What do you mean by ‘phone signal’?
A mobile phone signal, sometimes called your ‘network connection’ or ‘service’, refers to the strength of the signal on your smartphone. On most phones, this is depicted by several (usually up to four) vertical bars.
Signal strength will vary depending on each area, how close you are to the cellular tower it’s connected to, and if there are any objects in the way like large buildings or dense forests.
If you have poor signal in your area, this is most likely due to the above reasons. Moving to a different network may increase your signal strength, as your home-base may be closer to the tower where they emit their signal from.
Phone networks in the UK
Different networks cover different areas around the UK, with some stronger or weaker in various cities.
When it comes to phone signal, there are only four mobile network providers in the UK:
- Vodafone
- EE
- O2
- Three
All other mobile network providers have to partner with one of these major four (also known as piggybacking). When looking at other mobile networks, always pay attention to what parent network they use (for instance, at Asda mobile we are powered by Vodafone).
How to find the best phone signal near me
If you want to find the best phone signal in your area, you need to search by your postcode to see which mobile provider has the strongest presence in your location.
You can use Asda mobile’s postcode checker to see the strength of our 3G, 4G or 5G signal in your town or city. If you’d like to compare network coverage in your area, try Ofcom’s mobile availability checker.
Sometimes, however, you may not be able to help being in a poor signal area - particularly if you live somewhere rural where the nearest cell tower is in your neighbouring town or city fairly far away. If you can’t find a provider that produces a strong enough signal, you can always use Wi-Fi calling. Wi-Fi calling uses your internet connection, rather than your phone signal, to make calls.
Phone signal with Asda mobile
Thanks to our partnership with Vodafone, we can offer up to 99% UK population coverage. You can also take advantage of Wi-Fi and 4G calling for free (as long as your device is compatible). We also offer fantastic value monthly bundles, better than ever pay as you go rates, free roaming in 46 European destinations, and more.
If, after doing your research, you want to switch networks, you can read our guide to find out everything you need to know before you move.
