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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.

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 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:
  • 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.

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: