Yes, the Elton one has been off for sometime.

Maybe this will be recommissioned with a modern monopole providing 2G/4G, perhaps the existing telegraph pole sites are not suitable for upgrading?

I suspect that would be confidential information - but its possible another mast nearby needs to be upgraded (new transmitters, new antenna panels) and that could cover the hole - if not then they could reactivate. I suspect its very unlikely.

RE Chelveston: Virgin Mobile coverage map shows more colour gradations than EE for signal strength, 2G coverage at that mast point shows a ring of "Excellent" coverage so I don't think its a permanent switch off.

It could be faulty or off for technical reasons (to link in with the MBNL site on the A6 roundabout) to be recommissioned at a later date.

Ooh, so I wonder if that mast will be upgraded? I suspect that multiband panels would be required, unless it just went EE 2G/4G 1800 and/or 3G 2100. Meaning that the telegraph pole would have to be upgraded to something else.

Interesting that Virgin have their own coverage map, and that the color graduations are different - I have always used the EE map, even when I used to be on Virgin (as the EE map shows 4G as well).


Yeah, it probably is unlikely for that mast to be switched on again - especially when there's quite a high up MBNL mast nearby on that stretch of road anyway. For what it's worth, a temporary mast would likely be the answer (whilst the main MBNL one gets upgraded). The MBNL mast covers a greater area and has better technologies/backhaul, so wouldn't be much of a pain to upgrade (though backhaul will need upgrading anyway).


As above, it'd be more likely that the main MBNL mast went 2G/3G/4G with better backhaul - I think 2G in Elton is ok, but 3G seems poor - so it might be cell breathing, it might be weird panel positions (on the nearby MBNL mast, there are separate panels for 1800 and 2100) and it might be power. When the MBNL mast goes 2G/3G/4G, I hope that 3G/4G in Elton will be okay. If not, that's where the Orange telegraph pole could come in (for 3G/4G).

Near me, just to the west of Haddenham is an old Orange 2G mast...

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.36...2!8i6656?hl=en

I have no idea if it's still in use since my phone clings on to a 3G signal from a more distant mast, but it's got a few microwave dishes on it from what i've fleetingly seen on my journeys past it. An upgrade to EE 4G wouldn't go amiss, it has a great view over a huge area from that spot.

I think you'll find that "people" don't have a sodding clue what 3G or 4G even means. Most don't even notice the indicator at all. People just want to take their phone out and either go on the Internet or make a call. They don't care how that's achieved generally.

As far as what I sad about the end of 3G I meant the very early stages. It won't be turned off for ages yet. It will have some of it's spectrum pinched for 4G eventually leaving just enough for it to function. Same for 2G as well. i can see them both being left with just 5Mhz each at some point.

Either party can instruct MBNL to install 3G. The other party can then also use it. I think that's how it works.

Who knows. A bit further down the line they may find they could use an old site again maybe for capacity. Some are in stand alone locations but the majority are on the same site as a TM mast.

There's a very anorakish trick to find out. Only works if the distant 3G signal is fairly weak. Get right next to the Orange mast in your car (parked obviously) then literally sit on your phone for a bit. Like a minute or so. Not so much you damage it obviously but just enough to block the U2100 signal.
Then quickly whip it out and you should briefly have a full EDGE or GPRS signal.
Orange mast on!
We have one here near Dartmouth and it's the only way I can check it's on with my iPhone.

I don't get out much.....

Hey, if it wasn't for us geeky anoraky types, who would everyone else go to to get their gadgets working?

I usually just do a network search and pick the "other" EE...

(If there's only one EE, the mast is off.)

That works too but I like to see the "bars" man!!!!! hahahahahaha

I remember when it was all about the bars, man. Then Apple came along and now it's all about the dots.

Just ain't the same.

We've only had one EE in these towns for about 2 years now.

When you select the "other" ee the phone should switch to it and display the bars accordingly. Mine certainly does, I have an Orange 3G mast in the garden which my phone totally ignores otherwise. Hehe.

(I use the phono app which puts an icon in the status bar which shows you whether you are on the Orange code or the EE/tmo one)

Edit: my S7 will only sit on the Orange code for a few seconds... Odd.

Virgin coverage map has an "Excellent" shade for 2G so it could be still be on

the phono app is very usefull and have spent many a hour with the developer

A little look at the rarely seen Temporary Mobile Masts.

I need to theive one of these for next weekend

Cingular - "raising the bar"

Hunt Google for the ads on freeways in USA.

Been having some 4G issues lately, phone keeps dropping down to 3G all the time, was happening on my old phone and my new G5. Checked the service status online and nothing so I gave EE a buzz. Turns out they have a mast off for upgrade work. Hopefully not for too long!

It seems like they may be accelerating again after a bit of a lull. Whereabouts are you in the Midlands?

One of the best features of it is the widget for your home screen that shows you the type of network that you are connected to, as on Android this is obscured when you're on WiFi. Alas, it doesn't work on my S7.

Also what is with Samsung's obsession with showing signal bars for "emergency calls only"?

South Derbyshire. We had EE4G from launch, from one mast, as it goes. Off the back of covering Derby, one of the launch cities. It's interesting given that, that the VO2 Rollout has yet to reach us!

I agree - the rollout across operators is hugely fragmented.

I'm never quite sure where the commercial sensitivity lies when it comes to sharing rollout plans. Is it the competitive advantage of being the first to 'appear' in an area that drives this, or something else? I would have thought that might be counter productive if consumers are committing to contracts with other networks and totally unaware that a competitor plans to launch 4G the next month.

Why are the networks generally so secretive about their plans? There must be a good reason, but I can't pin it down at the moment.

Probably something to do with doing the easiest masts first. Easiest ones to get to.