This topic

Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage!

Wdj — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 14:45:43 GMT

Brought to my attention today that when landline is connected via the so say - ‘all singing all dancing ‘ ???Digital Voice that during any power outage I.e. the widely anticipated power cuts over the winter - I would have to use a mobile to make or receive calls. So , ok what about the fact that the mobile signal (EE- owned by BT of course) at my house is weak to non existent and I currently make all calls via WiFi calling - which is not possible of course IF THERE IS A POWER CUT AS THAT TAKES THE WIFI OUT !
i was advised to contact BT as I should be able to get a back-up Battery unit to keep the WiFi connection during power cuts. But I have now been advised by BT that there is a criteria to be passed before said battery back up is available - and as I do have a mobile I do not qualify! Yes I have a mobile- but it’s useless without WiFi ! Oh , but I can pay for the back up battery to keep my WiFi connected at a cost of £85 Which I do not consider fair or appropriate. BT Halo promises to keep me connected ? So ?

Re: Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage

imjolly — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 14:53:24 GMT

your point is nothing new and there are numerous posts on the forum which covers this at length. maybe another mobile provider gives better reception at your home in the unlikely event of a power cut.

Re: Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage

VeteranISPUser — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 15:07:52 GMT

Hi @Wdj This has been discussed ad nauseam on the community. It sounds like you have fallen into the what-if trap. There is no guarantee of power cuts, if there was then your beef is with the power companies. The thing about a mobile phone is, well it is mobile.

Re: Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage

outlaw123 — Sat, 09 Sep 2023 17:48:13 GMT

We have the same problem. We have no mobile signal and no one is interested. I have contacted my MP. Perhaps that is the way forward

Re: Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage

outlaw123 — Sat, 09 Sep 2023 17:50:06 GMT

is with a mobile is that the providers are not interested in the 1% who dont have a signal. Maybe it is not possible to travel to get a signal!!!!!!!

Re: Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage

Wdj — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 15:49:40 GMT

When I questioned BT regarding being changed to Digital Voice and having a non existent mobile So in a power outage situation ( of which we’ve had a few lately) what can BT do? Answer - sweet FA!
Unless you are vulnerable , have particular medical needs etc you do not qualify for a ‘Battery pack’ to be able to still use your WiFi calling . I have a neighbour who has just recently committed a monthly payment for one of those wrist worn emergency call alarms but has been told by BT it won’t work on Digital Voice!! BT are railroading DV through to everyone- no ifs no buts no help ! lump it or leave it 🤬

Re: Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage

garybs29 — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 18:17:11 GMT

Correction, it's an openreach change affecting all suppliers so it's not BT retail forcing it through

Re: Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage

imjolly — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 18:33:09 GMT

@outlaw123

When you say there is no mobile signal at your home is that by your own mobile provider? Have you checked to see if there is a mobile signal at your home by all providers not just your own?

Re: Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage

Anonymous — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 08:26:06 GMT

@outlaw123

OFCOM provide an easy way to compare the signals available at your location from the 4 main Mobile Network Operators, (all other mobile providers "piggyback" on one of these signals).

https://checker.ofcom.org.uk/en-gb/mobile-coverage

Re: Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage

apoplectic — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 09:57:39 GMT

Ofcom website rendered useless by the statment;"Results are predictions and not a guarantee."

In other words it won't tell you anything useful.

https://www.signalchecker.co.uk/ will be more accurate.

Re: Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage

caravanj — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 16:57:11 GMT

@outlaw123

Try using the Opensignal app, it's gives you true coverage data, not predicted data.

We used it to find the best mobile network where we live.

https://www.opensignal.com/apps#section-os-app

Re: Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage

outlaw123 — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 17:52:06 GMT

We dont have any mobile signal.We dont have a mast anywhere near us. There is no sign of getting a mast anytime soon.

Re: Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage

caravanj — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 18:24:30 GMT

@outlaw123

No provider has a mast near to you?

I assume then that you're extremely rural which will put you in the 1%.

Of course the answer would be a satellite phone, but maybe not at a starting price of around £350 & £50 a month for 60 minutes.

Providers should be legally bound to provide a full service to everyone, regardless of the cost of the necessary installations & that should include satellite phone contracts for the same prices as ordinary mobile phones, in lieu of installing the infrastructure.

Re: Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage

outlaw123 — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 19:00:27 GMT

Yes we are in the 1%. No one seems to take this seriously but we have had years of problems.

Re: Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage

caravanj — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 19:32:23 GMT

@outlaw123

Well it's totally unacceptable to be in a potential situation where you can't even contact the emergency services, just on the basis of infrastructure cost.

Has anyone in your area suggested heavily subsidised satellite phones to your MP?

Maybe that would prompt BT to stump up free battery backup for your WiFi.

Re: Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage

outlaw123 — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 19:36:43 GMT

Great idea. I already have my MP on board.

Re: Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage

Anonymous — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 19:55:36 GMT

@outlaw123

Are you on an ADSL connection or Fibre to the Cabinet, then copper to your home, (FTTC)?

The reason I ask is that if it is ADSL then no problem - your line will go directly back to a telephone exchange with backup batteries and possibly generators.

However, if you are on an FTTC connection, the weak link in the chain could be the back-up batteries in the cabinet. I have seen suggestions on these and other forums that they may only be designed to last for 30 minutes or so if they lose mains power.

So even if you got a battery pack that would keep your equipment running for hours, you still wouldn't have a connection once the cabinet fails.

Re: Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage

caravanj — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 21:13:11 GMT

@Anonymous

Good point, the street cabinets don't have a long backup time but his concern is compounded by the lack of a mobile signal so maybe Plan A with a subsidised satellite phone could be the answer.

Re: Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage

outlaw123 — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 01:52:22 GMT

Fibre then copper so I guess it will be hit and miss. We regularly get power cuts in windy weather.

Re: Digital voice and weak to non existent mobile signal - so what do info if there’s a power outage

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 06:50:54 GMT

@caravanj

"a subsidised satellite phone could be the answer."

You are probably right, but who, under the current systems/rules is going to subsidise a satellite phone for @outlaw123 and others like him in a similar situation?

Developing on the satellite idea, I wonder if Starlink might be the answer to the problem - for both broadband and telephony?

https://www.starlink.com

I have no personal experience, (or links with), Starlink.

Has anyone tried, or read about experiences, of VoIP via Starlink?

*VoIP: Voice over Internet Protocol - basically speech telephony over an internet connection, (Digital Voice being one example).