MSE News: Don't be put off switching to a cheap piggyback mobile network

MSE_Chris

The secret to slashing mobile costs is switching to a piggyback provider, as they tend to be far cheaper than the four main networks. Many are worried they'll get a worse signal with a smaller firm – but new research reveals only subtle performance differences that generally WON'T be noticeable in everyday tasks, while the amount you can save on the cost is often substantial.

Read the full story:
'Don't be put off switching to a cheap piggyback mobile network – there's 'no noticeable difference in signal' for most'

If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.

ccluedo

I got a cheap Lebara (Vodafone) deal a couple of months ago and it's speed is chronically poor. 
I have a newish dual sim phone and no broadband/fibre. Instead, I use a 4g router. (5g unavailable.) 
The second sim is usually O2 or EE.
I consistently get over 35mbps with EE and o2 whether I use it in my phone or in the router - at any time of day. 
Lucky to get 5mbps with Lebara sim, unless it's overnight when it miraculously hits over 30mbps.
A neighbour has a Vodafone sim and has no such issues.
Spoken to Lebara numerous times and carried out their suggestions but not even a slight improvement. 
I can only assume that as it's a cheap sim, they throttle the speed.

Luckily, no contract so won't be renewing at end of second month I'm afraid.

Just my experience. 

oldagetraveller1

No doubt others' experience will be different. I have a Lebara s.i.m. and have just checked my download and upload speeds, 4G. Download 85mb/s, upload 8mb/s.

As you write, if it's not good for you, it's a rolling contract, with the optionof easily porting elsewhere,

PHK

I've found that Lebara and Lyca has terrible customer service. You'd be fine if nothing went wrong.

Lebara are also notorious at pretending there's a payment issue which cancels any special deals you have but then they try again the same day and the payment goes through. They then won't re-instate the special deal. (There's a few threads about this )

On the other hand, I found Voxi,Smarty and 1p  mobile to have good (if slow customer service) via chat.

1p even offers almost the complete EE service including 5G, Visual voicemail etc but no eSIM which is strange v

Frozen_up_north

Another vote for 1p, but as PHK mentioned, the slow customer service is tedious but the saving is significant.

I get around 160 Mb/s download on 5G, which obviously varies with how busy the site is and how far away you are. Side by side comparison with another 5G phone fitted with an EE SIM (1p "piggyback" on EE), gives identical speeds at the same location.

jimjames

PHK said:

Lebara are also notorious at pretending there's a payment issue which cancels any special deals you have but then they try again the same day and the payment goes through. They then won't re-instate the special deal. (There's a few threads about this )

I've been with Lebara around 4 years and never had any payment issues and never had any problems with download speed.

Vitor

I was happy using Lebera and GiffGaff in my dual SIM S22 for several years. However, the Virgin/O2 Volt deal tempted me back to O2. I noticed that the 'full fat' service from O2 enabled features like reliable WiFi calling, access to a large number of O2 WiFi hotspots, support in O2 shops. Maybe not features everyone values, of course.

nomisnotrab

I am with Smarty which MSE says piggybacks on the Three network.

They have just notified me that it also piggybacks on the Vodafone network because the two networks have merged.

Now I get the best signal automatically, whether it is from Three or Vodafone, at no extra cost.
To get this I don't have to do anything.

See:https://
help.smarty.co.uk/en/articles/10235435-what-does-three-s-merger-with-vodafone-mean-for-smarty


I can find no mention of this in the best SIM-only deals guide on MSE...time for an update?

brewerdave

nomisnotrab said:

I am with Smarty which MSE says piggybacks on the Three network.

They have just notified me that it also piggybacks on the Vodafone network because the two networks have merged.

Now I get the best signal automatically, whether it is from Three or Vodafone, at no extra cost.
To get this I don't have to do anything.

See:https://
help.smarty.co.uk/en/articles/10235435-what-does-three-s-merger-with-vodafone-mean-for-smarty


I can find no mention of this in the best SIM-only deals guide on MSE...time for an update?

THINK this merger of networks is happening slowly, region by region. Not everywhere will gain the advantage for quite a while apparently.

MSE_Chris

nomisnotrab said:

I am with Smarty which MSE says piggybacks on the Three network.

They have just notified me that it also piggybacks on the Vodafone network because the two networks have merged.

Now I get the best signal automatically, whether it is from Three or Vodafone, at no extra cost.
To get this I don't have to do anything.

See:https://
help.smarty.co.uk/en/articles/10235435-what-does-three-s-merger-with-vodafone-mean-for-smarty


I can find no mention of this in the best SIM-only deals guide on MSE...time for an update?

As mentioned by Brewerdave, it's a gradual roll out which has only just begun. At the moment, it's best to ignore all the marketing Vodafone and Three are pumping out about this as it's only been rolled out to 500 masts across the UK.

It plans to deploy to over 95% of masts over the next six years and you won't always know when you're using Voda's signal and vice versa. More info on it here:

https://www.vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/features/merger-sharing-mobile-networks-everything-you-need-to-know-mocn/