Who offers the best mobile phone coverage in Ireland?

There are three Irish network operators: eir, Three and Vodafone - some of their best deals are shown in the table below.

Five other mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) run services off one of the main networks:

• Lycamobile: runs off Three’s network.
• Tesco Mobile: runs off Three’s network.
• Virgin Mobile: runs off Three’s network.
• 48: runs off Three’s network.
• Postmobile: runs off Vodafone’s network.

You’re likely to get the same coverage from these MVNOs as the network they’re run off. Shop around to find a deal that works best for you and your location.

Which network has the best mobile coverage?

ComReg (The Commission for Communications Regulation) has created an outdoor mobile coverage map that makes it easy to check coverage and signal levels of all the networks at your Eircode.

Results aren’t guaranteed and it’s based on outdoor coverage which may be different from inside your home or office.

You can also check 2G (calls and texts), 3G (calls, texts and data) and 4G (data) coverage - useful if you use your phone more for data than calls.

Check what the coverage is like where you live or work - wherever you use your phone the most.

Compare SIM only mobile plans now

Why do some areas have poor network coverage?

Vodafone, Three and Eir, offer between 97% and over 98% 4G population coverage in Ireland, but this still leaves some people struggling for a good mobile connection.

There are lots of factors that affect mobile coverage. Some of these include:

• Your handset: and how well it performs with calls and data. The higher the TRP (Total Radiated Power), the better the reception.
• Building materials: used in walls and insulation can affect signal strength. You can use WiFi call or mobile phone repeaters to increase signal.
• Terrain: like mountains and valleys tend to be blackspots as they’re more remote.
• Number of people: using their mobiles at the same time and location. The higher the volume, the slower the connection.
• Density of the network: depends on how many base stations there are in an area.
• Distance from the base station: The signal has to pass from you to the connecting base station so the closer you are, the better the signal.

How to decide which network to choose

Here are a few ideas to get started:

• Enter your Eircode in the outdoor mobile coverage map to check which network is the strongest.
• Consider where you use the phone most - you may need to check coverage at your office.
• Consider what you use the phone for most, for example calls or data.
• Ask for recommendations from family, friends and neighbours living in the same area.
• If you are in a known blackspot, make sure your handset has a high TRP.

What to do if you choose the wrong network

If you find that the coverage is poor when you switch provider, you should be protected by a 14 day cooling off period. Always check the full terms before signing up.

Vodafone offers a network satisfaction guarantee so you can cancel within 30 days and get your money back.

Virgin offers an unlimited plan that’s free for 30 days - plenty of time to try before you buy.