Thomas O'Carroll wrote:
Indeed it seems there is only one mobile network provider in the UK that provides visual voicemail in the UK, and thats O2
I was aware of this and it's come to the point where it's going to bug me again.
I went with TESCO with my 3GS, more cause they were the only (and still the only?) UK provider to be offering a 12 month contract at a reasonable rate (as opposed to 18m or 24m more expensive deals). It only worked out pounds cheaper in some cases because you had to pony up over 300 notes for the phone, but all the same it was cheaper overall.
It didn't come with Visual Voicemail but uses the O2 network. This comes with two major annoyances:
(1) O2 offer VV but TESCO don't (as they're under cutting O2, or were at the time, I can see the rationale)
(2) Hullomail doesn't work either, because TESCO are not a recognised carrier in the UK with that App!!
Double Whammy!
So my contract is up early in the new year, only a further complication is that O2 has terrible 3G reception in my area. Strangely, around my part of the world (Hampshire UK, A3 corridor to London) O2's 3G coverage is dreadful which is really surprising for such a rich commuter belt. Anywhere outside the main centres of Guildford, Woking then London 3G is strictly dodgy and normally unavailable.
What's the point of having an iPhone if you can't connect??
Three (3) in comparison have great 3G coverage in this area, but alas, no VV!!
I've considered using O2 to get VV but then maybe purchasing something like Three (3)'s MiFi (
http://threestore.three.co.uk/broadband/) but then I'm paying more on top to get a decent 3G reception from 3 and VV from O2. Doesn't seem right to me although a MiFi would have other benefits to it that I could justify in the long run.
Along with others I share a frustration that the other providers do not support this service and I wonder why!? Why would you not support something that is advertised as a fundamental feature of the device!?
It would be interesting to know the true reasons for this, I expect them to be commercial.
It's like selling a 3D TV but then once you turn it on at home you find out nothing is on in 3D!
I'd hoped by the time my 12months with TESCO was up and I was looking to upgrade that VV would have progressed on UK network providers. Appears not at this point!
Here's hoping
Luke