Is it possible for roadworks to affect the 3g signal of my mobile broadband?

Question by Lynzeigh: Is it possible for roadworks to affect the 3g signal of my mobile broadband?
Since roadworks started outside my house I have had no 3g signal at all.

Can roadworks really cause this problem? Thanks.

Best answer:

Answer by MARK
Possibly, depending on location.

In an urban environment, the base station is more likely to connected to the signalling network via underground cables, as far as the nearest BT exchange*, and from there, over BT‘s backhaul network to an exchange belonging to your network operator.

It’s always possible (and frequently occurs) that people with JCB diggers etc. frequently cut through gas/water/sewage pipes, electrical cables, and fibre optic cables.

They could have hit the power and/or fibre optic cable that provides power/signalling to the base station.

In the countryside, it’s more likely that a microwave transceiver is fitted atop the mast, which transmits the voice and signalling information to the network (but that too could still be hit by a power cut).

It’s possible that it could be a fault or maintenance/upgrade taking place on the cell site coincides with the roadworks.

Your network operator should (if the query gets to someone with the correct tools) be able to determine whether or not the cells in your area which provide 3G coverage are down, if you provide the postcode.

Vodafone for example, does give susbscribers online access to a coverage map which shows upgrades &etc., but it’s not by any stretch of the imagination “real time” – it says updated monthly:

http://online.vodafone.co.uk/mobile_services/mobile_network_coverage/Network_upgrade_map

I haven’t checked other networks’ web sites, so you may want to see if they have something similar.

Alternatively, try calling your network/service provider, explain the problem, and give them the postcode.

Don’t be fobbed off with “I don’t have access to that information”. Ask them to refer the query to someone in 2nd or 3rd line support.

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