Loughborough University

Loughborough

Phone Signal in Hazlerigg - Rutland & Robert Bakewell

I am coming to Loughborough in October this year and am looking at what accommodation to choose.

In both Hazlerigg - Rutland & Robert Bakewell, it says on thier information pages that 'Due to the eco design of this new build accommodation, there are problems with regards to mobile phone connection within the building.'

Does anyone know if this is a major problem that everyone gets in the halls, or is it just a few rooms etc that get it? Don't really want to be not be able to receive any texts while i'm my room.

Reply 1

thomasp

From what I've heard the only real place to get signal is on the top floor or by leaving your phone by the window. I believe it's because of the pre-cast concrete construction acting like a Faraday Cage around the buildings.

I've heard they might be installing femtocells in the near future to act as local boosters for mobiles.

Loughborough University

Loughborough

Reply 2

member159703

Cookie29

Yep it is a real problem in all honesty. Blackberry Bold and probably Bold 2 have in my experience been the only phones that can get signal in the corridor of the new build halls. Phones must be kept next to windows. Some networks (AFAIK Vodafone definitely??) do those plugin things that act as a sortof signal booster.

Reply 3

iainthegreat

Cookie29

I'm in Bakewell atm. I'm on Orange and I get signal fine if I leave my phone near the window. You get used to it don't worry. Not sure what the other halls are like, not that it'll matter because you should of course chose Bakewell :biggrin:

Edit: I'm on the 1st of 4 floors by the way

Reply 4

Cookie29

rorydaredking

Some networks (AFAIK Vodafone definitely??) do those plugin things that act as a sortof signal booster.

Ah okay, well im on vodafone so that might be an option.

These seem to be the best/newest rooms for self catering but the fact that i might not be able to get signal is kind of putting me off, hmm!

I emailed the wardens and they said noone really complains about it, its fine :s-smilie:

Reply 5

member159703

Cookie29

Nobody complains about it, its just annoying. You can get signal, but just have to leave your phone on the windowsill, or on the desk close to the window. Its definitely not a reason to not choose the new build halls

Reply 6

e-m-i-l-y

2nd floor and above in these buildings and the signal isn't too bad. 02 is by far the best for coverage.

Reply 7

member159703

e-m-i-l-y

2nd floor and above in these buildings and the signal isn't too bad. 02 is by far the best for coverage.

yep theyve got a mast next to the traffic lights that go to the college I think

Reply 8

LittleBill

rorydaredking

yep theyve got a mast next to the traffic lights that go to the college I think

All the major mobile phone companies have masts around there. Not that I've seen them, but the ofcom site finder says so.

Reply 9

Diminutive

In fairness, I get rubbish signal in Rutherford on T-mobile, so I don't think its limited to just new halls!

Reply 10

Lehane

I can hold a conversation up the stairs and into my flat in Bakewell (I'm top floor with Vodafone). I know others that only get signal on window sills. One tip is get a hands free device. Then you can leave your phone on the window sill with signal but sit where you want :wink:

Reply 11

Lukas7

Never had a problem around campus and in Various halls while on Orange.

Reply 12

ragman_wonder

Phone by window if you're on the first 2/3 floors. After that, fine.

Reply 13

Geerththanan

I am on Orange and T-Mobile, and in Robert Bakewell, I only get signal when near the windows in the kitchen.

Reply 14

dhutch

If you are on O" you can send/received texts (and calls I think?) via wifi using just your phone and a 02 app.

My phones on vodaphone, but my dad does the above at my parents house due to low signal, works well.

Daniel