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EE vs. Vodafone vs. Three: Best Mobile Broadband for Travelers

EE vs. Vodafone vs. Three: Best UK mobile broadband for travelers? Compare coverage, speeds & roaming perks for your trips

By Top Providers Published

For frequent travelers, digital nomads, and road-trippers, staying connected on the go is essential. Mobile broadband (via 4G/5G dongles, MiFi devices, or smartphone tethering) offers a flexible alternative to WiFi. But which UK provider delivers the best coverage, speed, and value for travelers?

In this in-depth comparison, we’ll analyze:
✔ Network coverage across the UK & Europe
✔ Data speeds and reliability
✔ Best pay-as-you-go (PAYG) and contract plans
✔ Roaming policies & costs
✔ Best devices (MiFi, dongles, SIM-only deals)

By the end, you’ll know whether EE, Vodafone, or Three is the best choice for your mobile broadband needs.

🏆 Quick Comparison: EE vs. Vodafone vs. Three for Mobile Broadband

Feature EE Vodafone Three
Best For Fastest 5G speeds Reliable rural coverage Cheapest unlimited data
Avg. 4G/5G Speed 150Mbps+ (5G) 100Mbps+ (5G) 60Mbps+ (5G)
UK Coverage 99% 4G, 60% 5G 99% 4G, 50% 5G 99% 4G, 55% 5G
EU Roaming £2.50/day (or packs) Free in 48 EU countries (Fair Use) Free in 71 countries (Incl. USA!)
Best Travel Plan 100GB for £25/m Unlimited EU for £30/m Unlimited Global for £35/m
Device Options 5G MiFi, Dongles 5G MiFi, SIM-only 5G MiFi, Unlimited data SIMs

Spoiler Alert:

  • Fastest speeds? EE (Best 5G network)

  • Best roaming? Three (71 countries included)

  • Cheapest unlimited? Vodafone (Great EU deals)

Now, let’s dive deeper!

📶 Network Coverage & Speeds for Travelers

1. EE – The Speed King

✅ Pros:

  • UK’s fastest 5G network (Ideal for video calls & large downloads).

  • Excellent motorway & city coverage (Best for road trips).

  • 4G almost everywhere (99% UK population).

❌ Cons:

  • Expensive roaming (£2.50/day in Europe).

  • No unlimited data on PAYG.

Best for: Business travelers who need reliability over cost.

2. Vodafone – Best for EU Roaming

✅ Pros:

  • Free roaming in 48 EU countries (Fair use: 25GB/month).

  • Good rural 4G coverage (Better than Three in remote areas).

  • 5G in 300+ UK towns.

❌ Cons:

  • Slower than EE in congested areas.

  • Extra charges for non-EU roaming.

Best for: Frequent European travelers who want hassle-free connectivity.

3. Three – Best for Global Travelers

✅ Pros:

  • Roam in 71 countries for free (Including USA & Australia!).

  • Cheapest unlimited data plans (£35/month).

  • Good 5G expansion (Improving speeds).

❌ Cons:

  • Patchy rural coverage (Weak in some areas).

  • Network congestion (Speeds drop at peak times).

Best for: Backpackers & long-term travelers needing worldwide data.

💳 Best Mobile Broadband Plans for Travelers

1. EE’s Top Travel Plans

  • 50GB for £20/month (12-month contract, UK only).

  • 100GB for £25/month (Includes EU roaming add-ons).

  • 5G MiFi Pro £69 upfront + £29/month (100GB).

Best for: Speed-focused users willing to pay extra.

2. Vodafone’s Best Deals

  • Unlimited UK + EU Data for £30/month (25GB EU fair usage).

  • 150GB Global Pass for £50/month (Works in 100+ countries).

  • 5G MiFi £49 upfront + £25/month (100GB).

Best for: Budget-conscious EU travelers.

3. Three’s Standout Offers

  • Unlimited UK + 71 Countries for £35/month (No speed caps).

  • 24GB PAYG for £24 (Lasts 24 months, great for occasional trips).

  • Huawei 5G MiFi £99 + £20/month (Unlimited).

Best for: Globetrotters & heavy data users.

🌍 Roaming Policies Compared

Provider EU Roaming Cost Global Roaming Fair Use Policy
EE £2.50/day (or £10/10-day pass) £5/day (USA, Aus) 50GB/month in EU
Vodafone FREE (48 countries) £6/day (World Pass) 25GB/month in EU
Three FREE (71 countries!) Free in included destinations Unlimited (but throttled after 12GB abroad)

Winner for Roaming: Three (Most inclusive, USA & Australia covered).

📱 Best Mobile Broadband Devices

1. 5G MiFi Devices

  • EE 5G MiFi Pro (Supports 64 devices, long battery).

  • Vodafone 5G GigaCube (Great for home & travel).

  • Three 5G Hub (Unlimited data option).

2. USB Dongles (For Laptops)

  • Huawei 4G Dongle (Cheap, reliable).

  • Netgear Nighthawk M5 (5G, but pricey).

3. Smartphone Tethering

  • Use your phone as a hotspot (Cheapest option).

  • Watch data limits (Some carriers block tethering on unlimited plans).

💡 Tips for Choosing the Best Mobile Broadband

  1. Check coverage maps (Ofcom’s Mobile Checker helps).

  2. Avoid long contracts if traveling occasionally.

  3. Consider PAYG for short trips.

  4. Get a portable power bank (MiFi drains battery fast).

🏆 Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

If You Need… Best Provider
The fastest UK speeds EE
Free EU roaming Vodafone
Worldwide data (USA, Aus, etc.) Three
Cheapest unlimited data Three
Best rural coverage Vodafone or EE

All-Rounder: Vodafone (Balanced speed, coverage & roaming).
Long-Term Travel: Three (71-country roaming).
Business Travel: EE (Premium speeds & reliability).