Network support

Our network and coverage

We share O2’s network, which has 99% UK population coverage on 4G. Take it to the next level on O2’s 5G network, giving you an even faster, even more reliable service.

If you're looking for more information about our 99% UK coverage on 4G, then you’ve come to the right place. Explore answers to our most frequently asked questions and find out other ways to stay connected right here. 

What affects network connections?

We know how important it is to stay connected, but occasionally we need to carry out essential work which may cause a disruption to your network. You can use our live status checker at any time to see what’s going on in your area.

Network connections can be affected by many factors. Here are a few of the most common reasons for signal interruptions. 

Buildings

Signals can vary inside buildings – you’ll always receive a better signal when you’re outside. 

Location

Location matters. Use our coverage checker to see the expected network coverage in your area. 

Distance from a mobile mast

A mast or cell tower sends and receives phone signals. If you’re too far away from one, your signal may suffer.  

Temporary structures

Obstacles such as scaffolding can cause temporary network obstructions.  

Device issues

Keeping your device up to date and charged can help you keep a stronger connection.

Bad weather

Heavy rain, strong winds and other extreme conditions can affect your network connection.

Busy network

From time to time, our network can get busy in some areas, especially during peak times. Your signal can also be affected when you’re at large public gatherings, like at an outdoor concert or stadium. This is due to the number of users trying to connect, which can overwhelm the network.

Other ways to stay connected

 

Consider using Wi-Fi to stay connected

Whenever you’re at home, remember you can connect to Wi-Fi so that you can save your data for when you might need it.

 

Apps to help you stay in touch

To keep in touch with loved ones, you can video call in groups or one-to-one using apps like WhatsApp and chat with them on messaging apps like Facebook Messenger. All these apps will use up data, so remember you can connect to Wi-Fi.

Frequently asked questions

You can see how 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G are performing in your area by using our coverage checker

Our coverage checker is based on predictions. While mostly accurate, there are other factors that can come into play. Trees, hills and tall buildings can affect your coverage. We continuously adapt our coverage checker to reflect our latest findings. 

Connection issues can happen for many reasons, and most are simple to resolve. Your low battery, location or faulty apps could all be at play. Occasionally, we may have to carry out necessary network updates to improve our systems, which sometimes causes service disruptions. To see if there’s an update taking place in your area, you can use our live status checker.