Coverage and tethering

[Ianmc1968]

What is the mobile coverage like and how is tethering of the phone for the likes of iPlayer Netflix Disney 

[Tom_W1 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Ianmc1968 thanks for your post here in the Community - welcome! 

This is quite a generalised question, so it's hard to give an exact response here. However, a lot centers on the signal strength you get in your area, if you have a good signal then you're likely to get good speeds especially if 5G is available and you have this.

We'd advise checking O2's service checker here as this will identify any issues in your area.

I hope this helps!
Many thanks

[japitts]

@Tom_W1 wrote:if you have a good signal then you're likely to get good speeds especially if 5G is available and you have this.

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I'm not sure this is correct though.

Signal strength is a measure of just that - quality of received signal.

It says nothing about the speeds achievable over that same signal, which is dictated by available spectrum and capacity.

4G/5G is just a sideshow there.

[enlli]

Plenty of places on O2 with excellent signal strength but slow data. Usually down to congestion..

As an O2 user I would be wary of streaming unless I had evidence that the network was good 24/7 

[Ianmc1968]

Hi I am currently with EE. and thinking of changing to Virgin but I am concerned about if I will be able to tether the likes of my Roku stick and Disney and Netflix etc using my iPhone as the hotspot whilst I am away in my Motorhome as I have no problems doing it at the moment 

[Matthew_ML]

Thank you for reaching out as mentioned This is quite a generalised question, so it's hard to give an exact response.

This is going to depend where you are for example if you are trying to do some tethering in the middle of a forest it will be different to when you are at home. Thanks 

[enlli]

Virgin are moving to O2 full time so if you join Virgin you will become an O2 customer sometime this year.

I wouldn't join any network before the beginning of April as you will be hit with a price rise.and  In Virgin /O2 case 17.3%

We can't answer you question as we don't know the state of play at the locations you visit. 

[japitts]

Also bear in mind that - although there will always be local differences - on a national basis EE generally outperforms every other network for data performance, and O2 is towards the bottom.

PlusNet uses EE for their mobile service, so it may be worth canvassing real-world experiences from friends or relatives who use O2 in the area you're considering.. that is the best test of any provider.