Davie P Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 I'm pleased to read that there's plans to improve the mobile network in Shetland, although it remains to be seen to what extent. https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2021/01/27/new-mobile-masts-to-boost-4g-coverage/ I get a sniff of a mobile signal in one window in my house. It wasn't really a problem (I'm old fashioned enough to prefer a landline) until banks and many other services started using SMS codes for identity confirmation, so if I want to check my balance I have to wander up the hill waving my phone around until I get the text. I've tried the Vodafone Sure Signal boxes which use my broadband for routing mobile phonecalls but it doesn't do SMS, and I've had two stop working on me. And there's something fundamentally irritating about having to buy expensive boxes from Vodafone and use my own broadband to make up for the inadequacies of their coverage. It's not as if I get money off my contract for not getting a useable mobile service at home. So, fingers crossed..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George. Posted January 28, 2021 Report Share Posted January 28, 2021 (edited) ^Would suggest that there are ways around mobile signal problems at home. When I moved to Hillswick 10 years ago, the phone would work if I was standing right in the middle of the living room, or lying in the middle of my bed. In effect, no use whatsoever. For the last three or four years though, the mobile phones that I've used operate by connection to the wifi router when I'm in the house. That means the mobile phone works throughout the house now - and that makes a great big difference. May well be worth considering something like that. Edited January 28, 2021 by George. Davie P 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davie P Posted January 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2021 (edited) Thanks @George. The problem isn't the actual mobile 'phone' signal which I get through the Wifi (the network on my phone comes up as 'Vodafone WifiCall'), the big irritation is that SMS text messages don't work over the Wifi. Edited January 28, 2021 by Davie P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George. Posted January 28, 2021 Report Share Posted January 28, 2021 Understood @Davie P Just checked my mobile and it will pick up an SMS when on Wifi. Not sure about why this is or what the difference is, so it's now time to look around a bit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeriebryan Posted January 28, 2021 Report Share Posted January 28, 2021 24 minutes ago, Davie P said: The problem isn't the actual mobile 'phone' signal which I get through the Wifi (the network on my phone comes up as 'Vodafone WifiCall'), the big irritation is that SMS text messages don't work over the Wifi. I had exactly the same problem with the lack of SMS on Vodafone Wificall until I updated the software on my iPhone. Now it's text-message-a-go-go George. and Davie P 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davie P Posted January 29, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2021 Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately my old brick of a mobile probably won't be able to get a software update any time soon! But if Wificall an SMS works on an iPhone then I might investigate taking the plunge on a new mobile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windwalker Posted January 29, 2021 Report Share Posted January 29, 2021 2 hours ago, Davie P said: Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately my old brick of a mobile probably won't be able to get a software update any time soon! But if Wificall an SMS works on an iPhone then I might investigate taking the plunge on a new mobile. Davie P. As well as updating to a new phone, make sure your supplier allows you to use Wi-fi. If I mind right the likes of GiffGaff doesn’t. George. and Davie P 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windwalker Posted January 29, 2021 Report Share Posted January 29, 2021 Any views on the best provider, I’m with o2 and the coverage isn’t great in lots of places throughout the isles. someone suggested EE, does anyone have any experience with them or is the likes of vodaphone better. Grateful for any thoughts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davie P Posted January 29, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2021 I'm on Vodafone, and it seems to be a relatively good coverage (apart from in my house!) My understanding is that the SIC have a corporate contract with Vodafone so that swung my decision. My hunch was that the SIC must have done the research/applied some pressure to make sure the service in rural areas is OK? However, my hunches have been wrong in the past! Windwalker 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George. Posted January 31, 2021 Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 (edited) On 29/01/2021 at 16:49, Windwalker said: Any views on the best provider, I’m with o2 and the coverage isn’t great in lots of places throughout the isles. someone suggested EE, does anyone have any experience with them or is the likes of vodaphone better. Grateful for any thoughts As I understand it, the mast on Collafirth is run by EE and it's the only mast around - but I get a vodafone signal. May well be worth considering. Edited January 31, 2021 by George. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windwalker Posted February 1, 2021 Report Share Posted February 1, 2021 11 hours ago, George. said: As I understand it, the mast on Collafirth is run by EE and it's the only mast around - but I get a vodafone signal. May well be worth considering. Thanks George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeriebryan Posted February 12, 2021 Report Share Posted February 12, 2021 I just fitted wan o dis fellows. It's a game changer! Wifi and mobile signal right through the hoose noo! https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-general-800-series-13a-2-gang-sp-switched-wi-fi-extender-socket-2-1a-1-outlet-usb-charger-white/937hv#_=p Fjool 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fjool Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 Looks good. I had a notion to put something like this in a while back, but opted for the plug-in style instead, purely because I wasn't certain what was going to need moving. I think these are a seriously good option though. Getting a couple of wifi zones across the house makes a big odds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeriebryan Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 14 hours ago, Fjool said: I wasn't certain what was going to need moving. I wired the Wifi socket onto the end of a cable with a plug so I could try it in a few locations first. If my insurance company, the IET, or the BSI are reading this, I didn't do what I just said I did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George. Posted March 15, 2021 Report Share Posted March 15, 2021 Does anybody know when, or if, we will get 5G? As I understand, and please ignore me if I'm wrong, there is no 5G in Shetland, Orkney, Caithness and no doubt Sutherland as well, if not more areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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