Useful Service (Back to Job List)

Understanding the factors behind O2's signal challenges

The modern world requires constant communication. Whether you want to speak with your loved ones or get information on a document from work, having a good network is crucial. It is not only about having a good signal, but getting something that is reliable so that you don't experience sudden drops when placing calls.

The UK has various network providers with O2 being among the top 3. While the company boasts of providing good coverage, there are some instances where users may experience a bad network. If you have used this provider, you may be wondering sometimes, Why is O2 signal so bad? There are a wide range of reasons why this may occur according to UCtel. Let’s look at some of the factors that may cause you to have an interrupted signal. Most of these issues are as a result of external factors.

Building materials

So structural features can sometimes obstruct signals. If you live in a city and experience a bad connection from one of the best network in the UK, consider the building itself as the cause. The type of materials used to construct homes and offices may interfere with signal transmission.

Examples of these materials include:

• Concrete
• Insulation
• Metal

Signal quality: barriers to signal strength

These all form the walls of buildings. As a signal is passing through each of these materials it gradually becomes weak until you can't place calls. If you want to test this, simply move closer to a window or balcony. You will notice that the network bars improve immediately.

Some buildings have a special mesh system known as faraday cage. This provides protection from external electricity sources. Unfortunately it also prevents signals from going through a building.

Network congestion

Another factor that affects the speed of the internet or quality of calls is the number of people using it. Think of rush hour on the road. The same thing happens for networks. If you have too many people in a vicinity connected to the internet, it may become slower. So this is a key reason why the O2 signal is terrible in some areas.

Once the number of people reduces, you are likely to get an improvement. Cell towers are designed to only manage a limited number of calls, once this is exceeded you start facing challenges. That is why cities tend to have more towers as they are more densely populated.

When a tower is bombarded with too many signals, they will be transferred to other locations. These tend to be far and explain why you experience dropped calls. Sometimes signals may bounce off buildings leaving users with poor coverage. Interactions between two different signals weaken them. This results in poor quality of calls.

Cell tower location

This is the major cause of dropped signals. As a signal travels from your phone to a cellular tower it becomes weaker. So if the tower is very far from where you live, the network will be bad most of the time. This is a huge challenge for those living in rural areas.

The distance isn't the only factor here. As the signal moves, it encounters many natural barriers such as trees and hills. Those living in an area with a lot of mountains or forests tend to struggle with placing calls. This is not a problem you can control. There are trackers you can use online that show the nearest cellular tower in your area.

While O2 has increased the number of cellular towers in the rural areas in an effort to maximize coverage extension, it is not enough. The O2 company actually constructs an independent off-grid 5G tower in Europe to cope with signal issues. Additionally, it may take years before some areas have enough towers. A booster that can amplify weak signals may be the only solution.

Low battery

Sometimes the problem can be as simple as a low battery. In order to properly send and receive signals, a battery should be charged. A lot of energy is consumed during signal transmission.

So if the battery is low, the signal will be transmitted slowly. Ensure that your phone is charged. If the network is still bad despite this, consider other causes. You might also need to check for network outages or move to a location with better reception.

Damaged antennas and routers

If the quality of calls becomes bad, the first thing you should check is your devices. Make sure to review the following items:

• Mobile phone
• Routers
• Antennas

Routers and antennas can become faulty over time. When this happens, you will start having connection issues. So ensure that these are checked. For routers, you may try to refresh the system. If this fails, the only solution is buying a replacement.

The benefits of upgrading solutions

Those with older models should consider upgrading to the newer ones as they offer faster networks. Make sure to replace the correct antenna. Using the wrong type will lead to the same results.

Don't forget to check your mobile phone. Some older models may not support the internet speed that you need. You can either update the phone or get a newer model. For instance, if you own a 3G phone, it can't be supported by both 4G and 5G. With O2 slowly phasing out 3G, retaining the same phone may leave you with no connection completely.

Bad weather

Another cause of why O2 signals are weak is certain weather conditions. When it is clear and sunny, the signal works well. Stormy weather conditions interrupt signal transmission.

Unfortunately, there is not much you can do about the weather. In such cases, the best solution is a signal booster. It helps you continue placing calls regardless of the weather conditions.

Final thoughts

O2 has proven to be reliable over the years. Despite this, you may still face some challenges. Most of these are due to your location, natural structures and bad weather. All these can interfere with signal transmission from your mobile device to the nearest cell tower and vice versa.

Looking at this list should help you understand why O2 signals are so bad. The challenge with most of these issues is that you can not simply get rid of them. The best solution is to find an O2 signal booster that will amplify all incoming networks and help you get a reliable network. The best part is it is really easy to install. Consulting the professionals can help you pick the right one.

Be the First to Apply for Jobs Like This

Browse All Jobs

Browse More Jobs from the "Useful things to know..." Category

Newsletter
To sign up up for GlosJobs weekly newsletter, please click here.