topic Re: Coverage map vs actual coverage - absolutely shocking in Mobile Network discussions

Coverage map vs actual coverage - absolutely shocking

Simonhazel00 — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 18:27:44 GMT

EE "coverage"

my experience:

honestly the service is beyond disappointing.

Re: Coverage map vs actual coverage - absolutely shocking

Northerner — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 19:24:23 GMT

Hi @Simonhazel00

Did you check the network status checker for issues locally.

It also says" These results are only a guide and not a guarantee of service availability in a particular location. Coverage may be affected by a number of factors, such as building materials, tree cover and weather conditions and how many other people are using the network too. Results are based on computer prediction to a high confidence but are not error free."

Thanks

Re: Coverage map vs actual coverage - absolutely shocking

bristolian — Sat, 09 Sep 2023 09:41:12 GMT

In addition, the coverage map has a certain level of granularity that makes it impossible to avoid small pockets of coverage differences within a square.

Without knowing what dBM levels this specific app uses to quantify the description - it has significantly less meaning.

Re: Coverage map vs actual coverage - absolutely shocking

Simonhazel00 — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 02:01:55 GMT

For almost 1sq mile around my house I get -112dbm to - 118dbm

Yes I checked the network status checker, with no reported issues near me.

I didnt have wifi calling for a while due to a phone software issue, but still had voice over lte.

Let me tell you I've missed so many calls and appointments, texts come through hours late and if I'm on data just outside the house I can less the 0.75mbit download and 0.1mbit upload, which made data in my area close to absolutely useless.

Re: Coverage map vs actual coverage - absolutely shocking

Chris_B — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 06:16:23 GMT

@Simonhazel00 Text messages are not guaranteed to be received the moment they are sent. This has always been the case of text messages going back to the 90s. You say you have a software issue in your device and can not use Wi-Fi calling so from that I have to ask how do you know that issue isn’t effecting your device in other ways ? Have you tried factory resetting your device?

Re: Coverage map vs actual coverage - absolutely shocking

cje85 — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 09:05:00 GMT

@Simonhazel00 wrote:
For almost 1sq mile around my house I get -112dbm to - 118dbm

Yes I checked the network status checker, with no reported issues near me.
I didnt have wifi calling for a while due to a phone software issue, but still had voice over lte.
Let me tell you I've missed so many calls and appointments, texts come through hours late and if I'm on data just outside the house I can less the 0.75mbit download and 0.1mbit upload, which made data in my area close to absolutely useless.

-112 to -118dbm should still provide a perfectly adequate 4G signal and not cause dropped/missed calls or such slow data speeds. 4G can work right down to -130dbm.

Re: Coverage map vs actual coverage - absolutely shocking

Vermonde — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 11:18:42 GMT

Hi Simon,

I've just joined this discussion as I have a problem getting incoming calls on my local mast. I hope they are sorting this out with all the data I have provided.

Personally, for tracking mobile coverage, I use CellMapper - free to use although there is a Pro subscription. I used to use MastData, but not any more.

My problem is that probably due to recent work by EE on my local 4G tower, and that is it does not accept any new IMEI connection to the database, which is not being replicated. Refuses to register a new SIM as well. So, I can dial out, but nobody can call me. SIM Status, 'Voice: Out of service'. Moving to a different tower - no problem.

Richard (IT Sytems Integration Engineer)

Re: Coverage map vs actual coverage - absolutely shocking

bristolian — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 11:43:47 GMT

What do you mean by "it does not accept any new IMEI connection to the database, which is not being replicated"?

Individual radio sites are part of the access network, whose purpose is to provide coverage. They don't hold any device or subscriber database - this function is a core network one.

The RAN queries the core for a yes/no response on new IMEI/IMSI attach requests.

Re: Coverage map vs actual coverage - absolutely shocking

Vermonde — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 11:47:04 GMT

I want to know this too. My local tower - EE 4G is not accepting and replicating IMEI registrations, so I can't get incoming calls any more. Phone SIM Status just shows 'Voice: Out of service'. Going away to a neighbouring tower, and all works fine. I use CallMapper app on the phone for coverage and data about cellular towers which is free, but a bit 'Techie'.

Have a phone and tablet and two SIM's, - both the same. Just found out it has been like this for several weeks. I can only phone out ..

Richard Angry ..! (IT Systems Integration Engineer)

Re: Coverage map vs actual coverage - absolutely shocking

Vermonde — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 12:02:28 GMT

Ah, but when somebody tries to call me, the phone number has to request the IMEI/IMSI so it can route the call to my local tower I think. That is my problem .. out of service! Moving to another tower, service is restored - on both phones. I can still phone out, but what use is that at home ..;-)

I tried registering a new SIM on Friday, and it wouldn't register on my tower ... at all!. I was wrong to call it a database - it's all live.

Re: Coverage map vs actual coverage - absolutely shocking

Vermonde — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 12:23:29 GMT

You know much more about this than me, but it may help if I give you information about the tower that is the problem.

There is a problem with Tower#17097 in Gloucestershire. LTE Cell ID: 4376836, Physical Cell ID: 61 (Cell4?)

Are you able to look at this?

Re: Coverage map vs actual coverage - absolutely shocking

Christopher_G — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 13:36:35 GMT

Hi @Libbybet and @Vermonde

Sorry to hear that you're having some problems with your phones. Could you both check the status of your postcode on our coverage checker please? Pop your postcode in and hit 'check status'. It will let you report a problem, if we're not already aware of one in your area.

Chris

Re: Coverage map vs actual coverage - absolutely shocking

bristolian — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 16:52:03 GMT

@Vermonde wrote:

Ah, but when somebody tries to call me, the phone number has to request the IMEI/IMSI so it can route the call to my local tower I think

Call routing is all done using the SIM/IMSI - the IMEI is not involved.

If you start a call elsewhere and travel such that you should hand-in to the affected cell, does this work?

Re: Coverage map vs actual coverage - absolutely shocking

Simonhazel00 — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 17:55:45 GMT

I already did that and attached the screenshot alongside the og post

Re: Coverage map vs actual coverage - absolutely shocking

Vermonde — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 12:17:57 GMT

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the advice. I don't find mobile operators 'Coverage Checkers' much good actally. They don't show the towers, cells, and other data which CellMapper does. Designing antennas for towers is a complicated business.

This past week, I had an open 'Support Ticket' for my local 4G tower problem, and sent then all the data and maps from CellMapper.net. Suddenly, on Monday afternoon, I was able to get inbound calls again on both my devices. I think the tower problem has been ongoing for a few weeks as friends are telling me now that they only had the message "The number you have called is unavailable". ! 😕 There appeared to be no problem when near other towers, just the one at home.

Richard

Re: Coverage map vs actual coverage - absolutely shocking

Vermonde — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 11:37:59 GMT

Hi Chris,
It's all sorted now with EE. Nothing to do with Coverage Checker ...
The problem was with the 3G/4G mast at 17097. I sent all the details from
Cellmapper and said that other masts I had a full service when travelling.
There was a problem, whereby I could send data or make calls, but nobody
could call me, and this was on two phones (two SIM cards..).
So, this would have affected everybody's connection who could not connect
to another mast. (I live in a forest ..hilly..!)
I am being given credit for alerting them to this problem ..😁 Took about
a week ..
Richard

Re: Coverage map vs actual coverage - absolutely shocking

Leanne_T — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 12:06:54 GMT

Thanks for coming back and letting us know what was causing this for you @Vermonde

Leanne 🙂