Villa Park Mobile Coverage

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

It’s generally been pretty good for me in most parts of the ground on EE. Even managed to stream one of the euro games from outside The Trinity last season, which had already kicked off, as I was waiting patiently in the mahoosive queue to get in.

[pauliewalnuts]

I'm with 3 and generally fine during the match, but useless at half time. Vodafone was just as bad. Generally though in Birmingham I have found 3 to be much better on 5g than Vodafone was and better than my O2 work phone is. I guess it's where you go etc. VP needs a half decent WiFi set up. Pathetic that it hasn't sorted it yet.

It isn't pathetic, though - who would set it up, for starters? And why?

They're (the club) not going to set up free wifi for everyone because there's just no return in it for them, and it'd be expensive. Then there's the fact that even if they did, they're going to need major infrastructure support from the internet provider they opted to use, because the existing consumer set-up isn't going to cut it.

The mobile networks are saturated because there are 40,000 in a tiny physical area trying to use their networks where for the other 1-year-minus-2x19-hours there are a few hundred at absolute most, and there's no real business case for them to massively increase the infrastructure, either.

[pauliewalnuts]

I just (as in yesterday) binned 3 for an EE SIM only deal, and noticed this from their product description.

Our fastest speed and incredible extras. Enjoy ultra HD video and 4K gaming. Gift data to family, get unlimited watch data and a VIP connection when the network is busy. No-charge roaming in the EU and beyond. Choose an extra like Netflix, TNT Sports, an Xbox pass or Google One AI Premium. Uncapped speed.

I'd imagine some of us are on that VIP channel without being aware of it which probably explains the differing experiences we have.

[Somniloquism]

It isn't pathetic, though - who would set it up, for starters? And why?

They're (the club) not going to set up free wifi for everyone because there's just no return in it for them, and it'd be expensive. Then there's the fact that even if they did, they're going to need major infrastructure support from the internet provider they opted to use, because the existing consumer set-up isn't going to cut it.

The two stadiums who have boasted about their new super duper wifi,(marketing only, I haven't found any confirmation about how good it actually is from fans) are Spurs and Pool. They have partnered with HP Aruba and some other company respectively. Both have publicised how they could track fans, footfall and to upsell stuff based on location in the stadium (I'm assuming an app or the Wifi Portal). So their might be a return for them but people probably won't like it when forced to use something like that at VP.

But both those clubs have ground/stands  that have been built fairly recently so probably alot easier to plan out the mesh systems etc.

But I'm still not convinced on how good the connections actually are when 60K are there. 

[Duncan Shaw]

I was at the London Stadium for Foo Fighters, free wifi, 80000 people and I managed to stream the England-Denmark game live up until they came on.  Again for the first game of the season v West Ham it was excellent, so it can be done! 

I'm on O2 and get nothing at VP from 45 mins before hand, until I'm well past the Aston Tavern on the way out afterwards I can't even make calls.

[AV82EC]

I may be stating the obvious but everyone does  realise there’s free WiFi in the stadium. I use it every week and other than a slight faf signing in it’s great.

However agree with everyone about 3, it’s utter shite since the move to 5G.

[Drummond]

EE works, the rest don't. I've been in all 4 stands fairly recently and it works everywhere.

[HolteL4]

What I've found works because most people are on the 4g/5g network that gets clogged up. I tend to change put my phone back onto the 3g  network and it seems to work OK for me

[Jon Crofts]

65k at Cheltenham races and they have improved it massively. No HT to cope with mind.

Spread over an immensely bigger area, though.

And supplemented with temporary cell sites by the networks and isn't surrounded on all 4 sides by a metal, concrete and glass structure which digital telephony/radio doesn't deal well with (Rayleigh fading)

[RamboandBruno]

O2, 4G. Never been able to get internet access, whats app access or anything of the like inside the ground or in the near vicinity.
Im not that bothered to be honest as its tome away from the phone, but its a bit shite like.

[edgysatsuma89]

What I've found works because most people are on the 4g/5g network that gets clogged up. I tend to change put my phone back onto the 3g  network and it seems to work OK for me

This is a good tip for anyone, anywhere, and one I have frequently used.

[Pat McMahon]

What I've found works because most people are on the 4g/5g network that gets clogged up. I tend to change put my phone back onto the 3g  network and it seems to work OK for me

This is a good tip for anyone, anywhere, and one I have frequently used.

That’s a useful tip. -cheers.

I’ve used the WiFi at the Amex stadium and it was brilliant - quick and stable.

[TCFKAE2]

What I've found works because most people are on the 4g/5g network that gets clogged up. I tend to change put my phone back onto the 3g  network and it seems to work OK for me

According to the 3 website they have switched off their 3G network in the Villa Park area so probably not a fix for us 3 users.

[AV82EC]

What I've found works because most people are on the 4g/5g network that gets clogged up. I tend to change put my phone back onto the 3g  network and it seems to work OK for me

According to the 3 website they have switched off their 3G network in the Villa Park area so probably not a fix for us 3 users.

I think they have switched off their 4 and 5G networks where I live as the signal I get is atrocious bordering on non existent.

[Beard82]

EE works, the rest don't. I've been in all 4 stands fairly recently and it works everywhere.

Same (not in all 4 stands) but Trinty and Ellis in the last year it works pretty well.