Sure Signal Alternative

[David200]

I live in a remote area with limited phone reception and run my business from home. For years I have used a Sure Signal which worked fine but is now disconnected so I am forced to use  Wifi calling. I have a Samsung S20 5G phone.

For around half my calls the other person cannot hear me, if cuts in and out very quickly so they only get every other word although I can hear them clearly.  Consequently I have been forced to use Whatsapp calling or the old landline. 

Vodaphone have 'refreshed' the line 3 x but still the same problem persists. Is anyone else having the same the problem or know of a solution?

Thanks

[Judy2]

That's really interesting.  Thank you for that information. Vodafone are definitely losing my family's business due to their dismissive attitude towards the genuine problem they are causing customers. 

[Tonecontroller]

Tried a GiffGaff SIM - signal here just as hopeless as VF without Sure Signal
Plusnet (EE network) one on the way, but I can't say I'm hopeful.
No point in trying the Three network - they have no 4G coverage here at all according to their map, and their 3G is patchy.

[philsull]

Yup, my phone offers wifi calling with a GiffGaff SIM. That's my plan when the Suresignal switches off and if Vodafone haven't sorted any more settings. 

[cybernat]

Vodafone need to allow more models of handset to send/receive SMS over wifi.
This afternoon I tried a SMARTY (3mobile) sim in my Xiaomi Redmi 7.

VoWIFI and SMS over wifi are working perfectly on SMARTY.
With the Vodafone sim VoWIFI works, but SMS over wifi does not.
This is purely a Vodafone issue which they have completely failed to address thus far.

[Tonecontroller]

3 may well allow wifi calling on a wider range of handsets, but they also have the worst 3G service of the four networks just here, so the phones would only work within wifi range, and not in our garden, on our allotment, at the village pub etc. They state that they have no 4G coverage here at all.
All the networks appear to overestimate the quality of their signals, so "Good indoors" translates to "0-1 bars downstairs and 1-2 upstairs, but don't move between the two or you'll lose the call on the stairway, and whatever you do, don't go into the garage, so just leave the phone on the breakfast bar and don't touch it."

[westo123]

This is what I got from OFCOM today, so I've sent a complaint to VF.

I understand from your correspondence you’re unhappy Vodafone have discontinued their Sure Signal service. I note you acknowledge Vodafone have the right to end the service under their terms and conditions, but you dispute you was under the impression this would only occur on improvement of your service. I appreciate your concern and I hope the information provided is helpful in assisting you.

Firstly, I must advise as this was outlined in your terms and conditions Vodafone do have the right to discontinue their Sure Signal service however, as you dispute you believed this would only happen if your service improved, then I recommend registering a formal complaint with Vodafone directly. You can do this by following their complaints procedure and full details of this can be found in the following link: https://www.vodafone.co.uk/help-and-information/complaints/code-of-practice.

If you are unable to resolve your complaint, it can be submitted to an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme. An ADR scheme is a free and independent service which can rule on financial and contractual disputes. Vodafone must abide by their decision; however, you can consider legal action if you are not happy with their ruling.

You can take your dispute to an ADR scheme if it remains unresolved eight weeks after you first complained, or if Vodafone sends you a letter outlining their final position (known as a ‘deadlock’ letter).

For information, Vodafone is a member of the ADR scheme CISAS and can be contacted at:

CISAS

International Dispute Resolution Centre

70 Fleet Street

London

EC4Y 1EU

Phone: 020 7520 3827

[Judy2]

It appears to be a standard letter as the one I received is identical.

I will also be submitting a complaint to VF. I spent three hours going as far as possible up the online chat complaints structure but to be honest they may as well just have put a recorded message up saying "wifi calling is the resolution and you will need to purchase new phones because your family's phones are not compatible" because that was the extent of their interest. 

[cybernat]

Was told by Vodafone customer complaints staff member that Sure Signal will be ending in December 2021.
Me and wife's contracts were due to end in March 2023 but because of persisting with my complaint, much rigmarole, at least six hours on live chat and the phone, both our contracts end dates are to be brought forward to December 2021.
So.... if  Vodafone haven't got SMS over wifi working by then, we can leave without penalty.
In the meantime (starting with Smarty) I will be trialling other networks sim cards in my phone's second sim slot to see how their wifi calling and SMS shape up.

VoWIFI and SMSoWIFI both work on Smarty with my Xiaomi Redmi 7 but no SMS function on Vodafone.

[Tonecontroller]

Ditto. Clearly Ofcom does not consider this to be in any way unacceptable behaviour for a mobile provider.
I have duly entered a formal complaint with VF who, I am sure, will do no more than blather about their having no contractual obligation to provide an adquate service so yah boo sucks.

[westo123]

Having made an official compliant with VF, I have just come off the phone with Nilesh, customer relations team who didn't even know that Suresignal was stopping!! After he checked, he then spent a long time telling me that firstly the suresignal hadn't stopped yet so I have a good service, so why was I complaining, then gave me the usual, get a new handset and use Wifi calling. When I suggested that some elderly people couldn't afford or use a new smartphone, he ignored that and said he would look into it and ring me back Saturday. I said I would be taking it to ADR but I suspect it will do no good. But keep complaining everyone!