Mobile Network Comparison

Since 3 is turning off much of its 2G coverage across the UK, we’ve updated our 3 coverage page to reflect this. We hope you enjoy being able to rely on us having the most current information available on our site and if you hear of any forthcoming changes to mobile networks‘ coverage, please let us know so we can be ahead of the curve. Thanks.

Giffgaff has finally introduced data charging. And it’s for real this time.

Ever since they started, mobile data has been completely free for all users on Giffgaff (up to a rarely-enforced fair use limit of 100MB per day). According to their staff, this was merely because they hadn’t got round to setting up the charging hardware yet. As time went by, the deadline for the introduction of charging got postponed over and over again. Presumably because their limited permanent staff were too busy working on other features like the Hokey Cokey goodybag and Blackberry support.

Back in April there was an ill-fated attempt to finally flip the switch. Unfortunately something went completely wrong as it destroyed mobile internet speed for a huge number of users and they quickly scrabbled to make data free again to sort out the issue. Now, three months later on the auspiciously-chosen 4th of July, they finally introduced data charging once and for all.

What does this mean for you? Well, if you’re on a goodybag that costs £10 or more, it makes no difference at all. You have free data included. And not any old data, truly unlimited data. However, if you’re on a £5 goodybag or just plain PAYG, you will have to start paying for data. The good news is that this is capped at only 20p per day (up to a limit of 20MB). If you go over this limit you’ll be charged at an additional 20p/MB which can soon add up fast (so don’t go rinsing YouTube videos). Also, if you use less than 1MB, you’ll only be charged a fraction of your daily 20p. This is all much easier to understand so we made the handy graph below to spell it out to you. If you have any queries about how data charging will affect you on Giffgaff, please drop us a question in the comments below.

3 has been turning off 2G roaming across the country over the last few months. Unfortunately, this has resulted in many people losing coverage indoors where 3G doesn’t work so well and even dropping calls. 3 claims that it is only turning off 2G coverage in areas where its 3G coverage is strong, but we suspect their judgement isn’t foolproof.

When 3 launched in 2003, it was the only network that specialised in 3G. It also allowed customers to “roam” onto a partner 2G network when they lose coverage from 3’s 3G network. It started by using O₂ between March 2003 and January 2007 before switching to Orange who is its current 2G partner. The ability to roam onto a 2G network means that instead of your phone losing 3G connectivity and giving no network coverage, it would be able to switch to another provider’s 2G network allowing you to carry on calling and texting. This partner 2G network would also provide data network access although internet access would, of course, have to be at slow 2G speeds.

3 have not given customers and details of the locations where they have turned off 2G coverage and they also have not given an indication of the proposed time frame for a UK-wide switch-off. However, if your phone is giving you frequent “no network available” messages it’s more than likely that 2G roaming has been disabled for your area.

3 claim that 2G roaming is no longer necessary due to the multitude of 3G masts they now operate. However, a more likely explanation is the economic one. By using less of Orange’s 2G network, 3 would save a huge amount of money as it’s relatively expensive for them to provide.

However, we’re very disappointed about the 2G coverage being switched off. We feel it’s still very important for 3 to offer this service. Even in areas with strong 3G coverage, there are various reasons why a 3G signal isn’t available and cutting off 2G leaves these affected customers high and dry. The 2G roaming service helps to ensure continuity of service and ensures that calls can still be made even when a 3G signal is lost.

If you’re upset about 3 turning off 2G coverage and you are a contract customer, you should be able to cancel your contract as you been negatively affected by a change in a core service. If you are a Pay Monthly customer still bound by the terms of your original agreement, you don’t need to pay off your entire contract to terminate your contract early. As the service is no longer reliable in some areas it is not fit for purpose and if you call 3 customer services on 333 (0843 737 3333 from a landline), you should be able to leave their contracts early without a cancellation charge due to the 2G switch-off.

Once that’s sorted, you’ll then able to ask 3 for your PAC code, get a new free SIM and then port your number to a new network with proper 2G coverage.