ID Mobile's signal coverage is just terrible, & getting worse.

  • 18 August 2023
  • 29 replies
  • 7099 views
A
Rank
Userlevel 2

Since switching to ID Mobile the signal coverage on my phone is just terrible, & it’s getting worse.

It doesn't matter where I am in the country ( inside or outside ), the signal on my phone is so weak, & if I am inside I can pretty much guarantee that the signal on my phone will be so weak that I won’t be able to use the internet, & sometimes it will be so weak that I won’t even be able to make calls, & this from a mobile network provider that claims to use the 3 network, & claims that their network covers 99% of the UK.

The only way I can get a slightly better signal with ID Mobile is when I turn my phone to 3G only ( manual not auto ), but again, not without the problems mentioned above, but even if I do this my signal can still be full one minute & dead the next, even when I haven't even moved anywhere.

Also, it seems that I’m not the only one with signal coverage issues when it comes to the ID Mobile network as masses of ID Mobile users are complaining about this issue, not only on this forum, but all over the web.

Also, mine & my girlfriends phones are identical as I bought them together, however, my girlfriends phone uses a different mobile network & she has excellent coverage everywhere, so you can’t tell me this is not down to ID Mobile’s signal coverage.

I'm now thinking of switching to my girlfriends mobile phone provider, as what’s the point of having a  phone if you can’t use it 50% of the time because bad signal coverage.

It’s great that ID Mobile is a cheep costing mobile network provider, but I suppose you get what you pay for, & I’d rather pay more & have a phone I can use, especially when I have serious health issues so might need to use my phone in an emergency. ☹️

 

 

29 replies

andewhite
Rank
Userlevel 8
Badge +9

That was the same excuse I was given last time I complained and thing are no better. Can you tell me when the usage is going to lessen so I can use the internet? I’m permanently having trouble hence the second SIM from Vodafone, which uses the same mast. I cannot make calls sometimes on the ID SIM, the coverage is that bad. Is it possible to cancel my contract without penalties because of the poor service?

Your Vodafone SIM would not be using the same network cell as your iD SIM, @Joolz. 

Unfortunately @Joolz, your iD contract has numerous caveats about the availability and performance of their network services. These basically say that iD don’t guarantee everything works perfectly, all the time, whatever your location.

Sounds like Vodafone is best option for you in the locations you’re using your phone most.

J
Rank

That was the same excuse I was given last time I complained and thing are no better. Can you tell me when the usage is going to lessen so I can use the internet? I’m permanently having trouble hence the second SIM from Vodafone, which uses the same mast. I cannot make calls sometimes on the ID SIM, the coverage is that bad. Is it possible to cancel my contract without penalties because of the poor service?

Kash
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +7

Hi @Joolz,

I can see that from our network status checker there is, at times, heavy usage in this local area. As a result, you may experience varying data speeds depending on how many customers are connecting to our network via your closest mast. We’re always working to improve our network and aim to provide the best experience possible.

Do you see coverage improve at different times of the day or is it always the same?

 

Kash

I hope I was able to help you with your question. If my answer resolved your issue, then please mark my answer as ‘Most Helpful’ using the button below the message with the answer.
J
Rank

Still having problems with with poor signal. I’m using my second SIM which is Vodafone because my ID SIM will not connect to internet. This has been going on far too long. See attached signal levels. Is it possible to be released from my contract with zero penalties as the product is unfit for purpose? Post code area is DE13 8DZ. I’ve been for a 1 mile walk towards the mast this morning and the best signal I got from ID SIM was 102db. Any further theories other than crap coverage?

 

 

Tom
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +4

Hi @Joolz 

 

As mentioned in a response to another post you've made, taking a look the area of DE13 8DZ has some generally patchy spots which could affect signal, as well as being subject to congestion, which Three UK are aware of, apologies for any inconvenience this causes.

 

Tom

I hope I was able to help you with your question. If my answer resolved your issue, then please mark my answer as ‘Most Helpful’ using the button below the message with the answer.
J
Rank

Had problems with fraud. Now I have my number back the coverage is useless, I cannot even make outgoing calls sometimes. It’s very hit and miss. I’ve tried all the suggested fixes to no avail. I have a second sim from Vodafone and that works perfectly both connecting to the same mast. Has anyone got any suggestions on what to do?

Kash
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +7

Hi @Jeff Rouse,

Welcome to the Community!

We are sorry to hear about the issues that you have been experiencing.

Coverage can vary per area and there are many factors that can impact this. It’s possible that 3UK is not as strong in your local area which could be why the coverage is affected.If it’s occurring everywhere you go, the issue points more likely to a handset or SIM fault.

Have you checked to see if there is any maintenance or unplanned outage in your local area as this could be causing an impact with the levels of coverage: https://www.idmobile.co.uk/help-and-advice/coverage

If a new SIM has been tested and the SIM in another handset we can investigate further via PM.

 

Kash

I hope I was able to help you with your question. If my answer resolved your issue, then please mark my answer as ‘Most Helpful’ using the button below the message with the answer.
Jeff Rouse
Rank

If you live around Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, London, Bristol and South Wales don't use ID.

 

The service is utterly rubbish, not had a data connection between the above that's reliable for months.

I think ID mobiles staff need to stop negging customers comments. 

The stuff about arials and bands in this chat is pure distraction techniques.

 

For clarity ID can you confirm which of quad bands you support and which handsets can't be used on your network.

Can you also clarify the pints around arials? It's spurious at best, do you your support guys know how smartphone uses bandwiths? How the arial works, they certainly aren't configured as omni direction as implied by IDs staff above.

 

ID spend more time stalking boards than fixing problems because they can't. They just buy bandwidth, no control over their network, services.

Do have control of customer services but appear to want to fight and blame anyone but the service provision that have bought and resell.

L
Rank

Also here in Leysdown. Isle of Sheppey ID signal is very very weak, will be changing soon

A
Rank
Userlevel 2

Just to update you on this issue, l have now switched to another provider that uses the Vodafone network & l have yet to go to a place where l haven't been able to get a signal. I've even just come back from cinema where l was still able to get a signal in the auditorium.

So I've now confirmed that the problems that I was having with iD mobile was down to their terrible signal coverage, & was nothing to do with my phone. So it seems that that old saying is true, you get what you pay for.

andewhite
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Userlevel 8
Badge +9

Indeed, so many great places in the UK for a holiday. 
If sleeper trains became more popular, could they be an alternative to flying to Europe?

 

A
Rank
Userlevel 2

I'm not interested in roaming as l don't like flying, so l holiday in the UK.

andewhite
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Userlevel 8
Badge +9

Okay thanks @andywills8844 - hope you can tell the forum how things go with a talkmobile SIM in your handset.

A shame talkmobile no longer have inclusive roaming in EU destinations with their SIM only plans.

 

A
Rank
Userlevel 2

As I've already mentioned above, I've already joined a new operator but I'm still waiting for my new Sim card to arrive but it should be arriving today ( if its not here already as l haven't had a chance to check my post yet as I'm round my girlfriend's house ).

As for Asda mobile, well their Sim only deals are terrible as they only give you 5GB of data for £7, where as the new operator that l have joined give you 30GB for £7:95, which is ideal for me as l used more than 5GB of data a month, but rarely more than £10GB.

andewhite
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Userlevel 8
Badge +9

Okay @andywills8844, ASDA mobile use Vodafone network, with added bonus of a telephone support helpline - you can talk to customer service staff if necessary.

 

A
Rank
Userlevel 2

My girlfriend is not with Vodafone, she's just with an operator that uses the Vodafone network, & I've also just applied to a operator that uses the Vodafone network, but not the same operator.

andewhite
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Userlevel 8
Badge +9

You should read the previous texts as ive already mentioned l was doing this but at the moment I'm still waiting on my new Sim to arrive, but I'll get back to your with the outcome once I've had a chance to test my new Sim & network out.

Okay @andywills8844, good luck with service provider you’ve found that uses the Vodafone network, instead of using a Vodafone SIM card. 
🤞

A
Rank
Userlevel 2

You should read the previous texts as ive already mentioned l was doing this but at the moment I'm still waiting on my new Sim to arrive, but I'll get back to your with the outcome once I've had a chance to test my new Sim & network out.

andewhite
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Userlevel 8
Badge +9

Like l mentioned above, the signal is pretty in general ( mostly 2 bars or none at all ), where ever l am, but l do on the odd occasion get 3 or 4 bars, but it's rare, but it's unlikely to be my phone ariel because if that was the case l would never get 4 bars.

Why not consider switching to Vodafone @andywills8844? 

You did say your girlfriend has exactly the same handset as yours, but the Vodafone SIM card in her phone works great everywhere. 

A
Rank
Userlevel 2

Like l mentioned above, the signal is pretty in general ( mostly 2 bars or none at all ), where ever l am, but l do on the odd occasion get 3 or 4 bars, but it's rare, but it's unlikely to be my phone ariel because if that was the case l would never get 4 bars.

Kash
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +7

@andywills8844,

I can see that we are carrying out some work on the mast near the O2 Arena which is why you are having the issue there.

Whilst on a train coverage may fluctuate as you will keep passing through areas with different coverage levels.

How’s your coverage at your home address?

 

Kash

I hope I was able to help you with your question. If my answer resolved your issue, then please mark my answer as ‘Most Helpful’ using the button below the message with the answer.
A
Rank
Userlevel 2

The signal is poor & unreliable most everywhere, especially in buildings.

2 examples, l get no signal in the o2 arena or on trains, while my girlfriend who's got the same phone working on the Vodafone network, has no such problems. 

Tom
Rank
Userlevel 7
Badge +4

Hi @andywills8844 

 

Could you let us know the full postcode of the area(s) you’ve had issues in?

 

We rely on Three UK for our coverage therefore signal would be exactly what they have, however if your girlfriend is on another network this would likely be completely different to our signal coverage.

 

Tom

I hope I was able to help you with your question. If my answer resolved your issue, then please mark my answer as ‘Most Helpful’ using the button below the message with the answer.
A
Rank
Userlevel 2

Thanks mate.

andewhite
Rank
Userlevel 8
Badge +9

Okay thanks @andywills8844. 
Hope your handset works great on the Vodafone network. 
🤞

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