Sky Mobile is a UK-based full Mobile Virtual Network Operator utilizing another carrier’s radio access network infrastructure. The wireless provider went live to the public across the UK on 5 January 2017. The provider is coining itself as the most competent network, mainly focused on data rather than calls and texts. With its data tariffs, you can choose from its two call and text packages with pay as you use or unlimited call and texts. This article will mainly focus on what network does Sky mobile uses to offer reliable services to its customers.
Have you ever had a dropped call, undelivered message, or slow data speeds? Or picked up a call only to realize you’re out of mobile service range? With many people depending on mobile phone networks more and more in all facets of their existence, it’s no astonishment many users want the best network coverage possible. The article will take a comprehensive look at the side by the side of Sky Mobile network coverage and its comparison to other UK wireless providers.
If you are experiencing problems with your Sky mobile network, the MVNO has a modest and valuable tool on their website that will aid you to get to the bottommost of what’s happening. The modest tool on their website offers you information on the status of your selected service in your area. The tool gets updated per hour with info about service disruptions or maintenance work in all areas. Therefore, you have an assurance that you’ll receive the answers you need rapidly and straightforwardly, no matter the problem. Are you ready to know the network this MVNO uses? Let’s dig in!
What network does Sky Mobile Use?
Many people commonly refer to Sky Mobile as a ‘piggyback’ service provider. This statement implies that even though Sky Mobile is a mobile wireless provider, they do not own their network infrastructure like cell towers, so they ‘piggyback’ on another existing network. Wireless companies that employ this operating system are Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MNVOs).
If this seems doubtful to you, don’t mind a lot. This system of operation (MVNO) is standard practice across the United Kingdom, with several wireless companies like TalkTalk, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile, and many others also falling into this category.
These MVNO providers use one of the four major network infrastructures to provide their cellular. When evaluating the mobile coverage quality, it’s essential to consider which major network an MVNO will be piggybacking off. There are only four primary networks in the UK, namely Vodafone, O2, EE, and Three.
Sky Mobile leases the O2 mobile network to deliver cellular services. Therefore, they get controlled by O2’s coverage and speeds. Fortunately, O2 has excellent 4G inside premises coverage across the UK, coming dual top with Vodafone.
Besides Northern Ireland, where the carrier has 91% inside premises coverage, O2 covers 95% of inside premises across the other three countries. This coverage is advantageous for Sky Mobile customers planning to receive a strong 4G signal, though it’s unlucky for those in the final 5% of premises.
On physical coverage, too, there are some concerns. O2 can only cover 80% of the UK’s landmass, ranking them in third place behind their competitors: EE and Vodafone. The four major networks have invested in their rural coverage. Therefore Sky Mobile consumers will benefit from enlarged coverage in the future.
It implies O2 will require to extend its topographical coverage by eight percent up to eighty-eight percent by 2024 and then by another two percent by 2026. Meanwhile, Sky Mobile customers can use the best cell phone booster for rural areas to improve their network coverage.
The appropriate method to check the network coverage in your area is to employ Sky Mobile’s official coverage tool.
How is Sky Mobile network coverage?
Sky Mobile currently provides five types of coverage, namely 2G, 3G, 4G, 4G calling, and 5G. Sky Mobile customers can receive a specific result for each type of coverage. Below we will discuss each of the coverage in more detail.
i) Sky Mobile 2G network coverage
The 2G mobile network coverage is the essential coverage available on Sky Mobile. These days, 2G networks get only used as a last resort backup where the latest mobile coverage types like 3G and 4G are unavailable. The 2G coverage on Sky Mobile allows customers to make and receive phone calls.
They can also send and receive texts and browse the internet at download speeds of up to 0.3Mbit/s with 2G EDGE technology. Sky Mobile provides 99% population coverage on 2G, using O2’s 900MHz spectrum.
ii) Sky Mobile 3G network coverage
Sky Mobile provides 3G coverage to 99% of the UK’s population. With dual-carrier HSPA+ technology, their 3G service allows customers to make and receive calls, send and receive texts, and mobile data at up to 42Mbit/s.
You will use the 3G network coverage for phone calls unless your phone gets enabled for 4G LTE calling, and you are in a 4G LTE calling coverage area. You may also use it in a location where 4G coverage is unavailable.
Typically, this 3G service uses O2’s 2100MHz spectrum. However, an extended-range 900MHz 3G service is also available in specific areas on Sky Mobile.
iii) Sky Mobile 4G network coverage
This network is currently the most common type of coverage operation on Sky Mobile. The network is available to about 99% of the UK’s population, and it provides Category six LTE download speeds of 300Mbit/s. However, actual download speeds vary based on location, but a mean speed of about 15-30Mbit/s is achievable.
Customers can check the availability of 4G coverage in their area by entering their zip code on Sky’s online coverage map and choosing the results for “4G.’’
iv) Sky Mobile 4G and Wi-Fi calling network coverage
Sky Mobile provides 4G Calling and Wi-Fi Calling to consumers with compatible devices. 4G calling, also called VoLTE, allows customers to make and receive calls when connected to Sky Mobile’s 4G network. This network prevents your mobile device from dropping down to 3G each time, offering better consistency and quicker download speeds when you are on a call.
Wi-Fi Calling is a Sky Mobile feature that allows its customers to make and receive calls, even where a mobile cellular signal isn’t available. You only need to be connected to a Wi-Fi network to use it.
v) Sky Mobile 5G network Coverage
Currently, Sky Mobile provides 5G coverage in 193 UK towns and cities. The pros of using 5G coverage on Sky Mobile are faster download speeds averaging 150Mbps, excellent network capacity, and a lesser latency.
It will cost you nothing to add 5G coverage to any of their phone plans, provided you join the Sky VIP loyalty program. There is zero cost for signing up to Sky VIP. You are only required to follow their joining instructions.
Users who do not want to sign up for the Sky VIP program will pay an extra £5/month to add 5G to their phone plan. However, the first month free will be free.
Are you experiencing poor network coverage while hiking? Do you want to boost your network coverage while hiking? The article recommends portable cell phone signal boosters for hiking to improve network coverage.
What is Sky Mobile Network Speed?
Sky Mobile offers a wide range of 4G and 5G coverage through the O2 network. However, how does it amount against its main competitors for network speed?
Download speed comparison (Mbps)
- O2 (Sky Mobile) – 15.16Mbps
- Three – 18.8Mbps
- Vodafone – 21.9Mbps
- EE – 29.0Mbps
Sky mobile provides lower download speeds than its main competitors. However, the significance of this will depend on how faster you will want to download content or information to your device.
If you’re into downloading HD movies to your smartphone, it takes time to achieve it since Sky Mobile’s mobile data download speed may mess with your expectations. However, the 15.16 Mbps will be faster for most customers for day-to-day activities.
What is Sky Mobile’s planned network improvements?
Sky Mobile is principally reliant on O2 for network improvements because it leases its network infrastructure and spectrum. The excellent news to Sky Mobile users is that O2 is constructing new network infrastructure and improving its 4G LTE coverage each day. However, the primary focus in the future is highly likely to improve 5G coverage in the entire UK landmass.
Bottom line
Sky Mobile is a UK-based mobile virtual network operator backed by the O2 network and provides 99% network coverage. The wireless provider has an average 4G download speed of 15.16Mbps which is reasonably good.
If there are any concerns with the O2 network, you may also experience concerns with Sky Mobile. Sky Mobile’s network coverage measures up to its main competitors for most areas and provides high mobile coverage across 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks.
