Can I check coverage with a new SIM that has no credit

Tunstallstoven

Hi

I am moving house this week to an area that has poor mobile coverage. I've had a look at the Ofcom program, but I'm not sure how reliable that will be. And whatsmore, it often shows us on the cusp of two colours.

So I was thinking of ordering a free SIM from each of the three network providers (I already have an o2 phone so don't need that) and trying them out for myself once there.

I wondered if anyone could confirm if that would work, or whether I would need to put credit on the SIMs?

Many thanks

[Deleted User]

Get an Asda sim for the EE network as they have 10 mins, 10 texts and 10MB of data on them (I think that's correct), the other 2 will at least show how many bars you get and which service you can get (4G/H etc).

Your phone has to be unlocked of course.

HHarry

It works for Three as I've just done it. In fact when you order it, one of the options is 'I want to check coverage'

d123

@seagull27

What phone do you have?

Getting a PAYG sim may not show you the full signal available on EE (for example), EE PAYG and the MVNO networks like ASDA don’t have access to the full EE network so there could be places where a contract sim could have good service but an MVNO or PAYG sim has no service.

There are similar issues with some MVNO’s on Three, but Three give their own PAYG customers full access if they have a compatible phone.

Tunstallstoven

Hmmm, that's not good news. I have a Motorola g6 Play. I am currently with Tesco on contract so I guess I have O2 covered.

For the remainders:

- Vodafone - I have ordered a free SIM directly from them.
- Three - I have ordered a free SIM directly from them.
- EE - I ordered an ASDA SIM as per the above info.

So which will/won't show me what signal I would get if on a contract? My current contract finishes in February so it would be really good if I can find out what the best option would be by then in terms of contract (although I am not a heavy user and so would also consider a PAYG if it made any difference).

Thanks for all the help

[Deleted User]

Seagull27 wrote: »

Hmmm, that's not good news. I have a Motorola g6 Play. I am currently with Tesco on contract so I guess I have O2 covered.

For the remainders:

- Vodafone - I have ordered a free SIM directly from them.
- Three - I have ordered a free SIM directly from them.
- EE - I ordered an ASDA SIM as per the above info.

So which will/won't show me what signal I would get if on a contract?

Possibly the Asda sim (as d123 pointed out) and of course possibly your current Tesco sim. Of course if the Asda sim gets a good signal then an EE sim can only be at least as good.

Have you actually tried your Tesco sim in the area? It'll save you a lot of time if you get a decent signal.

Frozen_up_north

Don’t forget to check coverage in local supermarkets (and pubs, etc) and routes to towns/villages you might travel to.

The Rootmetrics app will give some idea where actual users have good (or poor) data rates, provided others have been there and used the app. It allows you to switch between the 4 UK networks but doesn’t indicate whether the user was indoors or outside.

glennevis

Rootmetrics won't tell you whether an individual can get a good signal indoors as its just aggregated data, so it is not much use if you are on the fringes of a good area.
You can check out the actual signal strength using your phone and your SIM cards rather than relying on what the network coverage maps claim.
I use an android app called Network Cell Info, developer is Wilysis.
It measures the signal strength in real time and presents the info in an easy to read dashboard. Gives you green/amber/red status to gauge the quality of the signal which changes as you move around the house or neighbourhood. Also tells you whether you are getting 3G/4G signal.

d123

Frozen_up_north wrote: »

Don’t forget to check coverage in local supermarkets (and pubs, etc) and routes to towns/villages you might travel to.

The Rootmetrics app will give some idea where actual users have good (or poor) data rates, provided others have been there and used the app. It allows you to switch between the 4 UK networks but doesn’t indicate whether the user was indoors or outside.

The G6 Play is listed as both 4G Calling and Wi-Fi Calling compatible on EE, so if the OP was on a contract with EE the likelihood is the phone should have better coverage (either via band 20 or using the store/pub etc Wi-Fi for Wi-Fi Calling).

The only problem is it isn’t said if it works on all models of the G6 Play or only on handsets sold by EE.

G6Play EE website