best network coverage

alastair84 · 29 Jan 2007 at 13:16

Hi,
since i'm starting a new contract soon, is there a consensus in the mobile phone community as to which network has the best coverage in the UK?
My current contract with o2 runs out in a couple of weeks, and I found that o2 was really good already.
I'm thinking about going Vodafone next.

killsta · 29 Jan 2007 at 14:51

AFAIK O2 have the best 2g coverage in the UK, followed by Vodafone.

It could be the other way around though

Gezzard · 29 Jan 2007 at 15:08

I'd have thought it depends on where you live, for instance where I live right next to the football stadium (up the Gills!) O2 gave me no signal whatsoever this extended to my local pub too, whereas I tried Tmobile and get full signal (same phone btw). But when I went on holiday to Newquay my Tmobile didnt get a great signal but my chums O2 did.

stoofa · 29 Jan 2007 at 15:59

Sm0kin said:
I'd have thought it depends on where you live, for instance where I live right next to the football stadium (up the Gills!) O2 gave me no signal whatsoever this extended to my local pub too, whereas I tried Tmobile and get full signal (same phone btw). But when I went on holiday to Newquay my Tmobile didnt get a great signal but my chums O2 did.

Yup - I don't know how anybody can say that "such and such" is the best coverage.
In terms of percentage of the UK covered I'm pretty sure all of the major networks are about the same.
However when it comes to local coverage - probably of more interest to you it will vary.
I was on O2 and found I was getting a lot of "Emergency Calls Only" on my phone at home.
However I was still seeing 4 bars of strength - obviously one of the networks was strong near my house.
Last year I moved back to Orange from O2 and I'm getting about two bars of strength at my house.
So obviously either T-Mobile or Vodafone has a strong signal near me - hence I was getting a 4 bar emergency calls only.

T-Mobile offer a postcode check system where you give them a postcode and they check and are able to tell you what kind of signal to expect (or so says the TV advert).
However a bad signal can be as localised as a house - walk a houses length in any direction from my house and my 2 bar Orange turns into 4-5 bars.

killsta · 29 Jan 2007 at 21:39

stoofa said:
T-Mobile offer a postcode check system where you give them a postcode and they check and are able to tell you what kind of signal to expect (or so says the TV advert).
However a bad signal can be as localised as a house - walk a houses length in any direction from my house and my 2 bar Orange turns into 4-5 bars.

Three, Vodafone and O2 also have coverage checkers.

Raymond Lin · 29 Jan 2007 at 21:53

Been on Orange for years and everywhere I've been has a signal. Even muddy Glastonbury.

faza20 · 1 Feb 2007 at 13:07

Hi Alistair84

This link will take you to the Vodafone coverage viewer. That way you can check the areas you'll be in to see what coverage is like, before you get the contract. Coverage Map

4T5 · 1 Feb 2007 at 13:10

Orange in my experience gives the best coverage. I've tried plenty over the years and for where i use my phone Orange wins out on signal and signal strength.