[alastairr]

I'm not sure that would necessarily have helped. My regular sim was on another network (giff gaff), that was down. Went out and bought a pay-and-go sim on yet another network (EE) - no dice there either. Not sure what the issue was, but it seemed to have knock-on impacts in areas like mine that were affected.

[rjh29]

giff gaff is O2 and O2 shares a parent company with Vodafone (Virgin Media O2) and also shares masts. EE and Three probably share infrastructure too, particularly in rural areas.

At least for me, Three was definitely working (South West)

[alastairr]

Vodafone & O2 / VM are separate entities I think. In fact, 3 is being merged into Vodafone. Regardless, hard to know how to have a good backup, maybe starlink ;)

[ChocolateGod]

Vodafone is not owned by Virgin Media O2.