Coverage in Wednesbury

[Leanne_T]

Update: 20 January 2025

Over the past month, our engineers have been continuing negotiations with the site provider to access the area and start building the equipment for the new mast. Once negotiations have been completed, we can start building the equipment and confirm an approximate on-air date for the new mast.

We will keep you updated on this post.

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We are aware of a signal issue that is affecting some of our customers in the Wednesbury area. Our mast in the area had to be removed from the existing site at the end of November 2024, as this was requested by the landowner. Our engineers began looking for a new location as soon as we were made aware our equipment had to be removed.

Our engineers have completed surveys and designs at one location, and found the area will be suitable for the equipment. We are currently working with the landowner to access the area and start building the equipment needed for the new mast. Pending a positive outcome from the negations, we can start building the equipment and confirm an approximate on-air date for the new mast.

We will keep you updated on this post.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused. In the meantime, you may be able to use WiFi Calling to make and receive calls and texts over a WiFi connection. 

For information on who can use WiFi Calling and how to set up this service, please see our Using WiFi Calling, Help page.

[Liamski1]

Hi,

So out of interest, what notice do landowners have to give to remove a mast?

I would hope that there is enough time built into contractual agreements for a contingency and a new location to be arranged without effecting customers service? And if that is not the case, with no date set for a new mast to be set, are customers then given the opportunity to cancel contracts / collect refunds. I assume that these people have had limited service since last week (end of November) and EE would of known this was going to be the case for a period of time, in which time they would of been selling contracts to people in the effected area. Non of this is made very clear.  

[Leanne_T]

Hi there @Liamski1 

If you are affected by the mast being offline and would like to discuss your options, please get in touch with our mobile guides and they will get this looked into. 

Leanne.

[Katie_B]

Thanks for checking @CWs10. 

Have you signed up for updates?

When more information is available regarding the problem in your area you will be notified via text. 

Katie

[CWs10]

Yes I have thanks 

[SaucyJames_01]

@Liamski1  Not Sure if this is true but I came across this. Maybe worth looking into.  

“Under the Electronic Communications Code, an 18-month statutory notice period must be given and discussions will be held to try and find suitable alternative locations” 

[BadSignal82]

Do you have an idea of when the building works will commence please because if it will be a while I will need to look at an alternative provider. 

[CWs10]

I keep subscribing to texts to say when the problem has been resolved I received one last night and surprise surprise within a couple of minutes it was off again no service at all not even emergency pretty poor service as I can see a mast out of my front window 

it’s been like this for a week now and not once has any engineer been out to it 

[Liamski1]

So what this says is that EE have sat on this for at least 18 months and now once it has gone they will actually start the process of replacing it somewhere else. Negotiation. Planning. Construction. IT infrastructure. This surely will take months, so the people in that area can pretty much trot on if they think they are getting any service anytime soon. 

Naughty that. 

In the UK, a landowner must give at least 18 months' notice to terminate a telecommunications agreement and remove a mast: 

• Notice

  The landowner must serve a written notice that sets out the statutory grounds for termination. The most likely ground to be used is if the landowner plans to redevelop the property. 
• Counter-notice

  The operator can serve a counter-notice to continue the agreement. 
• Tribunal

  If the parties do not agree, the landowner must apply to the Lands Tribunal for an order. The tribunal will decide if the ground for termination is made out. 
• Removal

  Once the agreement has been terminated, the landowner must serve a further notice to request removal. If terms cannot be agreed within 28 days, the landowner must apply to the tribunal for a removal order. 

The Electronic Communications Code protects telecommunications equipment, so it is difficult for landowners to remove it. Landowners must meet a high bar to prove that the lease should be terminated, and the operator can push back. 

[bristolian]

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@Liamski1 wrote:

So what this says is that EE have sat on this for at least 18 months and now once it has gone they will actually start the process of replacing it somewhere else.

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That is one significant leap of judgement, which would require internal knowledge of both the process & this specific site.