Working alone in remote or signal-poor environments is an everyday reality for many across industries like utilities, construction, forestry, and agriculture. Sometimes even expansive manufacturing sites, warehouses or laboratories suffer from blackspots too where mobile phone signal is virtually non-existent.
But, don't worry, just because mobile phone signal is unreliable doesn’t mean lone workers have to be without protection. Your organisation can still use a lone worker solution, you just must think carefully about your choice of solution, and, most importantly, the type of lone worker devices you choose for your lone workers.
At LONEALERT, we understand that staying connected, and protecting your lone workers, is a safety-critical requirement. That’s why we have a range of lone worker safety devices that are designed to keep working, even when mobile signal doesn’t.
Here’s how LONEALERT can keep your team safe when traditional phone signals aren't reliable and can't be trusted:
Multi-network SIM cards: don’t rely on a single network
One of the most straightforward ways to improve connectivity in poor signal areas is to use multi-network SIM cards. These smart SIMs automatically switch to the strongest available mobile network — whether that's EE, Vodafone, O2, or others — to ensure the best possible chance of connection at any given time. This is a good option for lone workers who work in areas where they will get mobile phone signal but can't rely on a single network.
All of our LONEALERT lone worker devices are equipped with multi-network SIMs, which are ideal for those moving through patchy coverage areas. Rather than being tied to one provider, your team stays protected by leveraging all the big players at once.
Bluetooth & Wi-Fi capabilities: alternative ways to stay connected
When mobile data really isn’t an option, our devices with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capability can step in to bridge the gap.
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Bluetooth compatible lone worker devices: Some devices can pair with smartphones or BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) beacons in the area, extending the safety net through short-range connectivity. For indoor environments or confined spaces where mobile signal is obstructed (like underground utilities or warehouses), Bluetooth connectivity is invaluable. You can even purchase Bluetooth Beacons from LONEALERT to place around your site, helping not only your connectivity but also to locate lone workers with pinpoint accuracy (even on different floor levels) in an emergency.
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Wi-Fi compatible lone worker devices: For sites that have a Wi-Fi network but poor mobile reception — such as large industrial facilities, remote lodges, or construction sites — lone worker devices with Wi-Fi connectivity can still send alerts and location data. As long as there’s Wi-Fi, there’s a way to connect and raise an alarm when needed.
Products in our range with Bluetooth and/or WIFI capability include; Safety Watch, Twig Neo, Twig One, Twig SOS Card, Twig Neo ATEX and Twig One ATEX.
Satellite Devices: For those who work in very remote places
For the most remote or extreme environments — think offshore rigs, mountainsides, deep rural locations like the Scottish Highlands — satellite-enabled devices are the most reliable choice of lone worker device.
These devices communicate directly with satellites orbiting the Earth, ensuring that SOS alerts, GPS locations, and check-ins reach, managers, colleagues or monitoring teams no matter how far off the beaten path a lone worker might be.
LONEALERT offers satellite-compatible solutions to ensure safety isn't compromised by geography. These include the Garmin® inReach® Mini 2; a compact, durable lone worker device for all weathers and terrains.
Use timer sessions: a smart backup when signal is intermittent
Sometimes, signal comes and goes — and that’s when timer sessions become an essential backup. Apart from our satellite devices, all LONEALERT lone worker devices have a timer session function. This allows lone workers to set a timer for a specific period of time, showing managers how long they are working for and giving context (e.g. "In a meeting" or "travelling" or "meeting client alone"). If a worker fails to check in before the timer expires, an alert is triggered automatically, signaling to a lone workers' manager that they must try to check-in with them to ensure they are safe.
Even if a signal isn’t available at the time of check-in, the system logs missed check-ins and can alert monitoring teams once the device reconnects to any available network — this provides a crucial layer of reassurance in places where real-time communication may be delayed.
Tailored protection for your environment
Whether you need a device that automatically switches between mobile networks, one that uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for local connectivity, or a satellite-enabled solution for extreme isolation, LONEALERT has you covered.
Every lone working scenario is unique. Our safety experts are here to help you find the right combination of hardware and software to ensure that your lone workers are never truly alone — no matter where the job takes them.
Talk to our team today to find the ideal solution for your workforce.
What's included in a lone worker solution.