Which mobile operator ?

[TheMunroMan]

I was just looking at the 3 website and they don't appear to have any coverage for most of the highlands. Anyone know which operator is best up that way?

[Alastair S]

When I moved to Scotland 2.5 years ago I soon switched from Virgin (who used the TMobile backbone) to Vodafone as the Virgin/TMobile coverage was so poor. I went with Vodafone as a couple of the independent stores said they had the best coverage in Scotland, and I've been fairly pleased with the result. Since then several peeps on this forum have also reinforced this feeling.

However Orange & TMobile have now merged so TMobile's coverage may now be better but I think they still are some way behind Vodafone & O2.

[Phil the Hill]

I'm with Vodafone, and have been with them for years as I've found their coverage in the Highlands to be pretty good. Better on the tops than in the valleys, obviously, but I got a signal once when camping at Loch Einich, and my mate was able to ring his wife to look up a bird we saw in their book (turned out to be a black-throated diver).

[TheMunroMan]

That's pretty much what I thought the case would be. I'm sure T-mobile now being owned by Orange will undoubtedly improve their signal performance.

But my colleague an I are on O2 and Vod and between us, by the sounds of it, we should be able to call home : ). Although my original question was driven by my need to have some sort of emergency line should anything go wrong. Not got the luxury of a sat phone just yet and I could probably forgo checking in at home or the office for a week

[Essan]

I've always been with Vodafone and wouldn't change simply because IMO they do give the best coverage in the Highlands (and indeed other upland areas)

[brpro26]

I was always under the impression that if you needed an Emergency SOS number your mobile phone would hook up to any available network regardless of who you were with.
Then again if you not getting any signal any network then your screwed I guess.

[MacCookie]

I was always under the impression that if you needed an Emergency SOS number your mobile phone would hook up to any available network regardless of who you were with.
Then again if you not getting any signal any network then your screwed I guess.

If you dial 999, it should connect to any network available.

WRT T-Mobile and Orange, if you're on one network, you should be able to roam on the other, thus the two networks have a combined their network coverage.

Ewan

[mountain coward]

Vodafone are the Scottish experts... I can't get a signal on my Vodafone mobile anywhere else than Scotland though - including in my house!

[blueyed]

i'm with o2 and havent had any problem with network in highlands yet...

[Hendos van]

Vodaphone for me also, Ive sent E-mails / photos, from the Grey corries, Glen affric, Loch Mullardoch and Fannichs wild camps.

[kinley]

I've said it before - VirginMobile is the absolute best for the Highlands.

Nearly no coverage means no calls at all

[stomper]

For me the best operator for the Highlands by far is Vodaphone or possibly orange. I have vodaphone for years and when needed in the highlands has never let me down.3 is ok if you live in cities or towns but not in the highlands i have been told

[sirhcscot]

I believe Asda Mobile use the Vodaphone network

[rockhopper]

Have to say I'm on O2 and have been for years - but on recent walks north and west of Loch Tay I hardly ever had any reception

[Robinho08]

I'm on Vodafone, and have to say no complaints on coverage up North.