How to improve my Spark mobile call reception? (They can't hear me)

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › How to improve my Spark mobile call reception? (They can't hear me)

BadCam

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#253137 28-Jul-2019 15:29

I'm just shifting rural and although I'm not too far out of Whangarei my signal strength is terrible.

I'm with Farmside as no one else wanted to connect me. Strange as that may be. It's adequate and I can watch netflix no probs. I have a Huawai 5G modem and no external aerial. I just got the modem because I had no place to permanently fix an aerial. That's sorted now.

What's most important for me is to be able to receive and make phone calls. I can send and receive text messages.

Ideas please?

And can anyone recommend a Wifi booster as well. Perhaps an aliexpress link? Can that be done? I wouldn't know what I was looking for for this kind of thing.

Thanks.

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#2284846 28-Jul-2019 15:33

@BadCam When you ask about the Wi-Fi booster why do you need one? Do you think this is going to help with the cell phone reception?

freitasm

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#2284848 28-Jul-2019 15:38

WiFi extenders will make your WiFi slower. You might want to look at a managed AP solution.

@sbiddle can recommend.

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#2284853 28-Jul-2019 15:45

2degrees has Wifi calling if you are happy jumping networks

sbiddle

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#2284854 28-Jul-2019 15:51

There is no WiFi "booster" that I could recommend - in most cases WiFi boosters don't make things better because most people don't understand why they're such a flawed product.

In terms of no mobile coverage if Spark doesn't cover your location your best (and only real option) is to move networks if one of the other networks covers the location. If you're not willing to move from Spark a Cell-fi unit will probably solve the issue for $1500

BadCam

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Master Geek

#2284860 28-Jul-2019 16:17

freitasm: WiFi extenders will make your WiFi slower. You might want to look at a managed AP solution.

@sbiddle can recommend.

Hi. No. So I can get better Wifi from wherever I am on the property.

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sbiddle

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#2284861 28-Jul-2019 16:18

BadCam:

freitasm: WiFi extenders will make your WiFi slower. You might want to look at a managed AP solution.

@sbiddle can recommend.

Hi. No. So I can get better Wifi from wherever I am on the property.

How big is your property?

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BadCam

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Master Geek

#2284863 28-Jul-2019 16:20

Oops. Wrong quote.

Hi Sbiddle. 20 acres. In a valley.

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#2284864 28-Jul-2019 16:21

The title of this thread mentions Spark mobile reception (They can't hear me)

Sorry I am a bit confused now

What is the 2degrees and VodafoneNZ coverage like in the area?

BadCam

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Master Geek

#2284867 28-Jul-2019 16:28

Linux:

The title of this thread mentions Spark mobile reception (They can't hear me)

Sorry I am a bit confused now

What is the 2degrees and VodafoneNZ coverage like in the area?

I can receive calls and can hear the other person. They can't hear me. I have an 0800 number with spark. I haven't looked to see if 2degrees has 0800 options.

Vodafone wouldn't connect me to the mobile Internet as they only got 1 bar of reception. 2degrees does work slightly better from using a friends phone. I thought they shared the same network as spark?

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sbiddle

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#2284880 28-Jul-2019 16:32

BadCam:

Oops. Wrong quote.

Hi Sbiddle. 20 acres. In a valley.

What's your budget? $10000

That's a ballpark figure to cover that sort of size property with WiFi assuming it's all line of sight or high points that can be used for a couple of transmitters.

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#2284881 28-Jul-2019 16:37

BadCam:

Linux:

The title of this thread mentions Spark mobile reception (They can't hear me)

Sorry I am a bit confused now

What is the 2degrees and VodafoneNZ coverage like in the area?

I can receive calls and can hear the other person. They can't hear me. I have an 0800 number with spark. I haven't looked to see if 2degrees has 0800 options.

Vodafone wouldn't connect me to the mobile Internet as they only got 1 bar of reception. 2degrees does work slightly better from using a friends phone. I thought they shared the same network as spark?

Your whole post is now becoming rather confusing

Spark, 2degrees and Vodafone all have their own networks.

Are you issues using a phone over the mobile network or over your broadband connection?

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#2284889 28-Jul-2019 17:23

2degrees customers only roam onto the VodafoneNZ network in very few locations now as 2degrees have built their own mobile network out over the last 10+ years

Check out 2degrees Wi-Fi calling it's a fantastic service and works very well

https://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/help-and-support/mobile/products-and-services/wifi-calling/

I am sure 2degrees can handle 0800 and 0508 numbers as well

Linux

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#2284890 28-Jul-2019 17:27

@sbiddle I am also confused what they actually want to sort out

BadCam

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Master Geek

#2285025 29-Jul-2019 07:41

Linux:

2degrees customers only roam onto the VodafoneNZ network in very few locations now as 2degrees have built their own mobile network out over the last 10+ years

Check out 2degrees Wi-Fi calling it's a fantastic service and works very well

https://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/help-and-support/mobile/products-and-services/wifi-calling/

I am sure 2degrees can handle 0800 and 0508 numbers as well

I'm talking about making and receiving phone calls. Not broadband.

Life doesn't always need to be explained.

freitasm

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#2285027 29-Jul-2019 07:49

Ok. The first post talks about both calls and broadband (WiFi coverage).

Linux suggestion of using 2degrees is because depending on which phone model you have it is possible to make voice calls while connected to WiFi, thus improving mobile voice coverage.

The other bit of the question is about WiFi area and it is known that cheap extendeders cause more problems than a thought out solution. Also costs make really hard to cover a large area. You should concentrate on where you spend most of the time.

You actually asked two questions in the OP so that makes it confusing.

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