3g Coverage Query for IanG

[stickystickman]

IanG

Sorry to single you out but can I pick your brains on a 3g coverage query I have?

I live in the Harrogate area which has pretty good 3g coverage in town. However, there are quite a few gaps in the coverage which can be of a particular problem if you are trying to view the mobile tv or make a video call.

There is a big (25m high) voda transmitter on top of a hill to the south west of the town under voda ref 161 which you share with t-mobile. Is there any reason why this mast has not been converted to 3g as it can be seen for miles and miles and would probably help fill in the many 3g gaps. Are voda out to fill the gaps in the 3g coverage or just concentrating on population centres to meet their minimum coverage requirements? Also, are there any plans to convert this mast?

Hope to hear.

Regards

[GC27vf]

Hi,

I also work with IanG at Vodafone. He's actually out of the office at the moment. I've had a check for updates on site 161 and at present this is GSM only, there are no plans to convert it to UMTS (3G). The nearest 3G site at present is just north east of site 161 (site 163) and another active 3G site (10763) just south of Bilton.

Although there are no current plans to convert 161 into UMTS, we do have a planned 3G site that you could pinpoint as being central of Beckwithshaw (in the west) Bilton (north) Follifoot (west) and Parnal (south) - site number 35663.

From our coverage maps I'd say the reasoning behind this site will be to support the patchy areas mentioned (east of 161). I don't have an exact date as to when it will be fully up and running but the above details should hopefully give you a clearer picture, and some reference material that you can use if you ever want to contact customer services or discuss 3G coverage on this forum in future.

Any other questions please let Ian or myself know

[MRGS1]

Hi,

I also work with IanG at Vodafone. He's actually out of the office at the moment. I've had a check for updates on site 161 and at present this is GSM only, there are no plans to convert it to UMTS (3G). The nearest 3G site at present is just north east of site 161 (site 163) and another active 3G site (10763) just south of Bilton.

Although there are no current plans to convert 161 into UMTS, we do have a planned 3G site that you could pinpoint as being central of Beckwithshaw (in the west) Bilton (north) Follifoot (west) and Parnal (south) - site number 35663.

From our coverage maps I'd say the reasoning behind this site will be to support the patchy areas mentioned (east of 161). I don't have an exact date as to when it will be fully up and running but the above details should hopefully give you a clearer picture, and some reference material that you can use if you ever want to contact customer services or discuss 3G coverage on this forum in future.

Any other questions please let Ian or myself knowHello are you able to check all masts by their numbers? If i gave the mast numbers on the pole you could tell me why the ones in stroud at planning stage to the council where 3G and when built not turned on or only 2.5 why are vodafone doing this?

[GC27vf]

Hi,

Sorry for the late reply. If you have the post code or the log number of the mast I could check their current status (e.g. if they're set up for 3G or GSM) and any future plans in the area.

If you'd rather do it by email then this would be possible with one of our online advisors by going to www.vodafone.co.uk, 'contact us' then email, leaving the code FIT135 in the email and the details of your query.

[MRGS1]

Hi,

Sorry for the late reply. If you have the post code or the log number of the mast I could check their current status (e.g. if they're set up for 3G or GSM) and any future plans in the area.

If you'd rather do it by email then this would be possible with one of our online advisors by going to www.vodafone.co.uk, 'contact us' then email, leaving the code FIT135 in the email and the details of your query.
Try these postcodes GL5 4AP and GL6 6RL i have site reference numbers which vodafone use for sitefinder they are 42573,35173 and 56014 these are on the sitefinder website as live sites it gives power height and transmission type which are all UMTS, strange but vodafone website says no coverage for stroud gloucestershire can't see why they would release details about masts that dont exist,check the sitefinder website for yourself.

[Rob_Online]

Could you tell me if my area has any planned 3G expansion, if you want I can give you my postal code or area :)

[stickystickman]

Hi,

I also work with IanG at Vodafone. He's actually out of the office at the moment. I've had a .............
..........coverage on this forum in future.

Any other questions please let Ian or myself know

I have a few questions so will fire away;

1, Your coverage map seems to be a little outdated. Any chance you can update it and apply a note on the webpage saying the last date it was updated.

2, The site 35663 is already online (or appears to be). Are there any others likely to be upgraded in this area?

3, A town to the south east of Harrogate called Wetherby hasn't got 3g as yet. Any plans or reasons why not? It's a large commuter town.

4, If I took out a 18 month contract 12 months ago, when can I upgrade as my Nokia N70 is looking a little tired now?

Think that's it for the questions for now. Look forward to your response.

[GC27vf]

Try these postcodes GL5 4AP and GL6 6RL i have site reference numbers which vodafone use for sitefinder they are 42573,35173 and 56014 these are on the sitefinder website as live sites it gives power height and transmission type which are all UMTS, strange but vodafone website says no coverage for stroud gloucestershire can't see why they would release details about masts that dont exist,check the sitefinder website for yourself.

Hi,

Looking up postcode GL6 6RL, Vodafone have one active mast for GSM only in this area (site reference 4018). Going off our official systems there are three planned sites (none of which are live, only planned at present). One to the west, just before Stonehouse (site reference 60358 - this is a GSM site) one just to the east (site reference 60356 - again a GSM site) and one in the south near Rodborough (GSM / UMTS, reference 42573). As Sitefinder is a third party site and not first hand Vodafone content I'd recommend the possibility of contacting them directly (http://www.sitefinder.radio.gov.uk) If you first wanted official confirmation of the information I've provided above it would also be possible to drop a quick email to our customer services team by going to www.vodafone.co.uk, 'contact us' then 'email'.

[GC27vf]

Could you tell me if my area has any planned 3G expansion, if you want I can give you my postal code or area :)

Hi Rob,

If you've got a post code or location I can look up any planned sites we may have nearby for UMTS / 3G

[MRGS1]

Hi,

Looking up postcode GL6 6RL, Vodafone have one active mast for GSM only in this area (site reference 4018). Going off our official systems there are three planned sites (none of which are live, only planned at present). One to the west, just before Stonehouse (site reference 60358 - this is a GSM site) one just to the east (site reference 60356 - again a GSM site) and one in the south near Rodborough (GSM / UMTS, reference 42573). As Sitefinder is a third party site and not first hand Vodafone content I'd recommend the possibility of contacting them directly (http://www.sitefinder.radio.gov.uk) If you first wanted official confirmation of the information I've provided above it would also be possible to drop a quick email to our customer services team by going to www.vodafone.co.uk, 'contact us' then 'email'. Hello but somebody must have told them they would'nt just make up those numbers they are ref numbers.

[MRGS1]

Hi,

Looking up postcode GL6 6RL, Vodafone have one active mast for GSM only in this area (site reference 4018). Going off our official systems there are three planned sites (none of which are live, only planned at present). One to the west, just before Stonehouse (site reference 60358 - this is a GSM site) one just to the east (site reference 60356 - again a GSM site) and one in the south near Rodborough (GSM / UMTS, reference 42573). As Sitefinder is a third party site and not first hand Vodafone content I'd recommend the possibility of contacting them directly (http://www.sitefinder.radio.gov.uk) If you first wanted official confirmation of the information I've provided above it would also be possible to drop a quick email to our customer services team by going to www.vodafone.co.uk, 'contact us' then 'email'.42573 is not live UMTS I HAVE CHECKED NO 3G SIGNAL.

[Rob_Online]

My Postcode is BA16 0TF

[GC27vf]

I have a few questions so will fire away;

1, Your coverage map seems to be a little outdated. Any chance you can update it and apply a note on the webpage saying the last date it was updated.

2, The site 35663 is already online (or appears to be). Are there any others likely to be upgraded in this area?

3, A town to the south east of Harrogate called Wetherby hasn't got 3g as yet. Any plans or reasons why not? It's a large commuter town.

4, If I took out a 18 month contract 12 months ago, when can I upgrade as my Nokia N70 is looking a little tired now?

Think that's it for the questions for now. Look forward to your response.

Hi,

1) I agree with you about your suggestions re: the coverage map on vodafone.co.uk. I don't maintain the IT side of Vodafone's coverage viewers (or work with the engineers who maintain the sites) but have put forward your suggestion to our online team to include a date reference at the bottom of the page as a future improvement.
2) I've had an updated check this morning and there is a further 3G site in the Harrogate area, just north west of Follifoot (reference 35664). This is now active and I'd imagine you may be picking up on this mast at present, as 35663 is still showing up as being in a 'planned' status.
3) We don't currently have any upcoming 3G sites in the Wetherby area at present. However, it is possible to raise a coverage enhancement request should you wish by going to http://maps.vodafone.co.uk/coverageviewer/web/default.aspx. If you then enter the relevant post code (this zooms you in to a specific area, e.g. Wetherby) If you then click the 'Coverage Feedback' icon on the top left hand corner, then click the map itself - this brings up a feedback / request form.
4) Regarding upgrades, it's possible to upgrade with Vodafone two months before the end of your contract, e.g. once you reach the 16 month stage (or the 10 month stage if on a twelve month contract).

[GC27vf]

My Postcode is BA16 0TF

Thanks,

I've checked and we don't currently have any additional plans for 3G in this area at this stage of the roll out, although it's always possible to do what was suggested to stickystickman on the previous thread and ask for a coverage enhancement request via the coverage feedback form on the Vodafone website. Looking at your post code over on http://maps.google.co.uk/ (switching it to satellite) it looks like you're out in the middle of the country (where areas are slightly below sea-level too) which can have a geographical / physical impact and also delay in rolling out 3G coverage (3G was originally spread out from areas of higher population, e.g. Bath to the east).

[jambo]

Hi, I was wonderin if you could tell me if there are any plans to improve 3G coverage in North Wales? More particularly the LL29 and LL16 postcode areas?

Thanks

Jambo

[faza20]

Hi Jambo.

I've checked these postcodes and there is nothing planned for the next 6 mths. If you contact CS though you request a coverage enhancement