UK APN Settings and 4G vs 3G

The UK has several mobile phone networks with many sub-providers or Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) offering deals off their infrastructure, so this actually limits the number of APN (Access Point Names) settings which exist. The APN is kind of like the dial-up connection to the Cellular Network. If you are using an MNO then you can link back the APN settings required to the main infrastructure provider. Every mobile connected devices will have APN settings and these settings also apply to USB Data Dongles and MiFi Routers.

While there has also been a push to 4G networks (and some 5G currently), its often 3G networks which are more stable and if you’re having poor connectivity and bandwidth on a provider, try setting your connection to use 3G.

EE APN settings
Name: EE Internet
APN: everywhere
Username: eesecure
Password: secure
MMSC: http://mms/
MMS Proxy: 149.254.201.135
MMS Port: 8080
Authentification Type: PAP
APN Type: internet+MMS. (If an entry is required type a * on its own)

O2 APN settings
Name: o2 Internet
APN: mobile.o2.co.uk (PAYG - payandgo.o2.co.uk)
Username: o2web (PAYG - payandgo)
Password: password
MMSC: http://mmsc.mms.o2.co.uk:8002
MMS Proxy: 82.132.254.1
MMS Port: 8080
Authentification Type: PAP
APN Type: internet+MMS. (If an entry is required type a * on its own)

Three APN settings
Name: 3 Internet
APN: three.co.uk
MMSC: http://mms.um.three.co.uk:10021/mmsc
MMS Proxy: mms.three.co.uk
MMS Port: 8799
APN Type: internet+MMS. (If an entry is required type a * on its own)

Vodafone APN settings
Name: Vodafone Internet
APN: internet (PAYG - pp.vodafone.co.uk)
Username: web (PAYG - wap)
Password: web (PAYG - wap)
MMSC: http://mms.vodafone.co.uk/servlets/mms
MMS Proxy: 212.183.137.12
MMS Port: 8799
Authentification Type: PAP
APN Type: internet+MMS. (If an entry is required type a * on its own)

The different subproviders are: