Closure of EE Signal Box Service 18 January 2022 at 6:15PM in Mobiles 12 replies 514 views

dgp1000

EE is closing its Signal Box service https://ee.co.uk/help/help-new/general/signal-box/improve-your-signal-at-home-using-signal-box. Other networks have something similar and are all withdrawing them. I have a very weak 4G signal which is not good enough for calls and WiFi calling is unreliable as it often cuts out when it picks up the weak 4G signal. The coverage checker says everything is fine, but it’s only a guide and not a guarantee. Is there anyway of checking out another network without setting up a new contract? Their coverage checkers have the same get out as EE’s so aren’t reliable. 

Neil_Jones

Coverage checkers are not accurate.  Never have been and none of them guarantee indoors reception.

Pick another provider, get some free PAYG sims from them and try them in your phone to see what sort of signal you get.  Sign up with whoever gives you the best signal where you are and request a PAC code to transfer your number.

dave_dph

dgp1000 said:

I have a very weak 4G signal which is not good enough for calls and WiFi calling is unreliable as it often cuts out when it picks up the weak 4G signal.

If it isn't an option in the Wifi Calling settings, it is possible to lock onto Wifi to prevent this happening. Put your phone into aeroplane mode and then switch Wifi back on (on the phone). After a few seconds the phone will show the Wifi Calling symbol and prevent it from trying to switch back to the mobile signal.

LizB62

Out of curiosity, what mobile phone are you using? (some seem to be better than others with WiFi Calling/4G - I've previously found that iPhones tend to take a really optimistic view of the strength of 4G coverage and hand over when they shouldn't )

giraffe69

Neil_Jones said:

Pick another provider, get some free PAYG sims from them and try them in your phone to see what sort of signal you get.  

I'm in an area where wifi calling is needed inside. Not always easy to get a free payg sim. BT mobile, for example, won't do that and just say a. it is likely that wifi calling will be ok if the phone is on the list even if not bought from them and b. you can purchase a sim only plan and cancel within 30 days which is fine, provided you haven't then got problems with transferring the number.

arpgis

Hi, I’m a BT (Sim only) Mobile Customer, having switched from EE, around the time of the EE Signal Box switch off. I have lived in my property for 18 years and have had the Signal Box for as long as I can remember, due to the poor mobile signal in the area. I’m sorry I didn’t see the thread, nor have I received anything from EE or BT Mobile advising the switch off. Although I am a keen News follower, unfortunately I didn’t see anything on TV or in the press. Since switching to BT Mobile, I have registered the mobile service problems, going several days at a time when I have been unable to make or receive calls. Occasionally I can receive a 2g signal. In a recent conversation with a helpful BT Mobile support person, he advised of the Signal Box switch off, and wasn’t surprised I was struggling to receive a signal being 90m below the level of my nearest mast, and 100m below the level of the next nearest mast. With the current situation, he advised changing my mobile phone (which doesn’t have wifi calling) or switching provider. He advised I would have no problem ending my BT Mobile Contract, should I wish, without penalty as they were unable to support me. A few days later BT called back to see if the fault had been fixed, and in this conversation a different BT Mobile adviser suggested buying a 4g Mobile Booster box from another provider, and again confirmed I would have no early termination fees as BT could not support me. Today I received another call from BT asking if the problem was fixed. The adviser said, everyone was notified regarding the switch off, and as I had been with BT Mobile for more than two weeks (therefore out of the cooling off period), I would have to pay a penalty to terminate the contract, he suggested waiting for either the masts to be upgraded, or more masts to be erected in my area, neither of which he could advise a timescale for. He also advised BT and EE were separate companies and as such BT weren’t obliged to notify me regarding the EE switch off. As BT / EE are the only mobile provider in my area, obviously I can’t change to another provider. As I haven’t received a notification from EE or BT, regarding the switch off, have made BT Mobile aware of the service issues within the 2-week cooling off period, and receive considerably lower service than before I switched from EE, I feel BT ought to contribute something towards either a replacement mobile phone or 4g signal booster. I just want the issue resolved. I have raised a complaint with BT Mobile. Any advice welcome…  Sorry for the long question.

dgp1000

The Signal Box used 3G and and Ofcom switched off 3G  https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/advice/3g-switch-off, that’s why it was withdrawn. Some other operators had something similar. If you live in Devon and Somerset there is a grant scheme https://www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk/better-connection/mobile-boost-voucher-scheme/, worth reading just to see your options even if you can’t get a grant. But your cheapest option is probably to buy a phone with WiFi calling which does work as that’s what I currently use.

MikeJXE

I'm with Plusnet just moved home and the signal is none existent so calls and text impossible. 

I ordered a free Asda sim and had that in spare iPhone now I have 3 bars and wifi calling, I checked the signal wherever I usually go and its much better and I am told clearer, signed up for sim only all inclusive minutes and texts, 3GB data all for £5 a month. 

Started the porting so should be changed over tomorrow, 

arpgis

dgp1000 said:

The Signal Box used 3G and and Ofcom switched off 3G  https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/advice/3g-switch-off, that’s why it was withdrawn. Some other operators had something similar. If you live in Devon and Somerset there is a grant scheme https://www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk/better-connection/mobile-boost-voucher-scheme/, worth reading just to see your options even if you can’t get a grant. But your cheapest option is probably to buy a phone with WiFi calling which does work as that’s what I currently use.

Thanks dpg1000, really helpful. Will see if Powys CC offer a similar scheme to Devon and Somerset. BT have suggested setting the phone to 2G. Have started to look for a new phone. Thank you very much for your help...

marlot

MikeJXE said:

I'm with Plusnet just moved home and the signal is none existent so calls and text impossible. 

I ordered a free Asda sim and had that in spare iPhone now I have 3 bars and wifi calling, I checked the signal wherever I usually go and its much better and I am told clearer, signed up for sim only all inclusive minutes and texts, 3GB data all for £5 a month. 

Started the porting so should be changed over tomorrow, 

Plusnet are on EE, but don't offer wifi calling.

Asda are on Vodaphone.  Sounds like you have a Vodaphone transmitter nearby.

Gloomendoom

Just an observation about wifi calling. I bought an iPhone specifically because it had this feature and use it in area with virtually zero mobile coverage. I found that turning aeroplane mode on significantly extends the battery life, presumably because the phone isn’t beating its little heart out trying to find a signal that isn’t there.