Poor network coverage

[Chris290783]

As a customer of ee for over 10 years I find it very disappointing that the network coverage checker claims I have good signal indoors and outdoors. This is not the case. I could understand it if I was in a building with thick walls but I'm in a caravan so don't expect to have issues at all. Even with windows open it struggles to get signal. SY23 5** EE everything everywhere? Not here, I feel like it should be renamed SS something somewhere as I have to hunt for my signal here.  I did mobile phone repairs for over 10 years so phone software is up to date, I have rebooted my phone multiple times, turned airplane mode on and off to still have poor signal. Since the release of 5g it has got worse like 4g is no longer a priority to them. I will speak to customer services tomorrow but feel like moving networks will be the best solution in the end as I feel like I am wasting money for something that only works outside. This never used to be the case which is why after 10 years I find this very disappointing.

[Mod edit: removed specific postcode from public post]

[Chris_B · Accepted solution]

@Chris290783  The network is named  EE and hasn’t been named  Everything Everywhere since 2012.     Why not called it One2One Mercury as that’s the original name.  

Anyway the network checker is just a guide not a guarantee of service as the network checker doesn’t take into account the topography of landscape or any other factors as it’s a simulated computer prediction.  You’ve not seen anyone there checking the network manually.   You say you’re in a caravan so basically a metal box and metal boxes are basically a faraday cage and can block network signals.    Have you tried just using 4G as your device will want to use the better signal and that’s 5G even if it’s just 1 bar compared to more bars on 4G. 

[bristolian]

Both 4G & 5G absolutely remain priorities for rollout, but marketing naturally is focused on the latest techs.

In NSA-mode, 5G still relies on 4G, and there's still plenty of equipment out there that is "only" 4G-capable. There were similar complaints when 3G was first being rolled out, and perception was that 2G didn't matter anymore - when not every radio site carries every technology, it's natural that the newer techs can sometimes be served from further away.

Switching airplane mode off can be a good fix for having lost coverage entirely, but it's never going to resolve an underlying coverage issue. In the specific location you've cited, no single network stands out as having excellent indoor & outdoor service - but the only way to test is by using a PAYG SIM for real-world checks. If that location matters to you, and you get better service elsewhere, then you've found your solution.