Suggestions for a UK Sim w/Excellent Data Coverage

hkr · 13-10-2010, 22:38

I have just returned from the UK.

Before the trip, a friend of mine, who lives there, got me a "Three" SIM. Their network is 3G only and boast to have the best 3G coverage in the UK.

As a matter of fact, their claim might be valid. Considering it is a 3G-only network, the coverage was suprisingly good. However, I found their general coverage a littlebit patchy in the areas I was trying to use it.

I used my Nokia E71, and came out cheap by being able to use my phone's VoIP client for making calls. As for receiving calls I used a home DID diverted to the SIMs phone number via VoIP. It worked fine except for the caller ID, but that's acceptable considering this was a very cheap way of receiving calls.

I also used the same SIM for surfing the internet from my phone as well as by putting the card in a modem. Later I bought a fantastic Huawei E585 modem/WiFi router from Three, and used that with my netbook. It worked fine.

All in all, I can recommend 3 as a data/mobile net provider, but mainly if you intend to use it in urban areas. For normal phoning however, I'd look for some other network with a better 2G coverage as I missed a lot of calls due to no coverage at the place where I spent the weekend. But to be fair, I found that other, 2G operators were also quite weak in that bulding.

lizzie1955 · **Updated Info: UK Sim for Voice and Data -** 25-12-2011, 17:57

Hi Everyone,

Happy Holidays! A couple of years have past since I first posted this query. I never made it to London--first it was volcanic ash; last yeart a family illness forced a last minute cancellation.

I'm giving London another try in February and wonder if there is any updated information on a SIM for voice and data. I'll be in London for 5 days and have a Nokia E71. I plan to use it to make local calls, calls to the US and checking e-mail.

Thanks!

	(#1)
hkr (Offline) Member Advanced Member Posts: 75 Join Date: 29 Apr 2009 Country:	13-10-2010, 22:38 I have just returned from the UK. Before the trip, a friend of mine, who lives there, got me a "Three" SIM. Their network is 3G only and boast to have the best 3G coverage in the UK. As a matter of fact, their claim might be valid. Considering it is a 3G-only network, the coverage was suprisingly good. However, I found their general coverage a littlebit patchy in the areas I was trying to use it. I used my Nokia E71, and came out cheap by being able to use my phone's VoIP client for making calls. As for receiving calls I used a home DID diverted to the SIMs phone number via VoIP. It worked fine except for the caller ID, but that's acceptable considering this was a very cheap way of receiving calls. I also used the same SIM for surfing the internet from my phone as well as by putting the card in a modem. Later I bought a fantastic Huawei E585 modem/WiFi router from Three, and used that with my netbook. It worked fine. All in all, I can recommend 3 as a data/mobile net provider, but mainly if you intend to use it in urban areas. For normal phoning however, I'd look for some other network with a better 2G coverage as I missed a lot of calls due to no coverage at the place where I spent the weekend. But to be fair, I found that other, 2G operators were also quite weak in that bulding. Postpaid: 3x Vodafone (HU) 1x T-Mobile) formerly also Pannon Prepaid: Vodafone, Pannon, T-Mobile (HU) Optimus (PT) SamiSwoi, ERA, Orange (PL) VIP (HR) T-Mobile (AT) Vodafone, O2, Orange, T-Mobile (UK) Vodafone (DE) Data-only prepaid: Vodafone, T-Mobile, Djuice/Pannon (HU) International SIMs: UM+, Sim4Travel, TravelSim Phones: Nokia E51, E71, Samsung D880, SE P990i, Ericsson T39m -forever! , many others in the drawer. 3G modems Huawei E220, E870, EU870D, U740, Alcatel X200 VoIP: Justvoip, CallWithUs, Neophonex, fonline, Macrogate and several others for outgoing... DIDs from Macrogate, DIDww, Gradwell, Voxbone and others. FreePBX, Vigor router with inbuilt ATA, Nokia E-series phones.

	(#2)
lizzie1955 (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Fan Posts: 100 Join Date: 20 Aug 2007 Country:	Updated Info: UK Sim for Voice and Data - 25-12-2011, 17:57 Hi Everyone, Happy Holidays! A couple of years have past since I first posted this query. I never made it to London--first it was volcanic ash; last yeart a family illness forced a last minute cancellation. I'm giving London another try in February and wonder if there is any updated information on a SIM for voice and data. I'll be in London for 5 days and have a Nokia E71. I plan to use it to make local calls, calls to the US and checking e-mail. Thanks!