If you’re trying to choose a mobile network, you probably know that there are two major players in the UK market – SMARTY and EE. But how do you decide which one is right for you? In this blog post, we will compare SMARTY vs EE – covering coverage, speed, plans and more. We’ll also look at their customer service records and what value they offer to customers. Read on to find out which network is best suited to your needs.
What is SMARTY?
SMARTY is a new mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in the UK, launched in March 2017. The company is an MVNO of Three UK. SMARTY operates on the Three UK network and offers SIM-only mobile plans with no strings attached – there are no credit checks, no minimum term contracts, and no catches.
SMARTY's pricing structure is simple and transparent – customers can choose from a range of monthly plans with different allowances for minutes, texts, and data. There are no added extras or hidden charges, so customers know exactly what they're paying for.
What is EE?
EE's coverage is the best of any UK mobile network, with signal available in more than 99% of households. They also offer some of the fastest 4G speeds in the country, averaging around 27Mbps.
In terms of plans and pricing, EE offers a wide variety of options to suit different needs and budgets. Their cheapest plan starts at £22 per month for 1GB of data, while their most expensive plan costs £31 per month for unlimited of data.
SMARTY vs EE: Plans & Pricing
When it comes to mobile plans, both SMARTY and EE offer a variety of options to suit different needs.
SMARTY's plans start at £6 per month for 4GB of data, while EE's start at £22 per month for 1GB of data. Both providers offer unlimited texts and calls, but EE also includes EU roaming in its plans.
If you're looking for the best value, SMARTY's £20 per month plan gives you unlimited data, while EE's equivalent costs £31 per month. If you need lots of data and want the peace of mind of knowing you're with a big name provider, then SMARTY's plans might be more suitable.
| SMARTY SIM Only Deals | |||
| Plans | Data | Texts & Calls | Price /month |
| Plan 1 | 4 GB | Unlimited | £6.00 |
| Plan 2 | 8 GB | Unlimited | £7.00 |
| Plan 3 | 24 BG | Unlimited | £8.00 |
| Plan 4 | 30 GB | Unlimited | £10.00 |
| Plan 5 | 200 GB | Unlimited | £14.00 |
| Plan 6 | Unlimited | Unlimited | £20.00 |
| EE SIM Only Deals | ||
| Plans | Data | Price /month |
| Plan 1 | 1 GB | £22.00 |
| Plan 2 | 5 GB | £25.00 |
| Plan 3 | 25 GB | £28.00 |
| Plan 4 | 125 Gb | £30.00 |
| Plan 5 | Unlimited | £31.00 |
SMARTY vs EE: Network Coverage
There are a few different things to consider when comparing SMARTY vs EE. One is coverage. How does each network stack up in terms of signal strength and reliability?
In our experience, both networks offer good coverage. However, SMARTY does seem to have a slight edge in terms of reach. They boast excellent 3G, 4G and 5G coverage across the UK, with only a few not-spots here and there.
EE, on the other hand, has very good coverage too. Their 3G and 4G services are available in most places, but there are some rural areas where you might struggle to get a signal.
So in terms of coverage, we’d say that both networks are pretty even. But if we had to choose one, we’d go for SMARTY because of their slightly better reach.
SMARTY vs EE: Speed
When it comes to speed, both SMARTY and EE have their pros and cons. On one hand, SMARTY offers unlimited data at fast 4G & 5G speeds. On the other hand, EE's 4G speeds are some of the fastest on the market.
EE's average 4G download speed is around 15Mbps, while SMARTY's is around 30Mbps. However, both networks offer similar average upload speeds of around 10Mbps.
In terms of latency, or the time it takes for data to travel from your device to the network and back again, EE is again slightly behind SMARTY. However, both networks offer very low latencies, so you're unlikely to notice any difference in day-to-day use.
Overall, if you're looking for the fastest possible speeds, SMARTY is the better option. However, if you're happy with slightly slower speeds and unlimited data allowance, then EE is worth considering.
SMARTY vs EE: Customer Support
Customer service is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a mobile network. After all, you're likely to need help at some point with billing, coverage or troubleshooting. So how do SMARTY and EE stack up in this department?
Here's a quick overview: both networks offer 24/7 customer service via phone and chat. SMARTY also has email support, while EE has a handy online forum. In terms of response times, we found that SMARTY was generally quicker to answer our questions – although both networks were pretty speedy.
When it comes to solving problems, both networks did a good job. However, we did find that SMARTY's team was slightly more knowledgeable and helpful overall. So if you're looking for great customer service, we'd say go with SMARTY.
Conclusion
Both SMARTY and EE offer great value, with both having their own advantages. When comparing the two networks it’s important to consider coverage, speed, plans and other factors to determine which one is best for you. Ultimately when choosing a network provider it all depends on your individual needs and preferences but we hope this guide has been useful in helping you make an informed choice between SMARTY or EE.
