[Tengocity]

Since this forum has turned in to an affluent first world problem sharing community I thought I'd get thoughts from folks on which mobile network I should go with...

Currently on Vodafone for my phone and 3 for my iPad.
3 is fine for the data but I think Vodafone is utter garbage- drops calls and poor 3G across most of the rail network.

I also have a work iPhone and iPad that are both on Vodafone, so makes sense to give myself an alternative on my personal phone.

4G is nice but I'd rather have brilliant 3G EVERYWHERE!

Vodafone is great for roaming though.

So does anyone actually like and recommend their network?

I used to be be with O2 so that's my first thoughts...

[simon.]

Changed to EE around a year ago after 15+ years with Vodafone. Haven't looked back & the customer service is better by far.

Would never ever use Vodafone again. Network rubbish & customer service one of the worse I have experienced.

[RalphyBMW]

I like Vodafone, but do agree on poor coverage on rail network.

Works well at home for me though and with VEA discount it is good value.

[siross]

Originally Posted by simon.

Changed to EE around a year ago after 15+ years with Vodafone. Haven't looked back & the customer service is better by far.

Would never ever use Vodafone again. Network rubbish & customer service one of the worse I have experienced.

This, I'm with EE and haven't had any issues whatsoever.

Can't help with mobile coverage on the train really, the only journey I do is Manchester to London and it seems good enough. I tether my laptop all the way there and get a good enough signal to work off our network...

[MikeMc]

I'm on three and if you'd rather have brilliant 3g everywhere then look no further. Was on O2 before this and the 3g was terrible and 4g was non existant. Since changing to three I honestly get 3g almost everywhere and its always fast. 4g is limited to big cities at the moment but they are expanding their 4g coverage all the time. EE are also good too but a bit more expensive.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by RalphyBMW

I like Vodafone, but do agree on poor coverage on rail network.

Works well at home for me though and with VEA discount it is good value.

It used to make sense for me to stay with Vodafone when I was office based as we had boosters everywhere and it's where I spent the most time. But I get no data in my hometown so it's crazy to stay with them.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by mike77t5

I'm on three and if you'd rather have brilliant 3g everywhere then look no further. Was on O2 before this and the 3g was terrible and 4g was non existant. Since changing to three I honestly get 3g almost everywhere and its always fast. 4g is limited to big cities at the moment but they are expanding their 4g coverage all the time.

Yes I notice that with my iPad.... But I think the 3 roaming options are crap compared to the others?

[dobbo99]

I spent years with Orange/EE and changed 2 years ago because they wouldnt offer me a 'deal' on the phone I wanted.

So went with Tesco mobile for cheapness, and has just been shocking from day one. Poor customer service, iffy signal on O2 network, no signal in our new office, no signal in our new house, patchy 3G anywhere.

Ive just gone back to EE, and happy to pay a premium.

[teaston]

I changed to EE just over a year ago after being with vodafone for around 15 years, and I'm very happy I did!

I wouldn't say coverage is any better, some areas it's better, other areas it's worse, but the major difference is if I do have coverage then 90% of the time it's at least 3G even out in the depths of Norfolk! Vodafone would only be at least 3G in Cities and Towns!

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

It used to make sense for me to stay with Vodafone when I was office based as we had boosters everywhere and it's where I spent the most time. But I get no data in my hometown so it's crazy to stay with them.

No need for boosters anymore now we have Wifi calling!

[pmgreenwood]

Was Orange(EE) for years and happy but with Smartphone used a lot of data so went with a then available unlimited data deal from Virgin (EE network).

Last summer watched to 3 for best 3G network, still unlimited data, no roaming charges in Finland and access to 4G which I have found is rolling out quite quickly and a comparative low charge. Been so far very happy with 3

[JustChris]

I would say without question O2 has the best network signal and coverage in my area. I did a lot of work with them and their set up is very impressive. EE however seem to have made great strides recently.

However as a (work phone no choice) existing Voda customer I must say their basic phone signal is disgraceful! I live in a highly dense population area and my phone barely has signal inside the house.

[JustChris]

I would say without question O2 has the best network signal and coverage in my area. I did a lot of work with them and their set up is very impressive. EE however seem to have made great strides recently.

However as a (work phone no choice) existing Voda customer I must say their basic phone signal is disgraceful! I live in a highly dense population area and my phone barely has signal inside the house.

[AP_75]

I'm 02 for work and personal iphone and always seem good, esp now 4G.

My wife is vodafone and she hates it - we live in london so surely reception should be good vs. living out in the wilds.

[Mossquito]

I don't know what your data useage is like but EE were offering their unlimited 4g+ with 20g of data for a discounted 40 quid per month.
I sorted this out for my dad with a 128g iPhone 6s plus for 200 quid ish.
EE also allow you to add up to 5 sims to share your main package minutes - 10 quid for a call and data sim or 4 quid for data only.
I did a speed check whilst I was out and got 35 Meg download speed which surprised me!

Depends what you want to use it for really.

Edit - they also use wifi calling now so if you've got wifi connection you will always have a perfect signal - perfect for in the house!

[SkyJawa]

Changed from EE (who can't even manage a signal in my house despite claiming 3G outside and good 2G inside, and a signal that dropped every 2 mins on the mainline to Waterloo) to Vodafone, and not looked back. Now have 4G faster than my Infinity broadband in my house, pay less than EE, and 98% of where I travel the signal is perfectly fine, including being on a con call all the way from the south east to Brum without it dropping.

Its all swings and roundabouts. All mobile networks are shit in some places, and I've been through them all now and found no ones Cust Service is better than any other.

I would simply pick one based on where I go most that has the best average out of all those places, and despite all the hate, for me thats VF. Even renewed a few months back as I can't really fault them.

[simon the pieman]

I'm on three and have been since they got going and haven't changed. I've always found the coverage to be great and their tariffs are probably the most competitive. Also use your inclusive minutes texts and data in 12 or so different countries now. It was great for the US using the maps to get about without the worry of a massive bill when I got home.

[xPETEZx]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Yes I notice that with my iPad.... But I think the 3 roaming options are crap compared to the others?

Three have the BEST roaming included.
ITs called "Feel at home".

There is about 20-30 countries on the list now, where when you travel you can use your Minutes and Data as if you where in the UK.
So that means calls to UK numbers are taken from your allowance.
Data is whatever your limit is, or 25GB if unlimited.

I travelled to Australlia, and was calling my Wife for free for as long as I wanted.
Watched Netflix in the Hotel on 4G (There was 4G signal there!!) rather than pay for the hotels WiFi.
Cost me £0 when I got home.

Unfortunately on a EE phone through work now. If I was paying, would jump straight back to 3.

Really good 3G coverage I found in the UK, and like I said about the best roaming you can get.

US, Australlia, Irealnd, Spain, France, Italy all on the list of Feel at Home.
The only place I wish they had was Germany.
Full list of places here: http://www.three.co.uk/Discover/Phones/Feel_At_Home

[x-m4n]

Test the coverage you get with a free/cheap EE sim.

Sharing data between your phone/iPad can save some money and EE has shared plans which you could explore.

Roaming prices with EE are somehow better these days they have a new EUROPASS.

But free is always good, 3UK has a good roaming feel at home deal in 19 countries - just mind their restrictions

Also ID Mobile takeaway tariffs with 29 countries in their list is a network that uses the 3UK signal.

[Notechy]

Originally Posted by xPETEZx

Three have the BEST roaming included.
ITs called "Feel at home".

There is about 20-30 countries on the list now, where when you travel you can use your Minutes and Data as if you where in the UK.
So that means calls to UK numbers are taken from your allowance.
Data is whatever your limit is, or 25GB if unlimited.

I travelled to Australlia, and was calling my Wife for free for as long as I wanted.
Watched Netflix in the Hotel on 4G (There was 4G signal there!!) rather than pay for the hotels WiFi.
Cost me £0 when I got home.

Unfortunately on a EE phone through work now. If I was paying, would jump straight back to 3.

Really good 3G coverage I found in the UK, and like I said about the best roaming you can get.

US, Australlia, Irealnd, Spain, France, Italy all on the list of Feel at Home.
The only place I wish they had was Germany.
Full list of places here: http://www.three.co.uk/Discover/Phones/Feel_At_Home

Me too with 3. These reasons important. Also free tethering to our iPads using my unlimited data. Ironically, crap reception at home but use their home-signal box which largely solves the problem.

Wife on their PAYG - a very good option for low users.

[jusdorange]

I use 3 because I never call anyone but use about 50GB/data

[Tronneh]

I find its not so much the network but your phone that is the issue.
For instance when i go to the office i stay in a nice old mill that has been converted to a pub with rooms and has thick stone walls. If i try to ring the missus on my personal phone i can hardly get a signal.
If i revert back to my old blackberry work phone it get a perfect signal and good quality call.
Both phones are on Vodaphone.
Similarly my friend just moved from a HTC to a Sony and the quality of his calls when we are both in the same locations as when he had his HTC is noticably worse.