Available now in small pockets
Current locations
Nuneaton
Kings Norton
Burntwood
Great Gransden
Available in small pockets
Local mobile service, built neighbourhood by neighbourhood.
Lodestar Mobile network coverage is operational in small parts of four locations. Public consumer ordering has not opened yet. More locations are planned, and we are looking for people and organisations interested in hosting a local femtocell.
Coverage position
Small pockets now. More places next.
These names do not mean town-wide coverage. A Lodestar signal is available only close to a working local cell, and availability can vary by street, building and device.
Planned expansion
Areas we are working towards
Edinburgh
Tadpole Garden Village
Basildon
Leicester
Bedworth
Coventry
Planned locations have no guaranteed coverage area or activation date. We will check the exact location before allowing an eSIM order.
Ordering
eSIMs are coming soon.
An eSIM will be available to order only where Lodestar Mobile has confirmed coverage. A compatible, unlocked 4G device with eSIM and the required network support will be needed.
There is no national Lodestar coverage claim. Outside a working Lodestar cell, service may be unavailable. The order journey and compatibility check are still being prepared.
Read the draft Mobile termsDevice testing
VoLTE support depends on the handset.
These are Lodestar's current test results, not a final compatibility list. The exact model, regional variant, software and carrier configuration can all affect whether VoLTE works.
Working in testing
iPhone 12 and newer
Lodestar VoLTE has worked in our testing on iPhone 12 and newer models.
Model-dependent
Recent Samsung models
VoLTE has worked on later Samsung handsets we have tested. We will publish the exact supported models and software versions before ordering opens.
Additional work required
Some Google Pixel models
Some Pixel handsets can use Lodestar VoLTE after additional technical configuration. They are not currently treated as straightforward, plug-and-play support.
Mobile data or SMS working does not prove VoLTE compatibility. We test ordinary VoLTE and the emergency handoff separately. Every handset that currently passes our VoLTE testing has also passed the handoff test; any newly supported model must pass both. The ordering process will check both coverage and supported-device compatibility.
999 and 112
Lodestar does not carry emergency calls.
In our testing, every handset that supports Lodestar VoLTE leaves the Lodestar network when 999 or 112 is dialled and moves to another available UK mobile network for a Limited Service State emergency call. That network carries the call, not Lodestar.
Lodestar activates a cell only where its site checks find usable coverage from at least one other UK mobile network. This is intended to leave a potential emergency-call route if a compatible handset exits Lodestar.
This is emergency mobile roaming, not ordinary roaming and not nationwide Lodestar coverage. The site rule reduces risk but does not guarantee a connection: another network's coverage can change or fail, and handset behaviour can vary. If no other network is available, the call cannot connect.
A Limited Service State call may not send your normal telephone number or precise location, and the emergency service may be unable to call you back if the call disconnects. Tell the operator your location and telephone number clearly.
This handoff has passed testing on every handset that currently passes Lodestar VoLTE testing. Any newly supported model must also pass the handoff test. Before public ordering opens, Lodestar will complete the emergency-access and caller-location arrangements required for the service. Do not rely on Lodestar Mobile as your only way to contact the emergency services.
Read UK guidance on emergency mobile roamingCore network
The London core is ready.
The Lodestar core network in London is operational. Mobile data, VoLTE calling and SMS are working.
VoLTE is used for ordinary calls. Calls to 999 and 112 are not carried by the Lodestar core; the separate emergency mobile roaming process described above applies.
We are deploying an additional mobile data plane in the West Midlands. The aim is to keep more traffic closer to users, reduce latency and improve resilience by avoiding reliance on one London data path. This work does not guarantee uninterrupted service.
London coreOperational
Mobile dataWorking
VoLTEWorking
SMSWorking
Community hosts
Help bring a local cell to your area.
We are always looking for more potential femtocell hosts. Homes, organisations and community sites can register interest in hosting local radio equipment.
Every proposed site needs a technical and coverage assessment. A cell will not be activated unless site checks find usable coverage from at least one other UK mobile network. Registering interest does not guarantee approval, installation, coverage, payment or a launch date.
Register interest in hostingSpectrum policy
Making local outdoor coverage easier to build.
Lodestar is campaigning for substantially lower recurring spectrum fees and a durable, technically coordinated route for outdoor community cells.
Ofcom's standard 2.3 GHz Shared Access product is currently indoor-only. Any outdoor transmission will require an appropriate Ofcom authorisation and comply with its site, frequency, power and interference conditions.
Free the Spectrum asks Ofcom to permit long-term outdoor use of its 2320 to 2340 MHz and 2390 to 2400 MHz Shared Access slices where coexistence can be protected. It also asks for lower Shared Access fees and a Local Access route that does not leave community infrastructure facing a three-year cliff edge.
These reforms could make more Lodestar sites viable, improve targeted local coverage or capacity and help support lower-cost services. They do not guarantee a deployment, coverage or customer savings.
Read Ofcom's current Shared Access information