4G roaming in Portugal and the United States

[Scooty997]

Hi there, I am going to Portugal and the USA in a couple of months. Will I be able to use 4G in both countries and what network will I roam on? Just curious as I know which foreign networks have coverage where others don’t. I have the inclusive travel bolt on with my iPhone X so won’t have to worry about charges in the US which is nice. Thanks

[Cleoriff · Accepted solution]

Hi @Scooty997 Yes you will be able to get 4G in both countries...

Check this guide

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Discussions-and-Feedback/4G-Roaming-Spain/m-p/1124501/highlight/true#M...

As for networks in Portugal...

Portugal (including the Azores and Madeira Islands) has three network providers operating in the country:

1. MEO (formerly tmn)
2. Vodafone (formerly telecel)
3. NOS (formerly Optimus)

And in the US

Top 10 Best Mobile SIM Networks in USA

• Verizon Logo. Verizon Wireless. Verizon Wireless is the biggest and most widespread cell phone carrier in America. ...
• T-Mobile Logo. T – Mobile. ...
• AT&T Logo. AT&T. ...
• sprint-logo. Sprint. ...
• us cellular logo. U.S. Cellular. ...
• Cricket wireless. Cricket Wireless. ...
• MetroPCS Logo. MetoPCS. ...
• Ting GSM. Ting.

[MI5]

Have a look here too for some help and advice https://www.o2.co.uk/international/travel-inclusive-zone

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/How-to-Guides/O2-Contract-with-O2-Travel-Inclusive-75-Free-Countries-a...

[Scooty997]

Thanks for the reply. I’m guessing in the US T-Mobile and AT&T probably both have a 4g agreement with O2 as they are the only 2 carriers that use GSM (Not including MVNOs). Not sure about Portugal though. Would hope it’s Vodafone Portugal as it’s the best network, or MEO as it isn’t far behind. NOS is just terrible coverage and data speed wise, i used their 4G out there when I used to have EE and it was shocking but MEO was good, EE don’t have a 4G roaming agreement with Vodafone Portugal, but I have used a local sim before and it was great

[MI5]

Optimus, TMN and Vodafone are the preferred O2 carriers in Portugal.

[Cleoriff]

@Scooty997You are right about the AT&T and T Mobile in the US....Portugal have a4G agreement with O2 so it's just a question of finding the one that gives you the best coverage . Have a wonderful time. A bit jealous if honest.:smileywink:  Welcome to the forum by the way

[iphone4sir]

I used “4g” on AT&T last month - Speeds are throttled though - I managed to get by with Facebook etc but maps and Imessage was a struggle at times - be interesting to see your experience - I was in Las Vegas btw.

[jonsie]

It's only recently that O2 have removed throttling within the EU but in the USA data speeds are still restricted I believe so wifi is really the way to go.

[packages]

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@Scooty997 wrote:

Thanks for the reply. I’m guessing in the US T-Mobile and AT&T probably both have a 4g agreement with O2 as they are the only 2 carriers that use GSM (Not including MVNOs). Not sure about Portugal though. Would hope it’s Vodafone Portugal as it’s the best network, or MEO as it isn’t far behind. NOS is just terrible coverage and data speed wise, i used their 4G out there when I used to have EE and it was shocking but MEO was good, EE don’t have a 4G roaming agreement with Vodafone Portugal, but I have used a local sim before and it was great

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From what I can remember from my visit last year, O2s roaming partner is MEO.

[jrhop123]

Over in Portugal at the moment and getting 4G with MEO, Speedtests showing ~27Mbps down and ~9Mbps up, so not throttled! Good stuff o2, how it should be!