New mobile phone mast nearby - how to find out for which provider(s)?

Fogmatic

That's it, really. (I'd just like to check it out before going ahead with buying a GSM repeater).

Glaceon

Check here, but if it’s new it may not be on there yet.

https://siteviewer.comreg.ie/

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122606642#Comment_122606642

We had 4 new masts installed in our area a few years ago, iirc it took between 6-9 months (possibly 12 months) for them to appear on Comreg's Siteviewer

The Cush

If the masts is above a certain height you could check your local planning authority website.

The planning application will say which network will be the primary operator and possibly secondary or third operator.

smuggler.ie

Check cellmapper - who knows, could be already on it

"Mast nearby" + GSM repeater ??? Is it that bad?

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058368616/new-mobile-phone-mast-nearby-how-to-find-out-for-which-provider-s

Which ever MNO is on the mast I think it'll be safe to assume 900 MHz GSM will be available as all three have spectrum in that band.

Also all mobile repeaters sold here are multi-operator models.

Fogmatic

Thank you all, and sorry I didn't get back sooner - I shouldn't fire off questions just before turning my phone off for the night!  And a busy time followed (including a palaver with blocked, then replacement, cards, due to not replying to a text from the bank that hadn't been able to get through to us)!

The mast isn't yet on the Comreg map, but then the design of that section of their website has forcibly struck me as not one of the brightest, and it's only a couple of weeks since the mast structure has looked complete.  And that was before reading The Cush's experience of that.  (I can't wait that long!).

The council's planning website seemed my next stop at this stage.  I don't know how long it takes for phone masts to go live (if that's the right term), but I presume that it's at least not transmitting a Three signal, or ours would have suddenly become excellent.  (I'd like us to stay with Three, for a number of reasons).  However, I couldn't find any planning applications for masts, or any applications further back than a few years ago.  (I'd guess that would be a remarkably fast process for a mast application?)

That bad, smuggler?  Well, if it's bad for an elderly couple (one with medical vulnerabilities) to have to go out in all weathers to get a mobile signal, then rush indoors to our wifi to find that the authentication text or whatever has timed out (or to lose all contact with the outside world when a storm causes an internet outage), then the answer's yes.  But it's not a question of nearby mast plus GSM repeater - either would do!

I know that the repeater I have in mind works for all the mobile providers; it's just that a signal directly from a mast would save an expense, despite self-installation being no problem. (I'm used to tech stuff, and it wouldn't even need a ladder, or anything outdoors - just a little spot I found at attic level with enough mobile signal from a fairly distant mast for a repeater to work with; the height above ground makes a lot of difference here).

I discovered this spot about 2 years ago, and confirmed it using the free version of the Network Cell info phone app (fairly similar to Cellmapper, I think).  I still have my printouts of the signal (and mast & local terrain maps) from back then.  Family matters etc have consumed too much time to get any further until recently.  I still have the app (but need to change the old Ulster Bank details).  Meanwhile, though I'd learned among other things that phone signal bars are a fairly arbitrary measure in themselves, mine still match what I got under the roof back then.

I'vevbeen assuming that neither app can find a mast without a signal from it?  (And it seems our few neighbours don't know who it's for).  So perhaps it's Three Help Forum time; they've had my problems looked into quite deeply when necessary.  (It just needed a little patience to start with, with not all the forum reps being technically trained).

JVince

Almost all masts here are owned by specialist mast infrastructure companies who lease them to mobile companies.

Many will have two networks on them.

So planning may not show the information you are looking for

smuggler.ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122613657#Comment_122613657

No punt intended, just all operator shout-out "99,99% coverage" - you must be unlucky 0.01%
High ground for signal most of time is truth - if not come across, try this tool - might help a bit.
Some 4G routers(perhaps some 5G too) have ability to connect DECT phone. I have Huawei B818 and can use(and do) call feature with it(Three). Previously used B593, B5186 - outdated models
If you can catch (at least 3G) signal in the attic - place router there, connect phone to it - internet(>or<, ?) and calling with wireless handset at the armchair for ~€20 PAYG

Note: router might need to be unlocked/generic firmware as ISP use to block calling feature on routers

JVince

To boost strength I use a poynting booster. I simply used gorilla glue to attach it to the eaves outside a bathroom window in the direction of the mast and the wire is threaded through a vent into an office room where the router is.

I get a consistent 20mb+. Up from 5-10mb without it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Poynting-Omni-Directional-Polarised-Outdoor-Antenna/dp/B08F4S4DMN

smuggler.ie

Cellmapper, might be different from other signal apps, have full-blown web page with map and approximate mast locations(with services on them). Accuracy will depend on data that was provided by app users over time

KildareP

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122613657#Comment_122613657

Search for the below applicant names:

• Cignal
• Emerald
• Phoenix
• Cellnex
• Vantage
• ESB

As chances are the tower is owned by one of those tower companies. Mobile networks have long gotten out of the tower market themselves.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122614163#Comment_122614163

Also in our area

• Shared Access Ltd
• On Tower Ireland Limited
• APW UK WIP Limited t/a Icon Tower

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122613657#Comment_122613657

Not all telecommunications mast require planning permission so a mast can pop up without consulting locals

This from Facebook

It could have been granted a Section 254 licence by the council which allows for monopole masts to be erected on public roads/paths - they don't have to consult or notify locals about these. Or if it's private land or an Eir exchange, and the mast is 12 metres high, it would have been erected under a Class 31 Exempted Development, which means no consultations or notifications with locals - not even the councils are consulted about most of the these.

babelfish1990

Have you considered using WiFi Calling? Most Smart-phones have had this feature for years now. This will route all calls and texts via WiFi, so you are no longer dependent on the local masts. Eir have offered WiFi Callibg since 2017, but Three recently introduced it. (Although not yet accredited on Three by Apple for iPhone). You wont need to waste money on a repeater.

Fogmatic

Again, thank you all for taking all this trouble!   Please excuse the lack of individual replies (perhaps easiier to read this way).

Thanks for the mast company names.  A couple rang a bell re vans we've seen in the area.  (I presume searching for them is re maps, rather than trying to contact them?)

It does look like one of those masts not needing planning permission (about 12m high, at most).  I haven't got round to having a close look (the lane surface has improved in recent years, but not the pedestrian-friendliness!).  My husband went up there whle driving yesterday, but couldn't spot any identification clues.

(I'll add my phone snap of it from our house, if I can).

I remember also looking into Cellmapper 2 years ago, and liking the way the info is collected, but going for Network Cell Info's free version (being at most an occasional user).   I've looked at Cellmapper again, and see that it offers a 5-day free trial before cancelling the sub.  But I might have to guess the best timing for that, if only one trial period is possible.  (Anyone know?)

I can't use either app until we get our replacement bank cards (possibly by the weekend).  Meanwhile I might as well start querying Three about.it.

Our router is an ISP-free Huawei B 593u-12 with Three PAYG SIM added (monthly topup €20).  Its provider detected the best easily reached position for it, at the bottom of the roof slope (just high enough to clear the masonry, getting a signal good enough for our needs.  From it I set up our WLAN, and ran a cable down to the living area for VOIP (using our existing cordless handsets), replacing the useless Eircom line for our home number.  (For a small monthly fee to Vomino, migrated to Voiptel about 2 years ago).

This is all the comms we're ever likely to need via the internet.  What I want now is to be able to communicate with the outside world during internet outages (especially those caused by storms).  And even if we buy the booster, it wouldn't help our mobiles to work outside the house.  (For anything urgent, I've sometimes had to drive to a town to get a signal).

The device I had in mind is a Stellahome-G GSM home/office repeater for €500 (new), with everything needed for self-installation (including a nice long run of coax cable that would be perfect for us).  It was the only compliant one I could find online for ROI addresses that didn't cost a lot more (for capabilities that were way over the top for our case, and probably including a professional survey and installation).  I'll check out the Poynting booster if we do need one - thanks. (Though it seems likely that I'd need to add some components).

Yes, being a little higher up makes a lot of difference round here.  (Rural west Donegal - we love the scenery (usually described as 'rugged'), but it can be a struggle for signals to get through).  Checking around the outside of our house with Network Cell Info found zero signal out front and along this bit of road, a faint one at most down the back garden, and a sharp increase when standing on top of our small shed.  And always best when holding the phone in the same direction as the attic level spot, so with no body blocking it, pointing to a fairly distant mast, and useless as usual when pointing to what Three considers to be "our" mast, in roughly the opposite direction.  (The app's terrain map suggests that a signal between our place and that same distant (but more powerful) mast happens to get between the worst of the geographical obstacles).

smuggler.ie

Internet failing due to storm will likely take down your booster same time - all interlinked to same masts, unless different providers , even then, its mostly power related.
I have good memories about 593s-22 (never had its bro 593u-12), but this is decade or more ago. Will put this link here, your call.
Still, it has SMA external antenna ports - can highly recommend Iskra external directional antenna(P59 work just perfect for 4G), @The Cush has some experience with it too .

Someone might call out for starlink as an option, AFAIK there is/was rental option.

Fogmatic

Snap of the mast from our house. (In a straight line, I'd say it would be 5 minutes' walk away).

https://flic.kr/p/2qgPCGd

Fogmatic

Sorry - I meant

https://flic.kr/p/2qgPCGd

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122623352#Comment_122623352

Antennas appear to be in place, so probably safe to assume it's live. If you're not getting an improved signal it's probably not your network.

smuggler.ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122623473#Comment_122623473

look like latest image NASA got from mars or venus :D

Fogmatic

Ah - thanks. (I didn't have a clue how long they take to go live).

Right. I'll carry on with asking Three if they have any intentions towards it, then. (Once I've managed to log in, that is - I think they're having a glitch, but maybe it'll be solved by the morning).

Do you think they'd be aware of this type of mast going up without someone telling them?

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122623665#Comment_122623665

I assume all MNOs would be aware of new masts being installed, especially when it comes to frequency planning for the mast.

It would also financially benefit the mast owners if they could add secondary network antenna but it might not be attractive for an MNO as lower mounted antenna will have reduced coverage.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122622566#Comment_122622566

On the mobile repeater, it is recommended by the manufacturer there should be at least a 2 bar signal outside before repeating a signal indoors.

Regarding the Stellahome-G GSM home/office repeater you mentioned, aka SD-RP-1002-G, it looks like that particular model has been discontinued.

Stelladoradus, a Waterford based manufacturer of mobile repeaters has launched a new range of repeaters but the single band 900 MHz GSM repeater is no longer manufactured now. Lowest priced GSM model is now the dual band (800/900 MHz) R2-C-XXX.

Fogmatic

Thank you for the info, Cush.

From the lay of the land, it feels to me that a lower position on the pole wouldn't make much difference (if the far and wide views from the ground there are anything to go by). Here's hoping, anyway! (I'll start a dialogue with Three as soon as I get a bit of time).

Yes - nothng's changed in the last 2 years; still at least 2 bars down the garden (away from signal being blocked by our house) and elevated a bit (like on the roof of our little shed), and also indoors just below the roof apex, a metre or so higher than the router. On the gable end, but signal gets inside inside via a vent just above the wooden ceiling (which is only tongue & groove.

The Stellahome-G was still available recently from the same local supplier that provided our existing router, but then their online shop closed due to illness (hopefully all ok again soon). Maybe that's why it didn't come up in your search. (They also focus on a small range of tried-and-trusted items, rather than always on the latest models like the bigger firms).

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122626435#Comment_122626435

I did come across an online shop that said it was closed due to illness, and was unable to browse the site.

They may have a stock of the older units, although they are expensive units to keep on a shelf, gathering dust.

I purchased my repeater via Novatel (linked above) but they ordered in as required.

Fogmatic

Back again!

Over the weekend, I walked up to the mast with the OpenSignal app. It has a pointer showing the direction the phone's sgnal is coming from at eavthe dialogue withThree's customer help people, sending them the first private message over the weekend. It was fairly detailed re location etc, including a couple of map screenshots from

KildareP

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122643925#Comment_122643925

Save yourself the heartache - you are completely wasting your time engaging customer service.

Your best bet - look up a recent planning application within your county, either under Three themselves (usually listed as Hutchison) or a third-party tower provider where Three provided a letter of support.

Look for the contact person who submitted the technical drawings or letter of support and contact them instead.

They'll know what you're talking about and will usually have good knowledge of the area and topology and can get any new site builds moving fairly quickly.

Customer care will have you replacing SIM cards, toggling airplane mode, and manually forcing the network selection on your phone.

Fogmatic

Sorry about yesterday's aborted post (sleeve hitting the Send button)!

Thanks, KildareP; that could be very useful to know.

But meanwhile, I posted a Three query on Saturday, and they're already engaging (bypassing the suggestions re phone settings etc - I have plenty of history with them there!).

It went straight to one of the senior reps inviting a private message.  Mine was fairly detailed, and included a couple of screenshots from OpenSignal's map (sans new mast so far, but with detail making it easy to describe where it is).  They're looking into it, and are hoping to have some news by the end of the week. (I replied mentioning my hope of finding the mast on somebody's map, and they said it would be great if I could send such a screenshot).

Two questions at this stage;

My Signal Cell Checker Lite keeps telling me 'Map updates are off'.  But I don't know whose map, or whose updates?  If it's something to do at my end, I haven't so far figured out how (unless it was by accessing the internet while walking to the mast on Saturday, which I have no way of doing).  Any ideas?  (I'd guess it's something in common with all these apps).

The other thing is; how many times can I access Cellmapper's 5-day free trial without subscribing?