Forum Discussion

Michael_T's avatar
Michael_T
SMARTY Teamster
29-01-2023
Solved

5G whilst roaming in Spain

I can’t find any specific info on this in Q&A, so looking to anyone who has experience of this…

I will be going on holiday to the Canary Islands (Spain) and this will be the first time I will have used my SMARTY SIM outside the UK.  
Spain is one of the included countries for free EU roaming,  and the resort I am staying in has excellent coverage from all the 4 Spanish mobile networks, 2 of them offering 5G speeds. 

Will I still get 5G whilst there or will this be limited to 4G only whilst roaming?

5G
Network
Roaming
Spain
  • Michael_T's avatar
    Michael_T
    15-03-2023

    Having just returned from Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, I can confirm that data there is 3G and 4G (no 5G).  My phone used both Movistar and Orange networks whilst roaming there, and Orange gave me 4G speed more consistently.  
    My phone didn’t use data excessively either.  I used hotel Wi-Fi and public Wi-Fi too (to keep my usage down), but out and about it was the same as at home.

12 Replies

  • Michael_T's avatar
    Michael_T
    SMARTY Teamster
    15-03-2023

    Having just returned from Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, I can confirm that data there is 3G and 4G (no 5G).  My phone used both Movistar and Orange networks whilst roaming there, and Orange gave me 4G speed more consistently.  
    My phone didn’t use data excessively either.  I used hotel Wi-Fi and public Wi-Fi too (to keep my usage down), but out and about it was the same as at home.

    • MarkDav_1795153's avatar
      MarkDav_1795153
      SMARTY Maverick
      15-04-2023

      I am in Gran Canaria and using SMARTY running for the first time I’m only getting 3G fellow speeds. Where is my wife who is on Giffgaff is getting a stunning 5G service.

  • MSF's avatar
    MSF
    SMARTY Guru
    29-01-2023

    While I'm not exactly sure of there answer to this, it is worth bearing in mind that your roaming data in the EU will be limited to 12Gb.

    • Michael_T's avatar
      Michael_T
      SMARTY Teamster
      29-01-2023

      Thanks for responding.  Yes, I’m aware of the 12GB limit, and the necessary settings, which are on my phone already.  
      The question is do you get the same 5G or just 4G?

    • MSF's avatar
      MSF
      SMARTY Guru
      25-02-2023

      Thanks for this Michael_T  A bit of further research:  https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_21_654

      As I read it, If we were still members of the EU, we could expect to get the maximum available wherever we were in EU.

      Since we are no longer EU members, I assume that networks are under no obligation to provide anything while we roam - indeed, they are not obliged to even provide free roaming in the EU. 😒

  • TyroneM_1461149's avatar
    TyroneM_1461149
    SMARTY Maverick
    20-01-2025

    I winter in Spain (every year) for 2 months within Almeria province. I confirm that whereas I can get 5g mobile service with a native DIGI sim, my Smarty sim only ever gives me a 4g service. ie you dont get 5g with Smarty abroad.

    On the plus side, getting 4g not 5g does mean that you get more out of your 12gb max useage as less data is used to do anything eg watch a video or surf the web, all be it at a slower speed.

    • MSF's avatar
      MSF
      SMARTY Guru
      20-01-2025

      TyroneM_1461149  Does this apply across all available networks there? (e.g.Movistar, Vodafone, Yoigo)

      Wouldn't you expect the networks to give preference to their own customers before roaming users? I would certainly hope that is the case in the UK.

      • TyroneM_1461149's avatar
        TyroneM_1461149
        SMARTY Maverick
        20-01-2025

        I get a DIGI sim which I believe uses the moviestar network in Spain...5G is great. 

        My Smarty gives me 4G piggy backing of YOIGO and sometimes ORANGE. Its fine but not 5G. So do they prioritise locals?.. no idea but makes sense!