Internet Browsing, GPRS & HSDPA

[trumpton]

Originally Posted by cyclist

No. You have to use a network with HSDPA coverage. I get HSDPA on T Mobile, in some places.

Not sure about T-Mobile but not quite true for O2. Even if your device shows a HSDPA signal, if you check your speed you'll most likely find it in the low ranges of 3G. Only those enabled for full speed 3g (Up to 384 Kbps) will also get HSDPA (currently up to 1.3 Mbps).

[appetite4]

Originally Posted by trumpton

Speed wise, O2 will tend to give consumer accounts the slightly slower version of 3G (128 Kbps) and business accounts the faster version of 3G (384 Kbps).

If your have the faster 3G already enabled then you automatically get HSDPA speeds as well (if you are in a HSDPA area of course). If you have the slower 3G enabled you will only get 3G speeds (even though your device might show a 'H' symbol).

You can call O2 and ask them to enable the faster 3G on your account, but people tend to have different success stories trying that.

Thank you Trumpton. I was tempted by the O2 online sim only deals for my Cruise but couln't get beyond @120kbps depite being in an HSDPA coverage area.

Customer Service told me variously that "we have no HSDPA/3.5G network", "we do have one but it must be congested in your area" and "we do have the network but none of our sims are compatible with it".

Now I know what is going on I will try again, see if I can talk them through their own network settings, and wait with interest to see what reply my email to their complaint review service meets with. If all else fails I still have my T-Mob contract.

Thanks again.

[cyclist]

Originally Posted by trumpton

Not sure about T-Mobile but not quite true for O2. Even if your device shows a HSDPA signal, if you check your speed you'll most likely find it in the low ranges of 3G. Only those enabled for full speed 3g (Up to 384 Kbps) will also get HSDPA (currently up to 1.3 Mbps).

I don't think T Mobile do it this way. HSDPA is either full speed, or not available. To get HSDPA it is now necessary to buy one of their more expensive Web n Walk add ons, but those of us who have had the cheapest version for some time continue to get HSDPA. I still get HSDPA even though I've changed my airtime contract; the bolt on stayed the same.

[appetite4]

Originally Posted by div

Do you have to get 02 to enable HSDPA ?

And are there any problems or concerns with them doing this?

Thanks

DiV

Below are edits from a letter I am sending to the O2 UK CEO today regarding my sim only O2 connection and lack of HSDPA speed.



"Since obtaining the sim for the above number, with the unlimited web bolt on, through the O2 online store I have been trying to get it enabled for high speed data access (HSDPA). I have spoken to customer services on about ten occasions now."

"Finally yesterday I was told that

“As a matter of policy HSDPA will not be enabled on your sim because of the tariff you are on”.

I am therefore writing to you to get definitive answers to the following questions:-

1.- Can I have HSDPA access enabled on my sim?

If the answer to that is no then...

2.- Why is this? ie is HSDPA not available to any sim only customer? Or is it not available to any individual consumer as opposed to a business customer?

3.- Where is this limitation set out in either the T&C’s for the overall service or for the unlimited web bolt on? (or indeed in any of the online shop marketing and sign up material?)

I await your reply with interest."


I would also be interested to hear from any forum members with similar, or totally different, experiences with O2 .....and if any O2 people in the know are reading this your views would abviously be very welcome.


I will post the official reply when I get it.



Paul.

[div]

Hi appetite4 - first of all good luck - no one according to my experience at 02 has a clue about data speed rates - and of course I want the fastest speed possible.

I went to Taunton recently which has HSDPA according to their coverage map - and sure enough - I could see the magic H on the obrbit 2's screen - and it did seem quite quick - but as this my first 3g phone - I am not sure how quick.

I went to the Taunton 02 shop and they hadn't clue what I was asking them - bearing in mind Taunton is in a HSDPA zone - so good luck to you.

I did but the orbit 2 because it was HSDPA compatible and as you have said where does it say in their terms and conditions that you bar from using HSDPA.

DiV

[appetite4]

Thanks DiV - I have a sim only deal in a Touch Cruise so it is useful to know you have had similar problems with the same handset sourced and branded from O2. Suggests it is not a "you only get HSDPA if you get your handset from us" problem.

Paul.

[Michael_Mcr]

I rang 02 Customer services when i got my Orbit2, connected to the "3G setup help" or whatever its called option and asked about HSDPA.....

"What ?" was the reply "i've never heard of that !"

So i acted a bit stupid and said "well it says in the supplied 02 handbook that i have to ring you to get the service enabled on my phone" (true-ish)

" Oh, OK what was it called again ? ...please hold while i speak to the Data (?) Department - they will know about it"

2 mins later...."OK, they have checked your account and set everything up for you"

Only trouble is, they then advised me that the nearest HSDPA coverage to my postcode is in St Helens - 20+ miles away

Regards

Michael

[appetite4]

Thanks for the info Michael - will be interested to hear how you get on if you get into a coverage area. BTW this may help you keep track of the local coverage....

UK coverage - Services - O2

Just keep zooming out until you find some purple!

Paul.

[div]

Does not o2 train their staff - interestingly yesterday I drove to the top of my road - and the G - turned to H - which surprised me as I live in ruralish Devon. When I got home - I can now see that Honiton has HSDPA coverage, where Exeter doesn't - so I guess they are rolling out more cells.

But I still don't know if I have HSDPA enabled on the handset - how can I really tell - it did seem quite quick?

Thanks

DiV

[appetite4]

Originally Posted by div

Does not o2 train their staff - interestingly yesterday I drove to the top of my road - and the G - turned to H - which surprised me as I live in ruralish Devon. When I got home - I can now see that Honiton has HSDPA coverage, where Exeter doesn't - so I guess they are rolling out more cells.

But I still don't know if I have HSDPA enabled on the handset - how can I really tell - it did seem quite quick?

Thanks

DiV

DiV - I use the speed tester at www.dslreports.com/mspeed
Just type that into the browser on your phone and a page will pop up offering amounts of data to test with (ignore any brief msgs about java compatibiliy). Start with the 100kb size. If you are actually getting HSDPA speeds it will fail reporting "too fast/unstable" and ask you to pick a larger file. It will then offer you up to 1mb to download (I usually use the 400kb file).

As a rule of thumb G should give @40kbps, 3G about 130kbps and H ....well (on T-Mobile) I used to get 1.3Mbps but more recently about 600kbps.

That's why I was interested in O2. Their coverage of London (where I spend most of my time) seems good (see the covearge map linlk I posted above) and their data network should be less congested than T-Mob which seems to be a victim of it's own success.

Paul.