Checking on temp problems at t-mobile transmitters

[heelisp]

Hi
I have recieved good 3G and HSPDA coverage for months and then last week all of a sudden it has dropped back to gprs or worse (no signal). I do not think it is my option card or laptop that is to blame as the same problem has occurred with the MDA vario I also use.
Is there a way to check if there are problems in a particular area. I am thinking maybe the storms last week effected our locat transmitter.
Cheers

[bjh_101]

You could phone up T-Mobile and ask.

[T-Mobile Tech]

If there is any longterm problems on a site CS should be able to tell you. Normally we have SLAs to work to when we fix our equipment, so if it was your transmitter, it shouldn't have been down for long.

[Richard D]

Don't know whether it's atmospherics or something else but over the past couple of weeks I've started to get a 3G signal inside my house when previously I had to walk 30 yds down the road to get anything other than moderate GPRS...

[T-Mobile Tech]

Looks like a new 3G basestation has been switched on, T-Mobile are throwing them up everywhere. I am one of many who maintain the network and come across new sites all the time

[JonStatt]

According to the checker I have good 3G coverage at my home area. But the map it out of date, there are new roads, they have built lots of new houses, and I get ZERO 3G coverage outside my house or inside unless I am on the top floor near a window when I can suddenly get a full 5 bars of 3G signal. In other words, the coverage map is totally wrong at this time.

Clearly T-mobile need to revisit the area and evaluate whether masts need adjusting or a new transmitter added.

Will customer services understand this kind of request or is there another way to get this to happen?

[DaveC]

All the network maps are computer predictions. I frequently go to a place that has no coverage on the map but works fine in practice. Obviously the reverse can be true. Map predictions are altered with engineering field trials but it is impossible to cover every location.

It may well be worth giving them a call

[JonStatt]

I called them. They were very honest, very polite and very helpful. The web site checker is not very accurate yet. However they have a more accurate one internaly which shows my area as "poor" coverage and not "good". They apologised and offered me to cancel the contract if I wanted to.

Incidentally they also informed me that the website checker will be improved with the new information very shortly.

Unfortunately, they also couldn't tell me if new transmitters were planned for my area or not. Orange are sometimes open about planning permission requests etc to the public, but perhaps T-mobile are more reserved on this aspect.

Jonathan

[ccsnet]

I dont know if this is any help.... shows you all the base stations around the UK.

http://www.sitefinder.radio.gov.uk/

Terran

[JonStatt]

Thanks for that. Now this is quite strange...I can see 2 T-mobile UMTS transmitters in fairly close range...so I struggle to understand why the reception is as bad as it is. I am wondering if there is a transmitter fault. According to the map the 3G and 2G transmitters are in the same place...so if the 2G coverage is good, would you expect the 3G to be poorer?

[DaveC]

I am wondering if there is a transmitter fault. According to the map the 3G and 2G transmitters are in the same place...so if the 2G coverage is good, would you expect the 3G to be poorer?

It can be completely different due to the different frequencies involved. 3G will require more masts

[RodN]

Can another operators masts in close proximity to your location block your signal?

I am in a supposedly good 3G reception area, but I always lose the 3G signal about 500m from my home. 2G reception is good and from the sitefinder web site I find that there is an O2 mast just over the road - almost in a direct line to the nearest T Mobile 3G mast which is around a mile away.

If so can anyone recommend a good dynamite supplier!! ;)

[DaveC]

Should not make a difference is there is another network mast nearer. I'm surrounded by 4 O2 3G masts but get T-Mobile just great, (who have just 2)
Conversely, O2, having the most masts, is the only network I can't get a signal on at home!

[JonStatt]

So I did a bit more research...all of the t-mobile transmitters surrounding me (and there are 3 of them), are all on lower power output for UMTS compared to any other provider. They are all outputting 19dbw compared to 26-28 for other operators. Additionally they are licensed for 32. In contrast their 2G transmitters are outputting a higher power.

Why don't they just increase the power output to improve coverage??