Engineers working everywhere?

[daverich_846421]

Hi.

I've been keeping an eye on the service status page as smarty service has been poor for a few weeks. It seems you can put it any postcode and it says engineers are working in your area to fix a fault.

Is there a countrywide fault? Will 4g improve soon? I've been watching it for a couple of weeks waiting for the fault to be fixed and service to improve but now it feels like either a fob off or a fault in the fault system.

Anyone got any illumination on this?

[MSF]

Hello @daverich_846421 . I have just checked network status for my postcode and it does not report any problem - that is consistent with service to my phone right now.

[daverich_846421]

Ah great, thanks for checking and letting me know. I guess I'll keep waiting.

[WelshPaul]

I can confirm you are correct with your assumption @daverich_846421

It has been discussed a few times on the iD Mobile community over the last 18 months or so. I had the same network status shown for 18 months here in Swansea, no matter what post code one entered. It’s gone now, no change here though in regards to signal strength or data speeds.

I believe Three have been working on improving their 4G network infrastructure so it can handle the increase in VoLTE calls once 3G is turned off.

[BrienFor_842440]

Hi there,

Have a similar problem in North West Ulster at the moment - first time though.  The phone calls are still in play but no internet connection.  Had to go to the library to find out what was going on.  Here si the message:

"We’re fixing an issue with our network in this area. Sorry for any disruptions this may cause.

Our engineers are working on masts nearby, which means the rest of our network is handling more traffic than usual. We’re working as quickly as we can to provide you with a stronger network in your area. Status updates will be posted here.

Last updated on 03:45 pm 29 April 2023."

The help service seems to be pretty primative (no contact numbers and how on earth are you supposed to get to this page if the internet service is down?  No internet on the phone and no tethering... ).

Hopefully they can get things up and working - mind you, not too hopeful.  Can't imagine too many engineers will be available on a bank holiday weekend.  No doubt there will be a reason offered (maybe COVID related, the war in Eastern Europe, blame the Russians or simply state they think some 17 year old in Canada was having a laugh when he or she hacked their system).  

All in all, not sure there is much we can do at the minute.

Maybe you were looking forward to a quiet evening, well, would appear you are going to get it.

I'm sure it will get fixed but a little more info would be a positive step.

Stay cool and try to refrain from anger or anxiety.  Never helps really.

All the best

Not 

[MSF]

Hi @BrienFor_842440 . To deal with your points:

The way that these new providers keep the cost down is by not having contact numbers, only online presence for web chat.

I can imagine that there would be plenty of engineers working on a BH weekend - I can't tell you how many Open Reach/BT vans we see at weekends - Could it be much higher rates of pay? - Cynical, moi?

In fairness, they point out that mobile internet is not meant to replace old-fashioned landline broadband.

Hope it gets fixed for you soon though.

[BrienFor_842440]

Hi MSF,

To be fair, you are making very good sense and thank you for the reply.  And no, I don't think you are cynical at all, I forgot about the motivational attraction of inflation on the human mind's decision making process when it comes to overtime.  Well, overtime or not, they seemed to have things in hand.

Thank you for the post - not only for the information but the tone that you used to deliver the message. All in all, I hope you (and other clients) have an "ordinary" bank holiday weekend.  

Stay free from anger and anxiety.

All the best