Independent mobile coverage checker launched for Shropshire

Shropshire Council's website ("Newsroom") published the article below on 24/10/24. Some additional helpful information follows at the end:

A new checker to allow people to find the provider with the strongest mobile signal for their address has gone live in Shropshire and Telford.

The River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region commissioned the UK’s largest independent study of real-world mobile connectivity during the summer. The study covers the River Severn Partnership area, and the results for Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin are now live.

Expert surveyors Streetwave installed equipment in Veolia’s waste wagons to gather the most comprehensive street-by-street information possible and the data is now available to the local community.

Traditionally mobile network providers have been the only ones to offer a checker, and they have been based on estimated measurements and their own modelling, which often does not reflect the reality.

The RSPAWIR connectivity survey is independent and has gathered data that is based on actual on-street measurements. It allows people to see the signal strength that EE, Vodafone, Three and O2 offer within a 30m radius outside of their homes/businesses.

Robert Macey, Shropshire Council cabinet member for culture and digital, welcomed the new data and said:

“By checking the results from this survey people will be able to make informed decisions on service provision by ensuring they have access to the most up to date technology and the strongest connections.

“The results of the survey will also be informative when planners consider new mast applications. We know there are areas within the River Severn catchment area that are affected by poor connectivity and this data will help to evidence the community need.”

To check connection strength by postcode through the RSPAWIR survey visit:

https://app.streetwave.co/coverage-checker/60

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Mobile Network Operators

There are only four Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in the UK and with upcoming merger of Three and Vodafone, this will reduce the number to three. There are a number of providers who "piggyback" off the MNOs:

EE – 1pMobile, Ecotalk, IQ Mobile, Lycamobile, Mozillion, RWG Mobile, Spusu, Talk Home, Utility Warehouse, Your Co-op (formerly The Phone Co-op)

O2 – Giffgaff, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile

Three – ID Mobile, Smarty, Honest Mobile, Superdrug

Vodafone – Asda Mobile, Lebara, TalkMobile, Voxi

Apart from switching provider, other ways for parishioners to improve mobile phone reception include:

• updating their phone to a newer handset
• ensuring that the keep their device’s software is up-to-date

Resources to find the closest phone mast near you

Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, provides a tool called “Sitefinder” that allows you to find the locations of mobile phone masts in your area. Here’s how you can use it:

1. Visit the Ofcom Sitefinder website.
2. Enter your location details, such as postcode or place name.
3. The tool will display a map with the locations of nearby phone masts.

Mobile Network Operator Websites. Another way to find information about the nearest phone mast is to check the websites of major mobile network operators in the UK. These websites often provide coverage maps and mast location information:

1. Visit the website of your mobile network operator.
2. Look for a coverage map or a similar tool.
3. Enter your location to see the nearest phone masts and the quality of the mobile signal in your area.