Mobile performance

Regarding inadequate mobile coverage, 2g/3g/4g, do any here have any idea who can be contacted to chase up the necessary network improvements? In fact, is anyone watching?

In reply to a post by mikejp:

Regarding inadequate mobile coverage, 2g/3g/4g, do any here have any idea who can be contacted to chase up the necessary network improvements? In fact, is anyone watching?

Check your local council planning office. See if networks are trying to improve coverage and submitting planning applications, but being refused. Check sites such as https://bidb.uk which show mobile coverage for all 4 physical networks. Forget 2G and 3G, as they are old and 3G is being switched off (by Three,EE,Vodafone) in the next 18 months, only 4G and 5G count today.

Ofcom may be the place to complain if there is even no outdoor coverage.

If you are rural, see https://srn.org.uk/ for the Government and Industry approach to the problem.

Thanks, JC. The coverage on that site only repeats the carriers' maps and that is part of the problem, since it is not accurate (for O2, anyway). I'm in the middle of the '20 working day' wait with OfCom.

I can muster about 4Mb down with 4g on Three which I assume is fine for VOIP calls? When the copper landline and 2/3g go, how do the 'older' generation manage to make mobile calls if they have no 'smart' phone?

I have raised a query with my local planning on mast applications.

In reply to a post by mikejp:

Thanks, JC. The coverage on that site only repeats the carriers' maps and that is part of the problem, since it is not accurate (for O2, anyway). I'm in the middle of the '20 working day' wait with OfCom.

The only way to be sure is to do your own survey with an Android phone and tools such as Cellmapper. If you have iPhone its not possible.

I can muster about 4Mb down with 4g on Three which I assume is fine for VOIP calls? When the copper landline and 2/3g go, how do the 'older' generation manage to make mobile calls if they have no 'smart' phone?

Most VoIP calls over an internet connection max out at 128kbps maximum for highest quality. 64kbps is still better than most traditional PSTN calls.

Legacy copper landline voice service goes in 2025, but will be replaced by a box (needing power) that the phone handset plugs into and voice calls work. BT call this "Digital Voice". Its using VoIP technology, but not over the internet. The concern is for areas that have frequent power cuts, or are rural.

The box connects using ADSL or VDSL (FTTC) technology but doesn't need to go as far as the internet, and will be charged the same as the existing PSTN voice service.

Anyone that has voice & internet will work with their internet provider, and will plug the phone into back of the internet router. Some companies may chose to no longer sell voice services and will request you move to another provider.

I'm expecting things to get clearer after Sept 2023 when new PSTN lines are no longer installed. This is NOT the same as "copper" being removed/retired. The copper lines will last a lot longer.

I have been using 'Network' on Android but will look at Cellmapper.

NB The query was "how do the 'older' generation manage to make mobile calls if they have no 'smart' phone?". The 'landline' issue is another thing altogether..

In reply to a post by mikejp:

I have been using 'Network' on Android but will look at Cellmapper.

The app is good, but the website is useful www.cellmapper.net as it helps you find the masts/base stations in your area by network.

NB The query was "how do the 'older' generation manage to make mobile calls if they have no 'smart' phone?". The 'landline' issue is another thing altogether..

There are 4G/VoLTE capable feature phones, not great, but they exist. Also 2G will survive the 3G shutdown until around 2030 so 2G only feature phones should work where they work now.

Might have better coverage with a 4G feature phone, such as this randomly found on Amazon.

"Also 2G will survive the 3G shutdown until around 2030 so 2G only feature phones should work where they work now."

Therein lies the problem. We have 'good coverage indoors and out' with O2 but have to go out into the road to use O2 and texts may or may not arrive!

In reply to a post by mikejp:

I can muster about 4Mb down with 4g on Three which I assume is fine for VOIP calls? When the copper landline and 2/3g go, how do the 'older' generation manage to make mobile calls if they have no 'smart' phone?

There are plenty of cheap 4G dumb phones on the market now.

In reply to a post by mikejp:

Therein lies the problem. We have 'good coverage indoors and out' with O2 but have to go out into the road to use O2 and texts may or may not arrive!

There are 4 physical networks in the UK, you might find one of the others provides indoor coverage. (Also you might find a 4G phone has signal where a 2G only phone does not, the networks are not uniform).

The likes of Cellmapper can help, but testing with some PAYG SIM cards is best. Often 99p each in filling stations with no credit on.

In reply to a post by jchamier:

... but testing with some PAYG SIM cards is best. Often 99p each in filling stations with no credit on.

And most independent newspaper/sweets/convenience shops.