People moving home
If you are choosing a provider around a move, check service at your new home and workplace before committing. Ofcom’s Map Your Mobile lets people explore coverage at locations including home and work.
Who this guide is for
Regular commuters
If you rely on calls or data while travelling a familiar route, consider the places between the start and end of your journey too. Ofcom identifies commuting routes as a relevant place to check coverage.
People who need indoor calling over Wi-Fi
If mobile reception is weak indoors but you have usable Wi-Fi, check that your provider, plan and exact handset support Wi-Fi Calling. EE and O2 publish provider-specific guidance for compatible equipment.
What to prioritise when choosing
Check the places where you depend on service before comparing plan formats. Ofcom says in-home coverage results are guidance, not a guarantee of reception in every room.
| Concern | What to check when buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Service at home and work | Check each postcode and consider indoor as well as outdoor coverage; Ofcom describes in-home results as guidance. | If I rely on calls and data at home and work, I would check both places rather than assume a national coverage claim applies. Consumers prioritising home and work service make up about 26%. |
| Coverage along the commute | Inspect regular intermediate locations as well as the journey’s endpoints. Ofcom’s coverage tool includes commuting routes. | If I need service during a regular journey, I would look at the places I pass through, not just where I start and finish. About 26% of consumers put journey coverage first. |
| Indoor calling over Wi-Fi | Confirm Wi-Fi Calling support for the exact provider, plan and handset, and check the device setup instructions. | If mobile reception is weak indoors but my Wi-Fi is usable, I would check that Wi-Fi Calling is supported and active. Consumers who prioritise indoor calls make up about 21%. |
| Flexibility after a move | Check the minimum term, renewal and cancellation conditions, and any exit terms on your current service. | If my new routine is still taking shape, I would want to understand how easily I can change service after checking local coverage. About 16% of consumers prioritise flexibility. |
| Handset compatibility | Check eSIM and voice-calling support for the exact handset and software. Ofcom’s guidance updated on 10 August 2026 says UK 3G networks are switched off. | If I want to keep my phone or need a replacement, I would check that it supports the service I intend to use before buying another handset. Consumers putting handset compatibility first make up about 11%. |
Buying pitfalls to avoid
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Buying a handset before checking what your service needs
A newer phone does not establish local coverage, and your current handset may already support the calling features you need.
Check the existing phone’s supported calling features and any required software updates before deciding to replace it.
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Assuming eSIM or SIM-only means a short commitment
SIM format and contract length are separate choices. Vodafone describes eSIM options alongside plans with different commitment terms.
Read the minimum term and cancellation conditions for the specific plan, not just the SIM type.
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Comparing handset plans by the monthly payment alone
Airtime and device obligations can be separate. O2 says that cancelling airtime within the first 24 months of its Device Plan requires repayment of the remaining device balance in full; this condition is specific to that agreement.
Check the device agreement and airtime terms separately, including what happens if you leave early.
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Trusting an approval claim on a signal repeater advert
Ofcom warns that repeaters that do not meet the applicable licence-exemption requirements remain illegal; an advert’s claim does not establish compliance.
Check the exact model against Ofcom’s requirements and assess whether there is a usable outdoor signal before considering installation.
Mobile brands to consider as local-check options
EE
A network to include in a local shortlist, particularly if you are checking Wi-Fi Calling for a compatible device.
- EE’s support guidance says Wi-Fi Calling is available to customers with a compatible device.
- EE warns that a call can drop if you leave Wi-Fi coverage and the handset cannot find a 4G signal. This does not establish suitability at every address.
O2
Relevant if you are comparing Wi-Fi Calling on Pay Monthly or Pay As You Go, or considering a financed handset.
- O2 documents Wi-Fi and 4G Calling for both plan types with compatible equipment.
- O2’s Device Plan has specific repayment conditions if airtime is cancelled; check the agreement you are considering.
Vodafone
A service option to compare if you are weighing SIM-only arrangements, eSIM or different commitment terms.
- Vodafone describes SIM-only options with different terms, as well as Pay as you go Plus and eSIM options.
- Plan format and flexibility do not establish coverage at your home or along your commute. Check the exact plan and locations.
Three
Relevant if you have an eSIM-compatible device and want to consider digital activation or a supported two-line setup.
- Three documents QR-code and compatible-device activation, as well as dual-SIM possibilities.
- Check support for your exact device and intended plan; eSIM does not itself improve local coverage.
giffgaff
An option to compare if you want to assess a monthly rolling arrangement while your routine changes.
- giffgaff’s help guidance explains recurring payments and changing or cancelling its monthly rolling plan.
- Billing flexibility does not establish local service quality; check your home, workplace and regular route separately.
Joybuy mobile service options
These Joybuy listings are CMLink UK SIM plans for comparing a SIM-only service. The listings describe EE-network service; check coverage at your home, workplace and regular route before choosing, as Ofcom treats coverage predictions as guidance rather than an in-home guarantee.
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CMLink UK SIM, 100GB UK Data
Could suit someone comparing a monthly SIM-only service while checking coverage after a move; confirm the EE network works at the locations that matter to you.
Preloaded with a 1-month plan; auto-renews monthly when there is sufficient balance and can be changed or cancelled.
100GB UK data and 10GB for EU and other destinations; the listing also describes UK texts and international minutes.
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CMLink UK SIM, 40GB UK Data
Could suit someone comparing a monthly SIM-only service while checking coverage after a move; confirm the EE network works at the locations that matter to you.
Preloaded with a 1-month plan; auto-renews monthly when there is sufficient balance and can be changed or cancelled.
40GB UK data and 6GB for EU and other destinations; the listing also describes UK texts and international minutes.
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CMLink UK SIM, Unlimited UK Data
Could suit someone comparing a monthly SIM-only service while checking coverage after a move; confirm the EE network works at the locations that matter to you.
Preloaded with a 1-month plan; auto-renews monthly when there is sufficient balance and can be changed or cancelled.
Unlimited UK data and 20GB for EU and other destinations; the listing also describes UK texts and international minutes.
Mobile coverage and plan FAQs
Does a good postcode result guarantee reception in every room?
No. Ofcom says building materials and other local factors can make in-home reception differ from a prediction, so use its results as guidance rather than a room-by-room guarantee.
How can I keep my coverage checks relevant?
Record when and where you checked and which network you considered, then check again before ordering or if your address or regular route changes. Keep coverage predictions separate from area-level performance indicators; this is a practical checking routine, not a promised update schedule.
How do I confirm Wi-Fi Calling is active?
Follow the setup instructions for your exact handset and provider, then check the device’s Wi-Fi Calling indicator. For a multi-SIM iPhone, Apple advises selecting the intended line; having a Wi-Fi connection alone does not confirm the feature is active.
Does eSIM mean a plan is contract-free?
No. eSIM describes a SIM format, not the plan’s commitment. Vodafone describes eSIM options alongside SIM-only plans with different terms, so check the minimum term and cancellation conditions for the specific plan.
Do I automatically need a new phone because UK 3G has closed?
No. Ofcom’s guidance updated on 10 August 2026 says UK 3G networks are switched off, but some newer devices may need software or settings changes rather than replacement. Confirm voice-calling compatibility with your chosen provider for the exact handset before buying another phone.