O2, where is your 4G in South West England & Wales?

[Anonymous]

To date, 3rd September 2014, O2 still have NO 4G coverage in Wales, and only in villages surrounding Chippenham, Wiltshire in the South West of England. They've launched 4G in Bournemouth, but that's not exactly the "South West" like O2 are calling it. Bournemouth is the South/South Coast of England.

So, after a year of O2 4G being available, where is it? Big cities like Bristol, and Cardiff - the CAPITAL of Wales, still have NO 4G from O2. How much longer do they expect people to wait? Three have had 4G in Cardiff & Bristol since around February 2014, and EE have had 4G in Bristol & Cardiff since their network launched almost 2 years ago.

I was originally told last year by an O2 advisor that "4G would launch by the end of the year" (so by 31st December 2013). Someone else told me "March 2014", then it was "July 2014", then "we'll have it by September". It's now 3rd September. Where is it?

The thing is, 4G can't be coming anytime soon. I've searched for local council planning applications for new 4G masts. The local mast is on a street corner and looks like a streetlight. I've seen the new designs on the planning application - which was made in May, and there has been NO work on the mast whatsoever. Vodafone & O2 seem to be launching 4G together, and on Vodafone's coverage map, it says there will be no 4G upgrades in Bristol for at least the next 3 months.

Are we talking 2015 now? Or maybe even 2017 when O2 claim they'll have 98% coverage?

Are you there O2? If you are, where will you be launching 4G next? Networks such as Three have published a list of cities/towns, even villages, where they will launch 4G in 2014. Why can't you? Why are you keeping your customers in the dark about this?

O2 managed to set up a temporary 4G mast in Long Ashton, Bristol for the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. That was really quick to set up! (and remove!) So what's going on?

[Anonymous]

I understand your argument.

I'm lucky enough to live in West Yorkshire where 4G and 3G are strong , but I do feel for some who are struggling to get any signal at all.

This is why I personally stick with O2.

[Bambino]

Scotty5 wrote:

I have now switched to Three - a few months back. But I was just wondering when O2 were launching in Bristol, because they'd have better indoor coverage & it'd be faster, as Three cap it at 50Mbps download per user.

Also, why do people even bother with O2 or Vodafone? Go out into the countryside, and you'll get 2G. Whereas on Three, you'll still get 3G 

I think you've answered your own question.

I've not heard of anyone getting faster than 50Mbps anyway. That's pretty quick, and faster than most home broadband speeds.

[Anonymous]

my speeds are :

[Anonymous]

Hi @Anonymous

As someone who lives in the South West i know exactly how you feel.

However for clarity there is now 4g in the South West as Saltash just outside of Plymouth is now live. O2 / Voda are working along the South Coast at the moment.

That said you are absolutely right in that 3g coverage is woefully lacking in the South West and there are huge areas where 2g doesn't work either. O2 have a lot to answer for.

[MI5]

There is still a certain amount of "snobbery" attached to mobile providers.
I know people who don't want "3" on their lockscreen and even some who won't use "Tesco" and pay more for less on O2 !!

[Bambino]

Pretty silly, if you ask me, but you're probably right. I couldn't care less what's on my lockscreen, as long as I get a decent signal. In fact I'm using Tesco at the moment, but the O2 quality has deteriorated so much recently I'll probably switch to Three. The snobs can think what they like.

[MI5]

Well, you know what it's like these days !!

[sheepdog]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I have now switched to Three - a few months back. But I was just wondering when O2 were launching in Bristol, because they'd have better indoor coverage & it'd be faster, as Three cap it at 50Mbps download per user.

Also, why do people even bother with O2 or Vodafone? Go out into the countryside, and you'll get 2G. Whereas on Three, you'll still get 3G

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Out in the rural & coastal areas (I live near the coast), 3G is non-existent so the likes of 3 are useless since the signal barely reaches here. If it does get here, the signal quality rapidly drops and practically no use indoors in trying to hold a conversation. Saying that, o2/VF have always worked well for me where ever I travel to so that's why I stick to those networks. 

[MI5]

That's exactly why all the networks cover areas differently and why one network doesn't fit all.
I use O2, Three and EE and unless I am in a city there will never be a signal on all 3 networks.....

[Ziggy13]

I live in South Wales; I believe that the rollout has been woeful too be honest. I reside in the capital of Wales and we still do not get 4G from O2. I'm close to paying off my contract and going with 3 or EE as I've had enough of waiting. 2014 is nearly over and still no 4G!!! pathetic simply pathetic!!!