Best Mobile Network

[fruitsalad]

I have a lot of signal problems with virgin mobile, is there a network with better connections

[Canary42]

I've found EE much better (after switching from Virgin).

[Prudie]

Isn't it better to ask neighbours or research you area? I have awful signal with my provider - vodafone - but then O2 is even worse and that's just becasue of where I live but I can imagine both those networks might be suggested by other users..

[Arksided]

Smartie for me (My3) Vodafone were ok but not always the best depending obviously where you are. please be advised stay away from 02 utter bilge and you can't escape them.

[Arksided]

https://smarty.co.uk/

[Lie-in King]

I'm with giffgaff & I believe they use the O2 network. I've never had a problem.

[Hopkirk]

EE has the biggest network coverage, as they were formed by the merger of Orange and T Mobile. It's cheaper to use them via Plusnet, who are slso owned by their parent - BT.

[barry1010]

Virgin uses Vodafone, some older contracts are still using EE for 4G.
Depends where you live and whether you need 4G or 5G

[Hopkirk]

Go on the websites for Vodafone, 3, EE and O2.
They all have reception maps to see how good your signal would be.

[barry1010]

Or use Ofcom's website to check coverage from all three at once
https://checker.ofcom.org.uk/en-gb/mobile-coverage#pc=DY32RD&uprn=90027894

[Buenchico]

It's worth remembering that there are only four 'real' mobile phone networks in the UK. (i.e. different sets of transmitting masts). They are Vodafone, EE, O2 and Three. 'Mobile virtual network operators', such as GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile, Asda Mobile, etc simply 'piggyback' onto those 'real' services.

For example, there would be no point in someone who was getting a lousy signal with O2 moving to GiffGaff (or vice versa) because GiffGaff uses O2's transmitters. Similarly, customers of Vodafone who move to Asda Mobile won't get a better signal because Asda Mobile uses Vodafone's transmitters.

The situation with Virgin Mobile is a bit more complex though. If you've got a 5G phone with Virgin Mobile, it's currently connecting to the Vodafone network when you make or receive calls (or use the internet). However if you've got a 4G phone with Virgin Mobile, it's currently using the EE network.

You'll, no doubt, have noticed my use of 'currently' in my previous two sentences. That's because things are due to change fairly soon. Virgin Media has merged with O2 and will therefore be transferring both of Virgin Mobile's 5G and 4G services across to O2's own network.

So simply sitting tight with Virgin Mobile might be all that you need to do, as your phone will soon be getting signals from a different set of transmitters.

If you can't wait that long though, you'll need to ensure that you avoid switching to any network that uses Vodafone's transmitters if you've got a 5G phone or to any network that uses EE's transmitters if you've got a 4G phone.

[DTCwordfan]

depends where you are geographically - down here it's O2 by a country mile but then there are the occasional dead-spots.

[pixie374]

Vodafone has best cover here.

[Hopkirk]

EE here