|
||||||||
EE vs Three and Vodafone vs O2 |
![]() |
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|
#1 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 73
|
EE vs Three and Vodafone vs O2
I've been looking at the coverage maps and thinking about mobile phone networks again lately as the end of my contract is approaching. I have my heart set on EE as they offer fantastic coverage and are regarded as the best network. However, despite this, some areas do get a very weak or non existent signal from EE (particularly inside) and in these areas, Vodafone or O2 would be the only option (not an issue for me luckily). Also, moving from Three, I was wondering how the coverage compared.
I know that EE and Three share masts through the MBNL partnership, and Vodafone and O2 likewise through Cornerstone, but by how much does the coverage differ between the two networks in the same partnership? Obviously Three don't have any 2G and their 4G coverage lags behind EE's, but as far as 3G is concerned, are they now more or less identical. I know EE have a few old and slow Orange masts broadcasting 3G, but are there any areas where you can get a good 3G signal on Three and end up with only 2G on EE? Or is 3G coverage more or less the same with perhaps slightly better coverage on EE thanks to the old Orange masts? Similarly for Vodafone and O2, is coverage very similar between the two of them? Vodafone has more 4G capacity, but how do they compare 2G and 3G wise? Are there many areas that O2 is available and Vodafone isn't and vice versa? I was thinking of putting a Vodafone PAYG sim in my current phone once I get a new phone on EE as I'll use my old phone as a backup. Would an O2 sim be any better in any way or is Vodafone the best of the Cornerstone networks? Many thanks Ryan |
|
|
|
|
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
|
|
|
#2 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Surrey, UK
Posts: 660
|
Vodafone and O2 are generally very much the same apart from the centres of top tier cities like London and one or two other high load areas. They both have areas of two carrier 4G (LTE-A/4G+) deployed. However, O2 has more coverage whereas Vodafone's has more capacity,
EE has by far the most 4G+ coverage and it has the most capacity. So if you want speed and consistently awesome urban performance, go EE. 4G+ Speed and coverage comparison Video In terms of coverage, EE (and 3) primarily have used high frequencies which does restrict coverage indoors slightly. However, they have a higher density of masts to make up for this. EE and 3 have low frequency 4G (800MHz) now to boost coverage in the hardest to reach areas. EE's should be gaining a massive power up soon to make EE's coverage absolutely incredible. Afterall, it has to be incredible for the Emergency Services network (ESN) |
|
|
|
|
|
#3 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: This forum
Posts: 3,388
|
Quote:
EE's should be gaining a massive power up soon to make EE's coverage absolutely incredible.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#4 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 73
|
Quote:
Vodafone and O2 are generally very much the same apart from the centres of top tier cities like London and one or two other high load areas. They both have areas of two carrier 4G (LTE-A/4G+) deployed. However, O2 has more coverage whereas Vodafone's has more capacity,
EE has by far the most 4G+ coverage and it has the most capacity. So if you want speed and consistently awesome urban performance, go EE. 4G+ Speed and coverage comparison Video In terms of coverage, EE (and 3) primarily have used high frequencies which does restrict coverage indoors slightly. However, they have a higher density of masts to make up for this. EE and 3 have low frequency 4G (800MHz) now to boost coverage in the hardest to reach areas. EE's should be gaining a massive power up soon to make EE's coverage absolutely incredible. Afterall, it has to be incredible for the Emergency Services network (ESN) When you say that O2 and Vodafone are pretty much the same, does that include 2G coverage? Is it rare for Vodafone to not have a signal and O2 to have a signal or vice versa? Or are they generally very similar for 2G coverage? As for there 4G, Vodafone seems to be doing slightly better thanks to their 2600 Mhz band, but I'm pleased to see O2 converting their 1800 Mhz to 4G as well to improve capacity. How much 1800 Mhz 2G was about on O2 and Vodafone? Was it mostly in cities? And how did they come to have such a small amount of 1800 Mhz in the first place? Going back to MBNL, is it likely that I'll see any drop in performance by switching from Three to EE as far as 3G goes? Does Three have any 3G masts outside of MBNL? I guess if now, EE should perform better do to their increased 4G coverage and capacity so in the event I can't get a 4G signal, their 3G should be faster anyway most of the time? |
|
|
|
|
|
#5 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Surrey, UK
Posts: 660
|
In the non-upgraded or areas where VF/O2 do not colocate (London), there can be 2G coverage differences. This is especially true in very rural locations. However, they're becoming more similar by the day.
O2 has other 4G capacity approaches. Both VF and O2 have 2x5.8MHz of 1800MHz spectrum; Orange and T-mobile got most of it. Three and EE 3G is mostly similar from my tests, though I mostly focus on best technology in an area so very few samples. Some areas have 3 3G and no EE 3G and vice versa. Very few though. Aldbrough, E. Yorks is one place with 3 3G but EE 2G currently. Will no doubt gain EE 2G/3G/4G very soon. |
|
|
|
|
|
#6 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 871
|
Quote:
It is believed only for handsets that are VoLTE compatible and detected as such by EE's systems. Just the same as Three's 800mhz which needs a VoLTE capable and enabled handset. Its typically the iPhone 6/6s, 6+/6s+ and some specific Android models with the network software.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#7 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 133
|
I was on EE for some time and moved to O2. Generally, where I spend 95% of my week, the 4G coverage from O2 is good. One of my main reasons for moving was the poor indoor coverage of both EE and 3. I have noticed in at least 5-6 locations where I have been locally, where EE signal would die indoors but O2 is still usable.
Yes there have been areas in the sticks where O2 is 2G/Edge only and there may be a whiff of EE/3 3/4G albeit very weak and slow. In some cases, I curse O2 for Edge only and then my partner looks at her EE phone and has nothing
|
|
|
|
|
|
#8 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 550
|
I'm in the same boat as the OP. On Three with my contract running out next month.
I tend not to have much signal in my flat unless i'm near windows also my storage for work is quite rural and mostly have no signal. I went and got an EE sim to try over the month to see if it's any good. I mainly need a reliable signal for calls and data. Do EE still compress images on mobile websites? |
|
|
|
|
|
#9 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 73
|
Quote:
I was on EE for some time and moved to O2. Generally, where I spend 95% of my week, the 4G coverage from O2 is good. One of my main reasons for moving was the poor indoor coverage of both EE and 3. I have noticed in at least 5-6 locations where I have been locally, where EE signal would die indoors but O2 is still usable.
Yes there have been areas in the sticks where O2 is 2G/Edge only and there may be a whiff of EE/3 3/4G albeit very weak and slow. In some cases, I curse O2 for Edge only and then my partner looks at her EE phone and has nothing ![]() It'll be interesting to see what things look like in five years time. O2 and Vodafone will have hopefully rolled out 3G and 4G to most places thanks to Cornerstone and thanks to the low frequencies used for all technologies, the coverage should be similar for all of them. EE, on the other hand, probably won't be able to match Cornerstone's 2G and 3G coverage by then, but will instead be focusing on their 4G coverage. 4G 1800 will more or less match their 2G coverage, while thanks to their 4G 800 being for VoLTE phones only, that will likely have better coverage than Cornerstone. |
|
|
|
|
|
#10 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: This forum
Posts: 3,388
|
Quote:
It'll be interesting to see what things look like in five years time. O2 and Vodafone will have hopefully rolled out 3G and 4G to most places thanks to Cornerstone and thanks to the low frequencies used for all technologies, the coverage should be similar for all of them. EE, on the other hand, probably won't be able to match Cornerstone's 2G and 3G coverage by then, but will instead be focusing on their 4G coverage. 4G 1800 will more or less match their 2G coverage, while thanks to their 4G 800 being for VoLTE phones only, that will likely have better coverage than Cornerstone.
All Conjecture of course
|
|
|
|
|
|
#11 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 93
|
Quote:
Yes in 5years time nobody will care about 2G or 3G as 800mhz and maybe even 700mhz will be around for coverage; and EE's dense network will be using 20mhz of 1800 in the majority of locations with a power increase, with two carriers at 2600 as well for busy towns and road junctions. Cornerstone will still be persuading their customers to give up their ancient 2G only devices and those business clients still hanging on to iPhone 4s and early iPhone 5 handsets and move to something supporting VoLTE.
All Conjecture of course ![]() |
|
|
|
|
|
#12 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,294
|
Quote:
Can all this technology be added to Telegraph pole style masts?
|
|
|
|
|
|
#13 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 2,875
|
We were saying back in 2008 than in five years coverage would be everywhere and it isn't.
I won't my breath for now. |
|
|
|
|
|
#14 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 871
|
Quote:
We were saying back in 2008 than in five years coverage would be everywhere and it isn't.
I won't my breath for now. |
|
|
|
|
|
#15 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Portsmouth
Posts: 787
|
Quote:
EE have got the best chance of actually doing it though due to the ESN contract
|
|
|
|
|
|
#16 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,294
|
Quote:
But if you go by voice and text coverage, Vodafone is a long way ahead of EE.
Vodafone have had historical advantages such as low frequency spectrum and being able to get their towers out rurally before NIMBYism became a big issue, looks as though they'll have some very serious competition in the voice/text coverage area soon. |
|
|
|
|
|
#17 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 102
|
Quote:
EE have got the best chance of actually doing it though due to the ESN contract
|
|
|
|
|
|
#18 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Portsmouth
Posts: 787
|
Quote:
800 will fix that for the most part. Vodafone have said their aim for Project Spring is 90% graphic coverage I think where as EE's it's 95% geographic coverage. That 5% geographic will make a huge difference.
Vodafone have had historical advantages such as low frequency spectrum and being able to get their towers out rurally before NIMBYism became a big issue, looks as though they'll have some very serious competition in the voice/text coverage area soon. |
|
|
|
|
|
#19 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: a land filled with trolls
Posts: 12,010
|
Now EE plans 95% geographic coverage, that should change now. I wonder if LTE 450 could ever be used here? That could probably get things up to nearer 100% as has been made possible elsewhere where deployed.
|
|
|
|
|
#20 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,294
|
Quote:
Yes 800 will help immensely, but, particularly in Scotland, there are areas which EE just don't cover, including several of the Western Isles. T-Mobile never tried and Orange didn't quite get there before France Telecom bought them and cancelled network investment....
|
|
|
|
|
|
#21 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 2,875
|
Can somebody post the coverage map for 2020 please?
|
|
|
|
|
|
#22 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 871
|
Quote:
Can somebody post the coverage map for 2020 please?
|
|
|
|
|
|
#23 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: This forum
Posts: 3,388
|
Quote:
Do EE still compress images on mobile websites?
|
|
|
|
|
|
#24 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: This forum
Posts: 3,388
|
Quote:
If you are using an ESN handset of course
![]() |
|
|
|
|
|
#25 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: This forum
Posts: 3,388
|
Quote:
But if you go by voice and text coverage, Vodafone is a long way ahead of EE.
Where Vodafone has working 2G I normally get 3G or better with EE. Indoors I get 3G on EE where I get 2G on vodafone and I get data on EE where Vodafone can't do iMessage or WhatsApp. Hence I prefer EE
|
|
|
|
![]() |
| Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
All times are GMT. The time now is 19:43.



