Poor signal. Can I get a small cell locally?

[Sgillam]

Hi there,

I live in Kent (DA37LX)

[Sgillam]

Sorry hit wrong button!  I live in Kent DA37LX and the mobile signal from all providers is very poor. Is it possible to apply to have a small cell installed locally?

[bristolian]

FYI you have a short time after posting to edit.

The process to install new network sites is not an application process, there is an option within the myEE app to log & report areas of poor coverage.

New coverage areas are normally driven by internal planning departments, with a few exceptions.

[Sgillam]

Ok thanks

[Ali_A]

Hi @Sgillam 

Welcome to the EE Community. 

As @bristolian mentioned, you can report coverage issues through the EE app and also on our website at Check mobile coverage.

If you have WIFI at home and a compatible mobile device, you can also set up WIFI calling which helps with indoor coverage. You can find out more at WIFI-Calling. 

Ali 

[Sgillam]

Hi there

Thanks for your message. The website says we get excellent 4g coverage but
that's not true. It's very poor and I can't see anywhere on the website to
report coverage issues.

Steve

[bristolian]

The coverage reporting is contained within the myEE app, and permissions options - Settings & Permissions > App Settings > Share location data

You can use the "report a problem" link for reporting suspected faults & outages, but how localised is the discrepancy between the predicted and actual coverage? Checking your postcode against another dataset, I can see a stretch of road where outdoor B3 (1800Mhz) coverage is reporting as poor, but there is minimal test data for the low-band 800Mhz "extended range" layer which a site near Longfield Hill carries.

[Sgillam]

Hi bristolian

Thanks for the reply. My house is on the corner of the drive and Prescot
avenue. We are on the side of a valley which may explain why the signal is
poor. If you can explain to me how to test the different wavelength
signals I would be happy to provide the data .

Steve

[bristolian]

Phones automatically select the best available coverage layer without intervention, by design. There are ways to lock Android phones to specific layers, but it's one of those "if you have to ask, you really shouldn't be doing it" type questions!

Looking at your location in a bit more detail, your address seems to be in a "lull" between sectors of the B3/B20-equipped site, and is getting the bulk of its coverage from the B3/B1 site at Longfield.

Without having detailed knowledge of your local geography, there are a few solutions that may provide coverage improvements, but would be for the planners to decide  - with input from build teams who would have to deliver them!