on 07-02-2017 16:56
Well.... it's not O2... they came last!
http://www.itpro.co.uk/mobile/28073/the-best-4g-network
on 07-02-2017 17:00
on 07-02-2017 17:00
I hate sites that block ad blockers so cannot read the article
on 07-02-2017 17:04
on 07-02-2017 17:04
Sorry about 😞
Here is the highlights.
Virtually every mobile provider offers 4G contracts now, but which one is the best for you? Read on and find out
4G has been available in the UK since 2012, with more and more smartphones supporting the technology each year - particularly when it comes to flagship devices.
But there’s a great deal of variability when it comes to what each mobile provider offers in terms of coverage, reliability and data allowance, as well as differences in what each contract costs.
Here, we run down the reliability and costs of a 4G contract for each of the UK’s four main mobile networks.
(NB: these are the costs for an individual, SIM-only, 12-month contract. Business contracts and contracts with a phone can and likely will vary. All data correct as of February 2017)
EE was the first UK mobile network to offer 4G and is, according to RootMetrics’ First Half 2016 UK Mobile Network Performance Review, the best network across all five testing areas: reliability, speed, data, call and text.
EE’s 4G network is also the largest, with 97% of the UK population able to access it.
At the high end, a 4G contract with EE will cost in excess of £30 per month, but for that, you will get 30GB data, unlimited texts, unlimited minutes, and various other bells and whistles.
The cheapest 4G contract the company offers costs £19.99 per month, for which you will get 2GB data, unlimited texts and minutes and some other sweeteners as well.
O2: 4G cost and reliability
According to RootMetrics’ First Half 2016 UK Mobile Network Performance Review, O2’s 4G offering is disappointing if you don’t live in a metropolitan area (i.e. a city and its environs). In fact, of the four main operators, it came last when it comes to the 4G RootScore.
Nevertheless, according to 4G.co.uk, 78% of the UK population is able to access the O2 4G network.
The most expensive 4G contract with O2 costs in excess of £25 per month, which will give you 20GB data allowance, unlimited texts and unlimited minutes.
At the other end of the scale, O2 offers a £10 per month with 250MB data allowance, 250 minutes and unlimited texts.
Three: 4G cost and reliability
Three is the smallest of the UK’s four network operators and came last in the RootMetrics’ First Half 2016 UK Mobile Network Performance Review when it came to network speed because of this. But, for those who can access 4G on the Three network, it’s highly commended.
All Three sim-only deals offer 4G. The most expensive is £32 per month, which gives you unlimited data, minutes and texts. At the other end of the scale is a £7 per month contract, which offers 500MB data, 200 minutes and unlimited texts.
Vodafone: 4G cost and reliability
While not as good as EE or Three currently when it comes to 4G coverage, according to RootMetrics, Vodafone has been upgrading its network which is already bearing fruit in terms of coverage and reliability.
Nevertheless, it came third in the research firm’s tests for 4G, although according to 4G.co.uk, 88% of the UK population can access the network.
As with Three, all Vodafone sim-only deals offer 4G. The cheapest is comparable to O2 - 250MB data allowance, 250 minutes and unlimited texts for £9.50.
At the high end, 25GB data will set you back more than £25, but you also get unlimited calls and texts, plus 4GB roaming data.
07-02-2017 17:12 - edited 07-02-2017 17:19
07-02-2017 17:12 - edited 07-02-2017 17:19
still using data over 6 months old and I do find rootmetrics to be biased lets see what the second half 2016 reports uncovers. but we all konw ee (bt) has the largest 4g capacity now bt are the owners the capacity grew on the 2600 band by another 50mhz as bt own Niche Spectrum Ventures Ltd source https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/media/media-releases/2013/winners-of-the-4g-mobile-aucti...
On reflection this situation has been allowed to happen due to poor industry regulation in the past These are my thoughts.
If 3 and o2 had merged some spectrum would have been gained but not as much as ee gained from the bt merger or any of the previous orange tmobile mergers creating an unfair playing field in the mobile market that the EU blocked .
on 07-02-2017 17:47
on 07-02-2017 17:47
on 07-02-2017 22:01
on 07-02-2017 22:01
on 07-02-2017 22:27
on 07-02-2017 22:27
@Curr946 wrote:
Maybe I misunderstood what I read lol
', O2’s 4G offering is disappointing if you don’t live in a metropolitan area (i.e. a city and its environs). In fact, of the four main operators, it came last when it comes to the 4G RootScore'
And then goes on to say
"Nevertheless, according to 4G.Co.uk... 78% of the UK population is able to access the O2 4G network"
Which isn't bad. Not excellent...but better than some...
Veritas Numquam Perit