Mobile signal quality varies dramatically around the country and losing connection can be an infuriating experience, whether you are in remote countryside or a bustling city.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to work out which network will give you the most reliable connection.
1. Use a quality checker map
The best way to find out if you’ll get a good signal is to use a map showing the quality of connections in your area.
Rather than simply showing if there’s coverage, it represents how often the quality is good enough to be usable, as a percentage score. Alternatively, enter your postcode below and you'll see what the signal quality should be like for various Sim-only deals in your area.
2. Find a network that 'piggybacks'
Once you’ve worked out which network offers the best quality in your area, check which smaller providers ‘piggyback’ on that network’s infrastructure.
You’ll usually be able to find a cheaper deal than with the bigger networks. Plus, Opensignal analysis of millions of results shows that the signal quality is almost always indistinguishable from the parent network, so don’t worry about missing out.
For example, if O2 has the best signal in your area, try using Giffgaff. Similarly, try 1p Mobile instead of EE or Lebara for Vodafone.
Check below to see which network each provider uses to deliver its calls, texts and data:
If you want hands-on experience of what using each network is actually like, trialing a provider on a one-month Sim-only deal means you're not tied down, so can easily switch if you want to. Conversely, taking a chance on a 24-month contract means you could be stuck with a poor signal for years.
3. Try a connectivity app
Rather than just relying on the signal bars on your phone screen, try using a connectivity testing app to see how good your connection really is.
Connectivity TestSpeed testVideo playback test
4. Ask around friends, neighbours and colleagues
This is a low tech approach but it can be useful to ask people for their experiences on different networks, particularly if they spend a lot of time in the same places as you.
For example, if you live in a block of flats or frequently go to the office then someone may have real-world knowledge of a network working well alongside what can be demonstrated by tests and data.
5. Make use of contract terms and conditions
When you purchase or upgrade a mobile contract online, on the phone or by mail, you are legally entitled to a 14-day cooling off period. This lets you exit your contract without paying any penalty fees for leaving early. If the signal with your new network isn’t good enough, make use of this statutory right and switch to a better provider.
Be aware this does not apply if you purchase the contract in a store, although some networks will still honour the period as a goodwill gesture.
Something else to look out for is an acceptable network coverage guarantee that may be included in your contract. This allows you to cancel your contract if you regularly can’t get a signal. However, not all networks include these terms, so make sure to read your contract.
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/ways-to-check-if-youll-get-a-good-mobile-signal-with-a-new-provider-aLpr80v0XjCy