Published 28/06/2017
What Network has the best coverage in Ireland?
When it comes to mobile networks, coverage and quality can vary significantly between each company. Every network claims to be Ireland's best but only one can be the best. With people now constantly connecting with each other via services such as Facebook, Whatsapp, Snapchat and Twitter, our smartphones are more important than ever. No one wants to have to wait for their video to buffer or their snap to send, especially when you're shelling out a considerable amount of money every month to gain access to the network.
Thankfully, many companies such as Ookla, Rootmetrics and P3 specialise in benchmarking our mobile networks to see which is actually the best. They measure the quality, reliability and breath of 2G, 3G and 4G networks in Ireland and also compare mobile data download speeds and compare call performance. Each year, ComReg, the Commission for Communications Regulation in Ireland undertakes its own tests to ensure that the networks are fulfilling their promises of providing a quality mobile experience to their customers.
Thankfully, many companies such as Ookla, Rootmetrics and P3 specialise in benchmarking our mobile networks to see which is actually the best. They measure the quality, reliability and breath of 2G, 3G and 4G networks in Ireland and also compare mobile data download speeds and compare call performance. Each year, ComReg, the Commission for Communications Regulation in Ireland undertakes its own tests to ensure that the networks are fulfilling their promises of providing a quality mobile experience to their customers.
Three has the worst coverage in Ireland of any network
Three operates Ireland's poorest network in terms of coverage and speed. Three has the worst coverage in Ireland of any major network, coming last in virtually every mobile benchmark. Their 4G network, while claimed to be state of the art, is significantly smaller and slower than that of its biggest rival, Vodafone. According to Opensignal, Ookla and ComReg, Three has the slowest network in Ireland. Three's 4G network also suffers from shockingly poor penetration with its 4G network not reaching many urban areas.
Many people have asked me why Three's network is so bad, some can't even get speeds of 1Mbps in major towns. I've reached out to Three multiple times about the issue but they have yet to provide an explanation. Things get worse in urban areas during rush hour when the already congested network becomes inundated with data hungry users. I find it despicable that Three advertises as having a state of the art network, let me tell you, it's far from it. People have come to me in despair, asking how to cancel their contract and leave Three because the network is so bad.
For example, in Co.Wexford Three's 4G network offers speeds which rarely exceed 10Mbps in most areas. Vast swathes of the Irish landscape receive little to no coverage on Three's network. However, Three claims to be nearing completion of it's ' The Big Upgrade' program this year, supposed to deliver a state of the art nationwide 4G network. Just look below at some speed tests I recorded while I was testing Three earlier this year. Testing Three for a month made me realise and appreciate the quality and reliability of Vodafone. However, I am confident that Three will eventually manage to catch up with Meteor and Vodafone before the launch of 5G.
Many people have asked me why Three's network is so bad, some can't even get speeds of 1Mbps in major towns. I've reached out to Three multiple times about the issue but they have yet to provide an explanation. Things get worse in urban areas during rush hour when the already congested network becomes inundated with data hungry users. I find it despicable that Three advertises as having a state of the art network, let me tell you, it's far from it. People have come to me in despair, asking how to cancel their contract and leave Three because the network is so bad.
For example, in Co.Wexford Three's 4G network offers speeds which rarely exceed 10Mbps in most areas. Vast swathes of the Irish landscape receive little to no coverage on Three's network. However, Three claims to be nearing completion of it's ' The Big Upgrade' program this year, supposed to deliver a state of the art nationwide 4G network. Just look below at some speed tests I recorded while I was testing Three earlier this year. Testing Three for a month made me realise and appreciate the quality and reliability of Vodafone. However, I am confident that Three will eventually manage to catch up with Meteor and Vodafone before the launch of 5G.
|
|
Meteor's network is very good
Meteor has managed to grow its 4G coverage significantly over the last two years. Its 4G network now has around 95% coverage, making it the second largest network in Ireland in terms of 4G coverage. Areas covered only by 3G months ago are now mostly covered with 4G. Rootmetrics actually found Meteor to have the best network in both Cork and Limerick city last year. I should also stress that Meteor continues to be one of the leading innovators in the Irish mobile market. They recently launched a new 4G+ network similar to Vodafone to further increase 4G speeds and capacity. Meteor have also launched HD Voice to give customers a better call experience and Wifi calling to cover those where Meteor's network does not reach.
Meteor is Ireland's second fastest network with 4G speeds averaging around 24Mbps according to Ookla. It speeds are improving, leaping significatly since the start of this year alone according to OpenSignal. The only drawback to Meteor's network is its poor 3G coverage. Unlike Vodafone, Meteor's customers are usually shifted onto Edge in areas not covered by 4G because their 3G network is smaller than their 4G network. I've tested Meteor extensively this year and was pleased with its coverage and speed, both in urban and rural areas.
Meteor is Ireland's second fastest network with 4G speeds averaging around 24Mbps according to Ookla. It speeds are improving, leaping significatly since the start of this year alone according to OpenSignal. The only drawback to Meteor's network is its poor 3G coverage. Unlike Vodafone, Meteor's customers are usually shifted onto Edge in areas not covered by 4G because their 3G network is smaller than their 4G network. I've tested Meteor extensively this year and was pleased with its coverage and speed, both in urban and rural areas.
|
|
Vodafone has the best coverage in Ireland
In stark contrast to its biggest rival, Vodafone customers enjoy an unparalleled mobile experience thanks to its constant drive for innovation across its Irish network. Vodafone has won virtually every mobile benchmark from Ookla, P3, OpenSignal and ComReg to date. It has Ireland's best 4G network offering 4G coverage to over 95% of the population. Its also the fastest network in Ireland with 4G speeds consistently faster than those of Meteor and Three.
Vodafone customers also enjoy HD Voice calls, 4G Roaming and the most advanced 4G+ network in Ireland. Vodafone's 3G network is also the best of its kind, with speeds reaching over 20Mbps and actually faster than Three's 4G network. Another impressive milestone which Vodafone has reached is having at least 90% 4G in every county in Ireland. Using Vodafone as my only mobile network over the past number of years, I've not once found myself in a position where I wished to be on another network. Friends of mine who have switched to Vodafone are astonished with the quality and reliability the network offers. I've never heard of anyone switching from Vodafone to another network because of poor coverage and for good reason: No other network offers the same broad reach, dependable speeds and consistent performance year after year. The fact is that Three needs to face the truth because they and Meteor can't hold a candle to the coast to coast omnipresence of Vodafone.
Vodafone customers also enjoy HD Voice calls, 4G Roaming and the most advanced 4G+ network in Ireland. Vodafone's 3G network is also the best of its kind, with speeds reaching over 20Mbps and actually faster than Three's 4G network. Another impressive milestone which Vodafone has reached is having at least 90% 4G in every county in Ireland. Using Vodafone as my only mobile network over the past number of years, I've not once found myself in a position where I wished to be on another network. Friends of mine who have switched to Vodafone are astonished with the quality and reliability the network offers. I've never heard of anyone switching from Vodafone to another network because of poor coverage and for good reason: No other network offers the same broad reach, dependable speeds and consistent performance year after year. The fact is that Three needs to face the truth because they and Meteor can't hold a candle to the coast to coast omnipresence of Vodafone.
|
|
|
Conclusion: Don't let Three fool you
Vodafone is the most advanced network in Ireland offering the fastest, most reliable and largest 4G network. Of course, Vodafone's competitors claim otherwise. Meteor, for example, manages faster speeds in many areas, and points this out whenever it can. Over the entirety of Ireland, though, Vodafone has the more dependable 4G service. This is a fact. Three can tout that they're in the process of 'The Big Upgrade' but its just a marketing stunt that has yet to deliver any signs have improvement. Do they really think that customers should wait another two years (perhaps even more time considering recent delays) to enjoy a good network when Vodafone already offers what Three will have in two years time.
Revised: 30/06/2017
Comparison based on real world usage of each mobile network and publically available reports published by P3, Rootmetrics, ComReg, Ookla and OpenSignal. No Sponsor or Paid Promotions.
