The downside of living in remote Devon!

I have had a few fall outs with O2 today. Let me explain .....

We moved into our current house 6 months ago. We quickly discovered that we had no mobile signal. We checked on coverage maps and confirmed that we are in a little gap that no one covers. This wasn't a problem for my OH as he was with O2 so could use their wifi service called TU GO. I, however, was with GiffGaff and they don't offer a wifi service. After a month or so without a working mobile I decided I needed to change network.

I first switched to 3 pay as you go. Their wifi service was great ..... until I discovered you could only log into your account using mobile data. For 'security reasons' you couldn't do it over wifi. I had various discussions with them regarding the fact I couldn't log in via data because I don't get a signal but it seems there was nothing they could do.

So I left 3 and joined my OH's contract on O2. I signed up for a 12 month sim only deal. The price was good and I got to use the TU GO service meaning my phone could actually be used as a phone rather than a small tablet. TU GO wasn't as good as 3's service but I could phone and text most of the time so all was well.

Then today O2 customers received a text saying TU GO is being stopped on 30th November. WHAT?! WHY?!
'Its ok!' says O2, some phones can use built in wifi calling (no texts tho). Phew I thought as I went to read more. But O2 seem to think we must all be rich ..... because the 'some phones' are only high end, recently released phones. My phone is a Samsung and only a year old but its not one of THE phones. My OH's phone is a Sony and 2 years old but its not one of THE phones.

So I contacted O2 again.
'Its ok!' they said 'you can use third party apps for the time being'.
Urrmmmm, hello?!  You want me to ask my doctor to call me on Whatsapp?!

'Its ok!' they said 'we are adding more phones to the list soon and may add text messages over wifi next year'
NEXT YEAR!?
You're sh*tting me right?!
NEXT YEAR?"

What I could not seem to get across to them was the fact I HAVE NO SIGNAL. Devon can't be the only place that has areas with no signal can it?!  A quick search on twitter tells me that no, its not the only area and that there are quite a few other unhappy people.

What has my discussions with O2 resulted in? Me being told twice that I could end my contract if I pay an early termination fee of £70. And me telling them to shove their £70 somewhere dark and smelly. Looks like I am just going to have to stand my ground on the phone tomorrow. I am not paying for a phone I am unable to use.

And breathe. Rant over.
TTFN
K