Orange — it’s not just me, is it? What are your Orange experiences?

I’ve been thinking for a long time about signing up with Orange and getting an account with them. I have an account with each UK operator, with the exception or Orange and, as I’ve commented here before, I think it’s important to get an account to actually experience their service.

To date, apart from one or two brief experiences in the past, I’ve been living vicariously through the opinions and stories of others.

Every time I meet someone, I rarely part company with them without querying what kind of handset they’ve got and on which network operator. I know this might sound strange but it does give me phenomenally good feedback from everybody and anybody. I draw the line at asking folk at the checkout or anyone that I can’t have at least 5 minutes worth of conversation with. But taxi drivers, hairdressers… almost anyone I come into contact with, I ask them about their mobile phones.

Across the last year or so, I’ve noticed an increasing trend — dissatisfied Orange customers. Me? Well, the main thing I’m unsatisfied about is that they don’t seem to be focusing much at all on data (although, if you look hard enough, there is an ‘unlimited’ 250mb plan for 8 pounds — I think — per month), their handset range looks a little dated and you still need a passport and copious proof-of-address nonsense to sign-up for a contract account.

The dissatisfied customers typically report words to the effect of ‘Orange were great, but now…’ and then insert some type of complaint.

I’d like to discover the experiences of the SMS Text News audience. How are you getting on with Orange? I’d like to understand both the plusses and the minuses. If you’re an Orange customer (current or recent), and you’ve got a few minutes, please could you knock me over your experiences?

I’m ewan@smstextnews.com. We’ll get them published as soon as we can.

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  • Last time I tried Orange it was ten years ago.

    The only reason I'd recommend them at the moment is because they're the only network that currently stock the Black N82.
  • And it is a handsome looking handset
  • Ever since Hans Snook left the spark seems to be missing... High speed (dial-up) data, line 2, inclusive insurance, wildfire etc etc. I too started on Orange and don't see any reason to go back (as a consumer - not sighted on business offerings).
  • gabe
    wonrg thread, Iknow, but has T-Mob UK just upgraded it's portal page? It seems to have all kinds of widgest and stuff now... could've been there a while, since i don't visit the portal often
  • Hmm, I think an email is limited to 10MB is it not? Not sure I will be able to fit all that is wrong with Orange into that limitation.....

    Email will be on it's way......sometime soon....
  • JamesVincent
    At the end of each of my contracts I have shopped round all 4 Networks, (plus "3") and Orange sales advisors dont seem to know much on pricing. Like txting and calling to another Country. Not impressive when u wanna pop in and get few details. Always get diverted to the Catolouge. I was on PAYG for about 4 months and found the quality was awfull needed full signal to get a decent connection. Besides... Their Coverage is the worst
  • Chris
    I've used Orange for the past decade... and have no plans to move away. Not because of their service, pricing or anything like that - one simple reason: Line 2.

    Wish other operators would offer this feature!
  • Ah yes... Line 2 does rock! How do you use it Chris? One personal, one
    business?
  • I used to use Line 2 for that functionality, but even so, it wasn't enough to keep me as an Orange customer.

    I do agree Line 2 is a trick the other operators have missed out on, big style.
  • Jakdaw
    Yep, one personal, one business. I have to cheat horribly in order to be able to send SMS from Line2 but I heard a rumor that they might have a fix planned for that soon...
  • Ross
    I've been an Orange user for 3 years now. i currently have an n95 (fourth handset! will explain)

    Call quality and coverage has been great for me.

    I have been quite impressed by the custoemr service. When i first had a problem with my n95 they replaced it the next day with a new unit.

    However this handset got stolen! :( I rang Orange expecting to pay £300-400 for a new handset (this was when the HS had just come out) Indeed I was right. However the guy offered that If I take out an Orange Care contract for 12 months It would only cost me £100 for a new n95. So in total it cost me £172 to get my beloved nokia n95 back.

    So the n95 went wrong a couple of weeks ago. During calls it would make a buzzing sound and also the gps had never worked. I phoned them up and explained. She apologised they couldn't get a new handset to me the same day but offered to get me a new handset delivered in the morning between 9 & 12 pm.

    BTW i phoned orange today to upgrade my price plan. Ive been put onto dolphin 35 for the same price im already paying! (£25/month)

    I asked the guy if Orange have any decent data tariffs. I specifically referenced the great vodafone deal (500mb/month) He said, of course, they don't but did say to me that a new data tariff will be coming soon to rival the vodafone deal!

    I hope this is true otherwise, despite my good experience's, I love the sound of the vodafone data deal.

    So am I the only satisfied Orange customer then? :)


    Ross
  • Alex
    Yes, they WERE great. The halcyon days of free Orange Care (I once had a fault on a Saturday afternoon, and a new handset arrived at my door at 9am on the Sunday), and earning a loyalty points, which you could redeem for free credit, are long gone.

    Their customer service is consistently some of the rudest and most unhelpful I've ever experienced. Yet somehow, I just can't seem to leave.
  • i was originally a orange subscriber! About 8 years ago and pay as you go was great! I had a service called orange out here! 5 free sms a day for life! In the end i left as o2 had a better deal I should have kept the sim really!
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