Orange has the largest coverage of 3G networks in the UK.
It’s a big point that Orange are making over why it has better tariffs than O2. However, according to LLC UK (largest independent wireless company in the world) it is Vodaphone who in fact have the strongest 3G services. O2 cover over 90% of the UK and it seems, when compared in more detail (Speed, Connection time, Connection stability etc), that there isn’t that much to separate O2 from Orange.
There is also a sneaky little card up Orange’s sleeve in the Terms and Conditions; they have stated that their fair use policy limits users to 750MB worth of data per month. As large as this figure may seem at first glance, heavy iTunes users who download significant amounts of audio and video may realise that 750MB isn’t actually that much, especially when you couple this with the use of Apps, Google maps and latitude readings, internet browsing and Email/Attachment downloads.
Having the iPhone constantly connected to the Internet is the selling point of the phone. It seems sneaky of Orange to throw this into their contracts, especially after all the stick internet providers (including Orange Broadband) got last year from various reviews regarding the elimination of this ‘fair use’ policy all together.
Finally, there is still ‘The Cloud’. Although this is essentially the same as picking up a local Wi-Fi (greater speeds and reliability) ‘The Cloud’ is recognised as hosting “Europe’s leading wireless broadband technology” with a “unparalleled reach and diversity across the UK“. It also means that many other European countries such as Germany and France have countless ‘Cloud’ access points, providing a partial solution to those nasty data roaming charges. Fear not though Orange iPhone users, I’ll be sure to send you a digital postcard from Brandenburg Gate.
For a serious final thought, Orange to have some advantages over O2 such as ‘Orange Wednesdays’, but most can be met by O2’s responses (O2 Priority). Let’s hope that the addition of Vodaphone brings even more perks for all us iPhone users, and possibly even call an end to the relentless price fixing!
