Poor signal after port

[HenryKe_2017578]

Hi all,

Today I ported over from Plusnet/EE to Smarty, but am most unimpressed so far. I have gone form having full signal to one bar all day, and had mixed messages via customer service as to if my port is still happening, or there is a problem.  I was told that after 5pm it would all work but thats not happened.

Can someone offer any advice here? If this keeps up I will likely be switching to another network early next week, as I am currently without any meaningful phone service and data does not work in an area that usually is very good.

Thanks.

[Chalkychap · Accepted solution]

EE and SMARTY use different mobile network infrastructure, so having a good signal with EE in one location doesn't guarantee SMARTY will also have a good signal.

Your number being transferred doesn't affect the SMARTY Mobile signal you get at any given location. 

SMARTY Mobile might have a network fault or other service issues at your location @HenryKe_2017578.

Use your postcode to check at https://www.three.co.uk/support/network_and_coverage/network_support.  

[HenryKe_2017578]

Hi there,

Thanks for the reply. I checked 3s and smarty service checker and it is listed as "very good" in my area, so I was happy to switch.

I wondered if the process of switching me to the network is still taking place?

[MSF]

I do think that the checker gives a generalisation of service in the area. It does not allow for individual issues such as buildings blocking signals.

It may be worth checking if the signal is better when you move around the area.

[HenryKe_2017578]

I've been outside and all around and the signal is poor all over where I live, think i shall be moving away from Smarty rather fast sadly.

[MSF]

@HenryKe_2017578 Is the general area a bit lower than surrounding area? We had that problem when we lived somewhere that was in a slight dip when on O2. We had to run upstairs to take a call!

[HonourableTyr]

Ever since first activating my SIM I struggle with loading even basic text websites. Streaming music, one of my main uses, is impossible. I can buffer about 30s of a song before the internet bugs out or fails.

Over half the time I have no internet connection whatsoever. All I see in the signal indicator is 4G with high signal but with an exclamation mark indicating no internet.

I have tried multiple phones as well as inputting the APN settings manually. The automatic ones matched perfectly with those on the website but I thought I'd cover all bases. Nothing had worked to improve internet speed, availability, or reliability.

What is the point of having unlimited data if I can hardly use data at all?

I have tested the SIM in multiple devices running Android 9, 12 and 13. I set them to 4G/LTE, and 3G/HSDPA modes to see if the different network type would help or hinder things, neither helped.

This issue is not limited to my home cell, it happens everywhere. I have done motorway journeys that would definitely use multiple masts and the internet cuts out. Likewise going out for a run I cannot listen to music as there is never any interest, just a "!" Next to my high signal strength.

I'm seriously considering just leaving Smarty because Hutchinson 3G's network infrastructure is seemingly absolutely terrible. Other than the network, the only other thing that could be involved is the SIM. I'm unsure if that can cause these types of issues.

Anything anyone could suggest to fix things would be greatly appreciated. Although at this rate I'll probably just go to a non-MVNO provider or one that actually provides a service.

Support have been unhelpful so far, just reading from a script telling me "you device isn't supported for data". It is a GSM phone on a GSM network using the supported GSM bands, of course it should work! That is like saying an iPhone 12 is supported but an iPhone 12 Pro Max isn't (or vice versa) they have the same basic radio hardware.

[MSF]

@HonourableTyr  Always worth asking for a replacement sim to see if it is any better.

You do seem to have tried other workarounds.

[Oz90210]

I JOINED OVER A WEEK AGO AND I HAVE THE EXCAT SAME ISSUES AS YOU ITS DRIVING ME CRAZY THE BUFFERING IS STRANGE 

[JJP2RidesAgain]

Did you (and others replying in this thread) check the coverage of Three, Smarty’s parent company / network before buying your Smarty SIM card, or did you just  “buy blind”, not checking the three coverage where you live, work and socialise ? 

It’s pointless just buying a SIM card from any network without first checking its coverage in the places you need that coverage the most. 

The good thing of course is that with Smarty, you are not tied into a long term contract, so can quickly switch to another network that offers you better coverage. 

I am flabbergasted that we appear to have people posting in this thread who seem to lack the capacity and understanding that just because they get good coverage on another network, then they automatically think Smarty will offer good overage too !

It may well be that other network besides three / smarty will offer better coverage for you.

[TonyWhi_2673565]

He said he checked it first, i travel all over the country and have the same issues wherever i am. Calls just cutting off constantly, no gps signal for Maps is a huge issue. The signal never goes above 3 bars wherever i am and this is a brand new S24 i'm using. My original provider never had these issues with the old or new phone. I'm ending my 'contract' with Smarty today.

[MSF]

@TonyWhi_2673565  Why did you change providers if your original one suited you well? I certainly do not find calls cutting off constantly on an iPhone.

It seems to be the case that some people do not get good coverage with certain networks and that is indeed unfortunate.

[TonyWhi_2673565]

Price and reviews. The reality is different for me ... I'm sure others have a very positive experience. Even now sat here at home, in a area with good coverage I only have 2 bars. In other areas I only have 1 bar and when travelling in the North West my coverage and reception is very poor and Wales is awful, with no signal at all on some occasions.

[MSF]

@TonyWhi_2673565  Did you check the sim in another phone? Also, have you tried cleaning it gently?

[FK4519]

JJP2ridesagain do you work for Smarty? I’ve seen you all over the comment threads about poor signal defending the company, and disparaging the idea that people might have used their brains for five seconds. I’ve just switched from Three to Smarty, having been with Three for 18 years, and had full 4G at my house. Everywhere I have been to use my new Smarty sim since the switchover, none of them being new places to me - have had either no signal at all, or 4 bars of 4G signal on the same phone and no data functionality. It’s been shocking and replicates the experiences of countless others across the website. A real shame. Disappointed to see that others’ research suggests Smarty customers receive inferior service and an inability to use the standard 4G masts. 

Please stop posting that same message everywhere and pretending there is no issue. 

[MSF]

@FK4519  While some people clearly do have problems, the network seems to be OK for the needs of many of us. I fully understand the frustration and can see why people would move.

The good thing is that they do not tie you into any long contract if it's not working for you.

I have no direct evidence, but it certainly would not surprise me that customers of Three get a better service- they own the network and the customers pay more.

As a low data user with a pretty reasonable call signal at home currently, the service suits me well for now at a very good price.

P.S. He doesn't happen to work for Smarty and nor do I

[RovingRaspberry]

No, I dont work for Smarty ! (Change of User ID by the way !)

You know, people like you, with your brains firmly stuck in neutral, have one major problem - You think, well I know the word "think" is doing a lot of heavy lifting there, that because Smarty may be a bad network for you personally, that it simply must be bad for evey other person in the UK, and you get upset when others wont confirm your hoped for confirmation bias ! 

Smarty works perfectly well for me and many others, but idiots like you cant or wont accept that, again, just because you dont like Smarty, you expect everyone to hate it too, you numbskull !

The good thing about Smarty, even for people such as yourself, is that they offer 30 day SIM only contracts, so you can always take your custom elsewhere, so you abd others like you csn take your turgid boring crap elsewhere...And probably moan about the next network, and the one after that, etc ! 

Have you tried Fisher Price ?

With utter drivel like your comments, one could be forgiven for thinking you work for GiffGaff or some other network ! 

Again no, I dont work for Smarty, otherwise I would have to tiptoe around your bovine excretia, you clown ! 

[Nickelp1654]

Exactly the same with me

Plusnet to smarty

And in two locations, one a big town, virtually no signal. Extremely disappointed 

[DarrenR_2569079]

I am in the same boat, dreadfull signal

[JJP2RidesAgain]

Did you (and others replying in this thread) check the coverage of Three, Smarty’s parent company / network before buying your Smarty SIM card, or did you just  “buy blind”, not checking the three coverage where you live, work and socialise ? 

It’s pointless just buying a SIM card from any network without first checking its coverage in the places you need that coverage the most. 

The good thing of course is that with Smarty, you are not tied into a long term contract, so can quickly switch to another network that offers you better coverage. 

[SimonWo_2549094]

Same problem. Signal goes from poor to non existent - and that's in Central London in locations such as The City, Paddington and the South Bank.

If the answer is "have you checked the coverage" for those locations then Smarty / Three have a serious coverage problem. Feel my only option is to leave and go back to EE which is the very last thing I want to do but may have no option