Does anyone live in Durham?

[RacerMDR]

My parent do - and are in need of Internet. Due to reasons I won't go into I need to buy them a dongle.

Anyone know which network has 3G coverage up there before I commit?

I live in London

[lotuschap]

Depends on where they are I guess, I'm in Chester-le-Street not far from Durham city centre and I get coverage from 02 without any problems. 3 have such a bad reputation for customer service I'd not go near them. I also have an orange connection which is flaky and a vodafone one which is a bit suspect for work but manages, they are better this year than last. It's only my own experience of this area, but 02 seem to be quite good.

[stinkysteve]

It can be very localized. I lived on the west side (Langley Moor) for 10 years and Orange was pretty poor. But as i say, it's hilly around teh city and there's some very localized black spots.

[RacerMDR]

thanks guys - Langley Moor is closer - they are in Broompark.....which is between Stone Bridge and Ushaw Moor.

It's tough - because I need to buy it blind almost.

Maybe there is a map somewhere..........giving coverage - off to Google

[RacerMDR]

looks like i'm st out of luck - although this is a good website

http://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/mobile-broadband...

only Voda do a dongle with any coverage - and it looks to be 2G

[killsta]

Each of the networks have a coverage map on their websites - 3 should have coverage around Nevilles Cross/Broompark, I'd be surprised if they didn't.

[RacerMDR]

killsta said:

Each of the networks have a coverage map on their websites - 3 should have coverage around Nevilles Cross/Broompark, I'd be surprised if they didn't.

Hey - Three use the TMobile network - now shared with Orange. Neither TM or Orange are showing any coverage at all for 3G on my parents postcode unfortunately

[TameRacingDriver]

I wouldn't touch vodafone in this area for 3G coverage. Absolutely terrible. I actually had them agree to end my contract early as a result - pity my vodafone using friends were not so lucky, and the company I work for is not long from cancelling their agreement due to poor coverage / service.

This is in the Newcastle area - now I only say this as it was rarely any better anywhere else I went.

My advice would be to get a load of SIM cards from the different providers to try and the area and see which works out best.

[fredd1e]

Dont trust the coverage maps in hilly areas, I'm in a "good" map area but coverage is actually very patchy/intermittent with blind spots etc

[JustDerv]

RacerMDR said:

thanks guys - Langley Moor is closer - they are in Broompark.....which is between Stone Bridge and Ushaw Moor.

It's tough - because I need to buy it blind almost.

Maybe there is a map somewhere..........giving coverage - off to Google

Hi, only just seen this topic. I live in Broompark too, and used to have an Orange dongle before changing to Sky broadband.

As others have said, it's a bad coverage area and I wasn't always able to get 3G here. Sometimes moving upstairs would work, or another area of the house, but it can't be guaranteed. Looking at their coverage map previously, amazingly there was full 3G coverage towards the back of Broompark into Skippers Meadows area, whereas the Front Street area is hit and miss!

[GPS M-Jet]

I work for one of networks mentioned above and deal specifically with mobile broadband. If you would like me to get an accurate coverage check performed, drop me a PM with the postcode and I'll be happy to help!

[killsta]

RacerMDR said:

Hey - Three use the TMobile network - now shared with Orange. Neither TM or Orange are showing any coverage at all for 3G on my parents postcode unfortunately

No they don't. Three have the UK's largest 3G network which is solely theirs. I think you're getting confused with 3 mobile phone customers dropping onto Orange's 2G network when there's no 3G coverage.

[MickC]

3 works fine in Durham city and also in Esh Winning (or at least it did at Christmas last year). So I'd guess it works at broompark, but can't guarantee it. If I'm passing and have the laptop in the boot I may stop and try it for you this weekend.

[RacerMDR]

MickC said:

3 works fine in Durham city and also in Esh Winning (or at least it did at Christmas last year). So I'd guess it works at broompark, but can't guarantee it. If I'm passing and have the laptop in the boot I may stop and try it for you this weekend.

thanks Mick - very kind. I still haven't bought anything yet - it'll end up a Xmas present - if it works

[MickC]

RacerMDR said:

thanks Mick - very kind. I still haven't bought anything yet - it'll end up a Xmas present - if it works

5 bars of 3g signal from my 3 dongle parked near the pub in broompark. So it should work. Sorry for the delay I drive through it regularly but not with a laptop on the passenger seat.