3G coverage

westhinder

westhinder

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I will be doing a cruise around Britain from May to August and am trying to determine which mobile network provider would be best for phone and data.
Which network has the best coverage in remote places like the Hebrides? Where are the best deals to be had? I am thinking some pay as you go formula would probably be best, or can you recommend any other formula?
Many thanks.
 
I can only speak for the West coast of Scotland, where you'll be lucky to find 3G anywhere other than near towns such as Oban and Fort William, if even there. I've used Vodafone, O2, and Orange (which I think is now called EE). I'm not convinced one is better than the others, it just varies from place to place. I'd probably go for PAYG sim cards if I were you, and might consider getting one or two, to spread your bets a bit with different networks - particularly if you're thinking of this purely for data access rather than accepting incoming calls (in which case I can see one number would be convenient). The pre-3G data service does exist in around the coast, but is quite mixed - I'd be wary of relying on it; you'll often find it's better out at sea than in anchorages (which may not be near settlements).

But being away from the 21st century is the reason we sail the west!

have a great trip
 
westhinder said:
I will be doing a cruise around Britain from May to August and am trying to determine which mobile network provider would be best for phone and data.
Which network has the best coverage in remote places like the Hebrides? Where are the best deals to be had? I am thinking some pay as you go formula would probably be best, or can you recommend any other formula?
Many thanks.
Click to expand...

For much of the NW any mobile reception is patchy at best, never mind 3G. This topic is currently being discussed on Bluemoment, and you may well get better local advice there. FWIW Vodaphone used to be considered best, but some say this is no longer the case.
 
If it were me, I'd research getting a PAYG version of each provider as it is likely that some will be better than others in different areas.

e.g. In 2009, I found T-Mobile pretty good overall, but they didn't even offer a service in The Scilly Isles. In Heckington, near Sleaford, only Vodafone gets a reliable signal.

3 gets good coverage reviews on the canal network, but there are still holes, and I've no idea what it's like on the coast.
 
If it was me i'd get a PAYG http://giffgaff.com/ as the primary card (cheap as chips 02 network, has tower sharing agreement with Vodaphone who reportedly have best coverage: http://blog.vodafone.co.uk/2012/11/...-complete-guide-to-our-network-joint-venture/)

Coverage
http://www.vodafone.co.uk/our-network-and-coverage/uk-coverage-map/index.htm

Then as a backup get a 3 Payg too. (Orange/ 3/ Tmobile share masts: http://www.ispreview.co.uk/story/20...ile-in-3g-mobile-broadband-network-share.html)

Coverage
http://studio.orange.co.uk/coveragechecker/

If you are looking to get decent data coverage A decent high gain antenna on a halyard:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mobile-Br..._Mobile_Broadband_Devices&hash=item4ac338ef4b

And a dedicated box to connect it too:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Huawei-E5..._Mobile_Broadband_Devices&hash=item20d17efb7c

Could be worth considering
 
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I've had O2, Vodafone and T-mobile within the last 2 years and travel a lot. Vodafone have been consistently worst for 3G although get a reasonable 2g signal. O2 were a great signal but poor service due to sheer number of users (a hangover from the iPhone exclusive). This may be better in remote areas. T-Mobile are consistently OK, although roaming needs to me enabled manually for places like IOM and possibly Scillies although I can't see why that would be. I've not tried 3 but have heard nothing but good from their users.
I've used the above in Cornwall, around Portsmouth, London, Reading, West Wales, Ireland, IOM, West Scotland, Midlands, Lake district so not necessarily useful where you will be but the experience has been consistent in all locations so may be a good indicator.
 
Thank you all for the info. Combined with the other thread, I think it will have to be a combination of providers and then hope for the best, particularly in the remote places in the Hebrides.
But after all, don't we go sailing to get away from it all?
 
lustyd said:
I've had O2, Vodafone and T-mobile within the last 2 years and travel a lot. Vodafone have been consistently worst for 3G although get a reasonable 2g signal. O2 were a great signal but poor service due to sheer number of users (a hangover from the iPhone exclusive).
Click to expand...

I find it interesting that you find a difference between 02 and Vodaphone given that it is the same physical tower network you are connecting to. http://blog.vodafone.co.uk/2012/11/...-complete-guide-to-our-network-joint-venture/ I guess if they have limited backhaul available this could affect it.

lustyd said:
This may be better in remote areas. T-Mobile are consistently OK, although roaming needs to me enabled manually for places like IOM and possibly Scillies although I can't see why that would be. I've not tried 3 but have heard nothing but good from their users.
Click to expand...

Again as you are accessing the same physical tower network I would expect 02/Orange/Tmobile coverage to be broadly the same: http://www.ispreview.co.uk/story/20...ile-in-3g-mobile-broadband-network-share.html
 
sam_uk said:
I find it interesting that you find a difference between 02 and Vodaphone given that it is the same physical tower network you are connecting to. http://blog.vodafone.co.uk/2012/11/...-complete-guide-to-our-network-joint-venture/ I guess if they have limited backhaul available this could affect it.



Again as you are accessing the same physical tower network I would expect 02/Orange/Tmobile coverage to be broadly the same: http://www.ispreview.co.uk/story/20...ile-in-3g-mobile-broadband-network-share.html
Click to expand...

It isn't the same tower network though, is it? While each network shares many stations they also have some exclusive ones. The networks also use different frequency bands which have differing properties, some are better at getting into buildings and some at bending around the landscape. O2 have been massively oversubscribed since releasing the iPhone exclusively and so lack the backhaul. Vodafone I have no idea about their reasons but they just seem **** at it these days despite once being the best. A huge issue with 3G as opposed to GSM is that the cell shrinks as more users connect so experience will change day to day depending on usage.
 
Consider getting a 3G USB adaptor for your laptop plus a long USB cable - possibly daisy chain two or more together - then haul it up on a flag halyard to improve range.
 
maby said:
Consider getting a 3G USB adaptor for your laptop plus a long USB cable - possibly daisy chain two or more together - then haul it up on a flag halyard to improve range.
Click to expand...

just don't exceed 5m cable - the limit of the tech :)
 
maby said:
Consider getting a 3G USB adaptor for your laptop plus a long USB cable - possibly daisy chain two or more together - then haul it up on a flag halyard to improve range.
Click to expand...

I Suggested this already, but using an external high gain antenna will make a _massive_ difference:

If you are looking to get decent data coverage A decent high gain antenna on a halyard:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mobile-Bro...item4ac338ef4b

And a dedicated box to connect it too:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Huawei-E58...item20d17efb7c

Could be worth considering
 
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