Latest news with #TescoMobile
Daily Mirror
06-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Ofcom says these mobile networks offer the best service – we compared the prices
Ofcom's annual report into customer service reveals the networks that offer the most satisfaction – and it's not who you think The mobile phone has become part of daily life, but sitting with your existing supplier and putting up with the pain doesn't have to be part of the deal. Ofcom has just released the results of its satisfaction survey, revealing the best mobile networks for shoppers who want a smooth experience. Published annually, the report examines overall service, perception of signal strength, how satisfied customers are with value for money, as well as how often complaints pop up and how will they are handled. None of the major networks top the charts, suggesting they all have work to do to satisfy customers. According to Ofcom, GiffGaff and Tesco Mobile offer the highest level of satisfaction of all the suppliers tested. These two beat Vodafone, EE, O2 and Three, despite both running on the O2 network. A big part of the equation is the perception of value for money. Here, Tesco Mobile tops the charts thanks to its competitive prices, while GiffGaff comes just behind. Tesco Mobile offers a 30GB SIM-only tariff for £12.99 a month (or £10.50 with a Clubcard); GiffGaff will give you 50GB of data for £12 a month SIM only. Perception of value is where Vodafone and O2 struggle, regardless of whether they are actually good value for money or not. Vodafone's 30GB Red plan is £19 a month (and that's currently discounted), while O2 is offering 50GB data for £15 a month, so it's easy to see why GiffGaff and Tesco Mobile networks feel cheaper – because they are. However, customers on O2 expressed that they weren't happy with the signal strength, while both GiffGaff and Tesco Mobile customers were satisfied, despite all these suppliers running on the same 5G network. That might suggest that savvy shoppers choosing GiffGaff or Tesco Mobile have lower demands, or that O2 customers expect more, because it's a larger network. If you are interested in an O2 plan, then you can shop the network's deals here. Of the big networks, the Ofcom report highlights that Three customers aren't happy with how complaints are handled, highlighting that Three might want to look at its customer service provision, while O2 is highlighted as having the longest waiting time to have a call answered by the supplier. The results are clear, while most customers are satisfied with their mobile phone network overall, those with Tesco Mobile and GiffGaff have more to be happy about, being the most satisfied shoppers overall. Is it time you switched? If you've been on your current tariff for a long time, then you could save money and get a better experience if you switch networks. While some of the larger networks offer more bundles and incentives, like a discounted Disney+ subscription for example, cash remains king and taking the data you need at the price that's right is still the smart thing to do. Switching networks is incredibly easy, especially if you're keeping your handset and just getting a new SIM. As long as you're out of your current contract, you can move supplier quickly and easily. All you have to do is text PAC to 65075, and you'll receive a switching code. You then give the PAC code to your new supplier and the switch should be completed within one day. It's that simple – so if you're still spending money on a bad experience then shop around and switch.
The Sun
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
O2 down as customers struggle with data and internet access
O2 is down with customers struggling with data and internet access. Nearly 1000 users have flagged the issue Downdetector, which monitors the status of online services and reports outages in real time. 1 The major telecom provider has also issued an update saying it is aware that customers are having problems with data use. Customers are also having an issue with it's priority app. Tesco mobile and Giff Gaff, who piggy back of O2's service have also reported issues.
Scottish Sun
30-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Major network provider warns customers they will be left with NO mobile data unless they upgrade as service closes
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR UK mobile network is warning customers they will be left with no mobile data soon unless they upgrade their phone. Fortunately, there is a £100 voucher on offer to soften the blow. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 O2 is the last network to switch off 3G Credit: Alamy 2 Other providers like GiffGaff are also affected Credit: PA:Press Association O2 has already started switching off its legacy 3G network as part of a national effort by all the UK's providers. The firm's plan also affects other brands that rely on O2's network infrastructure, including Tesco Mobile, GiffGaff and Sky Mobile. O2 started deactivating 3G in April in the city of Durham. The shake-up means anyone with an older phone only capable of handling 3G will no longer be able to use data when they're out and about. Calls, texts and going on the internet via Wi-Fi only will still be possible. As efforts ramp up, the company is warning more customers that will be affected. In an email seen by ISPreview, O2 says "you may experience a drop in call quality and be unable to access mobile data, including the internet and messaging apps like WhatsApp". It continues to warn that "upgrading your tariff won't be enough to keep you connected once the switch off happens. You need to upgrade to a compatible phone." But there is a £100 voucher towards a new phone being offered, so check your email for it or reach out to O2. The next areas where 3G will be switched off across the UK is Norwich, Telford, Guildford and Torquay. Norwich, Telford and Guildford will have the plug pulled on July 16, while Torquay's will change on August 4. The loss of 3G means more faster 4G and 5G services can be installed in their place. 3G NETWORK SWITCH OFF Mobile networks affected by O2's 3G switch off: -O2 - Tesco Mobile - Sky Mobile - GiffGaff Networks which have already switched off 3G: - Vodafone - Asda Mobile - Lebara - Talk Mobile - Voxi - EE - 1pMobile - Ecotalk - IQ Mobile - Lycamobile - Mozillion - RWG Mobile - Spusi - Talk Home - Utility Warehouse - Your Co-op - Three - iD Mobile, Smarty - Honest Mobile - Superdrug Is my phone affected? O2 is contacting people that are affected by the move. But the vast majority of people should be unaffected - if you've bought yours in the last 10 years or so it's probably safe 4G and 5G compatible. If you're unsure, there is a trick to check. Go into your phone's settings and search for Network Mode or Preferred Network. If you see 4G or 5G listed then you are in the clear.
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Major network provider warns customers they will be left with NO mobile data unless they upgrade as service closes
A MAJOR UK mobile network is warning customers they will be left with no mobile data soon unless they upgrade their phone. Fortunately, there is a £100 voucher on offer to soften the blow. 2 O2 has already started switching off its legacy 3G network as part of a national effort by all the UK's providers. The firm's plan also affects other brands that rely on O2 's network infrastructure, including Tesco Mobile, GiffGaff and Sky Mobile. O2 started deactivating 3G in April in the city of Durham. The shake-up means anyone with an older phone only capable of handling 3G will no longer be able to use data when they're out and about. Calls, texts and going on the internet via Wi-Fi only will still be possible. As efforts ramp up, the company is warning more customers that will be affected. In an email seen by ISPreview, O2 says "you may experience a drop in call quality and be unable to access mobile data, including the internet and messaging apps like WhatsApp". It continues to warn that "upgrading your tariff won't be enough to keep you connected once the switch off happens. You need to upgrade to a compatible phone." But there is a £100 voucher towards a new phone being offered, so check your email for it or reach out to O2. The next areas where 3G will be switched off across the UK is Norwich, Telford, Guildford and Torquay. Norwich, Telford and Guildford will have the plug pulled on July 16, while Torquay's will change on August 4. The loss of 3G means more faster 4G and 5G services can be installed in their place. 3G NETWORK SWITCH OFF Mobile networks affected by O2's 3G switch off: -O2 - Tesco Mobile - Sky Mobile - GiffGaff Networks which have already switched off 3G: - Vodafone - Asda Mobile - Lebara - Talk Mobile - Voxi - EE - 1pMobile - Ecotalk - IQ Mobile - Lycamobile - Mozillion - RWG Mobile - Spusi - Talk Home - Utility Warehouse - Your Co-op - Three - iD Mobile, Smarty - Honest Mobile - Superdrug Is my phone affected? O2 is contacting people that are affected by the move. But the vast majority of people should be unaffected - if you've bought yours in the last 10 years or so it's probably safe 4G and 5G compatible. If you're unsure, there is a trick to check. Go into your phone's settings and search for Network Mode or Preferred Network. If you see 4G or 5G listed then you are in the clear. IS THE SWITCH OFF THAT BIG OF A DEAL? Analysis by Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun It's unclear exactly how many people will be affected by the 3G switch off. There wasn't much noise after Three, EE and Vodafone ended 3G. So, there will undoubtedly be some still using 3G-only phones but the numbers are probably very small. Just because it may be a small figure doesn't mean those people should be cast aside, especially if they're not very tech-savvy or vulnerable. So definitely get in contact with O2 (or GiffGaff and Tesco Mobile) if you need support.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
UK broadband and mobile providers ranked best to worst based on customer service – where is YOURS on the list?
Read on to see if your supplier is on the list OUT OF SERVICE UK broadband and mobile providers ranked best to worst based on customer service – where is YOURS on the list? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE best and worst broadband and mobile providers for customer service have been revealed by the regulator. All major providers were ranked on how pleased customers were with the service. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Ofcom has ranked the best and worst telecoms providers O2, which has millions of customers was rated below average when it came to customer satisfaction for mobile providers. The telecoms giant fell below the sector average when it comes to customer satisfaction as it scored 85% and the average is 88% Last year, the firm also generated the most complaints, when it had 21 complaints per 100,000 customers. The second worst ranked mobile provider was Vodafone who had a score of 84% when it came to how pleased users were with it's service. The pair were trumped by Tesco Mobile and giffgaff, which both 94% for overall satisfaction. Tesco Mobile also led in satisfaction with complaints handling and generated the fewest complaints to Ofcom, when it had just four complaints per 100,000 customers. However, Ofcom said that the average number of complaints reduced in 2024 across all providers. Elsewhere, the average call waiting time for mobile customers decreased in 2024, from 2mins 24s in 2023 to 1min 52s in 2024. Ofcom said Lebara had the shortest average call waiting time in 2024 at 15s while O2's was the longest, at 3min 27s. Moving on to broadband and TalkTalk had a lower-than-average overall satisfaction score of 77% and also ranked poorly for complaints handling. However, NOW Broadband, which is owned by Sky, generated the most broadband complaints to Ofcom at 65 per 100,000 customer. O2 Ends Pay-As-You-Go Data and iPad SIM Services: What You Need to Know Virgin Media generated the second highest number of fixed broadband complaints per 100,000 customers, at 56. While EE was the third most complained-about broadband provider last year with 52 complaints per 100,000. Plusnet achieved the highest overall satisfaction score at 91%, when it came to broadband. When it came to landline, Plusnet also had the highest overall satisfaction score at 83%. Meanwhile, Virgin Media customers were less pleased with the service giving the provider a rating of 67%. Ian Macrae, Ofcom's director of market intelligence, said: "Call waiting times have come down for many providers and satisfaction with complaint handling is on the up. "And we're seeing competition in action, with smaller players challenging some of the bigger, well-established providers." He added: "But there's further to go. Not all companies have made the same progress and it's still taking the industry too long to fix things when they go wrong." A Virgin Media O2 spokesperson said: 'Ofcom's report shows that the vast majority of our customers were satisfied with their services in 2024, and highlights some improvements that have been made – including on complaints handling. 'While today's data relates to the whole of 2024, we know from the regulator's most recent statistics that the turnaround strategy we implemented in the middle of last year has led to significant improvements, with complaints about Virgin Media and O2 now at their lowest levels for several years." They added: "We're continuing to make real progress through this strategy and we're committed to giving our customers the best possible experience.' How to complain about your service If you're unhappy with the service you've received, you'll first need to contact your provider's customer services department and explain the problem. If this doesn't resolve the issue, you can make a formal complaint to the company. You can find details on how to do this on the back of your bill or on the company's website. Depending on your complaint type, you'll be able to contact the customer service team by web chat, telephone or by post. You'll need to let the company know what has happened and what you want it to do to put things right. If a formal complaint gets you nowhere, after eight weeks you can ask for a "deadlock letter" and take your dispute to the appropriate Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme. These are free to use and will act as an independent middle man between yourself and the service provider when an initial complaint cannot be resolved. There are two ADR schemes in the UK - the Communications Ombudsman and CISAS. Your provider is required to be a member of one of these and you can find out which one your provider is covered by visiting Before you can submit your complaint to it, you must have logged a formal complaint with your provider and worked with the firm to resolve it. You must also have received a so-called deadlock letter, where the provider refers your complaint to the appropriate ADR. You can also complain if you haven't had a satisfactory solution to your problem within eight weeks. To make a complaint fill in the ADR scheme claims form on its website - or write a letter if you'd prefer. The ADR scheme then bases its decision on the evidence you and the company submit. If you choose to accept its decision, your supplier will then have 28 days to comply. But if an individual chooses not to accept the ADR's final decision, they lose the right to the resolution offer.
