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EE 800 Mhz 4G to go live next week


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Old 26-12-2016, 19:17
georgi_prodanov
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That would have been 20MHz Band 3, especially since the signal strength of B3 was much weaker than B20.

Thetford really needs B20 on pretty much every mast, as the mast positioning isn't great and there are areas of poor or no coverage. Not all masts have B3 4G at the moment (I suspect they will have soon), but most have B1 3G, which was good when I last used it.
Having said that, last time I went up that way there was a mast that appeared to be B3 2G/4G only. It really needa B1 3G adding, as well as B20 4G, as coverage (in general) in Thetford and the surrounding area is poor for data on EE.

Next time I go up there I'll take a Giffgaff SIM with me so I can compare EE to O2 coverage - I suspect that O2 will be better due to B8 3G and B20 4G deployment.
Aaron when you get a brand new sim from giffgaff do you need to top up to get 4G signal first or just put the sim and get the 4G. As O2 and Voda PAYG sims you need to top up first to be able to get 4G signal
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Old 26-12-2016, 19:22
Aaron_McGowan
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The ee mast at the beginning of the village has been enabled for 4g but seems the panels are facing away from the village towards eye. I can see a application for new panels for the 2g site u mention, which I'm hoping will enable me to have 4g in my home as my phone locks onto that mast as nearest to me and I revive good indoor 2g coverage.

Strangely as well recently another application by o2 has been submitted to install panels on the orange/2g site which I didn't think was possible for o2 to have panels on a ee site.

So a lot of progress is going on in Thorney finally lol.

Does anyone know generally how long it takes for the upgrade to take place one planning permission have been approved??
I'm not surprised that the panels are pointing toards Eye, because EE don't have a mast there and are having to rely on other, much more distant masts. That mast does give the A47 some decent coverage, until a few hundred meters before the Eye/Eye Green roundabout. If there's an application for new panels then the site will get 3G/4G (I hope - EE wouldn't leave a site like that on just 2G).

One of the main masts in Wellingborough (Northamptonshire) was EE/3 only, but O2/Vodafone recently installed their panels on the same mast, so it's more than possible, if the planning goes ahead and isn't rejected.
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Old 26-12-2016, 19:24
Aaron_McGowan
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Aaron when you get a brand new sim from giffgaff do you need to top up to get 4G signal first or just put the sim and get the 4G. As O2 and Voda PAYG sims you need to top up first to be able to get 4G signal
My giffgaff activation was quite a while back so I can't honestly remember - though I know I topped up the SIM with a £10 O2 voucher and I was then able to access the internet, on whatever technology was available (which I believe was 4G as I activated the SIM in Leicester to do some O2 network testing).
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Old 26-12-2016, 19:27
jchamier
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My giffgaff activation was quite a while back so I can't honestly remember - though I know I topped up the SIM with a £10 O2 voucher and I was then able to access the internet, on whatever technology was available (which I believe was 4G as I activated the SIM in Leicester to do some O2 network testing).
Using GiffGaff to test O2 isn't remotely the same, as I've seen a giffgaff user have 2G when an O2 user right next to them had 4G - and both using iPhone 6s handsets. giffgaff is cheaper for a reason. Probably worth using an O2 PAYG SIM to test O2.
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Old 26-12-2016, 19:31
georgi_prodanov
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The thing is with O2/VODA you need to top up first to get 4G signal with EE/Three you just pop the sim into the phone and get 4G signal
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Old 26-12-2016, 19:35
Biz88
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I'm not surprised that the panels are pointing toards Eye, because EE don't have a mast there and are having to rely on other, much more distant masts. That mast does give the A47 some decent coverage, until a few hundred meters before the Eye/Eye Green roundabout. If there's an application for new panels then the site will get 3G/4G (I hope - EE wouldn't leave a site like that on just 2G).

One of the main masts in Wellingborough (Northamptonshire) was EE/3 only, but O2/Vodafone recently installed their panels on the same mast, so it's more than possible, if the planning goes ahead and isn't rejected.
I can't see any reason why the ee planning permission for the site would be declined as replacing existing panels. I hope for my gf who is on Tesco the site gets upgraded especially with 800 as she will get brilliant signal, just have to wait and see and the council have responded with something like the don't make the decision anymore and redirected them to another authority for permission. It annoys me tho that all the money I pay for my contract with ee and small amount she pays with Tesco and she gets fare better and more useful signal than me from a single mast. When ee have three mast around the village and fail to provide decent 4g/3G coverage. Moan over I suppose I will notice any difference In 2017 .
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Old 26-12-2016, 19:36
Aaron_McGowan
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Using GiffGaff to test O2 isn't remotely the same, as I've seen a giffgaff user have 2G when an O2 user right next to them had 4G - and both using iPhone 6s handsets. giffgaff is cheaper for a reason. Probably worth using an O2 PAYG SIM to test O2.
Most phones should have the option to force 3G or 4G so that the problem you mentioned can be overcome. As that would more than likely be O2 trying to prioritise its customers above that of Giffgaff, though forcing a certain connection should still result in a signal if it is being transmitted.
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Old 26-12-2016, 20:59
jchamier
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Most phones should have the option to force 3G or 4G so that the problem you mentioned can be overcome.
iPhones don't often have the option depending on the network request to Apple. Some Androids are also hiding options unless you go into engineering menu.

But the network is in charge. You can fix 4G and if they don't want you on it you can show no service on phone. It's discount price for a reason.
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Old 27-12-2016, 00:36
Stereo Steve
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So EE massively fuked up the 800 thing. What a massive surprise. Roll on December 2017 by which time it may be working (a bit).
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Old 27-12-2016, 00:48
jonmorris
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So EE massively fuked up the 800 thing. What a massive surprise. Roll on December 2017 by which time it may be working (a bit).
You've said this before. Can you provide evidence that they've messed up?

Sure, you can accuse me of bias or that I'm just repeating what EE's head of network communications has told me, and that he's perhaps lied through his teeth to me, but I was told all 700 sites are live and at full power*.

People are finding 800 now, so I see no reason to believe they f'd up. Sure, there was a delay, but unless someone can find evidence that not all of the sites really are live, I'd have to believe EE over someone here saying otherwise .

* Full power meaning as intended, not necessarily literally the maximum power available to use.
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Old 27-12-2016, 01:03
sweetstyle
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very weak 4g in most of Stamford on EE, was wondering if any imminent improvements are planned...
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Old 27-12-2016, 01:08
_m
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I don't know why EE are going for a 2G/4G approach. Maybe it is to do with planning applications (as 3G needs a separate cabinet), or maybe it is to try and hinder Three by not MBNL'ing the mast?
It will simply be that EE don't want to use the resources on deploying a legacy technology in areas where they don't see it being worth it. Even without EE 3G on the mast, Three are free to go ahead and add their own equipment and not having EE 3G may even benefit Three because it may allow Three to have both 3G and 4G on single band panels while EE have 2G and 4G.
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Old 27-12-2016, 08:30
GavinAshford
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Old 27-12-2016, 08:51
georgi_prodanov
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So EE massively fuked up the 800 thing. What a massive surprise. Roll on December 2017 by which time it may be working (a bit).
I think they had plenty of time to test and prepare for 4G800 so after 2 years they should have started with 3000 sites but not with 700 as EE have a lot more than 700 sites equipped with 4G800. I think there is something that stops them to start with more than the 700 sites, something they are afraid of that might go wrong. I was very happy last week as few masts went live 4G800 but this week everything has stopped. No one single bar of 4G800. If they keep switching on and off that 700 sites yes EE have messed up again
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Old 27-12-2016, 11:56
blueacid
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I think they had plenty of time to test and prepare for 4G800 so after 2 years they should have started with 3000 sites but not with 700 as EE have a lot more than 700 sites equipped with 4G800. I think there is something that stops them to start with more than the 700 sites, something they are afraid of that might go wrong. I was very happy last week as few masts went live 4G800 but this week everything has stopped. No one single bar of 4G800. If they keep switching on and off that 700 sites yes EE have messed up again
I think the point wasn't the initially limited coverage; it was that calls over VoLTE were dropping or not being connected properly (robot voice, or one party not being able to hear the other), which has all happened since this launch.

This is probably precisely the reason they started with 700 sites rather than going big; far easier to start and then ramp up the deployment if there are no signs of any problems.
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Old 27-12-2016, 11:57
lightspeed2398
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* Full power meaning as intended, not necessarily literally the maximum power available to use.
Think this is a key point which some people are missing. When they've talked about full power they don't mean it's using up half the National Grid on one mast to get it going 300km. The coverage footprint of each mast will still be carefully planned and chosen and then the power will be set.

It will go significantly further than L1800 from the same mast. The indoor penetration will also be much further. But it is not going to revolutionise the network. Also having seen which 700 sites are live some people need to chill a bit and be patient. I would also say to some people that Vodafone and o2 and even Three with their 800 may actually offer the better solution to EE, 800 for EE isn't targeted the way that people in here want it.
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Old 27-12-2016, 14:09
Aaron_Gleeson
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Just a quick question; is there a delay between the api information being updated to the coverage showing on the coverage map and also the coverage being physically available.

Just noticed today that my home postcode is now showing 3 bars of 4G800; which was updated on Wednesday at 12am.... however leaving the house this morning no additional 4G coverage and the coverage map has also not been updated.

Has others noticed a delay between the api information and the 'go live'/map change?

Thanks in advance; I'm in the middle of the sticks for Christmas so can't test atm
Hope everyone had a great christmas!

Does anyone have any info on the above at all?
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Old 27-12-2016, 14:26
ozz
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Between Stamford and Grantham nothing on L800 just now, just regular L1800.

The mast at South Witham is sporting shiny new panels but not active yet for any 4G. In addition to the panels facing north and south on the A1 there looks to be additional panels added facing east and west too. This should boost rural coverage here which historically has been poor.

The mast at Quarry Wood Little Casterton has a far out reaching L800 on the north east sector towards Ryhall , easily picked that up but nothing on the other sectors.
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Old 27-12-2016, 15:15
CheshireBumpkin
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Gavin, I suspect you're wishing you'd never been as accommodating with this! If you can face it, could you run SY postcodes for me please? Totally understand if you've had enough...
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Old 27-12-2016, 17:30
Stereo Steve
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You've said this before. Can you provide evidence that they've messed up?

Sure, you can accuse me of bias or that I'm just repeating what EE's head of network communications has told me, and that he's perhaps lied through his teeth to me, but I was told all 700 sites are live and at full power*.

People are finding 800 now, so I see no reason to believe they f'd up. Sure, there was a delay, but unless someone can find evidence that not all of the sites really are live, I'd have to believe EE over someone here saying otherwise .

* Full power meaning as intended, not necessarily literally the maximum power available to use.
No idea. I'm just saying angry and misguided things (trolling) because all the other 3 networks are putting 800 on my mast but apparently not EE who know better and I'm hacked off that I signed a 24 month contract a few months back only to learn that VO2 are doing the mast in Jan and 3 are probably already on it. Brilliant. I think I'll actually sign up with VOD and use the EE Sim for home broadband until it expires as we are sub 2meg here and I got 25GB at quite a good price so I'll stick the sim in a router and should pick up 1800 with an external thingy.
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Old 27-12-2016, 18:34
paulker
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Gavin, I suspect you're wishing you'd never been as accommodating with this! If you can face it, could you run SY postcodes for me please? Totally understand if you've had enough...
G postcodes too please.....pretty please?
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Old 27-12-2016, 18:53
GavinAshford
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G postcodes too please.....pretty please?
I'm at the outlaws until Friday, won't be able to generate any more until after then.
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Old 27-12-2016, 19:00
red_snow
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I hope you've all had a great Christmas.

I've read back through the last couple of pages and seeing some negative vibes re 800. Do some here think or have indeed seen 800 go live but switched off again? Do we think there are still VoLTE issues that are causing some deployment rollback?
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Old 27-12-2016, 19:07
georgi_prodanov
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I hope you've all had a great Christmas.

I've read back through the last couple of pages and seeing some negative vibes re 800. Do some here think or have indeed seen 800 go live but switched off again? Do we think there are still VoLTE issues that are causing some deployment rollback?
Yes happened to me. Last week 4G800 but this week no sign of it. Very odd. 4G800 was on and was making calls and using data on it for a whole week but since Monday nothing in every area I was last week with 4G800. Mast around RG47TR RG95LP and RG80UD and RG80PY have stopped broadcasting 4G800 What is happening with al that stuff going on. I just do not get it
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Old 27-12-2016, 19:13
lightspeed2398
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Yes happened to me. Last week 4G800 but this week no sign of it. Very odd. 4G800 was on and was making calls and using data on it for a whole week but since Monday nothing in every area I was last week with 4G800. Mast around RG47TR RG95LP and RG80UD and RG80PY have stopped broadcasting 4G800 What is happening with al that stuff going on. I just do not get it
What you saw could have been testing etc when the mast is first lit for 4G800, still needs to be tested to ensure it meets KPIs and then fully integrated into the networks with handover parameters and fully optimised. Sounds as though you saw it in the first stage and now it is hidden for integration and will eventually be fully launched...
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