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Which Mobile Phone Network Has The Best Signal On The Isle of Wight? 2024
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:
Overall, I would probably put Vodafone first, but it will depend on where you live and whether you prioritise making phone calls or using data. Don't assume every network will give a good signal in a populated area and check the Ofcom maps for yourself.
If you can't be bothered to read this entire guide which comes complete with maps and everything...my conclusion is that:
- Vodafone has the best 'voice' coverage and is somewhere in the middle for its data coverage.
- the Three network has the best 'data' signal on the Isle of Wight, but is probably the worst for 'voice' coverage. It has lots of rural spots where you won't be able to make a phone call at all (although you could presumably make a WhatsApp voice call).
- O2 is good in Newport and Ryde and is reasonable for data but it is less good in a lot of rural areas for 'voice' coverage.
- EE is reasonable for data coverage but has lots of not-spots for 'voice' coverage in rural areas. EE has a little bit of 5G coverage, which is rare on the Isle of Wight.
Overall, I would probably put Vodafone first, but it will depend on where you live and whether you prioritise making phone calls or using data. Don't assume every network will give a good signal in a populated area and check the Ofcom maps for yourself.
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.
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, 4G and 5G?
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:
Thanks to Shane for getting in touch to point out that you can make calls and texts if you just have 3G or 4G or 5G access. So, if you have 4G access you'll be able to do everything, if you see what I mean.
*There is very minimal 5G coverage on the Isle of Wight. You are probably more likely to see a red squirrel than get a 5G signal. See this 2022 article from On The Wight which summarises that: "It’s pretty terrible atm, with Vodafone ranking bottom with seemingly zero 5G coverage on the Island. The best – and it’s still pretty feeble, is EE with seeming coverage a bit around Whitwell; some in the West between Freshwater and Yarmouth; a reasonable amount around Newport, Nettlestone, Wootton and Ryde. There’s also a small spot in Cowes."
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.
- 5G coverage can be up to 100 times faster than 4G. There are other differences, but that's a key one.*
Thanks to Shane for getting in touch to point out that you can make calls and texts if you just have 3G or 4G or 5G access. So, if you have 4G access you'll be able to do everything, if you see what I mean.
*There is very minimal 5G coverage on the Isle of Wight. You are probably more likely to see a red squirrel than get a 5G signal. See this 2022 article from On The Wight which summarises that: "It’s pretty terrible atm, with Vodafone ranking bottom with seemingly zero 5G coverage on the Island. The best – and it’s still pretty feeble, is EE with seeming coverage a bit around Whitwell; some in the West between Freshwater and Yarmouth; a reasonable amount around Newport, Nettlestone, Wootton and Ryde. There’s also a small spot in Cowes."
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 'data' and 'voice'. These are the options offered on the Ofcom website.
- 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 November 2022 - 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.
- The dark green colour means 'good coverage'. Light green means 'OK coverage'. Yellow means 'some problems'
Vodafone's Mobile Phone Signal on the Isle of Wight
Vodafone's indoor data coverage, according to Ofcom
Vodafone's voice coverage on the Isle of Wight (yes, it's similar to their data coverage)
Vodafone is a curious one, as its data coverage and voice coverage is almost identical. The other three have big differences between 'data' and 'voice' on the Ofcom website.
It's not outstanding in either area, but it's also not terrible. Football fans might like to think of it as Everton.
Vodafone is reasonable in Ryde for mobile data signals. It's better than Three, but less good than O2 according to the maps. It's about the same as EE. Vodafone looks to be one of the better for data signal around Sandown and Shanklin, along with O2. Vodafone is quite good in (West) Cowes but is less good in East Cowes
It's not outstanding in either area, but it's also not terrible. Football fans might like to think of it as Everton.
Vodafone is reasonable in Ryde for mobile data signals. It's better than Three, but less good than O2 according to the maps. It's about the same as EE. Vodafone looks to be one of the better for data signal around Sandown and Shanklin, along with O2. Vodafone is quite good in (West) Cowes but is less good in East Cowes
THREE's Mobile Phone Signal on the Isle of Wight
Three's indoor data coverage on the Isle of Wight, according to Ofcom
Three's indoor phone signal for 'voice' calls on the Isle of Wight
Three's signal for mobile data on the Isle of Wight appears to be the best of all four networks. There's a huge dark green splodge in the lower half of the Island on Three's map. If we are just measuring square miles of 'good coverage' for data, then I would give the trophy to Three.
But that's not the whole story.
For a start, a lot of that dark green splodge is pretty rural. You'll get a great signal in Cridmore apparently, even if you don't know where it is...
The main issue is that the phone signal for making calls is non-existent in large parts of the West Wight, some of the South Wight coast and much of the area around the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Some of these areas are barely populated but there are parts of Ryde and some of Yarmouth which appear to have no coverage at all.
Real world experience may be different, but that's what the map says.
But that's not the whole story.
For a start, a lot of that dark green splodge is pretty rural. You'll get a great signal in Cridmore apparently, even if you don't know where it is...
The main issue is that the phone signal for making calls is non-existent in large parts of the West Wight, some of the South Wight coast and much of the area around the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Some of these areas are barely populated but there are parts of Ryde and some of Yarmouth which appear to have no coverage at all.
Real world experience may be different, but that's what the map says.
O2's Mobile Phone Signal On The Isle of Wight
O2's indoor data coverage, according to Ofcom
O2's voice coverage on the Isle of Wight
O2 appears to have fewer 'not-spots' for voice calls than Three, but it's certainly not perfect.
After staring at these maps for ages, I reckon that O2 has the best signal for data in Ryde. It also has a good data signal in Sandown in Shanklin, compared to Three. Cowes is quite well covered for data by O2, but East Cowes is more patchy. Newport seems to be good for voice and data.
After staring at these maps for ages, I reckon that O2 has the best signal for data in Ryde. It also has a good data signal in Sandown in Shanklin, compared to Three. Cowes is quite well covered for data by O2, but East Cowes is more patchy. Newport seems to be good for voice and data.
EE's mobile Phone Signal On The Isle of Wight
EE's mobile data coverage on the Isle of Wight, according to Ofcom
EE's voice coverage on the Isle of Wight
Overall, EE appears to have the greatest number of 'no coverage' areas on the Isle of Wight (although it's similar to Three for voice data). There are sizeable chunks of the West Wight and East Wight where you have no chance of making a phone call, according to the Ofcom map. EE has a few patchy spots around Sandown and appears to be the worst of the four networks around the Sandown/Shanklin area for data.
It's not all bad news. EE has better coverage than Vodafone and O2 for data in Newport and the surrounding area. EE seems to have the best coverage around Cowes and East Cowes.
It's not all bad news. EE has better coverage than Vodafone and O2 for data in Newport and the surrounding area. EE seems to have the best coverage around Cowes and East Cowes.
