topic Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor in Mobile Network discussions

Terrible coverage in central Windsor

_anon — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 19:19:25 GMT

Hi,

Is anyone else getting terrible data coverage in their town centre? In central Windsor (Berkshire) I regularly have no data connection, just an exclamation mark next to the signal icon on my Google Pixel 5. Is this due to buildings (a castle?), proximity to a railway or anything else? Or too many people connecting to too few masts? It's a real problem given that paying for parking on RingGo needs an internet connection.

Ultimately would a different network be better, or are they sharing the same kit?

Thanks

Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor

bristolian — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 19:51:34 GMT

Is this a recent problem? Do you have any issues with making/receiving calls? Does VoLTE/4G-calling show on your phone's screen when you have these problems?

The network question is not easily answered, the only reliable test is real-world - using different networks in the locations you want to use your phone. There is extensive site-sharing, but radio equipment is separate to each network. Some antennas are shared between EE & 3-UK, as part of MBNL.

Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor

Northerner — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 23:41:46 GMT

Hi @_anon

I bet if you change your connection to to 4g it will improve considerably.

Thanks

Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor

_anon — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 17:04:06 GMT

I'm on 4G when the exclamation mark next to the signal icon shows and I lose internet, but I'm still able to make calls. I tried rebooting the phone a couple of times but the issue persisted. I've had this problem in this particular area (maybe 1 square km) of the town regularly over the last year or so and as more things like food pickup and parking need internet it gets more frustrating.

Thanks for the info on site and antenna sharing, if it comes to it I will borrow phones on other networks to check they work better before looking to switch.

Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor

LWH — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 12:45:32 GMT

Hi,

My wife uses Vodafone and doesn’t seem to have the issue. But certainly data connection is really bad with EE.
I have spent a considerable amount of time with EE customer services talking about this issue, I live in Windsor and am constantly having to use WiFi hotspots to get a data connection.
The technical team at EE say that there is a limited service mast in the area which is causing the issue. Apparently this is being looked at but there is no timescale for a fix unfortunately.

Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor

bristolian — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 17:38:18 GMT

I suspect the serving sites in Windsor High Street have only a limited L1800-single carrier deployment, and this may provide limited data speeds when traffic & usage is high.

Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor

Jm1416 — Sun, 08 Jan 2023 21:29:33 GMT

The service in Windsor is horrendous for mobile phones on EE and has been for some time. I am seriously considering changing my network when my contract is up. It never used to be this bad and I am a long term customer from the orange days.

The ultimate slap in the face irony is if you load the game Pokémon go in town there is an EE sponsored gym.. that of course you can't use because the data service is so so bad. You would think in what is one of the largest visited towns in the country they would sort it out and not just put a sponsored Pokémon gym to taunt us! Lol

Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor

Jon_K — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 08:07:04 GMT

Hi @Jm1416.

Welcome to the community.

Have you checked our Network Status Checker to see if there are any ongoing issues in your area?

Jon

Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor

SW2007 — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 13:31:41 GMT

Most phone cell coverage is blocked/jammed as a security measure to protect Windsor Castle.

Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor

bristolian — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 13:39:03 GMT

Blocking network signals to protect the castle is a lovely conspiracy theory, but security guards & the police use mobile phones too.

Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor

Jm1416 — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 13:53:59 GMT

How come all other networks get reception? Are you saying bad people only use EE? 😂

Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor

Jm1416 — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 14:03:22 GMT

Hi, yes I have checked the network status checker and it says 'you will get excellent coverage indoors and out".

Clearly this isn't the case and hasn't been for months. I wondered if it was my handset but everyone I know on EE has the same problem even when showing full bars 4g signal.

Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor

Leanne_T — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 14:35:15 GMT

Hi @Jm1416

If you select 'Check Status' on the coverage checker, this will show any reported problems and you can sign up for updates from the network team.

Leanne.

Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor

natwalton — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 16:53:36 GMT

yes there shows no issues lol. this has been a problem for atleast the last year. it's like a dead spot.

Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor

Jon_K — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 18:08:58 GMT

Hi @natwalton

Have you reported this as an issue on the status checker?

This would notify our network teams of an issue in the area.

Jon

Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor

LWH — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 18:20:31 GMT

Good suggestion Jon_K,

I have just done so. But I have already had a number of conversations with technical support and this is what I have received.
Do I have grounds to exit my contract early as this is a ridiculous issue.

Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor

natwalton — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 07:42:31 GMT

Hi Jon

no, how can i report it when the status tracker shows it's all good?

Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor

Katie_B — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 08:04:33 GMT

Hi @natwalton.

There should be an option to report any unknown issues. If you don't see this please try clearing cache and cookies or try another browser.

Please let us know how you get on,

Katie 🙂

Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor

natwalton — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 08:36:13 GMT

HI @Katie_B

No there is no option for me to do that, i have cleared cache, and tried a different browser.

Re: Terrible coverage in central Windsor

Katie_B — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 08:54:05 GMT

Thanks for trying @natwalton.

Please give us a call on 150 and our technical care team will be able to log this for you.

Katie