What’s a fast mobile internet provider here? Giffgaff is shit for me

Posted by Open-Chart2054@reddit | miltonkeynes | View on Reddit | 33 comments

So I’ve been using giffgaff for 12 years, no problems but I’ve just moved to Milton Keynes and in my flat my data speeds are shit. Like 2.5 mbps. I’m used to 30 - 90 mbps

Looked on the Ofcom site and it seems that 02 which is what giffgaff is on has limited coverage here.

So I’m wondering what other people use especially as I have no wifi now and I’m getting one of those mobile broadband dongles for the next 2 weeks.

For reference, I live in central Milton Keynes.

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officialaltontowers@reddit

Vodafone seems to be fine in central, the signal is great around IKEA, but when you get to the outskirts it gets a bit dodge (especially the A421 on the last few roundabouts toward Buckingham)

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October82000@reddit

Been on Tesco mobile for over 10 years and never once had an issue with signal, with the exception of Kingston retail centre. That place is a black spot for everyone I know.

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Tesco Mobile and giffgaff both piggyback on O2, so they are both comparable. I am on giffgaff and have not had any major issues. The coverage is okay, but I would not say it is excellent. My biggest issue is that when I am in busy areas or at events, I cannot get any data because the networks prioritize their direct customers, and all the other piggyback networks get the leftovers. But then again, it is super cheap and does not force you into a 2-year contract.

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LorusGents@reddit

There are only 4 networks, O2, vodafone, 3 and EE. Just go to the coverage checker on each of their sites. Then look up which alternative providers use that network so you can find the cheapest option

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adamm255@reddit

EE says there is signal at Kingston. I think everyone says there’s good signal there, which is a lie 😂

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katieamarsh@reddit

Never had issues with EE here.

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SlowScooby@reddit

I am with Lebara, which uses the Vodafone network. Paying £6.90 for 12gb. Free roaming in the eu too. Got that with a code from here: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mobiles/ Bigger deals available. Signal is great apart from at the city centre. I had the same problem with EE. I think this is because they haven’t upgraded the network to cope with the number of people there.

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SlowScooby@reddit

Oh wait. I’ve just been in west Bletchley and the signal was very poor - Edge, not even 3G. There wasn’t a problem there before, so hopefully something is just broken.

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Jasedesu@reddit

A lot of carriers are switching off their 3G networks, so that may explain the lack of 3G - I think Vodafone has switched it off across the whole UK now.

One side effect of the 3G switch-off is that it's pushing more people on to the 4/5G networks, so performance on 4G tanks as the infrastructure is not up to the increased demand. 5G is still patchy everywhere.

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weirdchili@reddit

Im on vodafone, getting 5g at around 300mbps on my phone. I think EE is pretty good too

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Shabrahimovic@reddit

EE are shite in MK

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Zeratul_Artanis@reddit

I've never had a problem with EE in MK and have lived Furzton, Fenny, Bletchley, Newton Leys (where everyone was poor) and Brooklands.

I currently live in one of the old villages and still don't have a problem.

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dodgyboarder@reddit

Agree. If I turn off WiFi calling at home EE has no signal. 😢

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Open-Chart2054@reddit (OP)

Thank you

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SStefanA@reddit

Worse than Vodafone to be honest but that has been the case for all providers for us. None were truly reliable

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andreaglad@reddit

Oh man, Giffgaff giving you a hard time? Maybe give Three a shot! They're pretty fast for a lot of folks.

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wobblythings@reddit

Moved from Vodafone to ID Mobile (Three network) and I noticed the signal got a lot worse.

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SerendipitousCrow@reddit

I'm newton leys not central but ID is crap for me too

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Open-Chart2054@reddit (OP)

Interesting, thank you

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cons013@reddit

Just go ee man. I had smarty and o2 with regular patches of 0 reception at all. O2 couldn't even get signal at work. Ee has worked for me ansolutely everywhere including middle of London, it's worth the cost to just have something that works (free tube wifi is nice too).

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Tall_Court1997@reddit

If you’re having issues with Giffgaf, I wouldn’t recommend the following: giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile and Lycamobile or obviously O2 …. As they all use the O2 network

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supercbuk@reddit

in medbourne get about 300mb on 5g vodafone

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techno-ninja@reddit

I'm EE too, never had an issue

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SmallestFrog@reddit

Vodafone

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Open-Chart2054@reddit (OP)

Thank you

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SStefanA@reddit

Tried giffgaff smarty and Vodafone. All are shit but Vodafone is a bit better. MK is horrid for reception, Samsung and iPhone, and I still don't know why

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