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Network support

Our network and coverage

Here at Tesco Mobile, we’re powered by O2’s network, giving you 99% coverage across the UK on 4G. Plus, you can take it to the next level with the roll-out of 5G, meaning an even faster, even more reliable connection. We now have 5G in parts of most major UK towns and cities, as well as lots of smaller towns and villages – so more people can benefit from super speeds, less lag and instant connectivity.

And with our 3G service set to be switched off in 2025, this will allow a focus on upgrading faster, more reliable and energy-efficient 4G and 5G services.

You can use our coverage checker to check the expected network coverage in your area, including 4G and 5G.

Having an issue with your network connection? The info below will help you find out why.
 
  • Network updates: From time to time, we need to make essential updates to our network, which may cause temporary service disruptions. You can use our status checker to check if there are any updates taking place in your area.
  • Mobile masts: Mobile masts send and receive phone signals. If you’re too far away from one, this may affect your signal. You can use our coverage checker to check the expected network coverage in your area.
  • Busy network: Occasionally, our network can get busy in some areas, especially during peak times and at large public gatherings, like concerts and football matches.
  • Inside buildings: Signals can vary inside buildings. Generally, you’ll receive a better temporary structures signal when you’re outside.
  • Temporary structures: Obstacles such as scaffolding can sometimes cause network obstructions. 
  • Bad weather: Heavy rain, strong winds and other extreme conditions can affect your network connection.

Helpful Tips

  1. Keeping your phone’s software up to date and making sure it’s well charged can improve your network connection.
  2. If you’re having an issue with your network connection, you can still use the internet and apps (including messaging apps like WhatsApp) by connecting to Wi-Fi – and you won’t use up any of your data allowance. 

If you’re having an issue with your signal but you’re connected to Wi-Fi, you can still call as normal using Wi-Fi Calling. The same goes for receiving calls too.

And when you’re on 4G or 5G, you can make and receive calls using 4G Calling (also known as VoLTE), giving you a crystal-clear connection.

On top of this, you can send and receive texts using Wi-Fi Calling and 4G Calling/VoLTE, as long as your phone supports this.  

Find out more about the benefits of Wi-Fi Calling and 4G Calling/VoLTE.

We’re always working on ways to keep you connected in more places – and that includes when you’re whizzing around on the Tube.

Our 4G/5G services are available on parts of the Central, Jubilee and Northern lines on the London Underground, and we’ve already got plans to expand our coverage by the end of 2024.

Currently, our coverage includes the following stations and connecting tunnels:

Central line

Jubilee line

Northern line

Frequently asked questions

You can use our coverage checker to check the expected network coverage in your area, including 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G.

Our coverage checker is based on predictions. While these predictions are mostly accurate, other things can come into play that affect network connections (see the ‘Network connections’ section above). We regularly update our coverage checker to reflect our latest findings.

From time to time, we need to make essential updates to our network, which may cause temporary service disruptions. You can use our status checker to check if there are any updates taking place in your area.

If your phone isn’t connecting to 4G, this may be because your phone isn’t 4G-ready. You can check if your phone is 4G-ready by heading to the Device help section.

If your phone is 4G-ready, but it’s not connecting to 4G, you may need to update your phone settings to connect to 4G. For help with this, please head to our Device help section.

If your phone still isn’t connecting to 4G after this, this may be because there’s a temporary issue with the 4G coverage in your area. Or you may be in an area that doesn’t have 4G coverage (although 99% of the UK is covered by our 4G service).