Coverage Complaint (just venting and I'll be finding a new provider)

[LaterGator]

There's no discussion to be had here, so I am not looking to chat with a representative. I'll just leave this here and then I will be looking for a new cell provider.

I received notification that I was accessing the Fido Extended Coverage zone too much, so I called in to customer service about it as the text requested. The rep explained to me that the Fido EXT is not meant to be accessed regularly, just when you're out and about and sometimes you end up outside of the regular coverage zone.

The thing is, I work in a city in Northern Ontario, the same one I live in. I am just sitting at my desk in my office within the city. The Fido EXT is all my phone will connect to. I explained this to the rep, who just repeated the policy. So, I received notification on my phone yesterday that my access to Fido EXT is going to be suspended for a few months because I access it too much.

Today my phone is showing me Emergency Calls Only without access to Fido EXT. It's not my fault the network coverage sucks. So, I'm going to be finding a new provider today because it's completely unacceptable that I should be here in the city  (I'm not out in the wild or anything. I am very much in town) with no network coverage. If you can't provide coverage in a city, maybe don't offer your services in the area.

[Cawtau]

Hello Latergator,

  Welcome to the community!

  Sorry to hear of your cellular reception issues and your situation. However, the nature of cellular service is that it is dependent on being able to receive adequate signal from the cellular towers. Adequate signal would depend, in part, on your location relative to the cellular towers. You can get an idea of your area cellular towers here. In addition to your proximity to the cellular towers, there are also many factors can affect cellular reception (see here and here). That's why no mobile provider can guarantee service. There are just too many factors beyond their control.

  Unfortunately, if your circumstances don't allow for adequate cellular signal at your location, there isn't much that can be done. It's a common misunderstanding that any mobile provider will suit everyone everywhere. That simply isn't the case. While Fido/Rogers might not be suitable for you given your situation, that does not mean the entire network is pathetic. It may very well be the best option for others. If you spend a good portion of time outside of a mobile provider's coverage, perhaps that mobile provider isn't the right one for you.

Cheers