E-Plus was once a major mobile network provider in Germany, but it merged with O2 (Telefónica Deutschland) in 2014. As a result, E-Plus no longer operates as an independent network. Instead, its infrastructure and frequencies have been integrated into the O2 network, which serves as a consolidated network for former E-Plus customers as well as current O2 users.
Here’s a review of what to expect from the O2 network, now the home for former E-Plus customers:
1. Coverage Areas
- Urban Areas: O2 provides good coverage in most major cities in Germany, such as Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt. Urban users on the O2 network benefit from reliable 4G coverage, with increasing 5G availability in densely populated areas.
- Rural and Remote Areas: O2’s network coverage can be less consistent in rural and remote areas. While efforts have been made to expand 4G and 5G coverage in these regions, some rural areas still experience weaker signal strength compared to other German providers like Telekom or Vodafone.
- Indoor Coverage: O2’s indoor coverage is generally sufficient in urban areas but may be spotty in rural zones, depending on building structure and distance from the nearest cell tower.
2. Network Speed
- 4G LTE Performance: In most urban areas, O2’s 4G network offers good speeds for regular internet use, streaming, and social media. However, speeds in rural areas can sometimes be slower, particularly in places where network infrastructure is less developed.
- 5G Network: O2 is rapidly expanding its 5G network in major cities and is making plans to increase availability in smaller towns and suburban areas. In cities with 5G coverage, O2 customers can experience high-speed connections suitable for data-intensive tasks.
- Latency: O2’s network has moderate latency in urban areas, which is sufficient for casual gaming and video calls. In rural regions, latency may increase, which can impact performance for applications that require quick response times.
3. Customer Experience
- Customer Support: O2 provides support through various channels, including phone, online chat, and in-store options. Customer service reviews are mixed, with some users reporting satisfactory experiences and others citing longer wait times and variable service quality.
- Plan Options: O2 offers a variety of plans, including budget-friendly prepaid options, data-only plans, and unlimited data options. These flexible options cater to different user needs, and O2 is often viewed as a cost-effective choice in the German market.
- Network Stability: O2’s network stability has improved in recent years, especially in cities, though some users in rural areas may still experience occasional dropped calls or fluctuating speeds.
4. Roaming and International Coverage
- EU Roaming: O2 includes EU roaming in most plans, allowing customers to use their data, calls, and texts across Europe without extra charges. This is convenient for frequent travelers within the EU.
- International Roaming Outside the EU: O2 offers international roaming packages, but rates can vary, so customers should check specific rates or packages before traveling outside Europe.
Conclusion
Since merging with O2, former E-Plus customers now benefit from access to O2’s network, which offers reliable coverage and affordable plans. While the network is strong in urban areas, coverage and speeds may vary in rural regions. Overall, O2 (formerly E-Plus) is a solid choice for cost-conscious users, especially those based in cities.