BBC's TV Coverage of Glastonbury 2011 Shines Again, Unlike the Weather

While the overall line up this year was poor by other year's standards, they certainly spared no expense when it came to headline acts with U2, Coldplay and Beyonce doing the honours on the Pyramid stage. This was in direct contrast to last year where the main headline acts were relatively poor with the exception of Muse but the smaller, less well known and up and coming bands taking my interest and my poor little legs all over the site.

The first thing that everyone talks about when it comes to Glastonbury is the weather. I have been there nearly 10 times now and honestly I have never had the same experience twice, weather-wise and this year was no exception. After a downpour early in the week, the site began to churn up and by Wednesday we had all the national TV channels saying another mud bath was on the way. We arrived in early Thursday morning to a thunderous shower and our fear was that good camping would be hard to come by. Not to be so, luckily. We struggle through the mud and eventually got a nice dry-ish place to camp. Friday wasn't too bad weather wise until around tea time and from them on it just lashed all night which while not good for the revelers there, looked great on TV. Saturday wasn't too bad but Sunday was scorching. I think it was the hottest day I have ever experience there, it certainly felt like it.

But I digress, we got though it all and a great time was had by all. The one thing I really look forward to on my arrival back from Glastonbury is 1.a shower, 2. a sleep and 3. looking back at all the BBC coverage that I have recorded on TV while I have been away and as usual I was not disappointed. In fact, if anything this year, the BBC have outdone themselves in terms of production values and quality.

It was the first time that I had got to experience Glasto in HD with a 7.1 channel audio track. It was unbelievable. But apart from the actual quality of the picture and sound, it was just the way they cut the shots together and a generous use of overlay with band members and band versus crowd shots, they really surpassed themselves. We were miles away from the stage during Coldplay and U2 and while the atmosphere and sound were great and certainly enough to make up for the distance from the actual performance, it was only really when I got home did I truly get to see what was going on up front. I think that fix you and clocks by Coldplay came across on TV as amazing especially with the laser light show and the fireworks. It was awesome in person but how a person could look at it on TV and not say to themselves, I gotta go there next time, I'll never know.

Apart from the spectacular coverage, they must be commended on travelling around the site to all the little nooks and crannies to show everyone the hidden side of Glasto. I myself as a veteran, have still yet to see some of the places they visit. I don't know how they even find them, maybe it's just that they haven't drunk 10 pints of Sommerset's finest? LOL. But I for one do enjoy their little excursions to the far flung outer limits, both in terms of location and sanity!

Overall though, Glastonbury 2011 probably wasn't my favourite Glasto ever but just being there is really enough for me and allied to the BBC TV Coverage, as Elbow so eloquently put it on Saturday 'One day like this a year will see me right'. It sure will and roll on 2013 where the scramble for tickets is sure to be as bad if not worse than ever. I for one, can't wait.

Mobile Phone Coverage and Signal FAQ

How can I check which provider offers signal in my area?

In the rush to explore the latest handsets features or discover a good deal on a new tariff, many people forget all about if a mobile phone provider is going to provide them with a good signal overall. Obviously, without good mobile phone coverage, a phone is pretty useless.

Obviously, as mobile phones are designed to be moved from place to place, no provider can guarantee signal in every single area you might travel, but that doesnt mean you cant figure out how well a certain provider might do in locations youre likely to be often, such as your own home or your office. Not every provider uses a different signal, but most of the big ones all have their own network, so just because you can get a good signal from Orange in your area doesnt mean youll automatically enjoy the same from Vodafone.

The best way to check signal is to go online and take a look at the mobile phone coverage checker of all the different phone companies. Each one should have a fairly detailed map of where they provide coverage, and while these arent ever 100% accurate they should be a good indicator of what you can expect.

Whats the difference between 2G and 3G signal?

2G and 3G simply stand for second and third generation, referring to the technology they use. These acronyms might sound confusing, but in reality they both perform a very a different function so its easy to remember. 2G signal is what every single handset in the UK uses by default to make calls, send and receive text messages and perform any other basic phone tasks. 2G coverage in the UK is very good, even in rural areas, so unless youre really out in the middle of nowhere your phone should be able to pick up at least some level of 2G signal.

3G signal isnt quite as easy to find, but its not as vital to your phones operation, either. 3G signal makes services like the internet on your phone much faster, and its what most modern smartphones like the iPhone rely on to provide data and information at a good speed. 3G normally allows you to use the internet at a similar sort of speed to a broadband connection, providing the signal is relatively strong. 3G isnt needed to make calls or get texts, but many modern phones are relying on it more and more.

How do I change my mobile provider?

If you arent bothered about keeping your mobile number, then changing your provider is as easy as finishing up your current contract and then going out and looking for a new provider. Once your contract period is up, you dont owe any sort of allegiance to any particular provider and are free to choose whatever one you think will give you the best deal. When doing this, mobile comparison websites and blogs can come in very useful.

If you do want to keep your number, then youll need to contact your old provider and tell them that you are leaving. Inform them that you wish to take your number with you and ask for a PAC number. If you give this number to your new provider, you can transfer your mobile number across to a new service. This service isnt always free though; some mobile providers may charge you a small fee.

Mobile Choices is all about giving consumers a wide range of relevant, up to date information about the mobile phone market, and allowing them to make their own decisions through unbiased guides, FAQs and comparison. The site details deals from every provider in the UK, as well as providing guides about everything from the top 10 smartphones to the best mobile phones under £100.

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Mobile Phone Coverage and Signal FAQ

How can I check which provider offers signal in my area?

In the rush to explore the latest handsets features or discover a good deal on a new tariff, many people forget all about if a mobile phone provider is going to provide them with a good signal overall. Obviously, without good mobile phone coverage, a phone is pretty useless.

Obviously, as mobile phones are designed to be moved from place to place, no provider can guarantee signal in every single area you might travel, but that doesnt mean you cant figure out how well a certain provider might do in locations youre likely to be often, such as your own home or your office. Not every provider uses a different signal, but most of the big ones all have their own network, so just because you can get a good signal from Orange in your area doesnt mean youll automatically enjoy the same from Vodafone.

The best way to check signal is to go online and take a look at the mobile phone coverage checker of all the different phone companies. Each one should have a fairly detailed map of where they provide coverage, and while these arent ever 100% accurate they should be a good indicator of what you can expect.

Whats the difference between 2G and 3G signal?

2G and 3G simply stand for second and third generation, referring to the technology they use. These acronyms might sound confusing, but in reality they both perform a very a different function so its easy to remember. 2G signal is what every single handset in the UK uses by default to make calls, send and receive text messages and perform any other basic phone tasks. 2G coverage in the UK is very good, even in rural areas, so unless youre really out in the middle of nowhere your phone should be able to pick up at least some level of 2G signal.

3G signal isnt quite as easy to find, but its not as vital to your phones operation, either. 3G signal makes services like the internet on your phone much faster, and its what most modern smartphones like the iPhone rely on to provide data and information at a good speed. 3G normally allows you to use the internet at a similar sort of speed to a broadband connection, providing the signal is relatively strong. 3G isnt needed to make calls or get texts, but many modern phones are relying on it more and more.

How do I change my mobile provider?

If you arent bothered about keeping your mobile number, then changing your provider is as easy as finishing up your current contract and then going out and looking for a new provider. Once your contract period is up, you dont owe any sort of allegiance to any particular provider and are free to choose whatever one you think will give you the best deal. When doing this, mobile comparison websites and blogs can come in very useful.

If you do want to keep your number, then youll need to contact your old provider and tell them that you are leaving. Inform them that you wish to take your number with you and ask for a PAC number. If you give this number to your new provider, you can transfer your mobile number across to a new service. This service isnt always free though; some mobile providers may charge you a small fee.

Mobile Choices is all about giving consumers a wide range of relevant, up to date information about the mobile phone market, and allowing them to make their own decisions through unbiased guides, FAQs and comparison. The site details deals from every provider in the UK, as well as providing guides about everything from the top 10 smartphones to the best mobile phones under £100.

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