Using Vodafone 5G where Three coverage is non-existent

[SWA57]

We have recently moved to Buxton in the High Peak. As a Three customer, I'm limited to 4G at home, yet Vodafone offers excellent 5G in my neighbourhood. Should I be able to take advantage of this? If so, is there anything I need to do? We're waiting for BeFibre to install 900 mbps service, and in the meantime need to hotspot for home working.

Cheers. 

[MichaelP · Accepted solution]

Hello @SWA57,

As part of the merger, Three/Vodafone is in the process of allowing customers of each network to automatically use each other's network at no extra cost.

You won't need to do anything, but the timeframe may vary between different areas for this to fully roll out.

Thanks,
Michael

[jr0]

the following is solely my opinion... from what I've read in the news about the merger and my interpretation of it, is that VodafoneThree is working towards MOCN, which is basically sharing the radio sites or base stations between Vodafone and Three while keeping its core network independent, in order to cover knot spots of both networks. In other words, if your 4G coverage is good could be that VodafoneThree won't see the need of sharing the radio on your post code.
I assume this MOCN will take work and time and unfortunately cannot be just be just switch on and off with a flick of a button.

At home, I barely have 4G, 3G is gone, so I rely on wifi calling over my fixed broadband. I know vodafone radio coverage is better, so I'm waiting for the "post code lottery" if you know what I mean...

Maybe the moderators could say something more about it...

[TonyR1]

I have a similar problem.   Even though their mast is visibly close I have no Three signal.   The same mast runs Vodafone too,   I tried switching off automatic network selection and selecting Vodafone.   For a brief minute I was getting five bars and fast internet.   And then it cut me off and I now have no Vodafone signal.   I can get zero information from Three as to if and when the local mast might allow dual use and even then the non-existent Three signal from it will probably override Vodafone.    So stupid as it may seem I am going to cancel my Three contracts and switch to Vodafone instead.

[jr0]

I reckon sooner or later both networks will become to single network a bit like T-Mobile and Orange which become EE. But if you have better service with Vodafone and that is your goal go for it