Which 3g network?

[Guest huwwatkins]

Hi

Im looking at switching over to a contract from my 02 payg. I live is west wales and 3g coverage is slim at best. However the town where I work (Aberystwyth) is covered by all networks except t-mobile. Orange currently have slightly better coverage than the rest, but none of them have coverage outside of this town.

What i'd like to know is which one of the major networks seems to be rolling out 3g in areas like this the fastest? I dont seem to be able to find anything from any of the networks on where they plan to cover next.

At the moment im probably looking at Orange as they have more 3g masts here than anyone else, although the rather unclear vodafone and three coverage checker maps seem to indicate that they have HSDPA coverage here, although im not entierly convinced.

Thanks :D

Huw

[Guest jimbouk]

Whilst Orange have good 3g coverage across the UK, they are rolling out HSDAP (mobile broadband) in the major cities first - whereas T etc may not have as good coverage over all, it is "H".

[Guest huwwatkins]

Whilst Orange have good 3g coverage across the UK, they are rolling out HSDAP (mobile broadband) in the major cities first - whereas T etc may not have as good coverage over all, it is "H".

Hi

Does that mean that any vodafone and 3 coverage i have would be hsdpa? Does orange have a timescale for national hsdpa rollout?

Cheers

[Guest jimbouk]

I believe that V and 3 say their whole networks are H.

Orange wont tell anyone their roll oput plans or dates...but H is certainly being extended as I am seeing H coverage with Orange in new areas all the time.

[Guest huwwatkins]

I believe that V and 3 say their whole networks are H.

Orange wont tell anyone their roll oput plans or dates...but H is certainly being extended as I am seeing H coverage with Orange in new areas all the time.

Hi, thanks for your reply. V have confirmed to me that my area is H enabled. Basically, I want a HTC diamond, so my options are V or Orange (tmob dont have any 3g masts here, but there are 2 Three ones so maybe the tie up will give them coverage). Do I go with Orange who seem to be more arresive in rolling out 3g and have slightly better coverage but albeit at bog standard 3g in the hope they H enable soon or go with V who are H enabled but I have no idea what they are doing as far as mast rollout goes.

Does anyone know what the general situation is with reguards to 3g mast rollouts? Its very hard to find any information from any of the network for all i know it could have come to a grinding halt.

Cheers

Huw

[Guest jimbouk]

Jun 2008 - Thirty UK cities to have 7.2Mbps within 18 months, with 14.4Mbps to follow as part of service overhaul.

Orange UK is aggressively expanding its mobile broadband offering, with 7.2Mbps HSDPA rolling out in 30 cities over the next 18 months and 'super-fast' 14.4Mbps connections available in five cities during 2009.

Go Orange!

[Guest mcwarre]

Go Orange!

bps.

Bits or Bytes????????????

[Guest Neil5459]

bps.

Bits or Bytes????????????

Bits :D

Connection speeds are always quoted in Bits per Second!

As for provider- go for whoever gives you the strongest signal in your most oft visited locations. Orange are certainly rolling out HSDPA very quickly, but the difference in 'everyday life' between HSDPA and 3G (or even 3G and GSM) can be quite small. A strong GSM Edge signal may well give faster data rates than a weak 3G/HSDPA signal, unless you are working with large files.