Mobile Working Experiences
The realities of remote working
Monday 29 October 2007, 1:13 PM
Mobile Coverage - a forgotten issue?
Should the mobile providers be investing so much in next generation networks, applications and services when many users are still left frustrated by the difficulties in getting basic voice coverage where they need it?
I believe most consumers are now savvy enough to realise that it is an empty promise to claim reach to 99.x% of the population when many users are still frustrated that they can't get reception in their own homes. A quick check on the geographical coverage maps hints at extent of the problem, large swathes of the UK remain mobile blackspots and real life experience suggest that even in urban areas coverage is very patchy. In my home, my wife can only get coverage if she goes into an upstairs bedroom or out into the garden - and this is a central London, N4 postcode - hardly rural Wales. As she works from home 1 day a week, it is hardly professional to start a business call where you can't be sure if the signal will hold up to complete the call...
10 years ago many of us would have probably shrugged our shoulders and accepted this - but a) mobile phones have long ceased being a novelty where we would forgive a few niggles, b) we are now using services (e.g. mobile internet) that rely on consistent coverage and c) the situation does not seem to have improved.
I may be overly cynical but I sense that the networks no longer feel it is worthwhile in investing in masts to improve basic GSM coverage. In remote, sparsely populated areas I accept the commercial realities of installing a mast to serve a very small population, but surely in urban areas there is a compelling argument to improve coverage and encourage people to make more and longer calls? Have they sunk too much cash into 3G networks? new mobile services? etc...
How many of you suffer coverage problems in places where you would expect to get reception? Do you feel network coverage has improved in recent years? Or are you happy to accept that mobile phone coverage will also be patchy in some areas?
I believe most consumers are now savvy enough to realise that it is an empty promise to claim reach to 99.x% of the population when many users are still frustrated that they can't get reception in their own homes. A quick check on the geographical coverage maps hints at extent of the problem, large swathes of the UK remain mobile blackspots and real life experience suggest that even in urban areas coverage is very patchy. In my home, my wife can only get coverage if she goes into an upstairs bedroom or out into the garden - and this is a central London, N4 postcode - hardly rural Wales. As she works from home 1 day a week, it is hardly professional to start a business call where you can't be sure if the signal will hold up to complete the call...
10 years ago many of us would have probably shrugged our shoulders and accepted this - but a) mobile phones have long ceased being a novelty where we would forgive a few niggles, b) we are now using services (e.g. mobile internet) that rely on consistent coverage and c) the situation does not seem to have improved.
I may be overly cynical but I sense that the networks no longer feel it is worthwhile in investing in masts to improve basic GSM coverage. In remote, sparsely populated areas I accept the commercial realities of installing a mast to serve a very small population, but surely in urban areas there is a compelling argument to improve coverage and encourage people to make more and longer calls? Have they sunk too much cash into 3G networks? new mobile services? etc...
How many of you suffer coverage problems in places where you would expect to get reception? Do you feel network coverage has improved in recent years? Or are you happy to accept that mobile phone coverage will also be patchy in some areas?
PreviousComments on this post
I have pretty poor singal in my work building, althought outside is fine.
The T-mobile website used to show, no to poor coverage on the map. Then it changed and said medium. I thought great finally i can use my mobile at my desk.
Sadly it is exactly the same, they just altered the way that their website works and displays the coverage.
I think that the coverage problems aren't helped by the fact that many base stations are only used by one operator and deployment of additional masts is restricted by authorities and location.
