Defecting from Three to EE - any thoughts?

MatthiasSchilf · 19-04-2016, 13:19

I’ve been with Three for nearly three years, and am considering changing to another network when my SIM only minimum term expires in July.

I use about 3.25 GB of mobile data, 150 minutes and 50 SMS per month. I also holiday abroad for about a week each year, usually in a 'Feel At Home' country. Currently I’m paying £17/month for 200 any network minutes, 2,000 Three-to-Three minutes and AYCE data and texts.

The original reason for the change was simply resilience (OH is also on Three and we don’t have a landline) - I have no major issues with Three. If I do change, though, I want the same or better 3G/4G coverage and speeds.

I’m leaning towards EE because I see and hear everywhere that their 4G speeds are way superior to Three’s, as well as their 4G coverage. I was going to hang on and see what benefits the Three take-over of O2 would bring, but it now doesn’t look like that is going to happen.

The only thing that is stopping me is the £5/month more I’ll have to pay (the EE 4GB tariff is £21.99/month) – the experience would have to be dramatically superior to warrant a 29% increase in outlay!

Anyone got any thoughts? TIA!

Grayburn · 19-04-2016, 13:45

Is EE better then Three where you live then?

The first thing I'd do is test an EE sim as I was thinking of moving from O2 to EE but did a test and the results were in O2's favour so I stayed.

Chris1973 · 19-04-2016, 13:51

I did pretty much the same, and although 3's 3G speeds are pretty much the same as 'EE' I find that EE have much better 4G coverage where I live, compared to '3' whose 4G in Cheshire and Surrounding areas is virtually non existent.

I work in Congleton and Three gives 0.3mbps on '3G' whilst EE has 4G in one part of the Town which gives 50mbps, so changing networks when 3 sent me the letter was pretty much a no brainer.

Although Vodafone and O2 also have 4G in the Town (3 are the only network who don't) the area is fairly rural and so O2 / Voda rapidly vanish to 2G for several miles in the areas around the town, so for me EE was the best choice.

There are lots of places locally where 'EE' is by far the better network largely because its 4G is more plentiful than 3's including in rural areas and villages.

Of course i'm sure that there are places where the opposite is true, so its important to try it first before taking out a long contract.

BKM · 19-04-2016, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthiasSchilf

I’m leaning towards EE because I see and hear everywhere that their 4G speeds are way superior to Three’s, as well as their 4G coverage. I was going to hang on and see what benefits the Three take-over of O2 would bring, but it now doesn’t look like that is going to happen.

3's 4G is steadily (if slowly!) ariving in my area and I and still very happy with them.

The speeds I have seen on 3G with 3 (~15-20Mbps) have also been streets ahead of anyone else's (~3Mpbs with Vodafone) and I have never been clear that 4G (on 3 at least!) brings many advantages!

EE were a little annoying when roaming as - when I was with them - I always had to buy daily "data passes" - there was just no data access without one in place - and the costs built up.

aldoH82 · 19-04-2016, 14:26

I have just moved from three to EE. Of course it depends where you live but my experience so far is I am getting much much better performance form ee than I ever did on three. I would say that threes 3g network is probably better than EE'S in my experience but the thing is 4g is available in so many places that I hardly ever drop down to 3g. 4g in general is so good that it's easy to forget to switch wifi on as the difference isn't noticeable at all!

I would recommend the switch but I would pick up a pay as go sim first to test coverage where you spend your time. My big reservation about leaving 3 was feel at home but given I spend 90% of my time in the UK I figure favouring performance here is the priority

red_snow · 19-04-2016, 15:39

If it is purely for resilience and you are generally happy with 3 ......

....... why not get a PAYG SIM from VF or O2 and keep it for "emergencies". If the mast you (and partner) get your 3 signal from has a really serious issue then it is not beyond possibility that EE may also be impacted (often sharing masts). At least by having a VO2 SIM you may stand a higher chance of having a signal for calls etc?

carcass · 19-04-2016, 18:14

I moved from 3 to EE 10 days ago because of the price increase £10 in less than a year.
Speed is nearly 3x as fast on EE:
http://m.imgur.com/1SU2bbu

Ben_Fisher · 19-04-2016, 20:33

I did this a year ago. Do not regret it, the 4G coverage is awesome where I am, can't remember the last time my phone said H or 3G with EE

heskethbang · 19-04-2016, 21:39

I tend to find that wherever there's a three signal, there's an EE signal. I've just got my PAC code for leaving three due to the withdrawal of a very favourable tariff, but the one thing stopping me is Feel at Home.

Every other networks roaming strategy seems backward and complex by comparison. I go the US and Europe as often as possible and Feel at Home is saving me megabucks. I just don't have to think - go abroad, switch on phone, use as normal. Yes, streaming is throttled, but it's things like mapping and facebook that I use the most when overseas - and they work great! EE extra for calls and texts in the EU is well and good, but for data they just haven't got it together at all.

david16 · 19-04-2016, 22:03

EE’s MBB PAYG sims do not work in Nokia Asha 300 phones.

Three’s MBB PAYG sims do work on those phones.

david16 · 19-04-2016, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben_Fisher

I did this a year ago. Do not regret it, the 4G coverage is awesome where I am, can't remember the last time my phone said H or 3G with EE

Not where I am. It doesn’t stay permanently on 4G on my Samsung Galaxy S5.

The 2 month × 100GB Christmas PAYG sim I was using on said phone often switched between 4G, H+, H, 3G, G and E.

MatthiasSchilf · 19-04-2016, 22:52

Thanks folks, some great input - much appreciated!

carcass · 20-04-2016, 00:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben_Fisher

can't remember the last time my phone said H or 3G with EE

Same as.

packages · 20-04-2016, 00:32

Really? In most indoor locations for me it always drops down to 3G. The 4G just isn't dense enough in my city yet.

aldoH82 · 20-04-2016, 05:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by packages

Really? In most indoor locations for me it always drops down to 3G. The 4G just isn't dense enough in my city yet.

That's what I would expect and certainly how it was on three but I do seem to hold onto 4g much better indoors on EE as well. The other day I was on my way to London on the train and I even had a 4g signal in a long tunnel. I couldn't believe it and thought the phone display hadn't updated but sure enough Web browsing was working and was speeding along!

Ignite · 20-04-2016, 07:34

New report says 3 worst network for 4G
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-36082145

daleski75 · 20-04-2016, 07:45

Like everyone else has said before signing up for anything get yourself a payg simcard on EE and go everywhere where you need to have a signal and make a decision from there.

simon69c · 20-04-2016, 08:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ignite

New report says 3 worst network for 4G
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-36082145

Well it says worst coverage, but best speeds for 4G - so if you are in an area covered by their 4G then Three is possibly going to be the best for you!

Carl_Boys · 20-04-2016, 08:35

Yeah I think m EE has a better 4g network and network in general but you pay for it ha three in the majority of time has data available when on the call, EE drops to 2g annoyingly, sometimes I get 4g speeds on 3G on three. Obviously in a congested ares it becomes issues but I've been with three for 3 years now and what ever I need to do on my phone the data has always been fine. With VOLTE and low frequency spectrum things can only improve. If the network is sold without hutchinsons backing il probably jump ship to Bt mobile 20gb but I think Three has a lot going for it. I tried to get my partner on it but the prices was more costly then the 20gb BT mobile package so didn't bother. I suppose what I'm getting at the 3G network of three is better then some of these networks 4g networks with speeds and coverage.

corf · 20-04-2016, 08:53

I moved from three to a speed capped EE service from BT. Its twice as fast as 3 on the whole with much more 4g availibility.

BKM · 20-04-2016, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by corf

I moved from three to a speed capped EE service from BT. Its twice as fast as 3 on the whole with much more 4g availibility.

4G is, at least in in my experience, overrated! In many places I have had almost as good speeds from 3 on their 3G network. That's after moving from EE to 3!

nigelbb · 20-04-2016, 10:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by BKM

4G is, at least in in my experience, overrated! In many places I have had almost as good speeds from 3 on their 3G network. That's after moving from EE to 3!

Agreed & what's the point of 4G speeds if you have a pathetically low data allowance?

JBX101 · 20-04-2016, 10:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by nigelbb

Agreed & what's the point of 4G speeds if you have a pathetically low data allowance?

Totally agree! For the price of EE packages, it should include Unlimited Data. Based on where I live (Coastal area), their network coverage map claims it covers my Coastal area and nearby coastal towns which is great (compared to Three)! Since I use over 30GB per month (Netflix during commute), EE's current packages have insufficient inclusive data i.e. £35pm for only 16GB on EE on "Double Speed 4GEE", certainly not enough incentive for me to switch to them.

Mark in Essex · 20-04-2016, 11:39

I'm guessing you want a different network to your other half for emergency people calling you and the network being down and not you calling out?

If so don't EE share masts with Three and if so if there is trouble with a mast could this cause issues on both networks? Just a thought and not sure if it ever happens?

d123 · 20-04-2016, 11:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by nigelbb

what's the point of 4G speeds if you have a pathetically low data allowance?

Is there some sort of computer controlled rota that makes this question appear at set intervals?

19-04-2016, 13:19	#1
MatthiasSchilf Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 26	Defecting from Three to EE - any thoughts? I’ve been with Three for nearly three years, and am considering changing to another network when my SIM only minimum term expires in July. I use about 3.25 GB of mobile data, 150 minutes and 50 SMS per month. I also holiday abroad for about a week each year, usually in a 'Feel At Home' country. Currently I’m paying £17/month for 200 any network minutes, 2,000 Three-to-Three minutes and AYCE data and texts. The original reason for the change was simply resilience (OH is also on Three and we don’t have a landline) - I have no major issues with Three. If I do change, though, I want the same or better 3G/4G coverage and speeds. I’m leaning towards EE because I see and hear everywhere that their 4G speeds are way superior to Three’s, as well as their 4G coverage. I was going to hang on and see what benefits the Three take-over of O2 would bring, but it now doesn’t look like that is going to happen. The only thing that is stopping me is the £5/month more I’ll have to pay (the EE 4GB tariff is £21.99/month) – the experience would have to be dramatically superior to warrant a 29% increase in outlay! Anyone got any thoughts? TIA!

19-04-2016, 13:45	#2
Grayburn Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Essex Posts: 225	Is EE better then Three where you live then? The first thing I'd do is test an EE sim as I was thinking of moving from O2 to EE but did a test and the results were in O2's favour so I stayed.

19-04-2016, 13:51	#3
Chris1973 Forum Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 667	I did pretty much the same, and although 3's 3G speeds are pretty much the same as 'EE' I find that EE have much better 4G coverage where I live, compared to '3' whose 4G in Cheshire and Surrounding areas is virtually non existent. I work in Congleton and Three gives 0.3mbps on '3G' whilst EE has 4G in one part of the Town which gives 50mbps, so changing networks when 3 sent me the letter was pretty much a no brainer. Although Vodafone and O2 also have 4G in the Town (3 are the only network who don't) the area is fairly rural and so O2 / Voda rapidly vanish to 2G for several miles in the areas around the town, so for me EE was the best choice. There are lots of places locally where 'EE' is by far the better network largely because its 4G is more plentiful than 3's including in rural areas and villages. Of course i'm sure that there are places where the opposite is true, so its important to try it first before taking out a long contract.

19-04-2016, 14:18	#4
BKM Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6,288	Quote: Originally Posted by MatthiasSchilf I’m leaning towards EE because I see and hear everywhere that their 4G speeds are way superior to Three’s, as well as their 4G coverage. I was going to hang on and see what benefits the Three take-over of O2 would bring, but it now doesn’t look like that is going to happen. 3's 4G is steadily (if slowly!) ariving in my area and I and still very happy with them. The speeds I have seen on 3G with 3 (~15-20Mbps) have also been streets ahead of anyone else's (~3Mpbs with Vodafone) and I have never been clear that 4G (on 3 at least!) brings many advantages! EE were a little annoying when roaming as - when I was with them - I always had to buy daily "data passes" - there was just no data access without one in place - and the costs built up.

19-04-2016, 14:26	#5
aldoH82 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 8	I have just moved from three to EE. Of course it depends where you live but my experience so far is I am getting much much better performance form ee than I ever did on three. I would say that threes 3g network is probably better than EE'S in my experience but the thing is 4g is available in so many places that I hardly ever drop down to 3g. 4g in general is so good that it's easy to forget to switch wifi on as the difference isn't noticeable at all! I would recommend the switch but I would pick up a pay as go sim first to test coverage where you spend your time. My big reservation about leaving 3 was feel at home but given I spend 90% of my time in the UK I figure favouring performance here is the priority

19-04-2016, 15:39	#6
red_snow Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 133	If it is purely for resilience and you are generally happy with 3 ...... ....... why not get a PAYG SIM from VF or O2 and keep it for "emergencies". If the mast you (and partner) get your 3 signal from has a really serious issue then it is not beyond possibility that EE may also be impacted (often sharing masts). At least by having a VO2 SIM you may stand a higher chance of having a signal for calls etc?

19-04-2016, 18:14	#7
carcass Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 102	I moved from 3 to EE 10 days ago because of the price increase £10 in less than a year. Speed is nearly 3x as fast on EE: http://m.imgur.com/1SU2bbu

19-04-2016, 20:33	#8
Ben_Fisher Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Lincoln Posts: 577	I did this a year ago. Do not regret it, the 4G coverage is awesome where I am, can't remember the last time my phone said H or 3G with EE

19-04-2016, 21:39	#9
heskethbang Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Greater Birmingham Posts: 3,906	I tend to find that wherever there's a three signal, there's an EE signal. I've just got my PAC code for leaving three due to the withdrawal of a very favourable tariff, but the one thing stopping me is Feel at Home. Every other networks roaming strategy seems backward and complex by comparison. I go the US and Europe as often as possible and Feel at Home is saving me megabucks. I just don't have to think - go abroad, switch on phone, use as normal. Yes, streaming is throttled, but it's things like mapping and facebook that I use the most when overseas - and they work great! EE extra for calls and texts in the EU is well and good, but for data they just haven't got it together at all.

19-04-2016, 22:03	#10
david16 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Central Belt Posts: 12,290	EE’s MBB PAYG sims do not work in Nokia Asha 300 phones. Three’s MBB PAYG sims do work on those phones.

19-04-2016, 22:05	#11
david16 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Central Belt Posts: 12,290	Quote: Originally Posted by Ben_Fisher I did this a year ago. Do not regret it, the 4G coverage is awesome where I am, can't remember the last time my phone said H or 3G with EE Not where I am. It doesn’t stay permanently on 4G on my Samsung Galaxy S5. The 2 month × 100GB Christmas PAYG sim I was using on said phone often switched between 4G, H+, H, 3G, G and E.

19-04-2016, 22:52	#12
MatthiasSchilf Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 26	Thanks folks, some great input - much appreciated!

20-04-2016, 00:23	#13
carcass Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 102	Quote: Originally Posted by Ben_Fisher can't remember the last time my phone said H or 3G with EE Same as.

20-04-2016, 00:32	#14
packages Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 879	Really? In most indoor locations for me it always drops down to 3G. The 4G just isn't dense enough in my city yet.

20-04-2016, 05:58	#15
aldoH82 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 8	Quote: Originally Posted by packages Really? In most indoor locations for me it always drops down to 3G. The 4G just isn't dense enough in my city yet. That's what I would expect and certainly how it was on three but I do seem to hold onto 4g much better indoors on EE as well. The other day I was on my way to London on the train and I even had a 4g signal in a long tunnel. I couldn't believe it and thought the phone display hadn't updated but sure enough Web browsing was working and was speeding along!

20-04-2016, 07:34	#16
Ignite Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Dorset Posts: 1,709	New report says 3 worst network for 4G http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-36082145

20-04-2016, 07:45	#17
daleski75 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Northampton Posts: 1,014	Like everyone else has said before signing up for anything get yourself a payg simcard on EE and go everywhere where you need to have a signal and make a decision from there.

20-04-2016, 08:27	#18
simon69c Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Glasgow Posts: 1,415	Quote: Originally Posted by Ignite New report says 3 worst network for 4G http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-36082145 Well it says worst coverage, but best speeds for 4G - so if you are in an area covered by their 4G then Three is possibly going to be the best for you!

20-04-2016, 08:35	#19
Carl_Boys Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 164	Yeah I think m EE has a better 4g network and network in general but you pay for it ha three in the majority of time has data available when on the call, EE drops to 2g annoyingly, sometimes I get 4g speeds on 3G on three. Obviously in a congested ares it becomes issues but I've been with three for 3 years now and what ever I need to do on my phone the data has always been fine. With VOLTE and low frequency spectrum things can only improve. If the network is sold without hutchinsons backing il probably jump ship to Bt mobile 20gb but I think Three has a lot going for it. I tried to get my partner on it but the prices was more costly then the 20gb BT mobile package so didn't bother. I suppose what I'm getting at the 3G network of three is better then some of these networks 4g networks with speeds and coverage.

20-04-2016, 08:53	#20
corf Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,458	I moved from three to a speed capped EE service from BT. Its twice as fast as 3 on the whole with much more 4g availibility.

20-04-2016, 09:40	#21
BKM Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6,288	Quote: Originally Posted by corf I moved from three to a speed capped EE service from BT. Its twice as fast as 3 on the whole with much more 4g availibility. 4G is, at least in in my experience, overrated! In many places I have had almost as good speeds from 3 on their 3G network. That's after moving from EE to 3!

DS Forums

Defecting from Three to EE - any thoughts?

20-04-2016, 10:36	#22
nigelbb Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 834	Quote: Originally Posted by BKM 4G is, at least in in my experience, overrated! In many places I have had almost as good speeds from 3 on their 3G network. That's after moving from EE to 3! Agreed & what's the point of 4G speeds if you have a pathetically low data allowance?

20-04-2016, 10:49	#23
JBX101 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 18	Quote: Originally Posted by nigelbb Agreed & what's the point of 4G speeds if you have a pathetically low data allowance? Totally agree! For the price of EE packages, it should include Unlimited Data. Based on where I live (Coastal area), their network coverage map claims it covers my Coastal area and nearby coastal towns which is great (compared to Three)! Since I use over 30GB per month (Netflix during commute), EE's current packages have insufficient inclusive data i.e. £35pm for only 16GB on EE on "Double Speed 4GEE", certainly not enough incentive for me to switch to them.

20-04-2016, 11:39	#24
Mark in Essex Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,644	I'm guessing you want a different network to your other half for emergency people calling you and the network being down and not you calling out? If so don't EE share masts with Three and if so if there is trouble with a mast could this cause issues on both networks? Just a thought and not sure if it ever happens?

20-04-2016, 11:40	#25
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by nigelbb what's the point of 4G speeds if you have a pathetically low data allowance? Is there some sort of computer controlled rota that makes this question appear at set intervals?