Virtually no mobile signal - Anyone with experience of an install in this position?

  • TimB's Avatar
    Level 1
    I am new to Eon. I am being asked as I have by previous supplier to sign up for a smart meter. My property has virtually no mobile signal And I have to rely on wifi calling.
    i am nervous if I ask for an smart install I will be left with a meter with sporadic coms and inevitable issues. Has anyone experience of this scenario that has perhaps been cured by the additional aerials or the mesh coms solution?

    TimB
  • 5 Replies

  • Andy65's Avatar
    Level 49
    Hi @TimB

    I have to rely on wifi calling inside my house and just outside, my meters and comms hub are in the garage but they have worked without issues for the last 3 years. I didn't need additional aerials either.

    I don't know what network they use, it may be they use any available network as 999 calls do, so it could be that any network signal may suffice.

    It may be worth trying, if they suspect that you may be in an area devoid of any signal I doubt that they'd start an install. Do any neighbours have smart meters?
  • TimB's Avatar
    Level 1
    @Andy65
    not yet checked with neighbours but I know the mobile signal rapidly picks up (100m or so ) so I suspect they would be ok. Offcom coverage has me right on the edge of coverage. If I could be confident it would be left in dumb mode then I would be happy as the only reason I am thinking of giving in is because my dual rate meter will lose the timing signal and even though I am only on a single rate tariff I do not want to be left in limbo land.
  • Andy65's Avatar
    Level 49
    @TimB

    In my experience coverage checkers are always on the optimistic side, you'll only know for certain by asking for smart meters. Or you could avoid as long as you can but then you're usually only able to get the standard variable tariffs.
  • meldrewreborn's Avatar
    Level 92
    @TimB. I pressed on this issue some weeks ago - the consensus was that dumb mode options exist. A smart meter with dual rate capability and inbuilt timing would maintain the correct time for an extended period. The only way is to ask for the smart meter, pointing out the difficulties. You don’t really have much choice!
    Current Eon Next customer, ex EDF, Zog and Symbio. Don't think dual fuel saves money and don't like smart meters. Chronologically Gifted. If I offend let me know by private message, but I’ll continue to express my opinions nonetheless.
  • geoffers's Avatar
    Level 40
    I am new to Eon. I am being asked as I have by previous supplier to sign up for a smart meter. My property has virtually no mobile signal And I have to rely on wifi calling.
    i am nervous if I ask for an smart install I will be left with a meter with sporadic coms and inevitable issues. Has anyone experience of this scenario that has perhaps been cured by the additional aerials or the mesh coms solution?

    TimB
    A friend lives in rural Wiltshire with a pretty poor mobile signal: when EOn upgraded his meters they added an "SKU2 Cellular + mesh" Comms-hub and aerial so he's connected via mesh in the village.

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    Obviously this must rely on other mesh connected meter/Comms-hubs in the vicinity, with the one with the strongest signal then connecting to the WAN/DCC

    Worth emphasising this option to EOn to see if there's a possibility with other mesh enabled meter/Comms-hubs near you 👍
    Last edited by geoffers; 2 Hours Ago at 04:29.