Plusnet/EE different network strength?

[ned_ryerson]

TL;DR   Is it normal that plusnet and EE reception is different?

More detail:

Hi all, 
I am currently on O2 and have no reception inside my house, although I have wifi calling, I don't get SMS messages. I have got sim cards from each of the other networks to test, and EE was the best giving me 2-3 bars. Vodafone gave me nothing,  3 gave me 1 bar.  I am intending to switch to EE based on this.

However someone who has a plusnet mobile phone was visiting me, and in exactly the same location that my test showed 3 bars of EE, he got nothing. No signal. He suggested that Plusnet don't get the same signal strength as EE, but I don't understand that. I get the piggyback providers may not get the full features of the parent network, but not that the masts can somehow filter like this. Does anyone know more?

thanks 

[Mustrum]

Although Plusnet use the EE network, they do not have access to all of the frequency bands, hence the differences in some areas.  In particular PN do not have access to the 800 MHZ signals. These can give the best coverage especially inside buildings.

[bristolian · Accepted solution]

PlusNet don't have access to 4G-calling, this is a gatekeeper to "extended-range" 800Mhz coverage which can provide greater coverage where available.

All the other frequency bands - B1 2100Mhz, B3 1800 Mhz, B7 2600Mhz are available to PlusNet, but voice calls will always fallback to 2G1800 or 3G2100.

In locations where EE's B20 800Mhz service is the only layer available, anyone without VoLTE access will show no coverage. The individual sites themselves don't filter in how you describe, but the central network restricts access by design.

EE's WiFi-calling supports sending & receiving text messages, and always has done.

[ned_ryerson]

2 great answers thanks. 

Sadly despite waiting 4 years for o2 promises to include text messages in with their WiFi calling to come to fruition, it's never going to happen. 

Move to vanilla EE incoming.