Coverage and Network status checker

New to Three? Use our coverage checker below to see if you can access our award-winning network. If you’re already with us, you can use our Network Status Checker to see if we have maintenance going on.

Important

Our 3G network has now been phased out across most of the UK. 

We’re not alone in doing this — other networks in the UK and abroad are also phasing out their 3G networks.

Want to find out more about our 3G networks being switched off? Use our coverage checker for information about your local area. For anything else, please go to our 3G switch off page.

Check coverage in your area

Types of mobile coverage explained

What's the difference between 4G, and 5G? Well, they're the 4th and 5th generations of mobile network. The main difference between them is the speeds they can reach, with each generation hitting faster speeds as they go along. This affects how smooth your online experience is.

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Our 4G and 5G Home Broadband hubs can get you online as soon as tomorrow, all with unlimited data. No landline. No engineer. No waiting. It's broadband, but better.

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What affects mobile coverage and how can I improve mine?

Location’s usually the main thing that affects coverage – if you’re far away from a mast, your signal will be weaker. 

But coverage can also be affected by things like trees, being in a basement or underground, travelling, and even your phone itself. Getting higher up, opening windows, and upgrading your phone can all help improve your signal.

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Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data for Q3-Q4 2024. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission.

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Live Chat is open 8am to 10pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 8pm Saturday and Sunday.

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Find your nearest Three store with our store locator.

Get in touch

You can chat to us in a number of different ways. Go to our contact us page to find out more.

Frequently asked questions

If you’re having problems with your signal, there are a couple of things you can try. We have a handy Network Status checker which lets you know if there are any issues or planned maintenance in your area. Or you can check our network troubleshooting steps for your device.

There can be a few reasons why you can’t get connected. We’d recommend checking our Network Status checker for any issues or planned maintenance in your area first. Then following our troubleshooting steps under Problems with internet on our Network Status checker page.

Our Network Status checker shows any known issues or planned maintenance in your area.

5G is the fifth generation of mobile network and delivers a massive leap forward in both speed and quality. We’re talking super-fast streaming, lag-free gaming, and lightning quick downloads.

You can check if your area has access to our 4G or 5G network by searching your postcode in our Coverage checker above. Or you can use our Network Status checker to see if there are any issues or planned maintenance in your area.

No, we don’t have a 2G network. And like other networks both here in the UK and abroad, we’re phasing out 3G. We want you to have the best experience on our network, so we’re continuing to invest in our 4G and 5G networks. 

Using an older phone? To stay connected, you’ll need to upgrade to a device that’s 4G Calling or 5G compatible.

If you’re with Three UK and travel to the Republic of Ireland, you can use our Go Roam services while you’re there. If you’re permanently based in the Republic of Ireland, get connected to Ireland’s fastest mobile network – Three Ireland.

If you’re with Three UK and are travelling to a Go Roam in Europe destination, you can stay connected while you’re abroad. Remember to check which Go Roam destinations are covered before you go.

Our 4G network covers 99% of the UK population (outdoor coverage), and according to Ookla*, our 5G is the fastest around. Check which network you can get using our Coverage checker above. Or, if you’re already with us, use our Network Status checker for any issues or planned maintenance in your area. 

* Fastest 5G based on Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data Q1 – Q2 2023. Verify at https://www.speedtest.net/awards/fastest-5g.

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Things that can affect your signal

Building materials

Unfortunately, no network can tell you how strong your signal will be indoors. That's because the signal strength needed to pass through walls and windows varies from building to building.

Issues with your device or account

Your SIM card, phone settings, a low battery, and running older software can all affect the signal. If your account is on hold, that will also prevent use of the network.

Location

The closer you are to a mast, the stronger your signal. It can also be affected by geographical things, like hills, valleys, forests, etc.

Extreme weather

Strong winds, flooding, storms, falling trees, etc. can all affect phone masts.

Temporary structures

Cranes or scaffolding, for example, can obstruct the signal.

Temporary network outages

When we're carrying out planned or unplanned maintenance, your signal will probably be affected.

We’ve phased out our 3G network  

We’ve now phased out our 3G network across most of the UK. 

You may have reduced 3G coverage or no 3G coverage at all. If you’re using a device compatible with 4G Calling, you’ll be able to access to our 4G network where it’s available. 

Check if your device is compatible with 4G Calling.

Still need help?

Help with recent loss of signal

If you normally have a signal but have recently lost it, there could be an outage or an issue with your device or account. Here are a few things you can try to get your signal back up-and-running again. 

1. Check your device is compatible with 4G Calling

To use our 4G or 5G network, your device must be 4G ready and support 4G Calling. You can check this and find steps for switching on 4G Calling on our device support page.

If you’re using a 3G only device, you won’t be able to use our services. And if you’re using a 4G device without 4G Calling, you’ll be able to text and use data, but calls won’t work.

2. Test your device

The following troubleshooting steps may help to improve signal: 

  • Turn airplane mode on and off
  • Make sure mobile data is switched on
  • Check that your device software is up to date
  • If you have a battery saver setting on your device, make sure it’s switched off
  • Restart your device
  • If your device is dual SIM, make sure your Three SIM is in slot 1 and is set as your primary SIM
  • Reset your network settings. Please note: doing this will restore all network settings – including Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, APNs, and VPNs – to factory settings.

3. Check for outages

If you haven’t already, check the current service in your area for any outages that may be affecting you.

4. Check for issues with your account

Sometimes, an issue with a bill or a failed Top-up can stop access to our network. Log in to My3 or the Three app to check for any issues.

5. Wi-Fi Calling

You can call and text over Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi Calling. It’s pre-installed on some phones and is compatible with iOS and Android devices.

Check if your device is compatible.

6. Get in touch

If these tips haven’t worked and you still need help with your signal, please get in touch with us.

Help with poor or no signal  

Ongoing signal problems can be frustrating. Here are some troubleshooting steps that may help:

1. Check your device is compatible with 4G Calling 

To use our 4G or 5G network, your device must be 4G or 5G ready. And if you use your device for calls, it must support 4G Calling.

You can check this and find steps for switching on 4G Calling on our device support page.

2. Check where the problem happens

If it only happens in one area, this may be because it’s an area with weaker signal, or there’s an outage or planned works affecting the coverage in that area. 

You can check the network status and expected signal strength in any area using our coverage checker

If the problem happens everywhere, there may be a problem with your device. The following troubleshooting steps may help: 

3. Check for issues with your account

Sometimes, an issue with a bill or a failed Top-up can stop access to our network. Log in to My3 or the Three app to check for any issues.

4. Try using Wi-Fi Calling

If you’re in an area of weak or no signal and have access to Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Calling can be a perfect solution. It lets you make and receive calls and send and receive texts over Wi-Fi. It’s pre-installed on some phones and is compatible with iOS and Android devices.

Check if your device is compatible.

5. Get in touch with us

If none of these troubleshooting steps have worked and you still need some help, please get in touch with us.

Help with internet issues

Having trouble connecting to the internet? Or getting slow speeds? This may be due to high levels of traffic at peak times. Try the following steps to get back online:

1. Check your device is 4G or 5G ready

We’ve now phased out our 3G network across most of the UK. So, to keep using our 4G and 5G network, your device must be 4G or 5G ready. And if you use your device for calls, it must support 4G Calling.

If you’re using a 3G only device, you won’t be able to use our services. And if you’re using a 4G device without 4G Calling, you’ll be able to text and use data, but calls won’t work.

Check if your device is compatible

2. Test your device

The following troubleshooting steps may help with internet connection and speed problems: 

  • Turn airplane mode on and off
  • Make sure mobile data is switched on
  • Check that your device software is up to date
  • If you have a battery saver setting on your device, make sure it’s switched off
  • Restart your device
  • If your device is dual SIM, make sure your Three SIM is in slot 1 and is set as your primary SIM

3. Check your network settings 

Check the Access Point Names (APN) in your settings and try resetting your network settings. Remember, this will restore all network settings – including Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, APNs, and VPNs – to factory settings.

For more help, go to device support, pick your device then go to How to guides. You can find the APN details by going to Check your internet settings. And steps on how to reset your network by going to Connectivity or using the search bar.  

4. Check for known issues 

Whether you’re on our 4G or 5G network, you should have access to the internet. Check the expected signal strength in any area using our coverage checker.

5. Check for issues with your account

Sometimes, an issue with a bill or a failed Top-up can stop access to our network. Log in to My3 or the Three app to check for any issues.

6. Try connecting to Wi-Fi

While we try to sort out the issue, it may be helpful to connect to Wi-Fi whenever you can. 

7. Get in touch

If you’ve tried these steps and are still having internet trouble, please get in touch with us.