topic Re: Poor mobile siginal SE25 in Mobile Network discussions

Poor mobile siginal SE25

220K — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 08:14:38 GMT

I am still experiencing phone signal issues near South Norwood Clock Tower SE25 postcode even thou you said a phone mast has gone up and signal coverage is restored I am still experiencing problems as of Sunday 14th February 2026 it's been almost a year is there any update I don't think the new mast is working correctly does it mean South Norwood Clock Tower will continue to receive poor signal are EE working behind the scenes to restore signal to the area or has EE just given up why is the council Croydon Council restricting phone masts in the area are there any signal boosters that can be deployed to boost the signal in the area please advise thanks

Re: Poor mobile siginal SE25

220K — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 18:03:29 GMT

Re: Poor mobile siginal SE25

220K — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 18:33:25 GMT

Google Lack of phone mast in SE25

And you should find this link in the search results it seems Croydon Council are actively blocking development of new phone masts in the area, can EE please confirm what the company is doing to challenge this and are there any other solutions to boost phone signal in the area what about 5G routers do they offer enchanted reception what can be done to improve signal to the area the phone mast you claim to have installed in the area is not working - 120 dBm 28 asu which is an almost non usable signal

Please Advise Thanks

Re: Poor mobile siginal SE25

bristolian — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 18:43:50 GMT

@220K wrote:
why is the council Croydon Council restricting phone masts in the area

That is very much a question you should direct at the local planning authorities, in this case Croydon Council. Please do post back if you get a response.

If only "signal boosters" were a thing, you have an easy solution to 100% national coverage despite pesky planning authorities!

Re: Poor mobile siginal SE25

220K — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 18:48:39 GMT

Why can't EE use starlink satellite to boost mobile signals in dead spot areas?

Yes, Virgin Media O2 has announced a multi-year partnership with Starlink to launch a satellite-to-mobile service, branded as "O2 Satellite," expected in 2026. This service aims to eliminate "not spots" in rural UK areas, allowing standard smartphones to connect directly to satellites for messaging and data.

Virgin Media O2 +2

Key Details of O2's Starlink Partnership:

Availability: Planned for launch in the first half of 2026.
Capabilities: Initial services will support text messaging, location services, and data for apps like WhatsApp, with voice calls expected later.
Technology: Uses Starlink’s Direct to Cell technology via Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.
Coverage: Intends to increase O2's rural landmass coverage to 95%.

Virgin Media O2 +2

This initiative makes O2 the first UK operator to utilize Starlink's satellite-to-mobile constellation to boost, rather than replace,4G/5G coverage

Re: Poor mobile siginal SE25

bristolian — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 19:30:45 GMT

@220K wrote:
Why can't EE use starlink satellite to boost mobile signals in dead spot areas?
This initiative makes O2 the first UK operator to utilize Starlink's satellite-to-mobile constellation to boost, rather than replace,4G/5G coverage

The proposed coverage is data-only and will not support voice. It will be very interesting to see customer feedback of their phone showing coverage but being unable to make or receive calls.

If only using a particular technology to "boost mobile signals" was as easy as it sounds, you have the instant solution to 100% national coverage! EE use satellite backhaul to connect remote sites back to the core network.

Re: Poor mobile siginal SE25

220K — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 19:44:16 GMT

Yes, Starlink can receive data and enable mobile phone calls through its "Direct to Cell" service, which acts as a "cell tower in space" for standard LTE phones. While texting is currently available, voice and data capabilities are rolling out in 2025-2026, withinitial services focusing on text, mapping, and location apps in, rural or "dead" zones.

Starlink +2

Key Details on Starlink Phone Connectivity:

How it Works: Starlink's Direct to Cell satellites connect directly to existing, unmodified LTE smartphones, removing the need for special hardware or apps.
Capabilities: It provides coverage for messaging, voice calls, and data, allowing users to connect in remote locations, including land, lakes, and coastal waters.
Availability: Texting launched in 2024, with voice and data services expected to become more widely available for mobile phones starting in 2025.
Partnerships: Starlink collaborates with carriers like T-Mobile (US), Rogers (Canada), and others like Optus (Australia) and KDDI (Japan) to provide this service.
Limitations: The service requires a clear view of the sky to function and is designed for areas without existing terrestrial cellular signal. Initial trials indicate it works best outdoors.
Example Case: A partnership with Virgin Media O2 in the UK aims to launch this service in 2026, specifically targeting remote areas for data, text, and voice.

Starlink +4

Note: The PCMag UK article indicates early beta testing was limited to specific Samsung models