Network owners versus virtual operators (MVNOs) and coverage in your area

Key rules

• Host network: A virtual operator gives you its host network's signal, so find out which network each brand uses.
• Official map: The government viewer shows coverage declared by operators, not measured signal.
• Rural addresses: Coverage differs most outside cities, so check your exact address before choosing.
• Test first: Try a local SIM at your address before you commit to a contract.

Compare the network, not just the brand

Many mobile brands in Spain own no network. They rent one from a network owner. Two brands with the same host give you almost the same signal, so compare operators by host network and by real coverage at your address, not by price alone. A cheap plan is no bargain if you get no signal in your living room.

Who owns the networks

Spain has these main networks:

• Telefónica: Movistar and O2.
• Vodafone: Vodafone and Lowi.
• Orange: Orange, Jazztel, Amena and Simyo.
• MasOrange: formed in 2024 when MásMóvil merged with Orange. It runs Yoigo, MásMóvil, Pepephone, Lebara and Llamaya, which use the old MásMóvil network.
• Digi: runs its own network, which is still growing, and also uses roaming or host agreements.

Smaller brands such as Finetwork and Virgin Telco (from Euskaltel) are hosted mainly on Orange or MasOrange. Hosting deals change often, especially after the recent mergers. Ask the brand which network it uses now before you sign.

Rural areas differ most

In cities, all the networks work well. In the countryside the gap is bigger. Independent tests generally put Movistar and Vodafone ahead for rural 4G reach, with Orange close behind. Digi tends to be weaker outside cities. Network-sharing deals between operators are narrowing the gaps. If you are moving to a village or an isolated house, check your exact address carefully.

Check your address

1. Use the official coverage viewer. The Ministry for Digital Transformation publishes one that you can search by address. It shows coverage the operators declare, not coverage measured on the ground. Its web address has changed over time, so find it through the Ministry's website.
2. Add independent maps. Crowdsourced maps show measured speeds and tower locations. In thinly populated areas few people contribute data, so they can be unreliable there.
3. Remember indoor signal. Maps are predictions. Signal inside your home is often worse than outside.
4. Ask neighbours. They know which operator works indoors on your street.
5. Test before you commit. Try a local SIM from your shortlisted network at your address.

The resource, checklist and decision below help you go through these steps. The FAQ answers common questions.

Choosing between options

Should you choose a network owner or a virtual operator (MVNO)?

• Network owner: Your address has weak signal or is rural, and you want the network that tests best there, such as Movistar or Vodafone.

• Virtual operator on a strong host network: The host network works well at your address and you want a cheaper brand on it, such as O2, Lowi or Simyo.

• Virtual operator on MasOrange: Maps and a test SIM show MasOrange works at your address, for brands like Pepephone, Yoigo or Lebara.

Pick the host network that gives the best signal at your address first, then choose the brand on it; price comes last.

Checklist

• Find out which network owns each brand you are considering: Telefónica, Vodafone, Orange or MasOrange.

• Confirm the current host network of any virtual operator (MVNO) with the brand before you sign.

• Check your exact address on the official coverage viewer and on at least two independent maps.

• Look up mobile towers near your address on a crowdsourced tower map, especially in a rural area.

• Ask neighbours which operator gives them a reliable signal indoors.

• Test a local SIM from your shortlisted network at your address before you commit.

Coverage maps and speed tests for choosing a mobile network

Coverage maps and speed tests

• Ministry for Digital Transformation (official coverage viewer): Search your address in the official mobile coverage viewer to see the coverage each operator has declared, by technology and speed. Find the viewer through the Ministry's website, because its address changes. The data is declared by operators, not measured.

• nPerf: Compare operators' coverage maps and crowdsourced speed-test results in your area. Also use its app or website to test speeds yourself.

• Opensignal: Read user-measured experience reports and maps for each network. Results are weaker where few people have contributed, such as sparse rural areas.

• CellMapper: Look up crowdsourced tower locations and bands near a rural home to see which towers you could reach.

• Speedtest by Ookla: Run speed tests at your address with a SIM from each candidate network, such as a cheap prepaid. Use the same phone and the same spot, test at different times of day, and note download, upload and latency. Repeat several times, because speeds vary with load.

• Your neighbours: Ask people nearby which network works indoors at your address, since indoor signal often differs from what maps predict.

Frequently asked questions

Does Digi cover rural areas as well as Movistar or Vodafone?

Usually not yet: Digi is weaker outside cities than Movistar and Vodafone, which tend to lead on rural 4G reach. Orange comes close behind them. Test a Digi SIM at your address before you rely on it.

Is the government coverage viewer a measured map by address?

No, the official viewer shows coverage the operators declare, not coverage anyone measured. You can search it by address on the Ministry for Digital Transformation's website, but the link has changed over time, so find it through the site's search. Compare it with crowdsourced maps.

Can a map be wrong about signal inside my home?

Yes, operator maps are predictions and indoor signal often differs from them. Crowdsourced maps can also be thin in sparse rural areas where few users have measured. Ask neighbours which operator works indoors, and try a local SIM.

Which network do Pepephone, Yoigo and Lebara use?

Pepephone, Yoigo, MásMóvil, Lebara and Llamaya all run on the MasOrange network, the old MásMóvil network. Simyo and Jazztel are Orange brands, Lowi is Vodafone's and O2 is Telefónica's. Hosting deals change often, so confirm the current host before signing.