Network Virtual Interview- 30/04/14

[Anonymous]

Hey Guys,

Our Network is a topic that is dear to the hearts of all of us here in O2 as well as to our customers.

We recently shared with you some of our Network stats and reinforced our overall commitment to strengthening our Network over the next few years here - and now we’re taking that a little further with you guys on the Community.

We’re having a ‘Networks’ Virtual Interview!

This is a no holds barred opportunity to ask some of our most Senior techies about our Network and our future plans. 

We have the fabulous Andy Conway and Brendan O'Reilly (and some of their teams) who look after the quality of our Network and oversee our future rollout plans. 

This is not just a 4G Virtual Interview. Our focus is just as much on our 2G and 3G networks as well, so we want to talk about all of that as well. 

We’re currently updating all of our Network throughout the UK as part of a huge modernisation programme – building a better experience for our entire customer base of 23 million.

Check out this EXCLUSIVE video with an insider view for all you guys in the Community.

The Virtual Interview will be held on the 30^th of April between 12 and 1pm

To have your question answered, please make a reply post in this thread. Also, if you could write your question in bold font, it will help us to find them easily.

Remember no question is silly even if it may seem obvious so please ask away!

Thanks

Brad

[Anonymous]

Nice to see the opportunity for us to ask questions! My time is reqularly spent in either West Cornwall or Exeter, so I have a couple of questions about these areas. 

1) Is Leedstown / Godolphin / Townshend (TR27) an area that will benefit from improved 2G *and if we're lucky, the addition of 3G coverage*? At the moment, 'No Service' is regular sight on phone screens... Let alone any 3G. The nearest mast is 3 miles away in Hayle, maybe it's time for one to be built that serves this area closer. 

2) Have you guys had much involvement with Arqiva and the mobile infrastructure project? If so, how's the progress on rural locations - and is your figure of 200 3G locations in addition to any sites that may be launched through the M.I.P? 

3) When will Exeter benefit from 4G coverage? 

4) Finally, I think while it may be hard to do so, O2 should be more open with their network development plans? I.e. giving a rough idea of which areas are planned for upgrades and development. At least Three show which cities will get 4G by the end of the year... http://www.three.co.uk/Discover/When_will_I_get_4G

Customers have a right to know what's going on, I feel, and while any plans may not be set in stone, it would be nice to have an indication of what may be in the pipeline. 

Many thanks if you do answer my questions!

[Toby]

Hi tad20,

Some great questions and welcome! All of your questions will be addressed, as well as everyone else's

[MI5]

Just a quick one from me...

Where is O2 with VOLTE?

[Anonymous]

interesting to see a few comments / questions from the southwest on here....

i personally still feel o2 has a far better offering of service than vodfone orange etc.. it is frustrating that i do have voice most of the time but data can be very sporadic at best..its a little embarressing when your work colleuges have 3g data on EE when you struggle with gprs...can you not do something with 802.11 make it more accessible when not in a 3g/h+ data area some sort of software that enables your phone to automatically pick up 802.11 when you fall below an expected speed on 3g???  i read pamplets about wifi areas (bt openzone o2 hotspots etc) have used them in the past but feel its too much of a ball ache signing onto them if you could give us a seemless switch over while your upgrades go through that would be better and im sure it is very doable.....

[Anonymous]

Looking forward to it.

Andy

[Anonymous]

Hello O2 Community!

The session has now begun

So many great questions. Do keep them coming! We’ll make sure we answer them all.

Brendan, Andrew C, Andy S and Karl.

[Anonymous]

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@adamtemp64 wrote:

Thanks @Anonymous 

As a long time customer in a rural location but on a major road the A30 somerset dorset borders we are in a 3g not spot along with alot of the villages along the a30 in dorset and somerset .

Our Village Henstridge is one of the larger parishes in south somerset are there plans to bring us 3g as part of the 200 areas that will get 3g for the first time ? Also what about rural 4g as a business buying the po pup office would be handy for adsl failures!

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Hello Adamtemp64, well done on getting us started and a great question too!

Currently our plan includes covering Henstridge as part of our coverage obligation (Our commitment to cover 98% of the UK by the end of 2017) with both 4G and 3G. Our plans look to push 4G out on to more locations than we have 2G today so 4G in rural areas will certainly be a reality.

We hope that helps. 

[adamtemp64]

@Anonymous Thanks

Timescales would be nice to know and will you be divulging the list of 200 areas to get 3g ?

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Hi Brad.

Sorry I cannot write in bold as the forum software does not allow me to use the rich editor in my iPhone or iPad air !


Are we going to see improved data allowances on Payg Tariffs.

I'm on a 4G payg tariff which is super fast ,but the limited 1gb data package throttles use.

Adding bolt on's is expensive.

Some recent feedback on the forum from members has been in connection to the lack of communication on O2's site regarding roll out of 4G and upgrades to existing masts - Areas / timescales etc.

Why are O2 Boost boxes only for Business Customers.

Removing the ability to switch to 2G when a person upgraded to 4G in a phones settings certainly raised a few eyebrows. I know some further firmware updates allowed this on certain phones. Currently on my iPhone 5s this is still not achievable.

My positives are I attain over 50mbps 4G Speeds in Leeds with strong 3G too.

Network signal is strong and voicecalls are crystal clear.

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Hi bandofbrothers,

We are looking at better ways to improve our network plans.

Our current strategy is to use TU Go instead of boost boxes. We are continuing to develop this app to help customer stay connected even where we can’t yet provide coverage.

Glad you're liking the 4G in leeds

In terms of the tariffs, we’re always looking at making the deals fit around customer’s needs, so do keep your eyes peeled for any changes we make.

Regarding the 2G switch option, we've made a change on some devices on our network to make sure they will always connect to the fastest part of our network, including 4G where available. This means you will always get the best data experience possible when you use your phone.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Hi Brad I cannot write in bold either on the ipad

I would like to know lyca mobile are offering unlimited data on 4g which will use o2s infrastructure how will this affect O2 customers and their speeds

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Hey damien1, 

We monitor and plan the use of our network to ensure our customers are not affected in terms of speed and performance.  So in a nutshell it won’t have an adverse effect on O2 customers speeds