Signal

[SusanEp_2798824]

Does anyone find their phone signal dropping in and out constantly 

[MSF]

@SusanEp_2798824 May depend upon many factors. firstly, try a Coverage check and then a Network Status check.

Next, is it just inside that signal varies? This can be due to the building itself shielding the signal.

[Bryan]

I've been having this problem since early December 2024, My phone is USB tethered and every hour or so the internet will disconnect. Unplugging the phone and re-enabling usb tethering isn't enough to fix the issue, I have to reboot my computer and / or phone to get back online. This has never happened before. I've had disconnection issues but have usually got back online by simply re-enabling the usb tethering. I also tried using the phone as a hotspot instead, the same thing happened. I had to restart the phone to get it to work.

[MSF]

@Bryan  Are you saying that the connection drops out during periods of inactivity? I've seen this happen many times on wifi shared by a lot of people - I wonder if it is now the norm on mobile?

[Bryan]

No it's when I'm actively using the internet. It mostly happens half way through watching videos on iplayer or youtube. This problem only began earlier this month. It certainly isn't to do with a building or wall getting in the way as nothing has changed around my environment before this problem started.

[MSF]

@Bryan  So, could it be down to congestion with too many people drawing on the mast signal?

To be fair, Smarty do advise against relying on mobile signal in place of broadband and this may be a likely reason.

[Bryan]

I don't think that's the reason, it could be but it seems more like some kind of network error. Sometimes if I simply disable and re-enable the network adapter it comes back on. This has happened in the past when there have been mast issues. It's quite bad today actually, I have to keep unplugging the phone from the usb, plugging it back in and re-enabling usb tethering, sometimes I have to do that a few times then it will work. It's taken me 3 attempts to post this reply, it's happening severely right now!

[Bryan]

It's stopped working completely now. I know it's a coverage issue despite the checker reporting excellent. I can usb tether the connection anywhere else and it works fine, however, where I currently reside the problems continue. I'll attempt to contact support later.

[Bryan]

For those still interested everything is fine again 😎, sometimes simple things work like radically repositioning your phone, in my case I screwed a hook half way up a door and attached the phone to it with an usb extension cable. Could also be a coincidence however as this problem has happened before and miraculously fixed itself without any phone repositioning.🤔

[Bryan]

I spoke too soon. It's completely gone again. I'm fed up of this. Borrowing another wi-fi to get online by the way.

[Bryan]

It seems interest has completely gone from this thread so I'll end it here. For the record the connection was working again today, had a look at a postcode checker and my area appears to intersect more or less with 4 postcode boundaries, 3 of which report that Smarty are working on improving services in those areas, so this could explain the problem. I'll see how it goes and start a new thread if necessary. End of message.

[Rebekah_150]

Hey Bryan,

Like any network coverage can vary with SMARTY and there are multiple factors which will affect your signal strength. If you speak to our chat team they can offer account specific advice  https://smarty.co.uk/contact available daily from 8am – 8pm.

[Bryan]

Doesn't work, going round in circles, getting nowhere. Already researching different isp's. And why is it when I log in, instead of returning to this page I get 'Oops, not found'. That's another thing, why do all the error messages on the internet have 'Oops' written before them? Weird. I'm totally fed up with the problems I'm having this month I'm going to have to find a different mobile internet provider.

[MSF]

@Bryan Are you using a VPN?

[Bryan]

No, I would know if it was that.

[Bryan]

Here's the thing, it only happens in one location and it's sods law that it happens to be where I live.

[MSF]

@Bryan  Doesn’t that indicate a Faraday Cage effect where you are then?

[Bryan]

Interesting... Haha, probably, I had pondered something like that but unsure what could have been causing it. This whole situation had left me rather annoyed although I've calmed down now as I was able to chat to an assistant earlier. Apparently there are some problems being fixed, couldn't tell me what they are and I may have to wait until end of January at the latest. At least I know it isn't an issue with my phone or anything. I suppose I can continue using an alternative connection where I live, for now. I trust the faults will be repaired, maybe earlier than estimated.