Streetwave questioning Ofcom view of mobile coverage in UK

Streetwave has been busy commercially mapping mobile coverage across 113 councils across the UK and has what it claims are groundbreaking findings about the coverage levels:

From the results so far for locations where the Streetwave definition of accceptable coverage levels are met the figures so far are:

• EE 69% coverage
• Vodafone 61% coverage
• Virgin Media O2 50% coverage
• Three 38% coverage

The definition of acceptable is that this provides users with 5 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload and latency under 40ms.

We believe this definition is very different to what the Ofcom Connected Nations UK report uses in its predictions where they claim 88-89% geographic coverage. With the coverage Streetwave considers acceptable I’ve successfully done a days work, ableit with avoiding GigaByte sized file transfers whereas we believe the Ofcom definition is a much more basic text and data throughput and is a theoretical model.

It would be interesting if Streetwave were to rerun their numbers using the same criteria as Ofcom does. 

Mobile connectivity is vital to a strong and growing economy. I’m delighted that Streetwave’s data is enabling the industry to have a candid conversation around how coverage can be improved in the UK, whilst empowering consumers to make informed choices about which mobile network best meets their needs.

Sir Terry Matthews, the principal investor of Streetwave

A collaborative approach is needed to improve mobile connectivity across the UK. This includes continued private and public investment into the networks, as well as local efforts by councils and planning authorities to support infrastructure investments. Our findings raise significant questions around whether there is need for an extension to the Shared Rural Network programme to further support rural communities.

Angus Hay, Streetwave’s CEO

There are some public checkers for the Streetwave data but they are linked to the various councils so you appear to need to know which of the 113 different links to use. Which is somewhat confusing as when using the map you can scroll across the UK but only ever see the source councils data. We presume this is in part due to the commercial relationships involved. If Streetwave is happy we’d love to add the data to our broadband maps so that the public can easily see how their area compares to others.

The Streetwave data from 113 councils represents 37% of the UK’s geography so before anyone goes and sacks someone at Ofcom a lot more data gathering needs to happen, since it could be coverage is better in other areas. The worst performing councils for mobile coverage are actually more likely to want to employ Streetwave to map the footprints rather than those where everyone is happy and a council sees little need to spend the money.

The data collection generally involves mobile devices attached to rubbish collection vehicles and as such during the testing period you will get multiple trips over a number of weeks and reasonable dwell times as rubbish is loaded onto the vehicle. We presume data is collected on the roof or four sides of the vehicle to avoid the metal vehicle blocking the signal. 

The data for councils will be useful as with use of mobile data to track council vehicles and public transport knowing where the not-spots are is becoming ever more important and with public objections to mobile mast applications a council can easily see if the needs for mobile coverage out weigh the it is not a piece of 1950’s architecture objections. Other everyday tasks are council workers visiting residents and with good mobile coverage devices logging the outcome of a visit can be uploaded during a visit rather than waiting until returning to an office.