Do o2 have any plans to upgrade network in my area?

[ChrisH]

Can I find out if there's any planned work due to improve network strength in my area?

It seems to be getting weaker and weaker - I've had 3 different phones in 6 months and none of them get decent signal strength indoors with frequent occurrences of No Signal - which are getting even more frequent. I've discussed this on here and technical support many times but it all boils down to lack of good indoor coverage in my location.

So, can I find out somewhere about planned improvements? I know 4G is around the corner but I'd quite like being able to get to the point where my phone doesn't spend half the day lookign for signal.

[perksie]

This is the best info I think you'll get:

http://www.o2.co.uk/network/future

O2 never give details of which areas they're improving or when it will happen.

[Anonymous]

im sure you know all of the updates that are due and i know you have had several phones but have you updated your sim recently? that can be as big a cause as NW and phone issues.

[Anonymous]

Hi Chris

You have said that signal is getting worse? Do you get a decent signal when outside the house? I dont know the situation at the moment, but indoor coverage was never guaranteed by any network provider. Do you live in a rural area, where there are trees? (might sound daft this, but signal can be affected when vegetation (trees) start to form leaves in summer). If you previously had a good signal, and can travel out of the area, and get a good signal, then a case could be raised. Might be worthwhile giving O2 a call if this is the case. Hope this helps.

[ChrisH]

redviking83 wrote:

im sure you know all of the updates that are due and i know you have had several phones but have you updated your sim recently? that can be as big a cause as NW and phone issues.

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I got a new SIM in February when switching from S2 to Nexus 4.

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brimc1968 wrote:

Hi Chris

You have said that signal is getting worse? Do you get a decent signal when outside the house? I dont know the situation at the moment, but indoor coverage was never guaranteed by any network provider. Do you live in a rural area, where there are trees? (might sound daft this, but signal can be affected when vegetation (trees) start to form leaves in summer). If you previously had a good signal, and can travel out of the area, and get a good signal, then a case could be raised. Might be worthwhile giving O2 a call if this is the case. Hope this helps.

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The signal issue started around 6 months ago when the trees were bare. I know indoor coverage is not a major concern for providers compared to outdoor coverage since the buildings components etc are so veriable (my house is ooooold - wooden frame and bricks) but I'm just concerned at the worsening situation.

There are also times when I can guarantee I lose signal - between 2am and 6am and between midday and 3pm (if I'm at home). My battery usage history shows times of mobile connectivity and I've noticed those are the worst times. No idea why that would be the case - you'd assume 2am to 6am wouldn't be an issue but I'm actually up at those hours quite a bit and go through periods when I'm making international calls at those times. During those times I have to try all sorts to bring the signal back - reboot phone, take sim out and put it back in, switch to 2G/GSM (which is usually more successful, thanks to a tip from a fellow 02 community member) and once I have signal and make a call the connection tends to stay decent with reasonable sound quality.

I'm getting much more frequent "No signal" times - I just feel like I'm constantly having to check my phone to ensure there's a bar of signal for sms/calls (inf act, I use Tasker to alert me to any time I have no signal)

I'm not unhappy with the service on the whole - coverage is good at work and my usual places except at home but I was content enough that I upgraded recently with a 24 month contract..........

Also, I did actually choose my new phone (HTC One) with half a mind to the signal strength - the HTC One's aluminium unibody build was intended to improve signal strength compared to other types of design.

I guess the introduction of 4G in the summer (supposedly) won't affect my signal since it's just another band (and a presumable a shorter and less penetrative frequency)?

[adamtemp64]

@chrisH the o2 800mhz 4g will be much better at in building penetration than any of the previous 2g and 3g frequencies
best frequencies will be in order of in building coverage
800mhz 4g
900mhz 2g and 3g
1800mhz 2g and 4g (ee)
2100mhz 3g
260omhz 4g

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

I think that since you are losing total coverage at certain times of the day, a fault should be raised by O2 to be honest. There is obviously something else taking up the total bandwidth between these times, because if coverage was so poor, the no signal issue would be pretty constant; that's my view on things anyway. Mobile networks are used for all kind of things these days, such as data tracking systems for traffic lights, right through to security systems. It may be even that all that is needed, is a component on the cell to be tilted, in order to increase your signal capability. If it was me in this situation, i would call O2 and ask for a fault to be raised. Hope this helps. Bri

[ChrisH]

That's good to know!