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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 EE and Vodafone have the best mobile reception on the Isle of Wight.
If you can't be bothered to read this entire guide which comes complete with maps and everything...my conclusion is that EE and Vodafone have the best mobile reception on the Isle of Wight.
Mobile phone networks for beginners
There are currently four mobile phone companies sticking up masts on top of tall building and in fields in the UK. At the moment they are called EE, Three, O2 and Vodafone but by the time I’ve finished this sentence, they’ll probably be called Nothing Nowhere, Four, H2O and Luxembourg Telecoms.
Inevitable rebrands and snide remarks aside, the point is that 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.
Inevitable rebrands and snide remarks aside, the point is that 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 BT Mobile, Airwave Smart Mobile, Asda Mobile, Cooperative Mobile, Go Mobile, Post Office Mobile, Virgin Mobile)
- Three (masts also used by iD)
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:
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.
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've looked at 2G, 3G and 4G separately before coming to a conclusion.
- We looked at indoor coverage. Reception will be better outdoors.
- These maps are owned by Ofcom - if anyone wants to object to me using them, please get in touch. Hopefully this guide will prove useful to someone and I won't get sued.
- Comparison was done during February 2016 - things may change as networks improve.
Best mobile network for basic 2G coverage on the Isle of Wight: Vodafone
1st: According to the Ofcom maps, Vodafone has the best 2G coverage on the Isle of Wight, meaning it is best for making calls and sending and receiving texts.
2nd: EE isn't far behind with only a few red patches showing no coverage in rural parts of the Island.
3rd: O2 isn't great, particularly if you're around Yarmouth or Brading, or if you're in a very rural area.
4th: Three coverage is the worst, with huge chunks of the West Wight having no coverage.
In the Ofcom map below red means 'you are unlikely to receive a reliable signal' whilst in amber areas 'you may experience some problems'.
2nd: EE isn't far behind with only a few red patches showing no coverage in rural parts of the Island.
3rd: O2 isn't great, particularly if you're around Yarmouth or Brading, or if you're in a very rural area.
4th: Three coverage is the worst, with huge chunks of the West Wight having no coverage.
In the Ofcom map below red means 'you are unlikely to receive a reliable signal' whilst in amber areas 'you may experience some problems'.
Best mobile network for 3G coverage on the Isle of Wight: EE or Vodafone
Joint 1st: EE and Vodafone look to be the best networks on the Isle of Wight for 3G coverage, which is what you need for data (Google Maps, web access, apps etc).
There's very little between them with both showing good overall coverage (green patches) and only a few notspots (white patches)
3rd: Three's coverage for 3G is pretty decent as well, apart from a big chunk of the West Wight.
4th: O2 is dire for 3G coverage on the Isle of Wight. Unless you are near Sandown, Shanklin, Ryde, Newport or Cowes you are unlike to get an indoor 3G signal.
In this Ofcom map, green means you are 'likely to have sufficient signal to use 3G data services reliably' whilst white means you are 'unlikely to have sufficient signal to use 3G data services reliably'.
There's very little between them with both showing good overall coverage (green patches) and only a few notspots (white patches)
3rd: Three's coverage for 3G is pretty decent as well, apart from a big chunk of the West Wight.
4th: O2 is dire for 3G coverage on the Isle of Wight. Unless you are near Sandown, Shanklin, Ryde, Newport or Cowes you are unlike to get an indoor 3G signal.
In this Ofcom map, green means you are 'likely to have sufficient signal to use 3G data services reliably' whilst white means you are 'unlikely to have sufficient signal to use 3G data services reliably'.
Best mobile network for 4G coverage on the Isle of Wight: EE or Vodafone
1st: I've been staring at these maps for far too long now, but as far as I can see, EE offers the best 4G coverage on the Isle of Wight...
2nd:...with Vodafone a close second.
3rd: O2 has better coverage on 4G than 3G in some parts, but there are still big gaps particularly around the West Wight and East Wight.
4th: Three only offers 4G coverage around a small part of the Isle of Wight
If you are interested, On The Wight has been comparing 4G coverage on the Isle of Wight for some time.
According to Ofcom 'In green areas you are likely to have sufficient signal to use 3G data services reliably' whilst 'In white areas you are unlikely to have sufficient signal to use 3G data services reliably'.
2nd:...with Vodafone a close second.
3rd: O2 has better coverage on 4G than 3G in some parts, but there are still big gaps particularly around the West Wight and East Wight.
4th: Three only offers 4G coverage around a small part of the Isle of Wight
If you are interested, On The Wight has been comparing 4G coverage on the Isle of Wight for some time.
According to Ofcom 'In green areas you are likely to have sufficient signal to use 3G data services reliably' whilst 'In white areas you are unlikely to have sufficient signal to use 3G data services reliably'.
Overall winner: Vodafone
1st: Vodafone - definitely your best bet for 2G coverage, and similar to EE for 3G and 4G coverage. I'm putting it first overall because with 2G coverage you will at least be able to make a phone call or send a text if you find yourself broken down at night on a country lane.
With Vodafone, you’ll struggle to make calls and texts a bit around Bowcombe, Shorwell, Newtown/Hamstead coastline, Havenstreet, Newchurch, bits of Bembridge and large chunks of Ventnor but it’s a fairly decent picture elsewhere.
2nd: EE - an admirable runner up with strong 3G and 4G coverage and only a few dodgy patches for 2G coverage.
With EE, you'll find there isn't always enough signal for a call or text around the Hamstead coastline (North East Wight), some of rural West Wight, most of the South Wight coastline between Blackgang and Luccombe, big chunks of inland North East wight around Havenstreet.
3rd: O2 is reasonable for basic text messages and calls and it is also fairly decent for 4G coverage. If you only have 3G coverage (rather than 4G) you will struggle to get any signal in large chunks of the Isle of Wight so you won't be able to get web access (or Google Maps, What's App, apps etc).
4th: Three - last place by some distance. Bring two cups and a piece of string if you are visiting the Isle of Wight on holiday.
With Vodafone, you’ll struggle to make calls and texts a bit around Bowcombe, Shorwell, Newtown/Hamstead coastline, Havenstreet, Newchurch, bits of Bembridge and large chunks of Ventnor but it’s a fairly decent picture elsewhere.
2nd: EE - an admirable runner up with strong 3G and 4G coverage and only a few dodgy patches for 2G coverage.
With EE, you'll find there isn't always enough signal for a call or text around the Hamstead coastline (North East Wight), some of rural West Wight, most of the South Wight coastline between Blackgang and Luccombe, big chunks of inland North East wight around Havenstreet.
3rd: O2 is reasonable for basic text messages and calls and it is also fairly decent for 4G coverage. If you only have 3G coverage (rather than 4G) you will struggle to get any signal in large chunks of the Isle of Wight so you won't be able to get web access (or Google Maps, What's App, apps etc).
4th: Three - last place by some distance. Bring two cups and a piece of string if you are visiting the Isle of Wight on holiday.
