Looking for better coverage? Poor signal?
I live in Bath Spa, and have been on Smarty since 9/2025. For a good signal and enjoyable network experience, it is worth here especially to know a few things. As previously I was with O2 for a few years back. Only being in Bath longer, I've started having signal dropout and throughput problems. So I went to a local mate's mobile shop that I've known over 10 years to ask for some advice. His first point was "Are you on O2?", and soon after then I learned my answer. Myself too I noticed that with 5g connected coverage, here in Bath is the best way to signal/usage stability. He then recommended EE, however to get 5g from them, you need to be on contract. I didn't want that, so I tried Smarty and loved it ever since. MORE TO THE POINT OF COVERAGE AND IMPROVEMENT To sum things up. To stop having problems with finding better coverage, signal, or throughput, you need to focus on how and where you get signal. To help you do this to the above, I found a open source app called Open Signal (no charges, no ads, signups, no bs). There you'll find everything to help you approach and furthermore calibrate things better. It has tests for video quality limits, latency, and signal direction. There's a coverage map, a currently connected cell tower direction compass (just walk around with on screen arrow), and a table showing available 2g/3g/4g/5g available percentages at spot, and a map of available local cell towers(with a signal connected line from current tower to you). So objects and placement around(buildings, structures, interference), can be addressed to optimise your experience. Open Signal is a great tool for customising your signal experience anywhere. You can get it on the app store. Its completely ad and payment free.
Smarty in Oxford (not so smart)
Living in Oxford for over a year now and the signal is terrible. I live nr Iffley but the signal is terrible from Heyford Hill Sainsbury's through Iffley road and Oxford City centre. This is to the point where there is often no access to the internet be this inside or outside of a building. There are no down cells. I find it surprising that a city that is visited by so many people and also have a largish population would be so poorly served. I have looked about and whilst I can find potential reasons for some of the coverage issues, it doesn't explain all not can I find any detail on a resolution method or date; can anyone please help before I change provide? Thank you.
Appalling 4G signal strength. Disappointing!
4 reasons why I moved from Vodafone to Smarty: Price (very competitive for unlimited calls/texts + 40GB of data/month); SIM-only contract terms (1-month rolling contract; in EU, no roaming charges and 12GB/month of data without charge); Signal strength on Three's network; Customer service. 3 reasons have been fulfilled. But, an essential one - signal strength, is a complete failure. Getting no or 1 bar of signal isn't acceptable; people end up calling me on WhatsApp to ask if I've changed phone number or if my phone is broken. Since nothing has changed on my end since my transfer to Smarty, I can only conclude that Three's 4G network isn't as good as advertised and reviewed, and/or Three gives substandard signal to its Virtual Private Operators. What a pity, because all started well with Smarty, particularly an excellent price, good and flexible contact terms, and commendable customer service. However, at the end of the day, the key use of phones is for calling and receiving calls; if this doesn't work, then all other factors are worthless, and I can't afford to lose business calls. In conclusion, I'm happy to pay a few £s more if Smarty solve their problem of signal, or I'm out at the end of the month.
no option for 4G in settings so missing calls! Help please!
New to Smarty after 20+ years with O2. Finding I am missing calls when at home which I only know as I get a text to say there is a voicemail. Smarty is supposed to be best on 4G in my area (NE3 5BR) but when I go into mobile networks, VoLTE calls SIM 1 is ticked then Network Mode shows "5G/LTE/3G/2G(auto connect)" - no mention of 4G so how do I get it on 4G signal?