Best Phone Network Coverage

Carrie · Joined: 19 Aug 2008 Posts: 84

My phone contract is up for renewal soon and at the moment the signal from Three is hopeless. A friend spoke to them and was told they'd stopped their network sharing with O2 and instead are working with Orange. I gave up on the latter when I lived in Cheshire because they never had any signal where I worked.
I'm now wondering whether I should stay with Three or would I be better with a different provider on the Island? With elderly parents in not too good health, my mobile is on 24/7 and I want to be on the network that has the best coverage.

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barns101 · Site Admin Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 56

Hi Carrie. Most networks have a tool on their website that lets you enter a postcode or area to check their coverage.

Carrie · Joined: 19 Aug 2008 Posts: 84

Yep, I know that and if you were to do a search on the postcode of the village where I lived you'd find they all offered full coverage at the best 3G quality. The reality, on some networks you had no network coverage at all and others would struggle in certain areas of the village.

deb · Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 14

ive always found that orange seems ok on most of the island except the undercliffe area.

wightauction · Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 15 Location: Newport

i drive around the island quite a lot and have never had a problem with my signal and i am with vodafone?
hope this helps

laineyiow · Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 188

I am also on Vodafone and it seems to work in most areas although have to say do have a bit of network trouble when at our caravan at Thorness Bay.

When first moved to IoW was on Orange but couldn't get any coverage whatsover in our house (live at Shalfleet) so had to cancel my contract was really gutted has had a really good package plus had been with them for years.

Vodafone ok but not one I'd pick by choice (I am actually on my partner's business contract so I don't have to pay!).

wightauction · Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 15 Location: Newport

i am only on vodafone as i got a really good deal on a nokia n95 8gb and it was already on vodafone, i have simcards for any network almost because i only use payg, have enough bills already without adding a mobile bill to the list!!
As i say, coverage for me with vodafone has always been good, couldnt tell you about any others though i am afraid.

Carrie · Joined: 19 Aug 2008 Posts: 84

Just on my way back from the Island and I seem to have confirmed that coverage for Three is abysmal in most areas except for Newport. I've spent more time losing coverage during the middle of calls than anything else in the last few days Rolling Eyes

Not keen to go back to Orange after a major row with them a few years ago when my phone set on fire and they sent back the same phone rather than a replacement saying it had been repaired (which it hadn't).
I had meant to take my dad's mobile with me to see what O2 was like, but I forgot.

Scooby · Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 4

As someone who has spent near 20 years maintaining properties all over the island I can tell you early on it was Vodafone that was the leader but is now Orange hands down.
Worst places for Orange are Shorwell, parts of Freshwater & most areas of Ventnor IMO but being amongst other tradesmen on sites and renovations it was often "who's got an Orange phone" to order materials or similar reasons.
If I had no signal on my Orange I put up with it. That way no one could call me Very Happy

naylorpitt · Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Posts: 45 Location: Ryde

I have found O2 to be the best for the island, I can get a good signal most places, except for the wooded area as you come out of Havenstreet. Orange may have good signal strength but their customer service is, in my experience, pretty appalling to be honest.

Carrie · Joined: 19 Aug 2008 Posts: 84

I did decide to get one of those sim only contracts on O2 and I seem to be getting a good signal in most places.

mikeiow · Joined: 25 Feb 2010 Posts: 1

Anyone got any recent experiences with the likes of Orange or Three - particularly in Shorwell ?

I have Vodafone, and Shorwell reception is appalling....but Tesco (which uses O2 I believe) is fine. The second phone is up for replacement soon, and we are wondering if Tesco (O2) remains the only option for a good signal !!

thanks!

zafira52 · Joined: 27 Mar 2010 Posts: 3

Hi,
does anyone know what virgin (uses T-Mobile's services)coverage is like on the island,i don't live on the island but i holiday there regular this time were going to stay in wroxall?

zafira52 · Joined: 27 Mar 2010 Posts: 3

I can disagree with all of these and say t-mobile's signal on the island is the worst ever. Had to use spare o2 phone all week but must say o2 are excellant on the island Smile

laineyiow · Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 188

Got to agree I have found O2 the best network on the Island. I have both Vodafone and O2 and very often have network cover on O2 when I haven't any on Vodafone.