Weird one. In my local area there's a specific spot in the city centre
where 5G is just a hard fail. I get full signal, but any internet
connections fail almost immediately, it doesn't feel like congestion.

If I force my phone to 4G everything immediately snaps back to life.

It's only that cell as other 5G sources work as expected. I'm pretty
convinced it's nothing to do with the phone (relatively new iphone 13) or
SIM or provider.

I've tried reporting it my mobile provider (IDmobile), but their chatbot is
pretty bad. Is there another route to report technical failures?

On Wed, 8 Nov 2023 08:01:26 -0000 (UTC)
Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:

> I've tried reporting it my mobile provider (IDmobile), but their
> chatbot is pretty bad.

There are very, very few that are any good. They do exist,
occasionally, but they are very much the exception. Talkmobile, take a
bow. At least the bots don't retaliate when I swear at them.

--
Davey.

On Wed, 8 Nov 2023 08:01:26 -0000 (UTC), Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com>
wrote:

>
>Weird one. In my local area there's a specific spot in the city centre
>where 5G is just a hard fail. I get full signal, but any internet
>connections fail almost immediately, it doesn't feel like congestion.
>
>If I force my phone to 4G everything immediately snaps back to life.
>
>It's only that cell as other 5G sources work as expected. I'm pretty
>convinced it's nothing to do with the phone (relatively new iphone 13) or
>SIM or provider.

I often get that on 5G using my iPhone SE on Sky Mobile. I'm not sure
whether it's my phone or the network that's responsible, but the
symptoms are exactly as you describe.

I can't say it happens in one particular place, but I've noticed it a
few times. If I switch the phone to 4G it all works fine.

Chris

Chris in Makati <mail@nospam.com> wrote:
> On Wed, 8 Nov 2023 08:01:26 -0000 (UTC), Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>>
>> Weird one. In my local area there's a specific spot in the city centre
>> where 5G is just a hard fail. I get full signal, but any internet
>> connections fail almost immediately, it doesn't feel like congestion.
>>
>> If I force my phone to 4G everything immediately snaps back to life.
>>
>> It's only that cell as other 5G sources work as expected. I'm pretty
>> convinced it's nothing to do with the phone (relatively new iphone 13) or
>> SIM or provider.
>
> I often get that on 5G using my iPhone SE on Sky Mobile. I'm not sure
> whether it's my phone or the network that's responsible, but the
> symptoms are exactly as you describe.

At least it's not just me.

> I can't say it happens in one particular place, but I've noticed it a
> few times. If I switch the phone to 4G it all works fine.
>

I commute on the bus through the dodgy cell site and without fail in either
direction I go (internal monologue) "why's my phone not working?", "where
am I?", "ah, they'll be why". Twice a day. Been like this for a few weeks.

Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> On Wed 08/11/2023 08:01, Chris wrote:
>>
>> Weird one. In my local area there's a specific spot in the city centre
>> where 5G is just a hard fail. I get full signal, but any internet
>> connections fail almost immediately, it doesn't feel like congestion.
>>
>> If I force my phone to 4G everything immediately snaps back to life.
>>
>> It's only that cell as other 5G sources work as expected. I'm pretty
>> convinced it's nothing to do with the phone (relatively new iphone 13) or
>> SIM or provider.
>>
>> I've tried reporting it my mobile provider (IDmobile), but their chatbot is
>> pretty bad. Is there another route to report technical failures?
>
>
> IMSMC IDMobile runs on 3 so why not call the 3 NOC.

What's a NOC?

> You should find
> their number on any 3 streetcab.

What do they look like?

On Wed 08/11/2023 08:01, Chris wrote:
>
> Weird one. In my local area there's a specific spot in the city centre
> where 5G is just a hard fail. I get full signal, but any internet
> connections fail almost immediately, it doesn't feel like congestion.
>
> If I force my phone to 4G everything immediately snaps back to life.
>
> It's only that cell as other 5G sources work as expected. I'm pretty
> convinced it's nothing to do with the phone (relatively new iphone 13) or
> SIM or provider.
>
> I've tried reporting it my mobile provider (IDmobile), but their chatbot is
> pretty bad. Is there another route to report technical failures?

IMSMC IDMobile runs on 3 so why not call the 3 NOC. You should find
their number on any 3 streetcab.

On Wed, 8 Nov 2023 16:45:30 -0000 (UTC)
Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:

> Chris in Makati <mail@nospam.com> wrote:
> > On Wed, 8 Nov 2023 08:01:26 -0000 (UTC), Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> Weird one. In my local area there's a specific spot in the city
> >> centre where 5G is just a hard fail. I get full signal, but any
> >> internet connections fail almost immediately, it doesn't feel like
> >> congestion.
> >>
> >> If I force my phone to 4G everything immediately snaps back to
> >> life.
> >>
> >> It's only that cell as other 5G sources work as expected. I'm
> >> pretty convinced it's nothing to do with the phone (relatively new
> >> iphone 13) or SIM or provider.
> >
> > I often get that on 5G using my iPhone SE on Sky Mobile. I'm not
> > sure whether it's my phone or the network that's responsible, but
> > the symptoms are exactly as you describe.
>
> At least it's not just me.
>
> > I can't say it happens in one particular place, but I've noticed it
> > a few times. If I switch the phone to 4G it all works fine.
> >
>
> I commute on the bus through the dodgy cell site and without fail in
> either direction I go (internal monologue) "why's my phone not
> working?", "where am I?", "ah, they'll be why". Twice a day. Been
> like this for a few weeks.
>
>

It's the spot where the Huawei equipment 'phones home to the Mother
Ship. It's really using your device as the link.
Well, that's my theory, anyway.

--
Davey.

On Wed 08/11/2023 22:21, Chris wrote:
> Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>> On Wed 08/11/2023 08:01, Chris wrote:
>>>
>>> Weird one. In my local area there's a specific spot in the city centre
>>> where 5G is just a hard fail. I get full signal, but any internet
>>> connections fail almost immediately, it doesn't feel like congestion.
>>>
>>> If I force my phone to 4G everything immediately snaps back to life.
>>>
>>> It's only that cell as other 5G sources work as expected. I'm pretty
>>> convinced it's nothing to do with the phone (relatively new iphone 13) or
>>> SIM or provider.
>>>
>>> I've tried reporting it my mobile provider (IDmobile), but their chatbot is
>>> pretty bad. Is there another route to report technical failures?
>>
>>
>> IMSMC IDMobile runs on 3 so why not call the 3 NOC.
>
> What's a NOC?
>
>> You should find
>> their number on any 3 streetcab.
>
> What do they look like?
>
>
>

NOC = Network Operations Centre

Wherever a cell site is erected there will be cabinets adjacent to it
and on at least one of said cabinets there will be a label saying who
the owner is and giving a contact phone number.

On Thursday, 9 November 2023 at 03:27:49 UTC, Davey wrote:
> On Wed, 8 Nov 2023 16:45:30 -0000 (UTC)
SNIP

> > I commute on the bus through the dodgy cell site and without fail in
> > either direction I go (internal monologue) "why's my phone not
> > working?", "where am I?", "ah, they'll be why". Twice a day. Been
> > like this for a few weeks.
> >
> >
>
> It's the spot where the Huawei equipment 'phones home to the Mother
> Ship. It's really using your device as the link.
> Well, that's my theory, anyway.

Why would it phone home on your phone when it is connected to the net and your phone isn't?

>
> --
> Davey.

On Thu, 9 Nov 2023 04:28:24 -0800 (PST)
"notya...@gmail.com" <notyalckram@gmail.com> wrote:

> On Thursday, 9 November 2023 at 03:27:49 UTC, Davey wrote:
> > On Wed, 8 Nov 2023 16:45:30 -0000 (UTC)
> SNIP
>
> > > I commute on the bus through the dodgy cell site and without fail
> > > in either direction I go (internal monologue) "why's my phone not
> > > working?", "where am I?", "ah, they'll be why". Twice a day. Been
> > > like this for a few weeks.
> > >
> > >
> >
> > It's the spot where the Huawei equipment 'phones home to the Mother
> > Ship. It's really using your device as the link.
> > Well, that's my theory, anyway.
>
> Why would it phone home on your phone when it is connected to the net
> and your phone isn't?
>
> >
> > --
> > Davey.

You only think it's not connected to the 'net, that's what they want
you to think.
This is as good a theory as many I see put about about other things, so
I'll stick with it until proven wrong. Then I'll follow another theory.

--
Davey.

On Thu, 9 Nov 2023 12:11:56 +0000
Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> wrote:

> On Wed 08/11/2023 22:21, Chris wrote:
> > Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> >> On Wed 08/11/2023 08:01, Chris wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Weird one. In my local area there's a specific spot in the city
> >>> centre where 5G is just a hard fail. I get full signal, but any
> >>> internet connections fail almost immediately, it doesn't feel
> >>> like congestion.
> >>>
> >>> If I force my phone to 4G everything immediately snaps back to
> >>> life.
> >>>
> >>> It's only that cell as other 5G sources work as expected. I'm
> >>> pretty convinced it's nothing to do with the phone (relatively
> >>> new iphone 13) or SIM or provider.
> >>>
> >>> I've tried reporting it my mobile provider (IDmobile), but their
> >>> chatbot is pretty bad. Is there another route to report technical
> >>> failures?
> >>
> >>
> >> IMSMC IDMobile runs on 3 so why not call the 3 NOC.
> >
> > What's a NOC?
> >
> >> You should find
> >> their number on any 3 streetcab.
> >
> > What do they look like?
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> NOC = Network Operations Centre
>
> Wherever a cell site is erected there will be cabinets adjacent to it
> and on at least one of said cabinets there will be a label saying who
> the owner is and giving a contact phone number.
>
>

If you see a cell tower that you are probably connected to, and it's in
the middle of a farmer's field, do you have the right to go up to it to
look for said cabinet?

--
Davey.

On Thu 09/11/2023 14:01, Davey wrote:
> On Thu, 9 Nov 2023 12:11:56 +0000
> Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>
>> On Wed 08/11/2023 22:21, Chris wrote:
>>> Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>>>> On Wed 08/11/2023 08:01, Chris wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Weird one. In my local area there's a specific spot in the city
>>>>> centre where 5G is just a hard fail. I get full signal, but any
>>>>> internet connections fail almost immediately, it doesn't feel
>>>>> like congestion.
>>>>>
>>>>> If I force my phone to 4G everything immediately snaps back to
>>>>> life.
>>>>>
>>>>> It's only that cell as other 5G sources work as expected. I'm
>>>>> pretty convinced it's nothing to do with the phone (relatively
>>>>> new iphone 13) or SIM or provider.
>>>>>
>>>>> I've tried reporting it my mobile provider (IDmobile), but their
>>>>> chatbot is pretty bad. Is there another route to report technical
>>>>> failures?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> IMSMC IDMobile runs on 3 so why not call the 3 NOC.
>>>
>>> What's a NOC?
>>>
>>>> You should find
>>>> their number on any 3 streetcab.
>>>
>>> What do they look like?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> NOC = Network Operations Centre
>>
>> Wherever a cell site is erected there will be cabinets adjacent to it
>> and on at least one of said cabinets there will be a label saying who
>> the owner is and giving a contact phone number.
>>
>>
>
> If you see a cell tower that you are probably connected to, and it's in
> the middle of a farmer's field, do you have the right to go up to it to
> look for said cabinet?
>
Probably not unless there is a nearby public footpath or bridleway.
But if the OP is a 3 user then any 3 cell site - like roadside poles
(and there's plenty of them!) - will display the contact number which
will be the same....

Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> On Wed 08/11/2023 22:21, Chris wrote:
>> Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>>> On Wed 08/11/2023 08:01, Chris wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Weird one. In my local area there's a specific spot in the city centre
>>>> where 5G is just a hard fail. I get full signal, but any internet
>>>> connections fail almost immediately, it doesn't feel like congestion.
>>>>
>>>> If I force my phone to 4G everything immediately snaps back to life.
>>>>
>>>> It's only that cell as other 5G sources work as expected. I'm pretty
>>>> convinced it's nothing to do with the phone (relatively new iphone 13) or
>>>> SIM or provider.
>>>>
>>>> I've tried reporting it my mobile provider (IDmobile), but their chatbot is
>>>> pretty bad. Is there another route to report technical failures?
>>>
>>>
>>> IMSMC IDMobile runs on 3 so why not call the 3 NOC.
>>
>> What's a NOC?
>>
>>> You should find
>>> their number on any 3 streetcab.
>>
>> What do they look like?
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> NOC = Network Operations Centre
>
> Wherever a cell site is erected there will be cabinets adjacent to it
> and on at least one of said cabinets there will be a label saying who
> the owner is and giving a contact phone number.

This is in a city centre. It'll likely be on a rooftop, I suspect.

On Thu 09/11/2023 17:45, Chris wrote:
> Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>> On Wed 08/11/2023 22:21, Chris wrote:
>>> Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>>>> On Wed 08/11/2023 08:01, Chris wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Weird one. In my local area there's a specific spot in the city centre
>>>>> where 5G is just a hard fail. I get full signal, but any internet
>>>>> connections fail almost immediately, it doesn't feel like congestion.
>>>>>
>>>>> If I force my phone to 4G everything immediately snaps back to life.
>>>>>
>>>>> It's only that cell as other 5G sources work as expected. I'm pretty
>>>>> convinced it's nothing to do with the phone (relatively new iphone 13) or
>>>>> SIM or provider.
>>>>>
>>>>> I've tried reporting it my mobile provider (IDmobile), but their chatbot is
>>>>> pretty bad. Is there another route to report technical failures?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> IMSMC IDMobile runs on 3 so why not call the 3 NOC.
>>>
>>> What's a NOC?
>>>
>>>> You should find
>>>> their number on any 3 streetcab.
>>>
>>> What do they look like?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> NOC = Network Operations Centre
>>
>> Wherever a cell site is erected there will be cabinets adjacent to it
>> and on at least one of said cabinets there will be a label saying who
>> the owner is and giving a contact phone number.
>
> This is in a city centre. It'll likely be on a rooftop, I suspect.
>

You'd be surprised how many pole sites there are in any town or city (or
even in the country.) Its not much good having aerial 6/8/10 stories up
unless down-tilt varieties can be used and the aerial placed close to
the edge.

On Wed, 8 Nov 2023 08:01:26 -0000 (UTC), Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com>
wrote:

>
>Weird one. In my local area there's a specific spot in the city centre
>where 5G is just a hard fail. I get full signal, but any internet
>connections fail almost immediately, it doesn't feel like congestion.
>
>If I force my phone to 4G everything immediately snaps back to life.
>
>It's only that cell as other 5G sources work as expected. I'm pretty
>convinced it's nothing to do with the phone (relatively new iphone 13) or
>SIM or provider.
>
>I've tried reporting it my mobile provider (IDmobile), but their chatbot is
>pretty bad. Is there another route to report technical failures?

I'd be surpised if the operators don't know that it's failed, even if
they are not very quick at fixing it.

(As an aside, going on for 25 years ago I spent a few weeks driving
for the TNT Sameday service, where one of the jobs was to deliver
spares to engineers repairing faulty mobile transmitters. I forget
which network. A stock of spares was kept in the TNT depot.)

On Thu, 9 Nov 2023 18:39:45 +0000, Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com>
wrote:

>>
>> This is in a city centre. It'll likely be on a rooftop, I suspect.
>>
>
>You'd be surprised how many pole sites there are in any town or city (or
>even in the country.)

That'll be where they can't find or access a convenient roof.

>Its not much good having aerial 6/8/10 stories up
>unless down-tilt varieties can be used and the aerial placed close to
>the edge.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.6362436,-1.1302107,3a,21.3y,148.15h,121.64t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1szg-jcfnhYTkieIvSpEzNvQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en&entry=ttu
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.6319836,-1.1265511,3a,48.8y,110.3h,134.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0j8slgF0AZAnDv97r5jooA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en&entry=ttu

On Sat 11/11/2023 14:59, Peter Johnson wrote:
> On Thu, 9 Nov 2023 18:39:45 +0000, Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>>>
>>> This is in a city centre. It'll likely be on a rooftop, I suspect.
>>>
>>
>> You'd be surprised how many pole sites there are in any town or city (or
>> even in the country.)
>
> That'll be where they can't find or access a convenient roof.
>
>> Its not much good having aerial 6/8/10 stories up
>> unless down-tilt varieties can be used and the aerial placed close to
>> the edge.
>
> https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.6362436,-1.1302107,3a,21.3y,148.15h,121.64t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1szg-jcfnhYTkieIvSpEzNvQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en&entry=ttu
> https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.6319836,-1.1265511,3a,48.8y,110.3h,134.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0j8slgF0AZAnDv97r5jooA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en&entry=ttu

That brings back memories. We lived in Leicester (Birstall actually)
56-63. I recognised Charles Street in the first pic, and the start of
London Road and the Midland Station in the second although then London
Road was the A6! I notice the old Police HQ is still there (Sir Robert
Mark was the CC) and it used to have two large blue lights on the roof.

Are, them were't days.....................

Peter Johnson <peter@parksidewood.nospam> wrote:
> On Wed, 8 Nov 2023 08:01:26 -0000 (UTC), Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>>
>> Weird one. In my local area there's a specific spot in the city centre
>> where 5G is just a hard fail. I get full signal, but any internet
>> connections fail almost immediately, it doesn't feel like congestion.
>>
>> If I force my phone to 4G everything immediately snaps back to life.
>>
>> It's only that cell as other 5G sources work as expected. I'm pretty
>> convinced it's nothing to do with the phone (relatively new iphone 13) or
>> SIM or provider.
>>
>> I've tried reporting it my mobile provider (IDmobile), but their chatbot is
>> pretty bad. Is there another route to report technical failures?
>
> I'd be surpised if the operators don't know that it's failed, even if
> they are not very quick at fixing it.

I would have thought so too, but this has been going on for weeks.

> (As an aside, going on for 25 years ago I spent a few weeks driving
> for the TNT Sameday service, where one of the jobs was to deliver
> spares to engineers repairing faulty mobile transmitters. I forget
> which network. A stock of spares was kept in the TNT depot.)
>

On Thursday, 9 November 2023 at 14:01:11 UTC, Davey wrote:
> On Thu, 9 Nov 2023 12:11:56 +0000
> Woody <harro...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>
> > On Wed 08/11/2023 22:21, Chris wrote:
> > > Woody <harro...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> > >> On Wed 08/11/2023 08:01, Chris wrote:
> > >>>
> > >>> Weird one. In my local area there's a specific spot in the city
> > >>> centre where 5G is just a hard fail. I get full signal, but any
> > >>> internet connections fail almost immediately, it doesn't feel
> > >>> like congestion.
> > >>>
> > >>> If I force my phone to 4G everything immediately snaps back to
> > >>> life.
> > >>>
> > >>> It's only that cell as other 5G sources work as expected. I'm
> > >>> pretty convinced it's nothing to do with the phone (relatively
> > >>> new iphone 13) or SIM or provider.
> > >>>
> > >>> I've tried reporting it my mobile provider (IDmobile), but their
> > >>> chatbot is pretty bad. Is there another route to report technical
> > >>> failures?
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> IMSMC IDMobile runs on 3 so why not call the 3 NOC.
> > >
> > > What's a NOC?
> > >
> > >> You should find
> > >> their number on any 3 streetcab.
> > >
> > > What do they look like?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > NOC = Network Operations Centre
> >
> > Wherever a cell site is erected there will be cabinets adjacent to it
> > and on at least one of said cabinets there will be a label saying who
> > the owner is and giving a contact phone number.
> >
> >
> If you see a cell tower that you are probably connected to, and it's in
> the middle of a farmer's field, do you have the right to go up to it to
> look for said cabinet?
>
> --
> Davey.

England No.
Scotland Yes.