Non-existing coverage wherever there is a crowd!

[Anonymous]

I visit different sports and cultural events throughout London frequently, and almost 80% of the time I run into trouble with connecting to the network. The post is lengthy and I vent my frustration, so TL : DR am I the only one who can't connect to internet when there are people in the area?

Devices used: LG Nexus 4 and HTC Butterfly 3 from Japan, both updated to latest firmware available; HTC Butterfly 3 with idata.o2.co.uk and mobile.o2.co.uk APN settings stored

Examples of Locations: both Westfield at White City and Stratsford, Wembley, Upton Park/Boleyn Ground, Arsenal Emirates Stadium, White Hart Lane, QE2 Stadium at Stratsford, Charlton The Valley, Oxford Street, Selfridges

Time: when there is an event, that means a lot of people using their phones

Problem:

10% of the time I am connected to voice network ONLY and no ANY data network, GPRS/EDGE/HSPA/LTE. Nothing at all

30% of the time I am connected to GPRS/EDGE, but with a lot of latency that apps like Chrome or instant messaging saying I'm offline.

60% of the time I am connected to HSPA/LTE, but with the exact same problem as GPRS/EDGE. Connected yet offline.

Let me elaborate with an example. Just now I went to the QE2 Stadium at Stratsford for a football match.

Outside the stadium in the garden, the coverage was great in LTE, and no problem in connection. When I step into the stadium and find my seat, the network switches to GPRS immediately. The phone is offline and I cannot assess the internet by any app, e.g. BBC Sports, Chrome, Whatsapp etc.

Throughout the match I am unable to connect at all, with the phone stayed in GPRS with consistent rebooting and switching on/off flight mode.

After the match I stepped outside the stadium, and a hell lot of notifications arrived. I am connected to LTE again.

So, why? I manage to come up with 3 scenarios:

1. O2 simply can't handle such data traffic and I shouldn't moan

2. As a SIM-only monthly user my rank in the O2 user hierarchy is too low and I can't get good service unless I buy a new phone or become a corporate user.

3. Something wrong with my SIM card or my connection settings, but I swapped phones *and* swapped SIM card during the period, and came up with the same result.

To add salt to wound, my partner uses Vodafone and every single time I am disconnected, her phone is totally connected.

I am highly likely to leave O2 on such performance but before doing so I want to find out if I am alone. Kudos to you for reading the whole complaint.

[Bambino]

It could also have to do with the physical construction of the stadiums themselves, but I'd probably go for sheer numbers of people trying to access the network at the same time.

[MI5]

idata is only for iPhones so won't help with your android devices.
O2 always craps out in high usage scenarios. I guess there are more people on o2 than in Vodafone in the places you go to.

[Cleoriff]

I doubt it has anything to do with being a Sim only customer. I have had that type of contract for 2 years and have never had that problem. I can't speak for areas in and around London but I know when I go away with friends to other places in the UK my network coverage is better than theirs. The others are with Vodafone, Three and EE.

[MI5]

Sim only is classed the same as all other contract customers so has nothing to do with it.

[Beenherebefore]

I guess it could be O2's way of telling you to concentrate on the match/performance for which you've bought expensive tickets rather than use your phone.

[Anonymous]

I say as its events in London that you attend then the network is congested as it is the nations capital with thousands of people trying to do the same

[Beenherebefore]

Especially at this time of year with all the tourists taking advantage of the weak £

[jonsie]

The nation's supposed capital. You think that O2 would get it right there at the very least. I have known them to set up mobile masts at sporting events and music gigs in the past. Being sponsors of the England rugby team, I would imagine you are guaranteed good coverage attending a game at Twikkers?

[adamtemp64]

Stadium construction is the key unless o2 has a mast or masts on the stadium roof it will be very poor

most stadiums are made of reinforced concrete and that blocks most radio signals