topic Leith and Stockbridge, Edinburgh - Very slow data in Mobile Network discussions

Leith and Stockbridge, Edinburgh - Very slow data

edinburgh_97 — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:52:16 GMT

Hi,

I've been an EE customer for many years now, and generally across the UK I have been very happy with coverage and data speeds.

However, there are two areas in Edinburgh where I have had many issues, even outdoors

Around The Shore and generally in Leith (for example EH6 6QU), there is almost no signal outdoors, a weak 800mhz 4G and data doesn't work at all. I cannot order an uber, receive Whatsapp messages or do anything.

In Stockbridge, especially around the area of the Deanhaugh street and Hamilton place, the same issue occurs.

I have an iphone 15 pro max, when I toggle the 5G standalone switch the connection starts working on N28 (700mhz) 5G standalone, but I am quickly dropped back down to 4G band 20 with no data connection whatsoever. It seems the network is configured to prefer 4G band 20 to 5G n28 (700mhz).

Both O2 and Vodafone have much better coverage in these two areas.

Re: Leith and Stockbridge, Edinburgh - Very slow data

Schockwave — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:58:27 GMT

Hello. @edinburgh_97 ,

Welcome to the community,

Have you checked here where you can add several places you go to to check, register and receive updates:

https://ee.co.uk/help/mobile-coverage-checker

Re: Leith and Stockbridge, Edinburgh - Very slow data

Ali_A — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:23:03 GMT

Hi @edinburgh_97

Thanks for such a clear and well‑explained post, you’ve clearly done your homework here.

It’s frustrating when coverage is generally solid, but a couple of very specific areas let you down, especially outdoors.

Coverage may be affected by a number of factors, such as terrain, tree cover, building materials, as well as the usual weather conditions and how many other people are using the network too.

What you’re seeing in the areas you mentioned is a 4G dominance issue. In those pockets, the network is prioritising 4G band for coverage.

As @shockwave mentioned, you can check coverage and network status at Check mobile coverage, where you can also report any issues you are facing,

Your test with 5G Standalone is really helpful. That band is designed to improve coverage, but at the moment the network can still drop compatible devices back to 4G if the system thinks it’s the more “stable” option,

Something worth trying is Reset network settings (Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Reset, Network Settings). This can clear older cell preferences.

Ali

Re: Leith and Stockbridge, Edinburgh - Very slow data

bristolian — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:55:32 GMT

@Ali_A wrote:
Hi @edinburgh_97
Something worth trying is Reset network settings (Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Reset, Network Settings). This can clear older cell preferences.

This will only clear device-based preferences.

If the reselection criteria is network-side, as I suspect this is, then this won't have any impact. But it will remove saved WiFi passwords, which needs to be mentioned. Also it would be extremely unusual for NR700 to be present without any L800, so coverage on both layers should be pretty well identical.

I would be very interested whether reporting this level of detail via the status tool yields any results, in my experience this is geared towards a much more basic level of detail.