Anyone know which network currently has the best technology for indoor 4g coverage?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Best network for indoor 4g?
Technology is pretty much the same. The only real way of knowing is to get your hands on some PAYG sims from each network and check for yourself
In theory Vodafone & O2 should give the best indoor coverage in areas where they have outdoor 4G coverage, but ultimately it will come down to various local factors.
In theory Vodafone & O2 should give the best indoor coverage in areas where they have outdoor 4G coverage, but ultimately it will come down to various local factors.
I’ll have to come around your house to find out.
At my house its 3 and EE holding joint number 1 top of the pop’s followed up with Vodafone holding the number 3 slot and o2 coming in last at number 4.
Pretty much the same for 3G but of course Vodafone, EE and o2 hold the top slots for 2G.
Tech or frequencies used does not matter to me, it’s what actually works that does.
At my house its 3 and EE holding joint number 1 top of the pop’s followed up with Vodafone holding the number 3 slot and o2 coming in last at number 4.
Pretty much the same for 3G but of course Vodafone, EE and o2 hold the top slots for 2G.
Tech or frequencies used does not matter to me, it’s what actually works that does.
Theoretically O2 or Vodafone. And assuming you get the exact same level of 4G signal on every operator outdoors, you will get the best signal indoors with O2 or Vodafone as they use a lower frequency which can travel further and go through buildings more easily.
It's best to test it yourself though - you can look at coverage checkers at your address, or to be completely sure you can order free sims from each provider (EE, O2, Three and Vodafone) on their websites and test them in your phone.
It's best to test it yourself though - you can look at coverage checkers at your address, or to be completely sure you can order free sims from each provider (EE, O2, Three and Vodafone) on their websites and test them in your phone.
Originally Posted by hammy_y:
“Theoretically O2 or Vodafone. And assuming you get the exact same level of 4G signal on every operator outdoors, you will get the best signal indoors with O2 or Vodafone as they use a lower frequency which can travel further and go through buildings more easily. ”
“Theoretically O2 or Vodafone. And assuming you get the exact same level of 4G signal on every operator outdoors, you will get the best signal indoors with O2 or Vodafone as they use a lower frequency which can travel further and go through buildings more easily. ”
Erh, no.
Originally Posted by Gigabit:
“Erh, no.”
“Erh, no.”
Thats why he said theoretically. They use 800mhz, so they should have better coverage, but they don't (obviously, because they are O2).
Originally Posted by hammy_y:
“Theoretically O2 or Vodafone. And assuming you get the exact same level of 4G signal on every operator outdoors, you will get the best signal indoors with O2 or Vodafone as they use a lower frequency which can travel further and go through buildings more easily.”
“Theoretically O2 or Vodafone. And assuming you get the exact same level of 4G signal on every operator outdoors, you will get the best signal indoors with O2 or Vodafone as they use a lower frequency which can travel further and go through buildings more easily.”
Whilst true, that assumes the EE/Three mast and the O2/Vodafone masts are identically located. Which is not the case.
Originally Posted by camer_000:
“Thats why he said theoretically. They use 800mhz, so they should have better coverage, but they don't (obviously, because they are O2).”
“Thats why he said theoretically. They use 800mhz, so they should have better coverage, but they don't (obviously, because they are O2).”
Frequency isn't going to outweigh the fact that EE have 4G on many, many more masts...
Originally Posted by Gigabit:
“Frequency isn't going to outweigh the fact that EE have 4G on many, many more masts...”
“Frequency isn't going to outweigh the fact that EE have 4G on many, many more masts...”
O2 4G with the same coverage as 2G would be pretty good though, and would give EE a run for their money in coverage (not so much in speed however).
Where are you located?
Is this just 4G for handset or broadband replacement?
I would say EE, due to the quantity of masts and amount that are to be 4G enabled, the network will be more dense, with an overlay of 800mhz this will improve the depth of indoor coverage even further.
VF and O2, they need to add 800mhz to all the sites and acquire a lot more sites to reach the density of EE,
800mhz has less capacity, 1800mhz has more, 2600mhz has more again...
Is this just 4G for handset or broadband replacement?
I would say EE, due to the quantity of masts and amount that are to be 4G enabled, the network will be more dense, with an overlay of 800mhz this will improve the depth of indoor coverage even further.
VF and O2, they need to add 800mhz to all the sites and acquire a lot more sites to reach the density of EE,
800mhz has less capacity, 1800mhz has more, 2600mhz has more again...
Originally Posted by camer_000:
“O2 4G with the same coverage as 2G would be pretty good though, and would give EE a run for their money in coverage (not so much in speed however).”
“O2 4G with the same coverage as 2G would be pretty good though, and would give EE a run for their money in coverage (not so much in speed however).”
That's true but they really have no chance of doing that. Based on past O2 performance, they'll do enough to make themselves look okay, ish.
Vodafone might though
Originally Posted by bookey_uk:
“Where are you located?
Is this just 4G for handset or broadband replacement?
I would say EE, due to the quantity of masts and amount that are to be 4G enabled, the network will be more dense, with an overlay of 800mhz this will improve the depth of indoor coverage even further.
VF and O2, they need to add 800mhz to all the sites and acquire a lot more sites to reach the density of EE,
800mhz has less capacity, 1800mhz has more, 2600mhz has more again...”
“Where are you located?
Is this just 4G for handset or broadband replacement?
I would say EE, due to the quantity of masts and amount that are to be 4G enabled, the network will be more dense, with an overlay of 800mhz this will improve the depth of indoor coverage even further.
VF and O2, they need to add 800mhz to all the sites and acquire a lot more sites to reach the density of EE,
800mhz has less capacity, 1800mhz has more, 2600mhz has more again...”
Impartial info I may add
1. EE
2. Vodafone... one day.
3. O2. They employ Sean Bean and eat pies. No chance of anything good cellular wise though.
4. Three. Hahahahahahahahahahahaha
I think that about sums it up.
2. Vodafone... one day.
3. O2. They employ Sean Bean and eat pies. No chance of anything good cellular wise though.
4. Three. Hahahahahahahahahahahaha
I think that about sums it up.
As others have said the only way to be sure is to get some PAYG sims and try yourself. There are so many variables such as other buildings/trees hills etc that can make so much difference. IMO the so called coverage maps on the operators websites are only a rough guide. Coverage can differ even a few yards down the road.
Originally Posted by bookey_uk:
“with an overlay of 800mhz this will improve the depth of indoor coverage even further.”
“with an overlay of 800mhz this will improve the depth of indoor coverage even further.”
Wheeeen! Even the roughest of ideas would be helpful to me as I've got to decide on my provider for the next year by tomorrow haha
Originally Posted by camer_000:
“O2 4G with the same coverage as 2G would be pretty good though, and would give EE a run for their money in coverage (not so much in speed however).”
“O2 4G with the same coverage as 2G would be pretty good though, and would give EE a run for their money in coverage (not so much in speed however).”
The only way O2 would have any chance of any speed would be to refarm their 1800MHz to 4G, and get that 1800 on every single mast. Otherwise they'll be relying on their 800, which is great for coverage but no good for speed/capacity.
Originally Posted by bookey_uk:
“Where are you located?
Is this just 4G for handset or broadband replacement?
I would say EE, due to the quantity of masts and amount that are to be 4G enabled, the network will be more dense, with an overlay of 800mhz this will improve the depth of indoor coverage even further.
VF and O2, they need to add 800mhz to all the sites and acquire a lot more sites to reach the density of EE,
800mhz has less capacity, 1800mhz has more, 2600mhz has more again...”
“Where are you located?
Is this just 4G for handset or broadband replacement?
I would say EE, due to the quantity of masts and amount that are to be 4G enabled, the network will be more dense, with an overlay of 800mhz this will improve the depth of indoor coverage even further.
VF and O2, they need to add 800mhz to all the sites and acquire a lot more sites to reach the density of EE,
800mhz has less capacity, 1800mhz has more, 2600mhz has more again...”
EE definitely have quite a lot of masts about, especially the old 2G/3G Orange masts that haven't been upgraded yet... Once these are all upgraded, with 2G/3G/4G, and the MBNL masts have had 4G added, then EE's 4G will be pretty much perfect in terms of coverage, and seeing as the base layer is 1800 there will be a fair bit of capacity as well. I suppose that 2600 could be added if required at a later date.
800MHz with VoLTE working nicely would blow the other operators out of the water.
I'm surprised that Vodafone haven't refarmed their 1800 to 4G, though that's not so critical as they ahve 2600... Even so they need 2600 and 800 on every mast to have any sort of capacity, and as for O2, the sooner they get 800 and 1800 (ex 2G) onto every mast, the better.
Not sure what to say about Three though, their 4G rollout has been, erm... shocking. And who would put 4G800 "Super Voice" below the priority of 3G? The aim of the game is to have good coverage, right? Meaning that 800 would be the answer.
Originally Posted by DevonBloke:
“1. EE
2. Vodafone... one day.
3. O2. They employ Sean Bean and eat pies. No chance of anything good cellular wise though.
4. Three. Hahahahahahahahahahahaha
I think that about sums it up.”
“1. EE
2. Vodafone... one day.
3. O2. They employ Sean Bean and eat pies. No chance of anything good cellular wise though.
4. Three. Hahahahahahahahahahahaha
I think that about sums it up.”
Three's 3G coverage is quite solid, but their 4G rollout? What have they been doing? Why haven't they put 1800 on every mast, to help with capacity? (As they will need all the capacity they can get with the AYCE plans still going.) Why have they got the 800 priority below that of 2100?
The only good thing that will happen with Three's 4G rollout is if they buy O2 and get O2's 4G coverage. That way they can merge their 1800 into one lot of 4G, then shove 800, 900 (3G) and 2100 on every mast.
Another option, highly unlikely but just a thought - what about if, when Three buy out O2, they give up some of their 800, so that they can then get some of BT/EE's 2600? Three would definitely need some sort of 2600 (on every mast) to get some sort of capacity.
Originally Posted by camer_000:
“O2 4G with the same coverage as 2G would be pretty good though, and would give EE a run for their money in coverage (not so much in speed however).”
“O2 4G with the same coverage as 2G would be pretty good though, and would give EE a run for their money in coverage (not so much in speed however).”
Yeah but when is that going to happen then?
Their 2G is probably a million years old so they are doing 3G900 for CSFB.
No way their 800 is going to reach it's full potential for a long while if ever.
When EE get that 800 out (reaching it's full potential as it will be unrestricted) and the 1800 cranked up to 2G levels, bloody look out, that's all I can say.
I remember people saying "why are EE upgrading their 2G network, what is the point of that"?
I could see what the point was if one one else could.
EE will probably have a press release quite soon and it will just say.....
BAZINGA!
Originally Posted by beans0ntoast:
“Another option, highly unlikely but just a thought - what about if, when Three buy out O2, they give up some of their 800, so that they can then get some of BT/EE's 2600? Three would definitely need some sort of 2600 (on every mast) to get some sort of capacity.”
“Another option, highly unlikely but just a thought - what about if, when Three buy out O2, they give up some of their 800, so that they can then get some of BT/EE's 2600? Three would definitely need some sort of 2600 (on every mast) to get some sort of capacity.”
Likelihood = Zero.
BT's acquisition of EE was without any conditions, so no frequencies are being given up.
