Every mobile network has its strengths and weaknesses in particular areas and these go back to pretty much the days when the networks were set up in the first place. This is in addition to any availability of bandwidth.
For the record, O2 are at their maximum strength in London, Leeds, Slough, Birmingham and Glasgow. This goes back to the time when the original company Cellnet were setting up their initial GSM network in 1994 and had its HQ in Slough (can’t afford to have rubbish coverage where the HQ is situated) and also had a major presence in Leeds. This situation continues to this day where Leeds and Slough were the first cities to receive O2’s 4G, 4G calling etc.
Sadly this isn't the case in Manchester where EE have a major presence. This goes back to the one2one days c1997 when they became the major provider for Manchester Airport. O2 do want to improve coverage and capacity in Manchester like it does everywhere else but site acquisition and construction is hampered by the fact EE ‘got there first’.
Hopefully although difficult, it isnt impossible to resolve and O2 will have to chop and change frequencies to 4G like is done in Leicester (large chunks their 3G 2100mHz has in the City centre have gone over to 4G resulting in a most welcome 4G ‘spike’).
Obviously I can’t promise Manchester will get better for O2 coverage anytime soon but O2 are seeing enhanced coverage as a priority. Bear with them and it will get better eventually.
