PAYG alternative(s) to EE?

Telegraph_Sam

I took out a PAYE deal with Asda mobile as recommended on this site for low usage. The problem is that I cannot get a phone signal inside my house. Asda uses the EE network but say that they have no influence on EE technical issues such as signal strength. I was considering switching to 1 p Mobile instead, another of the recommendations. But it turns out that 1 p uses EE as well and has similarly no influence over signal quality.  I contacted EE direct but they don't want to know because I am not a direct customer.
I have used other mobiles in my house without problems.
Question: Are there good value PAYG low usage deals to be had that do not rely on EE???

JJ_Egan

Giffgaff is O2 network .

Start by finding the best network for your house . Then pick a supplier .

Telegraph_Sam

That's a good tip thanks. My other phone is O2 (but I can't get their original existing "Classic" tariff on another phone unfortunately) but giffgaff sounds like worth investigating. You can get the signal strength coverage "maps" from the various suppliers but it seems that these are indicative only and of little practical use if one is stranded without a signal!

Farway

Tesco is also O2

Telegraph_Sam

Tks, will add them also to the research!

JJ_Egan

Grab  some network cards and test .

PRAISETHESUN

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mobiles/piggybacking/

I agree with the posts above - grab a free PAYG sim for each of the 4 main carriers and see which gives the best signal. After that you can figure out which provider who uses that network offers the best value for money.

Telegraph_Sam

To cut down on the legwork is there an easy way to see which other providers (like giffgaff and Tesco) tap into the O2 network?

Telegraph_Sam

Even though for some reason it doesn't appear in my Best Buy table, from what I can deduce the Tesco Lite deal seems to be good value @ 8p/min compared with the others - if I want just a standby no-strings attached, no commitment, bundle-free 2nd mobile mainly for "emergency" calls (emergency in the sense that mobile no 1 goes walkabout). Unless I have missed something?

Farway

Telegraph_Sam said:

To cut down on the legwork is there an easy way to see which other providers (like giffgaff and Tesco) tap into the O2 network?

Mooch around here, he keeps it up to date and has list of who piggy backs on who  

https://kenstechtips.com/

https://kenstechtips.com/index.php/mobile-operators-explained-virtual-networks-and-coverage

Telegraph_Sam

Very interesting thanks. I note that the Asda Mobile / EE coverage for this area is rated as "very good" but this must only apply to making and receiving calls outside of the house (!).  What is also confusing is when you look up a PAYG tariff (some not all) only to find that there is a monthly top-up or payment commitment in addition presumably regardless of whether any calls are made.