Boost box - Hang your heads in shame O2

[Anonymous]

Hi Guys - first post and its gonna be a moan

I have been a loyal O2 customer (15ish years, initially on pay monthly then later simplicity - only ever had one year with Vodafone previous to that and some work phones on Orange) but the way O2 has treated their customers regarding the roll out of Boost boxes has appalled me

I had heard about these first via Vodafone who not only made them available much sooner (and I know of many people who switched purely on the strength of this product so that shows the gravity of their appeal), they more importantly made them available to EVERYONE (not just business custmers), and, at a fraction of the price (around a third of the cost I believe for what it appears is essentially the same product)

I should also point out that people are only having to purchase these products to get the service (reception) that they are already paying O2 to supply but not receiving so charging for such a product (which is essentially to fill in the gaps in your network) at all should be frowned upon

I have also spoken to various O2 staff regarding this, most agree it is wrong but they don't make the rules.

I am also amazed as to how many people work at O2 and don't know that this item is available - I even had one guy who told me during a live web chat that O2 definitely did not sell such a product, so, I sent him the link to it from the O2 website. I spoke with one tonight and he suggested that I did not need this unit as the TUGO app would be simpler/easier, except that I cannot find it in the app store and a quick Google suggests it hasnt been launched yet (although he clearly was under the impression it was)

In conclusion I am very disappointed with the way O2 has handled this - it very much seems that despite years of loyal service to the O2 brand not to mention the several thousand pounds it cost for the privelidge I cannot recieve the same products/sevices as a new O2 business customer that signed up today

I would very much like to hear why O2 believe this was the correct course of action in this instance, and more importantly taking in to consideration the points above, how they could ever consider this as "Fair"?

[Anonymous]

Have you had access to both boxes to be able to state they are in fact not the same working components?

[Anonymous]

Liquid:

I`m not a troll and am happy to PM my number and speak if you prefer

I would be curious to hear more. This guy sincerely has trouble and doesnt even need a Boostbox from O2 as he already has one he just needs it registered

[Anonymous]

"You do not have to be a business customer to buy the box and can in fact by direct from the manufacturer. Guess what the costs are the same."

So if you purchase this product direct from the manufacturer how do you get it registered with O2?

[Liquid]

Pretty sure the kit differs ever so slightly eg the base bands it picks up. Vodaphone and O2 use different frequencies don't they?

[Anonymous]

You mention intelligence but your whole argument is somewhat flawed. 

So your friend moved his business to a blackspot. So he is to blame for his issues. 

I was pointing out the reason behind why business customers would be offered this rather than a personal customer but my intelligence to portray that issue is obviously inept......

You seem to have problems with grasping the points being made. Maybe it is your intelligence we should be questioning. 

Why would you come onto a customer forum, slating a company and product that you have no need for? And yet you judge my intelligence.

So lets clarify your issues:

You do not have a problem personally but your friend does.
They have recently moved there business to a blackspot that is not unique to O2 but effects all carriers.
You want O2 to provide a product to all customers that has been proven does not always work?
You do not grasp the reason why Vodafone has to offer the product on a grand scale and why O2 do not?
The fact that TUGO is coming to O2 customers only to start with free of cost and that O2 have invested in a better solution that a boost box is a issue to you even though you do not have a signal problem?

I could go on but my intelligence level is wavering. 

[Anonymous]

"Pretty sure the kit differs ever so slightly eg the base bands it picks up. Vodaphone and O2 use different frequencies don't they?"

My understanding was that O2 and Vodafone use the same frequency (900?) but Orange and 3 are different 

A colleague from work has got a Femtocell from Orange as part of a trial theyre running - I think its strange that all the manufacturers are using these products to some degree if they dont work? 

[Anonymous]

The box does not need to be registered it just needs to be on O2 signal. I could expain port fowarding but I am not intelligent enough.

[Liquid]

I do apolagise I was mistaken you are correct. They are on the same frequency.

They're all running trials as said seem to be an aweful lot of problems at the moment. I imagine they're only allowing these small trials to try and debug the issues before a wider release.(cut down on call center traffic)

Is it that easy to get a box from vodaphone?

[Anonymous]

"You mention intelligence but your whole argument is somewhat flawed."

Please explain - I cannot wait

"So your friend moved his business to a blackspot. So he is to blame for his issues."

So people should only choose to live where their phone happens to work? Is that what youre saying? In this case then it will be his father who is to blame as he purchased the ground where he now lives decades ago. Obviously he never checked what O2 service was like there as mobile phones hadnt been invented yet. Should we stone him or shoot him at dawn for this act?

If only there was some other way, like perhaps a mystical box that could be plugged into your router and it would increase phone reception. Turns out there is but O2 decieded to discriminate against everyone that isnt on business

"I was pointing out the reason behind why business customers would be offered this rather than a personal customer but my intelligence to portray that issue is obviously inept......

You seem to have problems with grasping the points being made. Maybe it is your intelligence we should be questioning."

Let me change the question slightly, instead of "should O2 offer the Boostbox to everyone" (although I cant see why not as the customer pays for it anyway - ie their choice) "could O2 have offered it to everyone?"

"Why would you come onto a customer forum, slating a company and product that you have no need for? And yet you judge my intelligence."

Why wouldnt I? I have already explained my involvement but the fact that I do not need one is purely down to luck in that I live in an area with good reception - should I simply turn a blind eye to those non business customers who are not so fortunate and who O2, at this minute in time, (I know, I know - TUGO) refuse to help?

"So lets clarify your issues:

You do not have a problem personally but your friend does."

Correct! Should I turn a blind eye? So theoretically no matter how wrong something is if it doesnt directly affect you then you should not get involved? I take it you`re not in the Police?

"They have recently moved there business to a blackspot that is not unique to O2 but effects all carriers."

Yes - can they be arrested for this?

"You want O2 to provide a product to all customers that has been proven does not always work?"

Why offer it at all in that case? In this case they dont even have to provide said product - they only have to register it which is not possible due to selective company policy

"You do not grasp the reason why Vodafone has to offer the product on a grand scale and why O2 do not?"

No ones putting a gun to Vodafones head and making them sell them to everyone - the people who need this product have to purchase them but, for many, they are a solution. O2 dont even offer them to all despite the high price (I know, I know - Tugo)

"The fact that TUGO is coming to O2 customers only to start with free of cost and that O2 have invested in a better solution that a boost box is a issue to you even though you do not have a signal problem?"

Can TUGO help anyone at this minute in time with reception problems?

"I could go on but my intelligence level is wavering."

You said it.......

[Anonymous]

"The box does not need to be registered it just needs to be on O2 signal. I could expain port fowarding but I am not intelligent enough."

Dont worry about it - I deal with port forwarding almost every day