Trying different providers' sims?

Mayaboo

Is it possible to get sims from different providers and try them out to see which gives the best signal?How much data would I have  to put on them?Tia

BikingBud

Not sure you need to do anything other than install them and see what signal strength you get. Try here:

https://www.latestfreestuff.co.uk/free-sim-cards/
 

PHK

It’s usually necessary to try them in a few different places at different times. 

Also if you are going to use data then you’d want to try them out. 

400ixl

First off use the provider websites to see which say they will give good coverage (4G indoors for example) for the postcodes you will likely be using the phone at. Then look at what they offer for what price and make a prioritised list in that order to try them.

You should then for most be able to get a pay as you go SIM card that you can put something like 1Gb of data on. Hopefully the first one will then work for you, but you may need to try a few.

Mayaboo

So do I have to put credit on them to try them at home ?

PHK

Unless the provider offers some calls and data to get you started then you’ll need to add credit as you’ll want to check it actually works

(Depending on how congested the network is in your area then you can have signal but when you come to use it, very low data speeds or calls the cut off) 

Neil49

There are only 4 network providers in the UK with numerous MVNO's running services through them. 

Here's a link to a list of mvno's and the networks they run off. You just need select one of each to check reception in your area and then check user reviews to identify the duffers in terms of customer service etc. 

https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/guides/mvnos-a-guide-to-coverage-and-pros-and-cons-of-virtual-networks/

If you need to purchase some data then there are a number of providers who frequently offer cheap deals. I've currently got a Lebara sim in a spare phone costing me 1p per month for 6 months and has loads of data included.. They use the Vodafone network.

If your phone supports WiFi calling then your reception at home is less of an issue as your home broadband will support your phone connection.

If possible try and get a monthly contract rather than annual as this will allow you to switch to another provider should you be unhappy with your chosen network. 

PHK

Neil49 said:

There are only 4 network providers in the UK with numerous MVNO's running services through them. 

Here's a link to a list of mvno's and the networks they run off. You just need select one of each to check reception in your area and then check user reviews to identify the duffers in terms of customer service etc. 

https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/guides/mvnos-a-guide-to-coverage-and-pros-and-cons-of-virtual-networks/

If you need to purchase some data then there are a number of providers who frequently offer cheap deals. I've currently got a Lebara sim in a spare phone costing me 1p per month for 6 months and has loads of data included.. They use the Vodafone network.

If your phone supports WiFi calling then your reception at home is less of an issue as your home broadband will support your phone connection.

If possible try and get a monthly contract rather than annual as this will allow you to switch to another provider should you be unhappy with your chosen network. 

It’s true that there are only for network providers but were MVNOs are concerned there are some wrinkles

An MVNO might not have access to all the bands  that the physical network offers. 

MVNOs come in different types, some have their own core networks but use the bare stations if the host. Whereas others are little more than billing systems. 

Some networks (eg O2) assign different priorities to MVNOs (and their own pay as you go customers)

MVNOs do not necessarily offer the same features as the host network (eg Wi-Fi Calling or VoLTE/VoNR/Vo5G

what this means is with the same signal strength, your experience is probably going to be different between MVNOs on the same network. 

Mayaboo

Neil49 said:

There are only 4 network providers in the UK with numerous MVNO's running services through them. 

Here's a link to a list of mvno's and the networks they run off. You just need select one of each to check reception in your area and then check user reviews to identify the duffers in terms of customer service etc. 

https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/guides/mvnos-a-guide-to-coverage-and-pros-and-cons-of-virtual-networks/

If you need to purchase some data then there are a number of providers who frequently offer cheap deals. I've currently got a Lebara sim in a spare phone costing me 1p per month for 6 months and has loads of data included.. They use the Vodafone network.

If your phone supports WiFi calling then your reception at home is less of an issue as your home broadband will support your phone connection.

If possible try and get a monthly contract rather than annual as this will allow you to switch to another provider should you be unhappy with your chosen network. 

Yes I've now tried Lebara and it works fine. I'll go with their cheap sim deal after Christmas 

sevenhills

Mayaboo said:

Neil49 said:

There are only 4 network providers in the UK with numerous MVNO's running services through them. 

Here's a link to a list of mvno's and the networks they run off. You just need select one of each to check reception in your area and then check user reviews to identify the duffers in terms of customer service etc. 

https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/guides/mvnos-a-guide-to-coverage-and-pros-and-cons-of-virtual-networks/

If you need to purchase some data then there are a number of providers who frequently offer cheap deals. I've currently got a Lebara sim in a spare phone costing me 1p per month for 6 months and has loads of data included.. They use the Vodafone network.

If your phone supports WiFi calling then your reception at home is less of an issue as your home broadband will support your phone connection.

If possible try and get a monthly contract rather than annual as this will allow you to switch to another provider should you be unhappy with your chosen network. 

Yes I've now tried Lebara and it works fine. I'll go with their cheap sim deal after Christmas 

I am just waiting for my Lebara SIM card, £3.18 per month for the first three months, 21gb

Mayaboo

sevenhills said:

Mayaboo said:

Neil49 said:

There are only 4 network providers in the UK with numerous MVNO's running services through them. 

Here's a link to a list of mvno's and the networks they run off. You just need select one of each to check reception in your area and then check user reviews to identify the duffers in terms of customer service etc. 

https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/guides/mvnos-a-guide-to-coverage-and-pros-and-cons-of-virtual-networks/

If you need to purchase some data then there are a number of providers who frequently offer cheap deals. I've currently got a Lebara sim in a spare phone costing me 1p per month for 6 months and has loads of data included.. They use the Vodafone network.

If your phone supports WiFi calling then your reception at home is less of an issue as your home broadband will support your phone connection.

If possible try and get a monthly contract rather than annual as this will allow you to switch to another provider should you be unhappy with your chosen network. 

Yes I've now tried Lebara and it works fine. I'll go with their cheap sim deal after Christmas 

I am just waiting for my Lebara SIM card, £3.18 per month for the first three months, 21gb

I only use about 10gb so I'm going with 12.