|
||||||||
Mobile data coverage is rubbish |
![]() |
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|
#1 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,921
|
Mobile data coverage is rubbish
Britain bangs on about being a leading nation, but its mobile phone data coverage is still ratty as sh*t.
This morning I caught the train for my weekly commute from Cornwall to London instead of driving. I listen to Five Live most of the way on the net via Three and reception is pretty much continuous from North Cornwall to London. But then the operators make sure roads are covered. Just what a difference it is when travelling by train (and btw FGW wifi service is also worse than rubbish) I found out: signal was often simply not available, and not just when we were travelling in some kind of dip as trains often to. Years earlier when I used the train I was still with O2 and that was bad. But nothing much has improved. |
|
|
|
|
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
|
|
|
#2 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 8,077
|
Quote:
Britain bangs on about being a leading nation, but its mobile phone data coverage is still ratty as sh*t.
This morning I caught the train for my weekly commute from Cornwall to London instead of driving. I listen to Five Live most of the way on the net via Three and reception is pretty much continuous from North Cornwall to London. But then the operators make sure roads are covered. Just what a difference it is when travelling by train (and btw FGW wifi service is also worse than rubbish) I found out: signal was often simply not available, and not just when we were travelling in some kind of dip as trains often to. Years earlier when I used the train I was still with O2 and that was bad. But nothing much has improved. are attenuated to an even greater extent. Download some podcasts before you leave, (but well done for managing to bear Radio 5 for more than about 15 mins)
|
|
|
|
|
|
#3 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 10,876
|
It's not so much the coverage is bad, but the train itself blocks signals. Ofcom did research into the problem and offered this explanation: Quote:
A train carriage can be considered to be like a "Faraday cage‟ which is https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/asse...-not-spots.pdf
generally used to block radio frequency signals from getting in to (or out of) an area. The metal skin attenuates the incoming cellular signal by varying amounts depending on the carriage design and carrier frequency of the signal (The higher the frequency the more attenuation to the signal). In more modern trains the attenaution can be up to -30 dB (This means the RF signal needs to 1000 times stronger to provide an equivalent service to users outside the train) this is because trains are now designed to be sealed units to enhance the heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems. On some trains, the carriage windows, which can sometimes offer slightly reduced attenuation, now use a metallic film designed to act as a sun shade for passengers. This metallic film also attenuates the RF signal thus making signal penetration much more challenging. Older train designs with large windows and no metallic film have lower train carriage penetration levels (around -10 dB) and this could be the difference between making a successful call and receiving no service whilst on-board the train. |
|
|
|
|
|
#4 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Croydon, London
Posts: 67
|
Also there seems to be a complete lack of initiative towards improving train WiFi services.
In other countries such as Switzerland or Austria, the mobile operators work together with the railway services and literally erect hundreds of mast specifically to cover the tracks. Also in Austria the railway company provides all the infrastructure needed including fiber access for railway side masts free of charge and in Switzerland all long distance trains are equipped with 4G repeaters inside the carriages. |
|
|
|
|
|
#5 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 2,875
|
It can be done, the Virgin trains on the East Coast main line have excellent (EE) 4G for most of the journey from Kings Cross to Doncaster.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#6 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Swansea, Wales
Posts: 145
|
MBNL have amazing 3G coverage between South West Wales (Carmarthen/Swansea) and London Paddington on the train.
I can't say the same with my TalkTalk Mobile (Vodafone) and O2 SIMs! |
|
|
|
|
|
#7 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Buckingham
Posts: 28,534
|
Quote:
I listen to Five Live most of the way
|
|
|
|
|
|
#8 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Leicester
Posts: 199
|
Quote:
Britain bangs on about being a leading nation, but its mobile phone data coverage is still ratty as sh*t.
This morning I caught the train for my weekly commute from Cornwall to London instead of driving. I listen to Five Live most of the way on the net via Three and reception is pretty much continuous from North Cornwall to London. But then the operators make sure roads are covered. Just what a difference it is when travelling by train (and btw FGW wifi service is also worse than rubbish) I found out: signal was often simply not available, and not just when we were travelling in some kind of dip as trains often to. Years earlier when I used the train I was still with O2 and that was bad. But nothing much has improved. |
|
|
|
|
|
#9 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Scotland
Posts: 4,965
|
Quote:
It's not so much the coverage is bad, but the train itself blocks signals. Ofcom did research into the problem and offered this explanation:
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/asse...-not-spots.pdf |
|
|
|
|
|
#10 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 14,636
|
I am a regular user of that line between Cornwall and London too. It's not flawless coverage by any means, but it's not terrible either. One problem is that the line in South Devon and Cornwall is not exactly flat or straight. Quote:
Also there seems to be a complete lack of initiative towards improving train WiFi services.
In other countries such as Switzerland or Austria, the mobile operators work together with the railway services and literally erect hundreds of mast specifically to cover the tracks. Also in Austria the railway company provides all the infrastructure needed including fiber access for railway side masts free of charge and in Switzerland all long distance trains are equipped with 4G repeaters inside the carriages. |
|
|
|
|
|
#11 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 8,077
|
Quote:
You know that you can listen to Five Live on AM radio or failing that DAB radio? Or even failing that using the train's wi-fi? Or on catch up using iPlayer?
|
|
|
|
|
|
#12 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 43
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#13 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: a land filled with trolls
Posts: 12,010
|
Wi-fi has other issues, such as placement of the access points, congestion when lots of people use portable hotspots, and the fact that instead of trying to use one data connection for yourself, it has to be shared (and often throttled or with streaming services blocked entirely).
I think that with the move to offering Wi-Fi for free, it has actually made things worse. But even when paid, other issues mean people complain. Trains are just not ideal environments for data connectivity, but hopefully EE and 800 at full power will help considerably, as well as the above plan in the Land Mobile link. |
|
|
|
|
#14 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 8,077
|
Quote:
Trains are just not ideal environments for data connectivity, but hopefully EE and 800 at full power will help considerably, as well as the above plan in the Land Mobile link. Ironically the best, most stable connection I've had is using the French networks inside the Channel Tunnel. That was on the UK bound tunnel. I understand EE and VF now have the French bound tunnel covered ? |
|
|
|
|
|
#15 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: a land filled with trolls
Posts: 12,010
|
Yes, both tunnels are covered. As are the tunnels to Heathrow.
Vodafone has done work to give seamless 4G from Victoria to Gatwick Airport. It's all very good doing bits and bobs but the railway network is huge so there's lots of work needed. Even GSM-R has issues and there aren't planning problems there. |
|
|
|
|
#16 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,448
|
Quote:
Keep up at the back ! The OP said Wifi is unusable (which it is, and in any case on my line they block streaming) and FM, DAB, and AM reception won't work either, haven't you read the entire thread, it's only 10 posts ?
Not that that helps the OP one bit of course. |
|
|
|
|
|
#17 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,206
|
Quote:
Or on catch up using iPlayer?
|
|
|
|
|
|
#18 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: a land filled with trolls
Posts: 12,010
|
Quote:
For all their many faults, you can generally get good DAB and FM reception on a Pacer.
|
|
|
|
|
#19 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 8,077
|
Quote:
A Pacer can barely qualify as being called a train, and certainly doesn't have solar reflective film. The only film is probably the tape holding everything together.
If so <shudder> |
|
|
|
|
|
#20 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 10,876
|
Quote:
Is a Pacer one of those 70s Leyland buses, with its road wheels replaced by railway bogies ?
If so <shudder> |
|
|
|
|
|
#21 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 352
|
Not sure about Radio 5 or trains, however I agree with the OP. It's pretty amazing that I can get the internet whilst out and about. In practice however I have found that 3G simply does not work in any place where I'd actually want to use it. Mostly I can make do with my free BT WIFI where ever 3G actually works. Hence why I rarely pay for data bundles.
And yes, I'm guessing the OP has a iPhone, Built in radio ? Next you'll want a headphone socket ! |
|
|
|
|
|
#22 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,206
|
Quote:
And yes, I'm guessing the OP has a iPhone, Built in radio ? Next you'll want a headphone socket !
|
|
|
|
![]() |
| Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
All times are GMT. The time now is 17:41.


