Lycamobile 5G

irishchris

I noticed today when topping up a family members Lycamobile plan that 5g is enabled and free on their network. Appropriated there isn't more publicity for them with this

https://www.lycamobile.ie/en/5g-at-lyca-mobile/

Great value but just wondering if anyone heard of 48 going 5g?

Dempo1

Hadn't heard this but I suppose part of its progression, Lyca works of Telefónica Ireland network (old 02) and now Three ireland and their mast network is being gradually upgraded to 5g. Lyca essentially piggybacks off Three's network and some say this means their customers, like GoMo, Virgin, Post Mobile etc are not prioritised in terms of coverage, that may have been true at one time but I don't believe this is the case now.

Whilst certainly positive news they now offer 5g service, in essence its just natural progression, 5g has not been as successful financially for the Big three networks who'd hope to have cashed in on it, few subscribers were willing to pay for it as a premium add on. 5g is patchy at the best of times in most rural areas and frankly good 4g, just as good. Also to avail of 5g, a compatible handset is required and they are still costly unless getting one through a long contract.

Interestingly Lyca UK don't offer 5g, unless that's changed very recently.

irishchris

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119287215#Comment_119287215

Yep think that coverage priority myth is gone as with Lycamobile in the past and now 48 and coverage with both has been excellent.

I live quite rural but perfect 5g coverage here with three so looking forward to hopefully 48 adding it. In fairness I can see the local mast not too far so possibly why.

5g handsets are pretty reasonable now. Very expensive when they first came out but loads available for around the 100 euro price. Picked up the redmi note 10 5g for 99 prepay at Christmas

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119287964#Comment_119287964

I've actually been on GoMo since they started @ €9.99 pm , astonishing value , data speeds not great but fine , got a Virgin sim offer for €5 pm just for data to try it out and astonishingly speeds faster than 3 , the network they piggy back off , I'd been with 3 for years. €5 deal ends in Sept but will shop around before that , it's beggar's belief people paying up to €60/€80 pm for 24 month contracts albeit I get they get a phone free .

irishchris

Yep I was with Gomo too when they started out but jumped to 48 when they brought out their offer as I'm on the 7.99 offer for life now. Found the data with Gomo quite poor but could be that three have better data coverage here so 48 speeds are generally around 70-100mbs on 4g+.

Never understood people getting into a long term contract either especially now when you can get 5g quality phones for 100 euro mark and get unlimited calls texts and 100gb data for less than 8 euro. Crazy really!

Dempo1

I actually worked in the sector and more and more, networks pushing sim only plans , desperate to get away from selling handsets, the costs involved managing stock, purchasing stock, repairs , warranty issues etc.

I can honestly see in the not to distant future very little high steet retail presence by networks, maybe in cities , sales have gone primarily online now and some networks selling more accessories, connected living devices than mobile phones in their stores which are primarily franchisee outlets and not run directly by networks.