Is Vodafone a good network in the UK?

A reliable signal is critical for both individuals and enterprises. Vodafone is one of the most widely used network providers in the UK. And ever since the beginning of operations in 1985, the firm has grown steadily. However, there are more rivals competing for the same target audience and demographic. Despite a minor fall in user numbers, it remains one of the top three most popular networks in the United Kingdom.

For numerous individuals, Vodafone may not be a particularly affordable alternative. Furthermore, the rise of 4G and 5G has created issues in terms of speed and quality, according to UCtel. So, is Vodafone a good network in the UK? Let’s check that out!

Speed

EE is one of the UK’s strongest networks, including the speed. It can range from 40 Mbps. Vodafone was unable to compete with this, providing only 27.9 Mbps throughout the greater number of parts across the country. It’s worth noting that 5G speeds can exceed 110 Mbps. 

Its speed is unmatched for networks that use 4G and 5G. In the United Kingdom, EE ranks #1 in terms of signal quickness. It was also the first network to provide 5G. Thus, it gets a benefit over its competitors.

Challenges in competing

This is the number one reason many past users have switched to other networks. Even though Vodafone is still the largest network in the European Market, it is trying to catch up when compared to EE in the UK. It is still lagging behind and remains the third fastest network. As most people are still using 4G, the company is pushing towards strengthening 5G. This will provide customers with faster download speeds and reduce latency.

It has an upload speed of 39 seconds which may be slow for anyone in the gaming industry. This puts it behind EE and O2.

Coverage

Vodafone is a good mobile network when it comes to coverage, in the UK in particular. This is important for users that are always on the move. It covers most areas in the United Kingdom, allowing users to continue streaming online or make and receive calls while on the move. Those that may not afford 5G networks can opt for 4G or 3G which equally offer wide coverage. Currently there are more than 150 locations that have access to 5G. Other networks such as 2G are slowly being phased out.

When compared to other networks, Vodafone comes only second behind EE with a rural coverage of 80% and 84% respectively. Most rural areas using Vodafone is on 4G plans. With the plan to switch off 3G networks, there are more funds directed towards developing supportive infrastructure for 4G and 5G.

Vodafone uses 800 MHz in rural areas to enhance the signal. This is important since these locations are far from cell towers.

Cost

One of the biggest factors affecting the number of people using Vodafone is the price. When compared to its counterparts, this provider tends to be on the higher side. For instance, Three charges about £10 per month. Vodafone charges nearly double times this amount.There are three ways to pay including:

• Pay as You Go
• SIM only
• Monthly

Vodafone plans and their trade-offs

However, there are budget friendly options for those that may not afford the same amount. This often means slower signals and less coverage. There are many options that users can choose from. These include:

• Red 60 GB
• Unlimited Lite
• Unlimited
• Unlimited Max

Extra benefits

These are just a few options as some of these may come with additional benefits at an extra cost. Pay as You Go starts at £ 1 per Many users opt for the UnlimitedMax plan. It offers unlimited calls, texts, and data at a cost of £ 27. The Red plan is cheaper by £ 7 but only offers 10 GB internet with an unlimited number of calls and text messages. Only those that subscribe for Extra benefits can use free roaming when traveling within Europe.

Those on basic plans pay £2.25 per day for roaming. Because of inflation, Vodafone increased prices by nearly 7% in 2023. Price changes are modified at the beginning of the year depending on inflation rates.

Customer service

Is Vodafone a good UK mobile network when it comes to customer service? For the most part, it is since over 80% of users are satisfied with services. Most of the users have reported getting immediate help when using online services. Despite this, there are still a few who feel that customer support is poor. Some of the reasons include:

• Delay in picking up calls
• Providing inappropriate solutions to challenges
• Being referred to multiple people on call

Some queries may take time to resolve, which may be an inconvenience. This only occurs for less than 2% of users with most stating they have received satisfactory customer service. Most calls are attended to within 3 minutes, which is slightly slower than other network providers. Nearly 10% of customers complain about a service with more than half getting a helpful response.

Is it reliable?

A major question remains, should you use Vodafone. When you look at the benefits, it seems like a great option. With coverage in all areas, it allows you to connect with others at any time regardless of the location.

Speeds though slower depending on the plan are reliable. You are likely to continue experiencing the same quality of calls on the move.

Final thoughts

The UK has many network providers. Finding the right one can make a huge difference between costs, internet speed, and quality calls. Vodafone has been a major contender for the UK market for many decades. However, the company has experienced a decline among users in the past 5 years.

So is Vodafone a good network in the United Kingdom? This all depends on what you are looking for. If you need fast internet speeds at an affordable price then it might not be the best option. But because it has a wide coverage, paying some extra pounds can be overlooked. As Three and Vodafone move towards a merger, it may become a better option for those looking for faster network speeds.