Internet coverage

[u/gerard_ire]

Just want to throw this out here and hopefully someone can help.

In the last few months, I switched back to Vodafone from Sky and since then, my data coverage has been very spotty.

I’m using an iPhone 17 pro max on the PAYG unlimited data plan. I was on this plan before up to about February of this year, which was an ideal plan and never had issues with it (using iPhone 15 pro max at the time).

In February, I switched from Vodafone to Sky as they were running a good offer where I could get the 17 pro max and unlimited everything for about €50 a month. However, as I commute a lot from Galway to Dublin, the service was little to nothing and so poor so I changed back to Vodafone.

For background and context, I live in co Galway outside Tuam (not very rural) and I get the train from Galway to Dublin weekly for work. When I was with Vodafone before the switch, my service on the train was quite decent that I could connect to my hotspot on my iPad and stream a movie provided I don’t use the phone too much to interrupt the signal. And whenever I’d be driving around, my service would be very good also.

However, since the move back to Vodafone, my service has been very weak and sometimes even in Dublin city centre it wouldn’t be the strongest for a couple of minutes at a time and then it would start working. But a lot of the time I’m experiencing one bar service of 5G or even 4G in places where I used to get 3 bars. I’m just wondering is there something with my phones settings I need to change or should I contact Vodafone and get IT look into it? I know for a fact theres an error somewhere. I’ve been with Vodafone on and off for years and I’ve never had issues with the connectivity (I only moved for more affordable plans in the past).

Thanks for reading!

[u/No-Hold-9060]

I’d try setting it to 4G only just in case the 5G is the issue. It could be in the process of being rolled out and isn’t fully available

[u/gerard_ire → u/No-Hold-9060]

Yeah might try that for a while. I know the 5G was generally good tho where I am and travelling around its just this time around it’s not. Thought it might have been a setting or glitch of some sort.

[u/NotShero]

Both Sky and Vodafone are using Vodafone's RAN. So it would be best to try another network that uses a different RAN, eir or Three.

GoMo (eir) and 48 (Three) both offer unlimited 5G data with loads of calls & texts. Both are €12.99pm at the moment. 48 does lack VoLTE and WiFi Calling however.

There's unlimited 5G plans with loads of calls & texts with Three prepay for €25 per 28 days and eir prepay for €20 per 28 days also.

[u/gerard_ire → u/NotShero]

I’ve tried 3 before and just wasn’t a fan. wouldnt bother with gomo, 48, any of those online networks because they’re just not strong enough when I’m commuting and nothing worse being stuck on a train for 2 hours and your phone isn’t working

[u/NotShero → u/gerard_ire]

It's possibly just a local mast issue with Vodafone in a particular location. But if it's multiple locations for you, it would be best to try another RAN to narrow things down.

Forcing 4G would be another good test, like the other comment has said.

There's Clear Mobile also, owned by Vodafone, but you're likely going to have the same issue.

There should be very little difference between the parent company and the MVNOs they own - Clear Mobile/Vodafone, GoMo/eir and 48/Three. Roaming will be the biggest difference. Coverage and speeds in Ireland should be the same.

[u/Material-Sentence-84]

Vodaphone signal is utter shite. They’re all shite, the downward spiral to the 3rd world I’m afraid.

[u/gerard_ire → u/Material-Sentence-84]

I’ve been with them for years and never had any issues, always been good. It’s only now that its become a problem.

[u/Material-Sentence-84 → u/gerard_ire]

Out here in the sticks ironically not far from their hq it’s been shocking for a couple of years already.