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  • Home
  • Why You Should Visit The Isle Of Wight
  • Ferry travel advice & discounts
    • Discount Isle of Wight Ferry Travel
    • Isle Of Wight Ferry Beginners Guide
    • Wightlink's Tesco Clubcard deal – is it the best discount?
    • Using Wightlink’s Multilink deal for cheap ferry travel
    • Cheap Isle of Wight Ferry Travel For Caravans
  • Holiday parks, hotels, camping & cottages
    • Family holiday parks & caravans >
      • 10 Of The Best Isle of Wight Caravan Holiday Parks
      • Park Resorts And Parkdean Resorts Isle of Wight Holiday Parks
      • Which Isle Of Wight Holiday Park Should I Stay In?
      • Last Minute Deals And Discounts At Holiday Parks
      • Is There A Haven Holiday Park On The Isle Of Wight?
      • Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park Reviews and Facilities
      • Lower Hyde And Landguard Holiday Park Teview
      • 6 Tricks To Save Money At Isle Of Wight Caravan Holiday Parks
    • Hotels & guest houses >
      • Isle of Wight Hotels - a beginner's guide
      • 10 Best Isle Of Wight Luxury Hotels
      • Warner's Bembridge Coast & Norton Grange hotels
      • 5 Best Isle of Wight Coach Tour Holidays And Trips
      • Isle of Wight Hotels With A Sea View
      • 5 Ventnor Hotels And Guest Houses
    • Spa Breaks & Romantic >
      • 3 Best Isle Of Wight Spa Break Hotels And Spa Days
      • Romantic Isle Of Wight Holidays For Couples
    • Camping & glamping >
      • 20 Isle Of Wight Camping And Touring Parks
      • Isle of Wight Glamping
    • Cottages & self catering >
      • 10 Best Places To Stay In Shanklin
      • 10 Best Places To Stay In Cowes
      • 10 Best Places To Stay In Newport
      • 10 Best Places To Stay In Sandown
      • 10 Isle Of Wight Wheelchair Accessible & Disabled Friendly Holidays
      • Brambles Chine And Linstone Chine Self Catering
      • 5 Isle Of Wight Holidays Including Ferry Travel
    • Lodges & hot tub holidays >
      • 5 Best Isle Of Wight Holiday Lodges
      • 10 Best Isle Of Wight Hot Tub Holidays
      • 10 Best Isle Of Wight Holidays With Swimming Pools
    • Quirky & AirBnbs >
      • 20 Quirky Places To Stay On The Isle Of Wight
      • 10 Best Isle of Wight Airbnb Holiday Homes
    • Group accommodation >
      • 10 Best Places To Stay For Large Groups
      • 8 Best Isle Of Wight Manor Houses For Hire
    • Accommodation advice >
      • What Time Of Year Should I Visit The Isle Of Wight?
      • Which Isle of Wight Town Should I Stay In?
      • Where Is The Cheapest Place To Stay?
  • Festivals, days out & attractions
    • Festivals & carnivals >
      • Major Festivals And Carnivals
      • Isle of Wight Festival 2022 Lineup And Tickets
      • 10 Unforgettable Isle of Wight Festival Moments
      • Isle of Wight Festival History
      • Cowes Week - Attractions And Accommodation
    • Free days out & attraction discounts >
      • Free Days Out On The Isle Of Wight
      • Discounts To Isle Of Wight Attractions
      • Itinerary For A Budget Isle of Wight Holiday
      • 10 Ways To Save Money On Isle Of Wight Holidays
    • Attractions for children, teenagers, adults >
      • Activities For Toddlers On The Isle Of Wight
      • Activities For Children And Families On The Isle Of Wight
      • Activities For Teenagers On The Isle Of Wight
      • Activities For Adults On The Isle Of Wight
      • Activities For An Isle Of Wight Stag Do
      • Surviving An Isle Of Wight Holiday With A Toddler
    • Quirky days out >
      • 10 Quirky Days Out On The Isle Of Wight
      • 10 Things You Can't Do On The Isle Of Wight
      • 10 Things You Can Only Visit On The Isle Of Wight
      • Isle Of Wight TV & Movie Tour
      • 10 Reasons To Visit The Isle Of Wight
    • Days out in Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor >
      • 10 Things To Do In Bembridge, St Helen's and Seaview
      • 10 Things To Do In Cowes And East Cowes
      • 10 Things To Do In Newport and Carisbrooke
      • 15 Things To Do In Ryde
      • 15 Things To Do In Shanklin And Sandown
      • 15 Things To Do In Ventnor And South Wight
      • 15 Things To Do In Yarmouth And West Wight
    • Rainy day & winter attractions >
      • Rainy Day Activities On The Isle Of Wight
      • Itinerary For A Rainy Isle Of Wight Holiday
      • Winter Days Out On The Isle Of Wight
    • Zoos, historic attractions, gardens >
      • Isle of Wight Zoos And Animal Attractions
      • Historic Attractions On The Isle Of Wight
      • 10 Isle of Wight Gardens And Parks
    • Day trip itineraries >
      • Day Trips From Portsmouth To The Isle of Wight
      • Day Trips From Southampton To The Isle of Wight
      • Day Trips From Lymington To The Isle of Wight
    • Car journey games & viewpoints >
      • 5 Isle Of Wight Car Journey Games
      • 15 Best Isle Of Wight Car Park Viewpoints
      • The Isle Spy Car Journey Game
  • Beaches, tides, watersports & weather
    • Which Is The Best Isle Of Wight Beach For...
    • Isle of Wight Beaches Interactive Map
    • Isle Of Wight Tide Times
    • Isle of Wight Weather Forecast
    • Isle Of Wight Surf Forecast
    • Isle of Wight Watersports
    • The Beach Holiday Checklist - 5 Accessories
    • Mobile Version Of Isle Of Wight Best Beaches
  • Walking, cycling & public transport
    • Walking >
      • Walking The Isle of Wight Coastal Path
      • 10 Best Isle of Wight Walks (Circular, 3-9 miles)
      • 10 Isle of Wight Short Walks For Children (1 Mile)
      • Isle of Wight Themed Walks
      • Isle of Wight Treasure Trails and Treasure Hunts
    • Cycling Holidays On The Isle of Wight
    • Public Transport
    • Isle Of Wight Car Hire
  • Dog friendly
    • Dog Friendly Isle of Wight Accommodation
    • Dog Friendly Isle Of Wight Holidays
  • Food & drink
    • Eating Out On A Budget
    • Pubs And Restaurants With A Sea View
    • Family Friendly Pubs With Playgrounds
    • Isle Of Wight Supermarkets
  • Useful information
    • Boring & practical stuff >
      • FAQ
      • Which Mobile Phone Network Has The Best Signal On The Isle Of Wight?
      • Cheap Parcel Delivery And Sending Mail To The Isle Of Wight
      • Isle of Wight Map
      • Isle of Wight Newspapers, News Websites And Radio Stations
    • Souvenirs
    • Should I Move To The Isle Of Wight?
    • Les Vacances Sur L’île De Wight
  • About
    • Contact Us/About/Disclaimer
    • Who Is The Isle Of Wight Guru?
    • Isle of Wight Copywriter
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Isle of Wight Guru
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Which mobile phone network has the best signal on the Isle of Wight

In my experience, the Isle of Wight is pretty patchy for mobile coverage. It’s not dire but there are certainly patches where you’ll be standing outside in the dark trying to find enough signal to send a text.

If you can't be bothered to read this entire guide which comes complete with maps and everything...my conclusion is that the Three network has the best 4G signal on the Isle of Wight, although Vodafone is good in most of the populated areas.

I wrote this guide in 2019.

Mobile phone networks for beginners

There are currently four mobile phone companies sticking up masts on top of tall buildings and in fields in the UK: EE, Three, O2 and Vodafone.

If you are using any other network then you are using a virtual mobile network and piggy backing onto one of those. For example, if you are on Tesco Mobile or Giff Gaff, your phone is using the O2 masts.


  • Vodafone (masts also used by Lebara Mobile, Talk Talk Mobile, Truphone, TalkMobile)
  • O2 (masts also used by Tesco Mobile, Giff Gaff, Lyca Mobile)
  • EE (formerly Orange and T-Mobile. Masts also used by Asda Mobile, Go Mobile, Virgin Mobile)
  • Three (masts also used by iD Mobile)

What is the difference between 2G, 3G and 4G?

Another basic which you may or may not understand is the various Gs:

I'm sure there's a more complicated definition, but in simple terms:
  • 2G coverage enables you to make calls and texts.
  • 3G coverage gives you data for internet access, Google maps, apps etc.
  • 4G coverage gives you faster data access which is often needed for streaming video.

Thanks to Shane for getting in touch to point out that you can make calls and texts if you just have 3G or 4G access. So, if you have 4G access you'll be able to do everything, if you see what I mean.


When I last checked, there wasn't any 5G coverage on the Isle of Wight. 

Our comparison criteria

My rankings are based on Ofcom’s maps, rather than on buying four sim cards and driving round the Isle of Wight for hours on end with a notepad and a pen. Sorry about that.​
  • We looked at indoor coverage. Reception will be better outdoors.
  • We looked at the availability of 4G coverage. You could spend many more hours comparing 2G, 3G and 4G separately but 4G is the best and most useful available. It gets very complex otherwise...
  • These maps are owned by Ofcom - if anyone with an Ofcom email address wants to object to me using them, please get in touch and I'll remove them. Hopefully this guide will prove useful to someone and I won't get sued. 
  • Comparison was done during April 2019 - things may change as networks improve.
  • If you live on the Isle of Wight, I'd suggest putting your postcode into the Ofcom website as there are some random not-spots in large towns. Don't blame me if you can't get a signal whilst sat on your toilet in Newport.

Best mobile network for 4G mobile coverage on the Isle of Wight: Three

Ofcom map showing Isle of Wight on Three
Three's indoor 4G coverage on the Isle of Wight, according to Ofcom
Three's 4G coverage is very good around Newport and Cowes, with some patchy bits around Ryde, Sandown and Shanklin. Ventnor town seems to be good. It's very decent around large rural bits of the southern half of the Isle of Wight. Yarmouth isn't so good, but that's the case for the other networks too.

There's not reliable coverage along the steam railway line, so you'll struggle to do a Facebook live video from onboard...

There are only a very small number of 'not-spots' (i.e. areas with no 4G coverage) and they aren't generally populated areas.

2nD Best mobile network for 4G coverage on the Isle of Wight: Vodafone

Map showing 4G vodafone coverage on the Isle of Wight
Vodafone's indoor 4G coverage, according to Ofcom
There's not much to choose between EE and Vodafone. EE is certainly in a lot of rural areas, but Vodafone seems to have a better 4G signal in busier towns.

With Vodafone you can expect a decent 4G signal in the middle of Newport, Cowes, Sandown, Shanklin and Ryde, but less so around the edges of the towns and less populated areas. Ventnor and Yarmouth are hit and miss.

There are quite a few not-spots, most notably around less populated areas such as Wroxell, Bowcombe, Hamstead and Luccombe.

3rd Best mobile network for 4G coverage on the Isle of Wight: EE 

Map of EE mobile coverage on the Isle of Wight
EE's 4G mobile coverage on the Isle of Wight, according to Ofcom
EE and Vodafone are fighting it out for 2nd place, as it depends if you are more interested in widespread coverage, or coverage within populated areas.

EE is very good in Cowes, but a bit patchy in Newport, Ryde, Sandown and Shanklin.

The less populated areas on the way to the South Wight are better than some of the more populated areas around the East Wight unfortunately.

There are fairly large not-spots around Havenstreet, Parkhurst Forest, the Southern tip of the Island and the sparsely popular area of Hamstead. 

4th Best mobile network for 4G coverage on the Isle of Wight: O2

Map showing 4G coverage on O2 on the Isle of Wight
O2's indoor 4G coverage, according to Ofcom
O2 is good or very good in Newport, Cowes, Sandown and Shanklin with some iffy bits around parts of Ryde. 

There are quite a lot more areas with a 'possible chance' of coverage than the other networks, as well as quite a few 'no coverage' areas according to the map. 

Most of the worst areas are those without many houses, although Seaview, St Helen's, Brading, Fishbourne and Yarmouth are all areas with only a possible chance of 4G signal according to Ofcom.

Related guides from Isle of Wight Guru:

Children swimming at a holiday park
10 best caravan holiday parks
Carisbrooke Castle gatehouse
20 quirky places to stay
30 days out for children & families
Hot tub at a holiday lodge
5 Isle of Wight holiday lodges
Child at Compton Bay
Which is the best beach for...?
Bedroom at Hambrough Hotel
10 best Isle of Wight luxury hotels
Surfing dog
Dog friendly holidays
Glamping pod
Glamping on the Isle of Wight
Red funnel car ferry
Discount Isle of Wight ferry travel

Where to stay

Holiday parks
​
Lodges
Posh hotels
Cheap​
​Quirky
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​Camping
​Glamping
​Dog friendly
Last minute
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Airbnb
Accessible
Ferry-inclusive
Sea views
​Hot tubs
Manor houses
​Swimming pools
Cowes
Newport
Sandown
Shanklin

Days out

Adults
Beaches
Bembridge
​Cowes
​Cycling
Day trips
Dog friendly
Families
Festivals
Historic
Newport
​Quirky
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​Romantic
Ryde
​Shanklin
Toddlers
Teenagers
Ventnor​
Watersports
Winter
​Yarmouth
​
Zoos

Saving money

Ferry discount codes
​
Tesco Clubcard
​Multilink
Accommodation
​Attraction discounts
​Free attractions
Holiday park discounts
​Car hire
​

Eating out

Cheap pubs
Family friendly
Seaside restaurants
​

Walking

Coastal path
3-9 mile walks
1 mile walks
Themed walks
Treasure hunts

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