Home Booster Signal Box turn off

[Melrox22]

I got a text from you last week informing me that you intend to switch off the Home Booster Signal box saying they are no longer needed. Well I’m sorry to say I need mine as without it I don’t get a signal, even with WiFi calling enabled on MY phone which goes through my broadband provider (not 3), I’m really stressing at this as I NEED my phone. Your customer service agents just didn’t understand what I was trying to say, and when the first one INSISTED that I turn off the booster box myself I’d still have the call to him. I didn’t, the signal disappeared and so did the call. If you switch it off, I will have to leave 3 (been with you for 7 years) and I’m in the middle of a sim only contract, which I refuse to pay to get out off. 

Help!

[mccaffm]

similar issues here - i live on the edge of a cell and signal was always flaky, I've now had to revert back to fingers crossed if i can make a call. ive tried wifi calling, and cant cope with poor quality and or delays so will start to look again. I've probably been with 3 since almost day one say a shame, but heyho as they say things change. 

just for irony - i did a live chat on the website, and the resolution to my "calling" issues was to "call" customer services, made me smile

[StephR]

Hi @mccaffm, thanks for joining us here at Three Community. I'm sorry your signal isn't as strong as we'd like, and that the discontinuation of our Home Signal Box has caused you such concern.

It's also really disappointing that your webchat didn't prove to be very helpful. I've sent you a PM with some more details, so we can take a closer look at what's happening in your area and what we can do to help you. 

StephR

[henrynash]

This switch off is a real problem for me too. No (or minimal) mobile signal where I live (mast is the other side of the hill). Home Booster has been a lifeline. WiFi calling can be made to work - but phones are not that good at auto-switching to it, often having to manually switch. As a long time three customer, this decision will defiantly make me look elsewhere for a better carrier.

[allmiles]

Hello.

Home Signal is a great product and solves several genuine problems that WiFi calling can't. Universal coverage would be the long term alternative (but by then we'll all be very old). If 3G is retiring then it's time for Three to deploy a 4G version of Home Signal. Yes, you'd have to invest but that's business - deliver the value and enjoy the extra revenue. Deliver less value and be ready for less revenue...

[PeteG]

Hi, Melrox. 

Welcome to the Three Community. 

It's quite rare that we see these home signal boxes pop up as a concern for our customers, there's not a whole lot of them left out there anymore. I can understand the concern you're facing though. Sadly, as technology moves on, we must move along with it. The main reason the home signal boxes won't be supported any more is because the underlying 3G technology that powers it will also be going away. We'll be a 4G and 5G network at that time, and the frequencies we used on 3G will be used to support that network instead.  

You've mentioned that WiFi calling doesn't help you. WiFi calling doesn't work properly when a home signal box is in use. Have you tried turning the booster off and restarting the phone to see if it will connect to the WiFi calling system afterwards? 

Pete.

[Melrox22]

Hi Pete, my phone is 4G enabled (set to 3G at the moment) regardless even for 4G I still need a signal for my phone to work. My phone is already connected to my WiFi for calling (Talk Talk) I don’t don’t have WiFi with Three. 

[Ladyinred]

Sarah,  I too  have  signal problems,  they say it's not the network . Well my calls get cut off all the time and always hospital  calls go to voicemail,  all I get is one bar then goes up to two just up and down all the time  I know how frustrating it is .

[JonathanB]

Hi Ladyinred,

Sorry to hear that you've been having issues with your calls disconnecting, especially from the hospital. Have you checked our coverage and network status checkers here? This will help determine if there is an overall coverage limitation, or any faults in your area.

Although we are no longer supplying the home signal boxes, if you have WiFi at home, it's also worth checking if your phone supports WiFi calling. When this is switched on in the settings, your phone swaps to the WiFi signal when you don't have a good signal for calling.

Let me know if any of this helps.

JonathanB

[Clever-Trevor]

Anyone know how we should dispose of the router? ( as I dont want to dispose myself & then receive a ‘charge’ later if not properly returned )