Mobile Outage - Maungakaramea

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Mobile Outage - Maungakaramea - ETA?

aaristotle

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#289122 13-Aug-2021 16:07

After losing cellphone reception yesterday I discovered the cell tower I connect to is suffering an Outage according to the Spark Status page.

There is no indication of an ETA for a fix, with other faults that were on the status page today being fixed within 6 hours, but a Karamea mobile fault is now into its 7th day.

As I use mobile data while working in our orchard I will need to make an hour round trip to purchase a temporary Vodafone or 2 Degrees SIM to use in the meantime.

Are there any other sources of info with a possible ETA for repair, or someone from Spark with some inside info on whether the outage is likely to be hours or days?

quickymart

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#2759759 13-Aug-2021 17:38

Karamea or Maungakaramea? They're in two totally different locations.

aaristotle

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#2759818 13-Aug-2021 20:54

I'm about 9km from the Maungakaramea tower.

Linux

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#2759821 13-Aug-2021 21:05

If a RCG site then no carriers will get service

aaristotle

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#2759958 14-Aug-2021 11:41

Looking at gis.geek.nz it looks like Spark, Vodafone and 2 Degrees each have their own licences & transmitters in the same location. My wifes phone is with 2 Degrees and is still getting mobile service.

aaristotle

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#2763410 20-Aug-2021 08:07

Still without cellular service after 8 days. I have contacted Spark through various channels ie Chat, faults, accounts (for a credit for no service) but no one can provide any information on what the fault is, and any ETA for repair.

I know of neighbours who use rural broadband and the 4G for their home phone who also have their mobiles with Spark so have no connectivity. Fortunately I still have copper to the house (ADSL) so have internet and the wife is with 2 Degrees.

I can't believe that a cell tower that services a large rural area of Northland can be out of service for such a long time, especially when there hasn't been any significant weather events or other natural disasters, and the the other service providers at the same site are functioning normally. It is even more critical now we are in level 4 lock down and don't have the option of changing provider.

Linux

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#2763469 20-Aug-2021 09:21

The lock down is going to push it out longer, If you need a 2degrees SIM let me know @aaristotle as I will be near your location late this afternoon and can drop one off to you

Mighty Ape

Shop now at Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

aaristotle

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#2763557 20-Aug-2021 10:49

Thanks for the offer but I'll get by with using the wife's phone. Just wanted somewhere to vent, as we are trying to operate an orchard and having to co-ordinate transport, wholesale marketers and lockdown, then make sure anyone trying to contact me uses my wife's phone number.

Linux

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#2763599 20-Aug-2021 11:25

@aaristotle Don't forget about data clock free 1 hour per day

cbrpilot

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#2763691 20-Aug-2021 13:07

Hi everyone, I'm not a mobile engineer and not really across this, but I have reached out and can provide the following update: "attempts to repair the site have not been successful and we are now awaiting parts to be delivered to the site and installed on the tower".

So this is being actively worked on and we cannot provide an estimated time of restoration at this point unfortunately.

My views are my own, and may not necessarily represent those of my employer.

aaristotle

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#2765196 23-Aug-2021 08:20

Just finishing off this topic, the cell site came back online last night, after being down for 11 days.