Forum Discussion
Issues with calls and low data-speeds since joining SMARTY
dftf Replied on your other post (didn't know that you had done a Coverage check)
What network were you with before? Was it much better?
As you say, you did get a good signal nearby and so it is a problem with your local mast(s). This makes Network Status check more important possibly.
Hi MSF
Yes, I did use the coverage checker page before joining. (Not that-that helped, though! 😐)
I never had an issue with calls previously, that's only since joining SMARTY. I wonder if something has gone-wrong during the PAC port-over process? I do recall that while mobile-data and SMS both started working after I received the "we've ported you successfully" e-mail, my calls didn't work until the next-day. But since then, around half-the-time I try to make an outgoing-call, I just get a totally-silent-line and nothing happens.
Is there any-way to find-out if the Vodafone merge (if approved) would improve things? I've looked on cellmapper.net, and it says my nearest 3 mast is 0.6 miles (0.97 km) away. However... my nearest Vodafone one is within 0.2 miles (0.32 km) away. But, assuming the merge did go through, is there any-guarantee that nearer mast would be kept, and used? 🤔
Also, on the subject of checking-before-joining, I also note that if I go on OFCOM's site (https://checker.ofcom.org.uk/en-gb/mobile-coverage) and enter my postcode, it says EE and 3 are "limited" for indoor data and voice in my area, but "likely" good for outdoors (which hasn't been my personal experience!). Vodafone and O2 are apparently both good indoors and out.
I've also tried this site, https://mastdata.com/resources/coverage-map.aspx , which again shows 🟠 dots around my home, but mostly 🟡🟢 across my local shopping-centre. But in both places, I struggle to get more-than around 1-3 Mbps download on 4G. So that also seems inaccurate.
So... whose data can we actually trust to get a reliable-picture before joining a network? 🤔🤷🏻♂️
dftf This all sounds rather unfortunate.
Whose data can you trust? I think the proof of the pudding is in the eating i.e. if it works, then it's good.
Possible merger? Who knows if it will help anyone-----except the shareholders.
Sounds like you may need to revert to previous network - a shame!
MSF: as an update... before I joined, I did easily find this article, "Which devices are compatible with 5G?", and as my phone is 3G and 4G only, clearly wasn't a concern to me, as 3G is being switched-off soon, but 4G won't be for a while yet.
However at no-point during any of the sign-up process did it ask me to enter an IMEI or select my model or anything to check it was compatible for calls on 4G. Only vague guidance is offered, such as "Most Android smartphones made in the past decade support 4G VoLTE, but 3G only handsets won't work".
Sadly, I've only just come-across the "Checking if your device is 4G-VoLTE compatible" article... and my phone is listed there as not being supported for calls. 😢
Might be helpful if during the sign-up process they actually linked to that article to ask people to check before their phone will work, not hide it away.
Ah well, SMARTY is not a lock-in contract, so guess I'll have to request my PAC and move elsewhere, sadly. I've also only just seen on these forums the thing about them not supporting SMS short-codes, either -- another thing they don't mention in-advance!
dftf You make some fair points here.
The VolTE issue is a new one and would perhaps have benefited from some joined up thinking on Smarty's part.
Short code sms has drifted on for ages and many of us thought the it would have been sorted by now.
As I have said ad nauseam the bean counter accountants will keep an eye on the bottom line and will take action if profits drop and any action would cost less than the potential loss.
