02-10-2022 11:56 AM
Having recently been in Donegal where eir have wall-to-wall 4G plus widespread 5G (even in villages of 1000 people) and 70% population coverage nationally, coming back into Northern Ireland was quite a shock. Dreadful 4G and non-existent 5G except in Belfast (and only 50% claimed population coverage nationally). Now whilst I realise that EE is better than the other UK networks, even so UK mobile networks are awful in comparison to rural Ireland.
02-10-2022 02:03 PM - edited 02-10-2022 02:03 PM
Thanks for posting your experience, @whiskerp. Are you just visiting Northern Ireland or is that where you live?
Looking at the coverage map, most of the 5G is around the Belfast area and most villages and towns along the main roads are covered by indoor 4G coverage. You should be able to get outdoor 4G coverage in most of Northern Ireland.
Chris
02-10-2022 04:39 PM
I was visiting. But in places like Moira coverage was hopeless. Worse than empty valleys and mountains in Donegal.
02-10-2022 05:02 PM
Are you using a VoLTE-compatible device?
I'm not familiar with NI-specifically, but VoLTE enables access to the 4G800 "extended range" coverage layer which is often used in rural areas to improve fringe coverage.
Realistically 5G is still in comparatively early days.
19-04-2024 07:54 PM
I have to agree. The 4G service is mediocre at best. I have been with them 3 years and they are far from reliable.
22-05-2024 10:13 AM
I can’t get any indoor coverage and only mediocre outdoor coverage in a semi rural area in Northern Ireland. It’s not just an EE issue though for me, all networks are the same. The only way I can make calls is via WiFi calling.