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Which UK network should I get the N70 on?

14 replies · 4,583 views · Started 02 November 2005

ajck 02 Nov 2005, 19:37

Anyone got any strong yes/no's about which UK network I should get the N70 on?

I'm not too fussed about operator-specific content or making a video-call, so I'm mainly asking from the point of view of:

1. Signal availability (most importantly) and secondly signal quality - 3G and GPRS as I get around the UK a bit (e.g London, Aberdeen, South Coast, Devon)

2. Ability to hook the N70 to my laptop and use it as a 3G modem

3. Price of calls/data

4. No restrictions placed on how I use the phone by the operator (or not ones that matter anyway)

I've heard 3 have poor signal availability and quality outside London, Vodafone are expensive but great on other factors, orange and 02 are OK-ish and I'm currently with Virgin Mobile (who are terrible and use T-Mobile's network so I'm assuming T-Mobile are terrible too). Happy to wait to get it on the right operator if it's not out yet.

Any recommentations much appreciated!

Thanks
Alex

rukshan1130 16 Nov 2005, 12:27

ajck wrote:Anyone got any strong yes/no's about which UK network I should get the N70 on?

I'm not too fussed about operator-specific content or making a video-call, so I'm mainly asking from the point of view of:

1. Signal availability (most importantly) and secondly signal quality - 3G and GPRS as I get around the UK a bit (e.g London, Aberdeen, South Coast, Devon)

2. Ability to hook the N70 to my laptop and use it as a 3G modem

3. Price of calls/data

4. No restrictions placed on how I use the phone by the operator (or not ones that matter anyway)

I've heard 3 have poor signal availability and quality outside London, Vodafone are expensive but great on other factors, orange and 02 are OK-ish and I'm currently with Virgin Mobile (who are terrible and use T-Mobile's network so I'm assuming T-Mobile are terrible too). Happy to wait to get it on the right operator if it's not out yet.

Any recommentations much appreciated!

Thanks
Alex

ok dis is ma advise
go for vodafone dey r giving yo
*3g
*good service
*very cheap
*nice minutes

whitfa 16 Nov 2005, 14:12

I got my N70 (for free) on T-Mobile's Web 'n Walk tariff, which includes 40Mb of GPRS/3G data bundled, 200 X-net minutes for �32 (or �38 - can't remember) per month. Not sure if the offer's still standing, but I've got 9 months half-price line rental (first 3 and last 6 months of 18 month contract).

I've had no probs with reception, but I haven't travelled much outside Bristol since I've had the phone/ network.

I'm new to T-Mobile (formerly Orange) and I've got to say I'm quite impressed so far. On your My-Tmobile webpage you can track remaining minutes/texts/data etc and easily add bundles etc.

😊

Nyxmorph 17 Nov 2005, 09:17

First of all dont get one on Orange - they do limit the way you can use the phone - they completely remove the Nokia active standy system and put a rubbish (non turnoffable) menu on the front end.

Vodafone is definately going to your best bet for signal and non screwed up N70.

N/A 17 Nov 2005, 12:31

Or get an unbranded, retail version and use it on any network who gives you the best price for calls or data or both, and switch as needed without worrying of SIM-locks or undesireable operator branding, etc.

Jimbob 17 Nov 2005, 16:14

I'm with T-Mobile. Good coverage, semi good package, customer service not bad either.

I've been with them for a few years and they dont seem to look after their existing customer very well. There are some really good packages out there which I cant get cause I'm tied in with t-mobile. I currently get 200 mins a month and then add a 500 text bundle on top for around £42.

If your looking for a good package then I would suggest going to a 3rd party retailer like carphone warehouse or phones 4 u (trying to do hand movements while typing). They can offer better packages, you''ll probably find that it will be with someone like 3 though.

Another problem I found is that t-mobile put a credit limit on your account, I'm quite a heavy user to start with a was hitting the credit limit quickly, the limit does build up the more you pay your bills on time but it was a pain in the backside to start with as you have to pay a small amount to bring it back within the limit.

Apart from that I would recommend them, especially as they have just released a new package called web n walk, good for heavy internet users.

Ratkat 17 Nov 2005, 16:45

ajck wrote:Anyone got any strong yes/no's about which UK network I should get the N70 on?

I'm not too fussed about operator-specific content or making a video-call, so I'm mainly asking from the point of view of:

1. Signal availability (most importantly) and secondly signal quality - 3G and GPRS as I get around the UK a bit (e.g London, Aberdeen, South Coast, Devon)

2. Ability to hook the N70 to my laptop and use it as a 3G modem

3. Price of calls/data

4. No restrictions placed on how I use the phone by the operator (or not ones that matter anyway)

I've heard 3 have poor signal availability and quality outside London, Vodafone are expensive but great on other factors, orange and 02 are OK-ish and I'm currently with Virgin Mobile (who are terrible and use T-Mobile's network so I'm assuming T-Mobile are terrible too). Happy to wait to get it on the right operator if it's not out yet.

Any recommentations much appreciated!

Thanks
Alex

I think you answered your own answer in your post, get it on Vodafone

steff2632 19 Nov 2005, 20:32

Nyxmorph wrote:First of all dont get one on Orange - they do limit the way you can use the phone - they completely remove the Nokia active standy system and put a rubbish (non turnoffable) menu on the front end.

Vodafone is definately going to your best bet for signal and non screwed up N70.

3 have taken the active standy screen of thier phones aswel so if it matters dont go for eitha orange or 3vodafone are good with 3g & other services but so far i find them expensive & they have messed my bill up & wont admit it😡 😡 😡 arseholes if i was you id go for o2(online store- shop.o2.co.uk) dont realy do anything to the phones firmware & 'free' gprs & they were cheap for me

fdxd 23 Nov 2005, 16:17

You can always bebrand the phone. O2 are the only ones who leave the phone alone anyway. But their 3G coverage is weak.

Right now for Internet its hard to beat T-Mobile Web and talk deals. Orange and Vodafone dont include data as standard anymore. So i would lean towards T-mobile for freedom of use.

markyboyd 06 Dec 2005, 17:02

I can confirm these guys can debrand the new orange N70 no problem, just got mine back and its all debranded and nice !!!!!! and all the orange crap has gone.

the phone is a lot faster too !!!!

www.fonefunshop.co.uk/Unlocking/debrand.htm

also my sister got hers done in their store in sheffield, took about 20 min to do the job.

the firmware installed is the VERY new 2.0539.1.2 which is what is needed to do the job they explained that you cannot flash the phone with older firmware, it has to be newer to work successfully.:icon14:

markyboyd 06 Dec 2005, 17:03

I can confirm these guys can debrand the new orange N70 no problem, just got mine back and its all debranded and nice !!!!!! and all the orange crap has gone.

the phone is a lot faster too !!!!

www.fonefunshop.co.uk/Unlocking/debrand.htm

also my sister got hers done in their store in sheffield, took about 20 min to do the job.

the firmware installed is the VERY new 2.0539.1.2 which is what is needed to do the job they explained that you cannot flash the phone with older firmware, it has to be newer to work successfully.

markyboyd 08 Mar 2006, 01:45

im not entirely sure but this is what debranding does

Fix the bug in the N70 firmware. It's reported firmware 2.05.37 & 2.05.39 has a bug / problem in the bluetooth connection between the phone and GPS , TOMTOM & Route66. With firmware 3.05.46, with the prove from the customers, I can confirm this problem is FIXED!

THREE - With the generic N70 firmware, you can have the option to choose between DUAL MODE or GSM only under the network menu. Therefore, in some area where THREE has a BAD coverage, it will be good to choose as GSM only (2G) so that O2 network will be used rather than THREE (3G).

Vodafone - With the generic N70 firmware, it removed the MP3 restriction proposed by vodafone into the phone.?Moreover, the generic menu is much nicer than the vodafone menu.

All vodafone live shortcut, WAP, MMS or GPRS settings will be removed

Orange - With N70 firmware, part of the wallpaper was blocked by the ORANGE shortcut bar, with the generic firmware, the shortcut bar will be removed

All Orange World shortcut, WAP, MMS or GPRS settings will be removed

Notes: with the generic N70 firmware, by default, there is also a shortcut bar showing across the menu, but it can be turn off by

Go to settings -> Phone standy mode -> choose OFF.
Then the shortcut bar will disappear

hope that helps