Hu3 - Hull - is it just here or all of the UK that Vodafone is slower than a 56k modem?

[Specialist]

1) Does the issue happen in just one location? If so, how far do you have to travel to regain service?

 Unfortunately I can only test in this area as it took over 10 days to get Vodafone to activate my sim card.

2) What is the full postcode (e.g. ST1 1AA) of where the issue occurs? If you don't want this showing on the Community, add it to your profile here.

 Added to profile 

3) Does the issue occur if you try your SIM card in a different phone?

 Yes the issue is network related. 

4) What errors are seen or heard when the issue occurs?

Sometimes it is so bad that your own Speedtest keeps failing 

5) Does this happen on 2G, 3G, 4G or all?

3g = slower than a 56k modem from the 1930s 

4g/5g not available even on the roof of my property outdoors, although coverage checker shows good indoor and outdoor 2g/3g/4g and good 5g coverage... (Vodafone nose is growing, its twice the size of Pinocchio) 

6) When did you first notice this issue?

Today when I got my phone activated 

7) Is the issue permanent or intermittent? If intermittent, are there certain times of the day when it occurs?

I have been Speedtesting and network testing since 8pm or so and it's now 3 am, so it's constant. 

Now that the boring template is done let me explain what I have done so that you do not ask me to do it again, I hope after my explanations you will understand that thr issue is not on my end. 

1) on the 9th I ordered a unlimited max plan for the first time as a Vodafone UK newcomer (not new to Vodafone in other countries)..

It took 3 trips to the shop, 5 livechat, and finally a phone call to the complaints department to finally get my sim activated, and today it was activated. 

Fast forward to finally getting the signal.. 

Since my current phone does not support 5g the default setting is to use 4g/3g/2g.

There is absolutely no chance that I connect to the 4g signal indoors or outdoors (even on the roof of my property). Walking closer to the local masts still does not connect me to 4g. When I am on the roof of my property I do get full bars and a good signal strength (checked with specialist equipment and on phone software). 

The signal changes between 1-4 bars on my phone while I am in the property... 

(side note Voice over WiFi keeps connecting and disconnecting whenever the bars change on the phone) so clearly this is caused to connecting to different cells.) 

Vodafone app Speedtest failed 20 times in a row, and then finally registered at 1megabits 

Speedtest.net app keeps giving me anything between sub 0 to 2mbps which makes me think that you have sold me a max plan but capped it at the2mbps!!!!!! 

Now why I can say its not an issue with my phone? Because I have an O2 (giffgaff sim) and I am getting decent 3g and amazing 4g speeds on that sim card. 

Questions you are going to most likely ask, i got answers before you ask.. 

Q1: have you tried isim on another device.? 

Q2: did you remove the other sim from your phone and tried it? 

Q3: swapped the sim slots and tried? 

Q4: tried in another device? 

Q5: Hace you played with every sim/phone/mobiledata/ related settings? (yes even the secret menus for advanced settings of networks) 

Q: have I put another Vodafone prepaid sim card and spent £2 on it to get the 50mb data a day and ran Speedtest with same result? 

A: yes

Conclusion, the issue is not on my account, the issue is on your network!

O2 has at least 5x your speed same with 3, tomorrow I will go buy an EE sim and try that out too...

Now I have a few questions.. 

1) I read you are spending 2.5 million £ a day on your network, is this true, if this is true you can fix this issue quickly, I see that this is a common issue at least in HULL as my search shown me that you have been having speed issues since 2018 at least in HU7.

2) why do you lie on your coverage maps? Your coverage maps show perfect 4g and 3g signal and good 5g signal in my area and the map covers my property too. However there is no 4g signal around? Maybe your masts got vandalised because of covid-19 conspiracies? 

3) can you explain why you can't offer better speeds than other operators? Because you are the largest operator in so many countries and its a shame that your competitors are better at this. 

4) what am I suppose to do with 0.6-1Mbps I can't even stream a Netflix series or YouTube video properly.. (thank god I did not pay the extra and sign up for your entertainment plan) because I would not be able to use it at all... 

I switched to Vodafone because I have worked with Vodafone and been a Vodafone customer in a few other countries before. But I feel like it was the worst decision I ever made.

The only time I ever got a proper signal and fast speeds were when I was right outside of a Vodafone store, so the question is, are yiu actually using femtocells in your stores to show customers nonexistent speeds and get them to sign up to contracts and then hit them with a sorry can't use Internet because the Internet is now broken sign?

[BandOfBrothers]

Not a good start to your contract with Vodafone UK at all @Specialist 

Thank you for taking the time to copy and paste the answers to the template with your detailed answers.

The Vodafone Social Media Team's will pock your thread up and pass it onto the Networking Team I imagine.

This is what will happen now … I’ve posted a network enquiry, what now ?  

When I'm engaging with a person who intends to join Vodafone UK or move home is to suggest they use a Vodafone Payg sim to fully test signal and data speeds where they reside, work and commute.

The reason being is to make sure they get adequate service before signing up to a lengthy contract or even move home although a person does have a 14 day cooling off period to leave without any early termination fee with a new contract.

1, Why can't you give me a timescale on the fix ?  Explains better than my words can.

2, The Vodafone Service Checker is to give an indication guide only and is not a guarantee.

The disclaimer Vodafone use on that page is “ Our coverage checker was last updated on 10th Dec 2020 and network status information refreshes every fifteen minutes. Coverage may vary by location. This map shows a computer generated prediction in a given area. It should be used as a guide only and is not a guarantee of actual signal coverage. As with all radio-based systems, service may be affected by a number of local factors, such as building materials, tree cover and even weather conditions. Data reception or speed may not be as good indoors or in a car. ”

3, Both isp and mobile networks speeds can fluctuate and differ which is why I feel many switch so often. Many factors come into play in relation to network connection and data speeds. Vodafone says they invest in their infrastructure to improve this. We are not inside the business structure so I can only read what they state and go from there.

Every Network is affected by mast congestion and not spots.

This is why I always invest in a Hybrid Dual Sim Phone so I can switch from one network to another if needed. Totally understand that this isn't a workaround for everyone but it works for me so thought it worth mentioning.

4, I agree that level of speeds leaves very little to be worked with. 

I've replied to your post not to defend Vodafone but because I know how frustrating it can be when speeds and connection is poor as all a person wants to do is pay their monthly tariff and enjoy the services.

I wish you all the best with this.

[Specialist]

Thanks for your detailed information, I know all of this, all I was saying was that this is not the quality I was expecting from Vodafone, having worked and used their network in multiple countries nearly for the past 20 years.

I might have made the mistake of assuming that the Vodafone quality I experienced in other countries would have been the same in the UK.. 

Vodafone was the only network I haven't used in the UK actively since 2010 and all the competitors having good service, I simply assumed Vodafone would be better because they are in so many other countries. 

Personally I don't expect any response or any fix from Vodafone, in the area because they haven't been able to fix this since 2018 according to another thread on hhe forums. 

- 

[BandOfBrothers]

I understand what your saying @Specialist 

Different Countries use the Vodafone Branding but they are not linked. Service / connection can and will differ.

[Beth]

@Specialist I'm sorry that you're experiencing issues with your connection at the moment. I've taken a look at the postcode you've provided on your profile and the coverage is reflecting as good indoors and outdoors for 2G/3G/4G, however, there is limited 5G coverage in your area. I've also taken a look at the specific mast you connect to (No.33151) and there is no current downtime or maintenance.

Please note, any downtime or maintenance on any area would reflect on our Network Status Checker where you'd also able to sign up for alerts on any work in the area.

Have you contacted our Social Media team to discuss and investigate your account with us? 

[Joro82]

I've been recently in HU5 to view some properties and checked the signal and the speed. The signal was completely lost around one of the properties and the speed was terribly slow 1.6 mbps despite I got 4 bars at the 2nd place. Both of the agents said that they have some problem and it's always like that. There was the same routers in both properties and one of the agents explained that they belong to KCOM monopoly which doesn't allowing you to choose another home broadband provider such as Sky, Virgin, Vodafone, etc. The Vodafone mobile internet wasn't too bad when I used it walking around the streets tbh. I'm wondering if KCOM somehow blocking or lowering the speed of other providers around the Hull properties, so you don't have other choice than to subscribe to their expensive £30 a month broadband. So, it might not be a Vodafone fault. I think the best would be if any Hullenian answers here🤔