Whether you’re signing up for a new plan or looking to switch providers, being able to bring your own mobile (or buy one outright) often means savings in the long run.
It also means you can switch mobile service providers should service not meet your needs or your find a better deal later.
But how do you know which mobiles work with which networks?
Turns out it’s simple, you need just to know some information first…
Understanding How Mobile Phone Service Works
Like your wireless router or satellite receiver, mobiles use wireless frequencies to transmit and receive data.
Which frequencies will depend on both the network you’re using and what you’re doing on your mobile.
Most times, voice and text message data is sent on one set of frequencies while high-speed data or HD voice calls use another set.
This means that a phone might support some frequencies of a networks but not all.
When this happens, service is hit or miss.
So check all required frequencies.
We have a handy table for that later in this guide.
Just keep in mind, matching only one frequency or two doesn’t mean it’s your best choice!
Most networks use multiple bands or frequencies to ensure strong coverage. If you can only access a few of these, you might find a spotty signal when you need it most.
In most parts of the world, phone service providers use GSM networks. These networks use a SIM card to identify your account and connect you to the network.
If your provider offers 4G/LTE access, they use GSM to do so.
But there’s one more factor to consider...
The Big Question: Is Your mobile Unlocked?
We’ve gone over the benefits of an unlocked mobile before. But for this guide, whether your mobile is unlocked is critical to knowing which networks your phone can use.
Even if a phone’s hardware supports another network, you won’t be able to access it unless the phone is unlocked.
How can you check?
RELATED GUIDE: How to Tell if Your Mobile is Unlocked
You have a few options:
1. Insert a SIM card from another network:
If you have a friend that uses a different network than you do, ask if you can borrow their SIM. As long as they are the same size, inserting it into your mobile and rebooting it will tell you if your mobile is unlocked.
If it is unlocked, it should connect to the network and be able to place a call or send a text. Just keep in mind, you’re using your friend’s account if you’re using their SIM.
Don’t do anything too crazy…
If it’s locked, you’ll either see a prompt to insert and unlock PIN or you won’t be able to connect to the network.
2. Search the Model Number Online
While you could search the name of your mobile, there are often variants of each phone released for various networks and regions. This means you won’t be able to tell if the mobile is unlocked by name alone.
If you search the model number and discover it is related to a network brand, there’s a good chance it was locked at one point....
Unless you know you or the person you bought it from unlocked it already, it’s probably still locked to that network.
This brings us to the next method…
3. Call the Network Listed on the Mobile
Most locked mobiles include some sort of branding. Many have a logo on the rear or one the animations that play when it boots.
Call them and ask them if the mobile is unlocked. Not only can they tell if it is locked, they’ll be able to tell if it’s eligible to unlock as well.
If you are eligible for a network unlock, you can save a little money compared to third-party unlocking services.
Next Steps
If your mobile is unlocked (or you know the mobile you’re planning to buy is unlocked) you’re ready to continue this guide.
If not, you’ve still got options...
While it might take a few days to complete the process, our mobile unlocking guide offers everything you need to know.
Once your mobile is unlocked, you’re ready to come back and see which networks you can use!
So How Do You Know Which Frequencies You’ll Need?
You could check every network that offers service in your area…
Or you could check the handy table below. We’ll list the frequencies used by each network and provide a link to check if your phone is supported.
NETWORK | BANDS/FREQUENCIES USED | MORE INFO |
FREQUENCIES: 800, 1800, 2100, 2600 BANDS: 1, 3, 7, 20 |
1p Mobile 1p Mobile Compatibility Check |
|
FREQUENCIES: 800, 1800, 2100, 2600 BANDS: 1, 3, 7, 20 |
ASDA Mobile ASDA Mobile Compatibility Info |
|
FREQUENCIES: 800, 1800, 2100, 2600 BANDS: 1, 3, 7, 20 |
BT Mobile BT Mobile Compatibility Info |
|
FREQUENCIES: 800, 1800, 2100, 2600 BANDS: 1, 3, 7, 20 |
EE EE Compatibility Info |
|
FREQUENCIES: 800, 1800, 2100 BANDS: 1, 3, 20 |
FreedomPop UK FreedomPop UK Compatibility Checker |
|
FREQUENCIES: 800, 900, 1800, 2100 BANDS: 1, 8, 3, 20 |
giffgaff giffgaff Compatibility Info |
|
FREQUENCIES: 800, 1800, 2100 BANDS: 1, 3, 20 |
iD Mobile iD Mobile Service FAQ |
|
FREQUENCIES: 800, 900, 1800, 2100 BANDS: 1, 8, 3, 20 |
Lebara Mobile Lebara Mobile SIM FAQ |
|
FREQUENCIES: 800, 900, 1800, 2100 BANDS: 1, 8, 3, 20 |
Lycamobile UK Lycamobile UK SIM Info | |
FREQUENCIES: 800, 900, 1800, 2100 BANDS: 1, 8, 3, 20 |
O2 O2 SIM-Only Tariffs |
|
FREQUENCIES: 800, 1800, 2100, 2600 BANDS: 1, 3, 7, 20 |
Plusnet Plusnet Phone Settings Info |
|
FREQUENCIES: 800, 900, 1800, 2100 BANDS: 1, 8, 3, 20 |
Sky Mobile Setting Up Sky Mobile |
|
FREQUENCIES: 900, 1800, 2100 BANDS: 1, 8 |
Talkmobile Talkmobile Phone Unlocking FAQ |
|
FREQUENCIES: 800, 900, 1800, 2100 BANDS: 1, 8, 3, 20 |
TESCO Mobile TESCO Mobile Getting Started Guide |
|
FREQUENCIES: 800, 1800, 2100 BANDS: 1, 3, 20 |
The People's Operator (TPO) Will My Phone Work With TPO Mobile? |
|
FREQUENCIES: 800, 1800, 2100 BANDS: 1, 3, 20 |
Three Three Supported Devices |
|
FREQUENCIES: 800, 1800, 2100, 2600 BANDS: 1, 3, 7, 20 |
Virgin Mobile Virgin Mobile Phone Support |
|
FREQUENCIES: 900, 1800, 2100, 2600 BANDS: 1, 7, 8, 20 |
Vodafone Vodafone Getting Started Guide |
If you’d like to check multiple mobiles or networks, there’s also a few online tools to help...
Most of these work in a similar fashion. You’ll provider the network you want to check and the exact model of your mobiles and the tool will let you know if the mobile is a good fit for that network.
Our two favorite options are:
Just remember, supporting the frequencies of a specific network doesn’t matter if they don’t have good coverage in your area.
Always check coverage in your area using a tool like RootMetrics or use the links in our network summaries to view the official coverage maps.
To Summarize
The ability to use your mobile on a different network can help to save you money or use your mobile while traveling abroad.
You’ll need an unlocked mobile in most cases.
From there, just check the frequencies used by the network you’d like to use and compare them to the frequencies supported by your mobile.
With good coverage, more matches will mean better service.
We hope this helped to clear up confusion about how mobiles work and helped save you money. All information was accurate at the time of writing, but the mobile world changes fast. If you notice anything amiss or have further questions, please contact us or leave a comment below!