signal so bad

[TagU]

My girlfriend just texted asking me which network she should move to because she is getting terrible signal at home (East London) and at work (Central London). I just found this post while searching for "why is my ee signal so bad" I thought it was my phone s10 so I bought a new s24 my girlfriend just bought a new pixel 8. My signal is fine at home (North London) but bad at work (Central London). Something has gone wrong with EE and it's definitely not our phones. Any suggestions for a better network in London? 

[bristolian]

The only sure fire way of being sure which network is best in xyz location, is to test them all using PAYG SIM for enough time to be sure you've tested the service in every relevant location.

Aside from that, "North London", "central London" & "West London" all contain areas that will be good and bad on all networks.

[Leanne_T]

Hi there @TagU 

Welcome back to the community. 

Has the signal at work changed recently? Is anyone else on EE at work and experiencing signal problems? 

Also, just to check have you reported the signal problems you are having at the work address on the Service Status Checker? Once reported our network team can get the area checked over and update you via text or email on the outcome. 

Leanne.

[Arundalep]

Sadly no, as has been suggested, you can test it out for yourself by trying PAYG sims and seeing how you get on.

The whole 3G switch off has been mishandled by every UK network and paying contracted customers are paying the price.  3G provided coverage where 4&5G still don’t, hence the perceived drop in service.

I have noticed some new masts (5G) in my area that have improved coverage but it’s still poor, especially in more rural areas. 

Until there are more 5G masts and network infrastructure sharing in the UK I fear it’s going to be like this for a few years to come. 

[bristolian]

I have amended my initial reply.

I'm at a loss how what has only been described as "terrible signal" can be blamed on inaccurate misconceptions about 3G switchoff - without such posters perhaps having an axe to grind &/or posting for a rant rather than offering constructive advice.

To the OP - can you perhaps elaborate on what the signal issues are? Are we talking reduced coverage levels? Problems making or receiving calls? Slow data speeds? More detail can equal better advice.

As an aside, the term "5G mast" is both misleading & inaccurate.

[Arundalep]

Hi and thanks for your input. I am replying to the post you deleted, which was in response to my last one.

I live and operate a business in West Sussex, frequently in rural locations. I have noticed a degradation in the
usability of the network. Most notionally before the 3G switch-off in areas where 5G rollout was underway (Horsham, Crawley, Worthing), and after the 3G switch-off in nearly all areas that previously had adequate 3G coverage but poor 4G. There are numerous examples of where the 3G switch-off has left little or no usable service. Many villages around the A283 between Petworth and Guildford have suffered and have yet to receive any notable improvement.

I would say that the switch-off of 3G before ensuring adequate 4G coverage is a failure, not just of EE but of the whole UK mobile system. The impact is mainly seen in rural areas that previously had fringe 3G coverage and is now having a negative effect on people and businesses living and operating in these areas.

Where new masts have been installed and where the most recent 5G upgrades have taken place (last 6 months), there is a significant improvement to the usability and data speeds of the network, though this can be very localised. 

It would be great to hear an official comment from EE actually acknowledging this problem rather than denying it. It would also be great to hear about their actual actions and commitment to specific timescales. 

[Arundalep]

Thank you for your amended reply.

There is no axe to grind in my case; I'm just a long-standing paying customer who has used EE for some time (because it offered the best coverage in my area) that has experienced a significant loss of service, anecdotally since the great 3G switch-off of Jan-24.

"Are we talking reduced coverage levels? Problems making or receiving calls? Slow data speeds?" All of the above.

To add to the list, there is also the situation where you can have a signal (according to the mobile device), but a data connection does not pass traffic. For example, my iPhone shows 2 bars of 4G (or 5G), yet there is no internet connection. A speed test will fail (timeout). 

I appreciate the term "5G mast" might be misleading. Let me rephrase that to "mast that is also providing 5G, either a new site or an upgrade of an existing site". 

If you have any constructive advise, I would love to hear it. I have spent significant amounts to improve mobile data equipment in an attempt to improve my situation that has sadly had little effect.

[bristolian]

This thread was started by user @TagU and the questions were aimed at them.

When additional users start jumping on threads, the original poster can easily get forgotten. Please start your own, or add to one of your previous ones.

[Arundalep]

Understood, though I hope the examples I provided are of interest to you.

@TagU,  sorry to hijack your post