4G Reception

[Col N]

Does anyone know a good not too expensive way to reliably improve 4G reception on a mobile phone. I've just returned from a trip in the UK and since most sites are rural the signal on my phone was often very poor especially for data.

 

[Off da Grid]

I’ve looked into this also, looks like your looking at £250 plus depends on what network your on.
Newer phones can access more frequencies at the same time which helps.
The lower frequencies, 800mhz travel further if your network broadcasts from your nearest tower to your location.
That’s why I switched to EE because they’ve got more towers.
My work phone shows good 4g coverage on Vodafone but data speed is slower than dialup. EE in the same location can stream HD video
If starlink ever becomes a reality that would solve a lot of problems because you could maybe use Wi-fi calling.

 

[cmcardle75]

I’ve looked into this also, looks like your looking at £250 plus depends on what network your on.
Newer phones can access more frequencies at the same time which helps.
The lower frequencies, 800mhz travel further if your network broadcasts from your nearest tower to you location.
That’s why I switched to EE because they’ve got more towers.
If starlink ever becomes a reality that would solve a lot of problems because you could maybe use Wi-fi calling.

Get a MiFi with external antenna port and stick an antenna on the roof. You'll get about 3-4 bar more signal in any condition, which means a much greater chance of any signal at all in low conditions. However, you'll either need another SIM card, or swap your phone one out whenever you need it.

 

[Col N]

Thanks for the replies. I'll think I'll await until spring before making a decision. Changing to EE might be the first option I'll try.

 

[PaddyM]

Have a look at Maxview Roam .

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[Richard n Ann]

By the spring the 5G phones will be cheaper too.

 

[Geistguy]

EE every time, never failed to get 4g in even in the remotest of places

 

[Pausim]

If the signal is poor I prop the phone up in a window. It often adds one blob to the signal strength, probably less shielded by aluminium Faraday cage we travel in.

 

[James-Alex]

EE every time, never failed to get 4g in even in the remotest of places

My Partner is on EE and I’m in the Voda camp. We both have travelled around the south this year and Voda is defo a lot better. The new forest she got 1 bar on 4g and I had none. My Voda is normally great and she often had no signal. My work uses duel sims for field guys as south west is terrible in some areas. I think a lot depends on local area vs provider.

 

[Clarky]

Forget the U.K. and go to France instead.
It’s rare that we don’t get 4G on Vodafone in France.

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[Bernie P]

Welcome to rural living.

According to the ofcom mobile coverage checker. I should have good 4G reception outdoors and limited 3G indoors. In reality I'm lucky if I get poor 3G outdoors and forget indoors. It doesn't seem to make any difference who your with, between the neighbours we have all operators and the same level of coverage.

Just to add I live on the top of a hill.

The operators are supposed to be putting in "Shared masts" in all rural locations, but they're still arguing amongst themselves how they're going to set it up and pay for it. All they are really interested in is the high volume areas (large towns, cities etc) not the small fish in the wilds! (Just like HS broadband).

 

[Speve]

Just to add I live on the top of a hill.

We live at the bottom of a hill and in the same situation as yourself it’s hopeless

 

[Mark and Mindy]

My Partner is on EE and I’m in the Voda camp. We both have travelled around the south this year and Voda is defo a lot better. The new forest she got 1 bar on 4g and I had none. My Voda is normally great and she often had no signal. My work uses duel sims for field guys as south west is terrible in some areas. I think a lot depends on local area vs provider.

Voda is defo a lot better.

I liked your post because I have been with Vodafone for years and there is always the doubt as to whether they are any good or not.

Mark

 

[AG 2602]

My Partner is on EE and I’m in the Voda camp. We both have travelled around the south this year and Voda is defo a lot better. The new forest she got 1 bar on 4g and I had none. My Voda is normally great and she often had no signal. My work uses duel sims for field guys as south west is terrible in some areas. I think a lot depends on local area vs provider.

I agree my company has recently moved me from Vodafone to EE and signal has been very poor. Like you say particularly in S West/ S East!

 

[rosalan]

I think the truth is that some phones/tablets/laptops are more sensitive than others and whether you use EE, Three or Vodaphone it may depend where you are. I personally have had bad experiences with Vodaphone in Spain but using my MiFi with '3' have had almost no experience of poor reception anywhere in the UK, France, Spain with only severe landscape in Portugal giving occasional problems.

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