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[Mr Skrunts]

A few years ago I was told (not sure if its true) that all mobile phone providers share all the masts between but they were divided into 2 groups for sharing.

I have contracts with three (Galaxy S2)  I got a good deal from them a few years but since 4G rolled out (Not available in my area and I dont think my phone is 4G) I have had lots of trouble getting access on 3G resulting in arguements with 3 (Three) which ended up with a choice of £5 monthly discount (One Plan - which is being terminated) or a booster to enhance my phone (via my own wi-fi) and a service that is very poor internet service when I go into town.

Then a year ago I aquiered a vodafone PAYG sim  to try (Galaxy S4) and couldnt even make make a phone call from home as there was no service (this being the reason for staarting this thread) so no joy with them.

I also tried a O2 PAYG sim, all was well and went on to a monthly contract to use with my Galaxy S4, was chuffed to bits when I went to town and saw speeds of 42MB D/L (Okla speed test) so upped the contact to 2GB data and got 1GB Free, So 3GB and unlimeted texts and all calls for £16 Per Month.

Contract now ending on O2 and bills gone up to £21.76 and there seems to be no loyalty rewards offered to stay with them.  The three (3) account terminates the One Plan in march by updateing to a plan costing £30 rather than the £10 I could be paying without the booster (which is supposed to be free) or £15 with the booster.

After seeing the BT Mobile add on TV they offer plans for £5, £10 and £20 but the dont offer PAYG which is the way I would go to try the suitabily of the sim before buying a contract.

I tried the coverage checker for BT and it says I should be covered, but I had the same result on vodafone for coverage but thier connection was naff when the sim arrived.


Questions are.

If I go with BT I get £5 discount if I am a BT customer to get the advertised prices from TV.  Being a plusnet customer for Line rental, phone and broadband am I entitled to the discount.?

Which providers are grouped together to share each of the masts.?

Is there a cooling off period that you can cancel a sim contract within say 14 days.?

TIA

[TheBoy]

Each mobile provide primarily have their own masts, although tower sharing is common in rural areas (with each provider having its own antenna on the tower). There is a site that shows each provider's mast locations, but cant remember URL. Google will quickly find it, I believe its on an Ofcom type site.


If your broadband is not with "BT", you will not get the discounted rates with BT Mobile. PlusNet is NOT "BT", although is wholly owned by BT, so no discount.

[Mr Skrunts]

Each mobile provide primarily have their own masts, although tower sharing is common in rural areas (with each provider having its own antenna on the tower). There is a site that shows each provider's mast locations, but cant remember URL. Google will quickly find it, I believe its on an Ofcom type site.


If your broadband is not with "BT", you will not get the discounted rates with BT Mobile. PlusNet is NOT "BT", although is wholly owned by BT, so no discount.

As expected then.

[zirk]

Just because they share the Mast or Mast location, doesn't mean they provide similar or the same coverage or grade of service. The Antennas are normally quiet directional to suit there adjacent Mast coverage or Traffic requirements, also Output Power will vary from each Provider for similar reasons.

BT do the Mobile Discount thing as an existing Broadband Customer, as do most of the other Networks, the Virgin Mobile add on can be quiet attractive (EE) but can't remember if there 4G ready yet, might still be 3G+ only.

[Mr Skrunts]

I have 3 masts to be locally, and they form a triagle, they all overlap each other apart from a tiny little bit of the 3 circles of the distance they cover and I live in that "blind spot"

[Kevin Wood]

Before jumping, bear in mind that BT mobile is carried by EE, who have no 900 MHz infrastructure, so their coverage is likely to be flaky in difficult areas.

[Shackeng]

I have 3 masts to be locally, and they form a triagle, they all overlap each other apart from a tiny little bit of the 3 circles of the distance they cover and I live in that "blind spot"

Perhaps that's why it's called Skruntie Land?

[TheBoy]

Before jumping, bear in mind that BT mobile is carried by EE, who have no 900 MHz infrastructure, so their coverage is likely to be flaky in difficult areas.

I have 2 mobiles I use regularly (excluding the car (NiffNaff) and one fixed to landline(Three)), and iPhone with an EE SIM and an iPhone with a BT Mobile (EE) SIM.

As much as it pains me to say, the EE (and the BT Mobile) coverage is fantastic. Far better than the Vodashite (really, really, really poor for miles around here) and the O2 (both 900Mhz) services I had up to about 18months ago.  And data capability is in a different league.

However, the higher frequency used by EE (except some of their 800Mhz 4G stuff) does mean indoor penetration is problematic in large buildings, as KW implies - the 900Mhz services from O2/Voda were much better in this respect.


Currently no plans to migrate anywhere, as the 200m/unltd text/3Gb of 4G for a tenner a month is way more than I need (Wifi at home and work).  The BT Mobile is work provided, so no idea on the costs of that.

[Kevin Wood]

I find O2 are OK. I have coverage everywhere, except where my Omega breaks down in gale force winds and horizontal rain.

[VXL V6]

I find O2 are OK. I have coverage everywhere, except where my Omega breaks down in gale force winds and horizontal rain.

Errr, I thought you worked for the other one........ No No nevermind, forget I said anything 

[Kevin Wood]

I find O2 are OK. I have coverage everywhere, except where my Omega breaks down in gale force winds and horizontal rain.

Errr, I thought you worked for the other one........ No No nevermind, forget I said anything 

I don't work for any of them.

[VXL V6]

I find O2 are OK. I have coverage everywhere, except where my Omega breaks down in gale force winds and horizontal rain.

Errr, I thought you worked for the other one........ No No nevermind, forget I said anything 

I don't work for any of them.

Ah OK, I was working on adding  2+2 but the answer clearly wasn't what I assumed. Time to throw my Sinclair calculator away LOL

Apologies!