topic Re: Signal box won't connect after a power cut. in Other phones & Devices

Signal box won't connect after a power cut.

MenmuirMark — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 12:39:17 GMT

We have no EE signal at all in the house and one of the family does not have a phone that works with wifi-calling. EE provided us with a Signal box several years ago and that solved the issue. However after a power cut last night the box no longer connects and does not give a signal. We tried the usual switching it off and on again, using the reset, changing the network cables, but no difference. The light just gets to the rapid flashing and no further. Everything else that had been connected to the modem still works fine and there was no lightning storm causing a spike, just a temporary outage. Can EE replace the box (or supply a different femtocell) if there is no other way to get it working?

Re: Signal box won't connect after a power cut.

XRaySpeX — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 12:46:23 GMT

From 30 June the Signal Box service was closed by EE.

Re: Signal box won't connect after a power cut.

Chris_B — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 12:46:36 GMT

@MenmuirMark Signal boxes got switched off on the 30th of June. They are no longer supported as the 3G network is going to be closed down

Re: Signal box won't connect after a power cut.

EssexBoyEE — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 12:48:10 GMT

EE are longer supplying the Service and the planned Switch Off Data was around the end of June 2022.

Its probably just coincidence that your Power Cut happened at the same time, or the Signal Box failed to connect or authenticate with EE on powering back up.

Re: Signal box won't connect after a power cut.

MenmuirMark — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 13:15:29 GMT

I just found that out - the power cut was just a coincidence. I'm very disappointed that EE have withdrawn a vital service to this rural area with no alternative in place (no new masts or other infrastructure to give us an indoor signal). Looks like we may have to look for a different provider for the 4 mobile phone contracts we have in this household.

Re: Signal box won't connect after a power cut.

EssexBoyEE — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 13:37:31 GMT

As a Customer you are obviously free to choose your Mobile Network Provider, hence why we have have 4 Networks in the UK mainland, but please be aware the other Networks are also planning to Switch Off the 3G Services, so for example Vodafones Sure Signal Box will also be affected, along with other simular type of System that work over the 3G Network.

If you find yourselves in a Weak or No Signal Area the Replacement Service of your Signal Box System is now a 4G VoIP Service, commonly known as VoLTE, which is your Incoming and Outgoing Voice Calls are connected automatically through your Internet Connection when out of the Network Coverage, but you will need compatible 4G or 5G Mobile Handsets for this to work.

My advice would be before jumping into another Network Contract, to do some Homework on the Mobile Coverage Maps in your Area, and view any current or potential Handset Types to include VoLTE in order to achieve your best requirements in order to move forward.

Re: Signal box won't connect after a power cut.

Chris_B — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 16:19:12 GMT

@MenmuirMark Just to add there is a replacement service it’s called Wi-Fi calling. Before long you’ll not be able to purchase a phone that can support a 3G signal as 3G is being switched off so device manufacturers will not have to make a device 3G compliant.

Re: Signal box won't connect after a power cut.

MenmuirMark — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 16:33:33 GMT

That would only work if I used a phone operating system that supports wifi calling at present. I have a long term commitment to FOSS so use a Linux based mobile. My commitment to open source is stronger than my commitment to EE so if another network improves their coverage and manages to supply a mobile phone signal in the house I'll change. Withdrawing a service without providing a viable and acceptable alternative to existing customers is not good practice.

Re: Signal box won't connect after a power cut.

Leanne_T — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 17:01:36 GMT

Hi there @MenmuirMark

Thanks for coming to the community.

You can find full information in our Signal Box service closing, Help page.

Leanne.

Re: Signal box won't connect after a power cut.

bristolian — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 17:16:34 GMT

@MenmuirMark wrote:

Withdrawing a service without providing a viable and acceptable alternative to existing customers is not good practice.

The closure of the Signal Box service is driven largely by the 3G switchoff, something that all UK networks are doing.

In the same way, WiFi-calling is promoted across the mobile industry as the preferred way to deal with indoor coverage issues - which are inherently unavoidable. It also allows for seamless handover of voice calls to and from the umbrella 4G network - something not supported with the signal boxes.

It sounds like your requirements are quite niche, but only the 2G & 4G networks will be maintained in the long-term.

Re: Signal box won't connect after a power cut.

MenmuirMark — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 06:37:05 GMT

Surely offering a 4G signal box would have been a better solution for many of us in poor coverage areas? Those who only have wifi-calling enabled phones would not need to take up that offer. Presumably the 3G frequencies will be sold off and that is why the 3G femtocells have been disabled early. We pay for both the internet connection and the power for the box so the argument about EE having to maintain significant infrastructure would not appear to hold water.

Re: Signal box won't connect after a power cut.

bristolian — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 07:14:41 GMT

The femtocells need manufacturer support.

The vast majority of phones sold in the past couple of years support both VoWiFi (WiFi-calling) & VoLTE (4G-calling). VoLTE is an enabler for access to the "extended range" 800Mhz service which can also improve indoor coverage.

The frequencies used by 3G are being re-farmed for 4G & 5G services.