also 🤔😐

[Oxonian]

I must take issue with your "very expensive also" comment @Peter_L. I actually believe that if you take something like an O2 Big Bundle, unlimited calls, unlimited texts and quite a bit of data for a tenner is really good value.

I also think that current 'phone contacts are cheap when compared with times gone by. In the 1970's, thirty-odd quid a quarter would cover your line rental and a few off-peak local calls. 

I fully agree with you that all of the UK networks need to improve their capacity in many locations. 👍    

[jonsie]

Manchester city centre has been diabolical for years on O2

EE on the other hand....

[Enlli]

@Peter_L Do you have the correct SiM / eSIM for 5G SA? You need a plastic SIM of the R15 type. When it comes to eSIMs then these have just been released but customer services know little about them

[RunrigForever]

Reception is patchy in the market town where I live in North Yorkshire, despite relatively another new phone mast. I seem to fall between the 2 I know of, but it could and has been worse. I'm in with O2 for the long haul, not least because of a darn good O2 shop in the town centre.

[Peter_L]

Hi @Oxonian yes, you might be right, contracts are definitely cheaper than in a past. I just don't understand why do we need 4G/5G networks really for if we can't even open a simple website and speeds are terrible

[Peter_L]

Hi @jonsie I don't understand why they don't try to improve speeds of their networks. They must be aware that at some places although you have a full 5G signal, you can't open a single website... Do they don't use their network at all?