UK 's telecoms regulator, Ofcom, this week unveiled a new Mobile Coverage Checker tool that provides a single-stop for consumers and businesses across the UK to discover the quality of the mobile coverage in areas where they live and work. Based on data provided by EE, O2, Three and Vodafone, the new tool allows users to zoom to a specific location on a UK map, or simply enter a place name or postcode, to receive data on coverage for each mobile network - down to 100 square metres. The new map is designed to support consumers in choosing a service that best suits their needs, while promoting competition between mobile operators, said Ofcom.
The new map therefore will be able to show where reliable coverage is likely to be available, whatever type of handset is used, in combination with inputs from Ofcom's research into the impact of signal strength on consumer experience.
According to Ofcom, each area has been ranked with a colour-coded system, with green showing the highest likelihood of mobile coverage and red the lowest. The map shows among others, voice and data coverage by mobile operator, coverage inside and outside of buildings and topographical information allowing users to identify areas where there are natural obstructions to coverage, such as valleys and hills.
Steve Unger, Ofcom’s Chief Technology Officer
Access to reliable mobile phone coverage used to be a ‘nice to have’. Now it’s essential to many people’s lives. We believe our map is the most comprehensive tool available to consumers and businesses to check mobile coverage. We’re encouraging people to feed back after using the map, so we can continue to improve its accuracy.
