MSE guide discussion - Piggybacking - need to keep your signal? You can still switch network

MSE_Chris

Hi all,

Just starting a new thread as we've recently optimized our Piggybacking guide.

Piggerbackers have come a long way, with some now offering 5G, Wi-Fi calling, visual voicemail and '4G calling' (VoLTE).

Do you use any of these extra features?

Also, what's your experiences switching Sims? Do you find it easy to do?

Finally, has anyone switched to a piggybacker on a 1mth contract, then back to the main network for that hot 'new customer' deal?

We're keen to hear your piggybacking network experiences. 

Thanks,

MSE Chris

Supatramp

Been with Virgin, who piggyback on EE, for several years now, as has my wife,  no problems, other than the terrible foreign CS.  5g doesn't apply where we are, wifi calling would be useful when the local EE mast goes loopy, but otherwise quite happy.  EE comes nowhere near Virgin on pricing, so don't no how that works.

Neil49

Was with Plusnet (EE) for many years with only the lack of short code sms functionality being an issue. We moved house and the signal wasn't too good but others weren't much better or were worse but Plusnet didn't offer wifi calling. 

Switched to Three on a cheap monthly contract and got wifi calling (which works well) and short code sms. Will move to ID Mobile (Three network) on a monthly rollover basis once the cheap contract with Three comes to an end. They also offer wifi calling. 

tinker411

It depends who the provider is piggybacking on, but in general I've found - particularly on pay as you go - if you use a piggyback (MVNO) network there's either:

something missing (e.g. 4G calling, WiFi calling)

or

there's something in place that the parent network doesn't have quite so much of (e.g. data speed caps, short code sms restrictions).

There are exceptions of course - offhand; Sky Mobile has 4G calling and sms (mother O2 has 4G calling only, no sms over 4G there), ID mobile has 4G calling and WiFi calling on contract (but not on payg), and both Smarty and Voxi have 4G calling/sms and WiFi calling/sms (or are rolling it out in the case of the latter).

I've used piggyback networks several times over the years - other than the something missing/something added bits above, the primary difference (as it is between the operators themselves) is customer service, which on some of the piggybacks can be quite... errrm... an 'interesting' experience at times.

[Deleted User]

Some of MNVOs and even packages on the parent network don't provide full network access.

EE 800MHz 4G coverage is very valuable for indoor coverage but is only available for EE phone/sim only and BT Mobile customers.

AK47UK

Supatramp said:

Been with Virgin, who piggyback on EE, for several years now, as has my wife,  no problems, other than the terrible foreign CS.  5g doesn't apply where we are, wifi calling would be useful when the local EE mast goes loopy, but otherwise quite happy.  EE comes nowhere near Virgin on pricing, so don't no how that works.

As of 2021, new customers signing up to Virgin are put on the Vodafone network and later this year existing customers will be switched to Voda too.

This is what has brought me here today, I wanted to try and find info about whether this change means anyone in contract can cancel penalty free as Voda signal in my area is terrible. I signed my sister up recently, before I knew about this change, and she has been getting bad signal but as she is out of her cooling off period and was put on Vodafone from the start of the contract I am not sure if I can get her out of her sim only deal. 

adem

Hi, the comparisons that are made on MSE is great and helps with my decision making. Another criteria that might help with deciding which company to go for is if they allow tethering or hot spot on your phone. I've discovered that some do and some don't. In my case I do need tethering.

yatp1

I recently switched to Lebara via MSE for a cheaper deal but they can’t provide wi-fi calling on my Google Pixel phone. ID mobile did so no doubt I’ll go back to them in due course.

ProDave

[Deleted User] said:

Some of MNVOs and even packages on the parent network don't provide full network access.

EE 800MHz 4G coverage is very valuable for indoor coverage but is only available for EE phone/sim only and BT Mobile customers.

I switched to 1P mobile.  They use the EE network AND they use the 800Mhz Band 20 and provide VoLTE and wifi calling.

The reason i switched is my previous operator never managed to get wifi calling to work even thought they said is should.  And as far as i can tell (please tell if you know otherwise)  1P Mobile are the only MNVO to offer wifi calling and VoLTE (RWE say they will soon)

alanjones60

Smarty do wifi calling and voLTE

As a side note,and the reason im with three on payg is they allow it as well,most dont let access unless your on a contract

tinker411

ProDave said:

[Deleted User] said:

Some of MNVOs and even packages on the parent network don't provide full network access.

EE 800MHz 4G coverage is very valuable for indoor coverage but is only available for EE phone/sim only and BT Mobile customers.

I switched to 1P mobile.  They use the EE network AND they use the 800Mhz Band 20 and provide VoLTE and wifi calling.

The reason i switched is my previous operator never managed to get wifi calling to work even thought they said is should.  And as far as i can tell (please tell if you know otherwise)  1P Mobile are the only MNVO to offer wifi calling and VoLTE (RWE say they will soon)

Well, 1p Mobile and; Smarty (owned by Three), Voxi and Talkmobile (owned by Vodafone), Lebara, iD Mobile, UW and Sky Mobile - all MVNOs, all offer VoLTE and WiFi calling, subject to handset.

In most cases with these if your handset supports it then you'll get it, most obvious exception to this appears to be Sky Mobile where if your handset is not on their supported list then you won't get it - even when your handset would support it.