topic Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor in Mobile Network discussions

Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

Pyromanic — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 11:59:23 GMT

I've noticed a huge degredation in network coverage in the past few months. The network civerahe checker indicates I should get excellent coverage at home, but I currently get 1 bar, and sometimes that drops out! I travel around the country a lot and have never previously experienced such poor signal on EE. I don't know what EE have been doung to the network, but the signal has significantly reduced virtually everywhere I've travelled. Been a customer for over 18 years but now find EE network to be so poor, I'll be going elsewhere unless this gets sorted soon.

Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

James_B — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 15:54:16 GMT

Welcome to the EE Community, @Pyromanic 🙂

If you select the check status option in the coverage checker, are any problems reported in your area?

James

Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

Pyromanic — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 16:10:25 GMT

No known problems.

Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

bristolian — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 22:49:10 GMT

A few interesting observations here.

Firstly onscreen signal bars are only a rough indicator and not the be-all of of service - also less onscreen bars can sometimes mean higher-band carriers which will give ultimately better service. Are you having any issues using your phone for calls, texts or mobile data?

Secondly is this a recent issue, in other words are you observing a noticeable degradation in reliability in a particular area?

Several months ago I would have agreed with many of your sentiments based on direct experiences - but following a device change, it's become apparent a phone fault was behind many of them. Do other EE users have the same issues in the same areas as yourself?

Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

Pyromanic — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 11:57:07 GMT

Whilst I appreciate the limitations of the on-screen display of signal strength/quality, the issue is often accompanied by a lack of data connection, call drop-out etc.

The problem has been ongoing for a couple of months and appears to be general across the network at numerous locations. Coverage appears to be patchy at best and in areas where network signal was once strong and being indicated at 4 bars, it's now down to 2 or even 1.

I also appreciate that a faulty modile device could present the issue identified, however, my wife also uses EE with a different phone model, and also experiences issues. The conversation is frequently one of "not being able to connect to the internet, or missed calls" whilst friends on other networks have no such problems.

Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

Leanne_T — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 14:13:59 GMT

Hi @Pyromanic

If tis is happening in more than one location and device, please call us on 150 and our tech guides can get the areas looked into for you and provide further information.

Thanks 🙂

Leanne.

Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

OldSchoolTech — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 14:51:43 GMT

hi guys,

as a former hardware technician and software engineer, i've found the perennial issues of "call drop outs" and "low bars" on an android phone can be addressed in numerous ways:

1. check network status (you will need your full post code and be logged into My EE)

coverage checker link:

https://ee.co.uk/help/mobile-coverage-checker

even if signal is reported as "excellent" in your area, you can still report an issue to EE engineers (because many factors are involved when you are experiencing low signal or "dead zones").

2. update your system software (on your phone) to the latest "android version". ee recommend this for obvious technical reasons. usually, your phone will be more responsive after a system update.

note: be patient during an update, let the phone reboot and load, then re-test your net speeds. (open browser and visit a speed checker site).

many net speed checkers are now available online. the two i recommend are:

https://broadbandtest.which.co.uk/

https://fiber.google.com/speedtest/

3. consider clearing temporary files from your phone (this also usually makes your phone more responsive). i recommend ccleaner for android or 1tap cleaner for android (both are free apps from google play store).

4. when you're physically at home (stationary) and just using your phone as a router, i've noticed signal bars increase if one places an aluminum foil dish or flat aluminum sheet beneath the phone. this basically acts as a signal collector, since your phone signal is radio waves. heres one of the better guides on youtube for interested persons:

MatthaisWendal : wifi antenna booster dish [1.3 million views]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZKc3PBs67c

5. if you are unfortunate enough to be in a "dead zone" due to architectural inhibitors (such as thick concrete walls, metal framed buildings, heavy tree cover, etc), there are a plethora of signal boosters and "repeaters" that can be installed, so you can enjoy a stress free internet experience. (my plan is to review the better ones for interested parties, should anyone reading this have an interest).

have a great summer: ☀️

kind regards, OldSchoolTech

Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

Gareth43 — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 15:47:37 GMT

The EE network is great where is live (Burnley Area) never had any problems at all but my mum who is on 02 as nothing but issues with her line. It’s like all mobiles some areas good for some and some areas good for others, I tested EE on pay as you go sim before I joined years ago and now also moved my daughter over as well.

Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

Arundalep — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 13:32:52 GMT

This is fundamentally because in fringe areas that only had 3G coverage you now only have 4g available (with poor signal). EE turned off all of their 3G antennas with a complete closure by the end of Jan 24. Unfortunately the network now has many areas of no signal, especially in rural areas, unlike before. EE was always the best network where I live and work (Sussex and Surrey), especially in rural locations, now it’s terrible.

Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

bristolian — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 14:38:57 GMT

The comments by @Arundalep are incorrect as regards 3G & 4G. Coverage patterns are not dictated by the "G" in use, but the frequency bands. In addition, EE's network design always required that 2G coverage on 1800Mhz to exceed that of 3G on 2100Mhz

EE's 4G coverage - including the low-band 800Mhz band - has exceeded that of 2G & 3G long before the 3G switch-off.

Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

Arundalep — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 17:38:35 GMT

Then please explain why following the switch off of 3G coverage (or whatever preparation work may have happened alongside), the ability to use both data and voice has degraded so significantly in rural areas.

I first noticed issues with areas that previously had reliable and adequate data coverage, when the area was upgraded to 5g (Crawley, Horsham, Worthing and now Billingshurst), existing (albeit slower) 3G connection became poor or non existent no reliable data connection was possible.

I used to be able to have a continuous voice call while in the car for many miles / minutes but since January 2024 this is no longer possible.

I have also heard the same said by other EE customers in the area that their previously good coverage (certainly better than other providers) has dropped this year.

I have repeatedly reported these issues and the response always says reboot your device, there are no network issues in the area.

This affects my business everyday, I have no axe to grind but would appreciate if the previously very good quality of service was resumed.

Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

DanCM — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 11:03:17 GMT

As I understand this, they have replaced 3G transmitters with 4G and 5G. This means a signal tower or post that was 3G is now 4G/5G.

However, 4G and 5G do not penetrate obstructions as well as 3G since they are higher frequency. So comparing purely signal strength you will see less coverage on 4G/5G that you did on 3G with the same number of transmitters in the same place as the old 3G.

That's how it was explained to me and honestly since 3G has gone, the coverage in my area (Dorset) is very patchy on EE. Many black-spots and call drop-outs and data drop-outs, so it seems to make sense.

Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

bristolian — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 11:40:41 GMT

@DanCM wrote:

As I understand this, they have replaced 3G transmitters with 4G and 5G. This means a signal tower or post that was 3G is now 4G/5G.

However, 4G and 5G do not penetrate obstructions as well as 3G since they are higher frequency. So comparing purely signal strength you will see less coverage on 4G/5G that you did on 3G with the same number of transmitters in the same place as the old 3G.

You're not the first to fall for a popular misunderstanding, or be told it by "my mate Dave down the pub"!

First off, radio sites are merely structures that host equipment (towers, rooftops or streetside monopoles) - generally radio kit at ground-level & antennas at height. Thus they're not specific to individual technologies. As tech progresses, 4G & 5G radio kit is added, and 3G radios are removed. The tower structure/rooftop is still the same, the antennas may get swapped out - but that's driven by the frequencies installed, not the technology.

4G & 5G services are operated across various frequency bands, it's this that dictates coverage levels rather than the technology. EE operated 2G on 1800Mhz & 3G on 2100Mhz, both high-band. 4G is operated on 800Mhz, 1800Mhz, 2100Mhz & 2600Mhz. By deploying 4G on low-band 800Mhz (and 5G on 700Mhz using the same equipment), this provides a coverage boost compared with older 2G & 3G service. High-bands provide greater capacity for density of users - thus 1800Mhz is EE's base frequency with 2100Mhz & 2600Mhz providing additional spectrum in high-use areas.

Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

PawelBaluta — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 11:41:52 GMT

Honestly? I don't care about numbers which network is better 5g, 4g or 3g. I've been over 5 years with ee and the coverage has deteriorated massively over the last year. I often have network outages at home so my phone becomes useless. I have spoken for hours to the support specialists even replacing the sim card and the whole phone has not helped. The range outside is 1 sometimes 2 bars but support tells me this is not an issue. For me it is important though because the internet I pay for is just poor. I have a second sim card on the same phone from the O2 network. Outside full coverage at home drops by 1 bar and nothing cuts in or disconnects. So let ee finally admit that they have poor internet and not tell people that it is their fault or the fault of the house we live in. Time to change your operator

Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

Surpic — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 18:11:36 GMT

It’s not you, I live in Norfolk and coverage has gone from the best to the absolute worst. To the point where in Norwich city, yes a city, there is no signal,in a lot of areas ,in the 21st century I find this shocking. I spent a lot of my time talking to various different departments about this issue, I even suggested that someone spent a day driving around Norfolk to see if they could make a call but that was dismissed. I gave up with it I the end, I was wasting my time waiting to have a call answered only to be left feeling completely ignored and fobed off. I will add that four of us working for a firm that has sites all over Norfolk are on and were with ee so not just my phone. Anyway as I said it’s not you it’s a company that seems to have lost its way.

Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

ee_user14 — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 22:36:10 GMT

I've found on a few occasions that after a period of "we're improving network in your area", the onscreen bars can sometimes degrade - but data speeds especially are better.

Friends with 5G phones in the past 6 months or so keep saying network is different, but all of them with 4G me included, haven't seen the same and often get totally different bars than 5G.

Guess this post won't be popular cos it doesn't say EE signal is poor.

Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

PawelBaluta — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 06:42:05 GMT

There is something about it. There is still no 5G in my city and the phone I bought 2 years ago has it. Since then the coverage has changed dramatically for my device. I have changed the preferred 4G network in the settings but it does nothing. You say the data transfer rate has increased, I even sometimes have no internet and a website cannot load. Clearly something is wrong on the EE side.

Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

Hels2354 — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 23:08:32 GMT

EE connectivity use to be wonderful - I’ve noticed a big difference since Oct 24 and it’s getting worse in all regions - they need to sort I’ve been a customer for over 18years but will need to review at end of contract

Customer service isn’t the same either - wish they would go back to how they use to be great customer service and great connectivity but no longer

Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

Christopher_G — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 08:14:13 GMT

Hi @Hels2354

Have you checked the coverage map and network status checker for the areas where you're having a problem? The coverage checker will let you know what coverage to expect and the status checker will tell you if there are any maintenance works.

Chris

Re: Re: Is it just me or is ee phone signal poor

Jfdjwd — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 23:22:27 GMT

Honestly it’s awful. Probably not just ee but why would anyone have multiple phones to compare. I cannot even make a phone call from central London. Every day I leave work and try and call my daughter. From embankment to Waterloo, literally the centre, full beams 5g on the screen and I can’t even talk to her without video. Absolute waste of money. May as well have a 3310