Which network

jeff_chandler

I'm still with EE and yet to change.

My sim only contract ran out months ago, I don't want to be committed to another 24 months contract. My data runs out very quickly as I only have 5 gb. I'm looking for one of the cheaper networks who offer great prices with plenty data. I have been told that using Lebera, Lyca, Tesco, the data can be a lot slower than what I currently get with EE. Can anyone shine some light on this.

Jeff

la531983

You have been told a lie, I have been with Lebara months, works absolutely fine.

flaneurs_lobster

What are you doing with your phone that requires "fast data"?

Can't be streaming movies - 5GB is about half a Nolan.

I'd be more concerned with making sure that any network I'm considering that doesn't use EE will still give decent coverage if at all.

Woodstok2000

There may be speed differences between networks, and some may throttle usage, but its debatable whether you will notice it.

Im on lebara, switched from EE, didnt notice any difference in speed. I have a work phone on Vodafone and the speed is the same too. Go for the cheapest option that has good coverage where you will use it most. Ideally this would be from experience of actual usage as the coverage maps aren't the best for that sort of thing.

Frozen_up_north

I have a business grade (whatever that means) SIM on EE and a 1p Mobile SIM. There is no difference in 5G download speeds between them. 1p use the EE network, which despite being hailed as "the UKs most reliable network" has a lot of issues here, I receive emails most weeks from EE saying the local site is having problems, I do wish they would fix it rather than just sending emails.

Incidentally, here EE is the only game for anyone wanting a 5G connection. Overall it is pretty good except for the poor reliability of the local site, which has had problems on 3rd June, 28th June, 1st July, 14th July, 27th July, 1st August, 8th August, 13th August and 14th August… all stored on my email trail.

spud17

Be aware that some (many?) of the EE sim accounts limit download speed to 100Mbps.

This is not the case wih 1p Mobile.

mwarby

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82106078#Comment_82106078

I use 1p mobile myself, but I wouldn't be overly concerned by a 100Mbps speed cap. What would you do on a mobile phone that uses more than that ? You could hotspot a family all streaming and it would be ok (just)

ButterCheese

I have been with ID Mobile for years, and they use the 3 Network. I've always found them good for price i.e. if I remember correctly I was paying £13/month for unlimited calls and 12GB data.

The app is very good, and the signal not bad either. Between me and my family, we've had O2, Vodafone, VM and there is no noticeable difference in signal. I've never had 5g consistently, maybe 5% of the locations I've been in, so don't be convinced that a particular network can offer the fastest service. They all offer 5g but it's hit or miss when you're in a strong enough area to connect. That said, 4g has been more than enough for anything I've ever wanted.

As i sit at home, it's showing 5g on my phone, and speed test reveals 23.5mb download, and 2.74mb upload

ButterCheese

Also, you say you don't want to be tied in to another 24 months. I think they also do monthly contracts as well. I don't understand why, but they seem to be very similar or even sometimes cheaper than 12 or 24 months??

jeff_chandler

Thanks for all the replies, I believe Lebera seems to be the ideal network for me.EE keep rising their prices.

To answer a question, I have a summerhouse bottom of garden, our wifi doesn't reach there, I know there are devices that could solve that problem, but very expensive.

redux

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82106559#Comment_82106559

If your router has WiFi external antenna(s), either standard or optionally, you could make a parabolic reflector to fix round it/them from some light cardboard (I used a hanging file) with aluminium foil stuck on. Look online for templates.

I did that years ago with a bought 5/8 whip antenna on an old Netgear. The router was then in the outer corner of my ground floor bedroom, and the signal was ok at the TV about 40 feet away via 2 brick walls