I would get a pay as you go SIM and test the networks first. I agree with the other posters here that EE are generally better, but on my road I only get 2G on EE on the walk between my flat and the bus stop. It's so congested data doesn't work, so I can't check the bus times to know whether I should run to catch a bus or just walk. It's a small thing, but was super annoying as it would happen every day on the way to work. On Vodafone I always get 3G, sometimes 4G, so can check the bus times.

Near my flat, EE's 3G network is also very congested so you can't even stream Spotify, and 4G is not consistent so the phone will quickly drop to 3G and then not go back up to 4G while you're using data. Vodafone's 3G would stream Spotify (although has been slowing down recently). I live in Streatham (right by the Brighton Mainline, so all the networks say they have great 4G coverage but none of them do really!).

It's probably worth doing some testing in the areas you usually go just to see what the networks are like there specifically.

The difference between all the networks is sometimes exaggerated and blown up a bit too far between the networks. Vodafone and o2's networks are pretty shoddy, but in the last two years they've pulled their finger out a bit at least. o2 have also got that coverage obligation to meet. Reading through Vodafone DE's page though they're planning to invest 4 Billion Euros in their network over the next couple of years, Vodafone UK are only planning £1 Billion to £1.5 Billion.

South West Surrey

moox - The masts that have been 4G'd consistently provide about 20-30mbps on 3G. There are one or two HSPA only (eg not DC) masts which only provide about 0.5mbps. The microwave DC-HSDPA masts are around 2-10mbps.

To get a reasonable EE signal I need to travel about 2mi North, into the closest thing resembling a town, there's basically no EE signal anywhere around my house, whereas Vodafone is -80dBm 2G, -90dBm 3G and -105dBm 4G.

Vodafone often have good 3g in and around 4g areas or areas about to be upgraded like Telford in Shropshire, but due to the way Vodafone set up there network if a mast had 3g 2100/900 you'll often have great speed very close to he mast when on 2100mhz but you will often find you soon drop down to the 900mhz which travels further and is more consistent, but delivers slower speeds, though in my experience pings are very very good, older masts in area which have not yet begun to be upgraded, you'll get 2100mhz close to a mast of hugely variying speeds due to inconsistent backhaul which will prematurely switch back to 2g and stay until very close to a 3g mast again, as in areas like this there network seems set up purely for the benefit of calls not data, that is slowly changing, been to Birmingham and Manchester and found 4g very consistent and widespread, and where I live and work on the edge of revamped aras the 900mhz travels often up to 16km from the mast before failing, trouble is they are starting from such a poor Base with so much work to do and still have many key areas yet to do it could be a while before they get there, if they keep up investment of course.
Even now in many areas that they have added 4g to, if your in the M6 between Birmingham and Manchester, there will still be big areas where your on 2g only, not good enough..
If the networks had done there jobs properly for the past few years, the choice shouldn't be can I get a signal or not, it should be, should I go for speed with EE or building and rural penitration with Vodafone?

There are areas of the M3 with Vodafone and O2 still on GPRS...

One thing about the Vodafone network upgrades that I'm wondering is that if EE are seeing a 30% boost from their new Huawei antennas, how much of an improvement will that provide to Vodafone's already considerable 2g network. The low frequency spectrum really does place them in a good position, if they rollout the 2600Mhz as well it wouldn't be too bad in cities for speed. In my mind though for that to be used more in the future EE/BT will have to sell some. Vodafone shouldn't go for the 2300 in my mind as there's only 40Mhz of it I think. If Three and o2 had that to themselves we might finally get a good network from them.

There was me thinking you lived in North Wales or the deep south west, or somewhere actually rural, rather than somewhere 30 minutes from London which has a few more trees and cows

I was challenging your idea that all rural areas must have coverage issues with EE or 3 when it simply isn't true in general - only for you

I'm sure Vodafone's 4G network is good, it's just that it has yet to get anywhere

The problem is that Vodafone and O2 have to really get on with it to simply catch up, let alone exceed.

I don't think there's any Vodafone or O2 4G within several tens of miles of me and that doesn't appear to be changing any time soon.

Stray away from urban areas and major roads and the difference between MBNL and V-O2 is readily apparent

Here in East Hants, Vodafone 4G is quite good where it's available, O2 seems to be lacking in many places despite their 4G supposedly coming soon after Vodafone.

EE and Three are quite poor indoors around here although outside they're usable.

I do find that going down "rural" (although not that rural) roads that Vodafone and O2 tend to stay connected (albeit on GPRS) with EE maybe on 2G and Three dead.

O2 and Vodafone 3G are useless, although Vodafone is improving, slowly.

The dilemma around here still is that you either get no signal with EE or GPRS with Vodafone...

EE is easily the best for 4g. They are worlds ahead of all the others.

EE have very good coverage in my area, but its basically unusable indoors, too many old buildings. Vodafone has lower speeds and slightly less coverage, but it works pretty much everywhere and they seem to be rolling it out very quickly. Three and O2 are a toss up for last, neither have done anything in a while.

Others mileage will vary though, obviously.

i think I will go with EE guys....the 20% discount would have been lovely tbh but I can't deal with slow internet which Vodafone seems to have!

You don't know until you try it in your area. It really is horses for courses.

yeah true

maybe i should get a vodafone sim card and try it in my area

Yes, this exactly. Get your phone unlocked, or get a cheap 4G capable phone (ebay a moto g 4g 1st edition?) and get a prepay SIM from each of the networks.

Problem is not all networks do 4G on prepay without a big top up, but you can easily test 2G and 3G coverage in the buildings and outdoors where you are.

My experience of Vodafone in rural areas in North East Hampshire, and on the way to Reading, as well as various business trips around the UK is that if you get GPRS on EE then you get 'No service' on Vodafone. Indoors in hotels I've had no signal on Vodafone but 20+mbps on 3G with EE - outdoors Vodafone 3G managing 15mbps.

There is no one single formula.

Yeah true

i think i am going to go with EE tbh,,,,but ill still try out Vodafone.