Quantcast
Channel: Grimsby Telegraph Latest Stories Feed
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 9372

Revealed: EE, Vodafone, Three and O2 mobile hot spots and 'not spots' in North East Lincolnshire

$
0
0

NORTH East Lincolnshire's mobile phone hotspots and 'not-spots' have been revealed.

Consumer group Which? has worked with OpenSignal to produce a map of the UK's mobile coverage for each of the major four mobile phone network providers, and found a large variation in signal.

Analysis of the networks in our part of the country found a variation of up to 47 per cent between the top and bottom 3G provider, this fell to 20.8 per cent when looking at 4G providers.

The only network currently providing a major 4G mobile connection in North East Lincolnshire is EE, whose 4G network can be picked up across Grimsby and Cleethorpes.

The map showed Three to have a small amount of 4G connectivity, around the western edge of Grimsby.

Which? executive director Richard Lloyd, said: "We've looked at consumers' real-life experiences and found big differences in service between mobile phone providers.

"We want providers to publish the reliability and speeds their networks actually achieve so people can make an informed choice before signing on the dotted line. We also support the Government's action on mobile roaming to rid the country of unnecessary 'not spots', so that a lost mobile phone signal becomes a thing of the past."

Head of marketing at OpenSignal, Samuel Johnston, said: "We hope this report can draw better attention to the current state of mobile network coverage, and help consumers better understand how the networks differ in terms of speed and real-world coverage.

"We encourage everyone to download the free OpenSignal app to help contribute to our impartial coverage maps; so that no one will have to rely on guesswork when it comes to getting the best signal in their area."

Ofcom found that demand on mobile networks is on the up.

The average mobile owner's data usage has increased by 55 per cent since last year, to around 1.5 GB per month. It is forecast to increase four-fold between 2013 and 2018, driven by consumers using devices such as tablets, e-readers and mobile phones on developing 4G networks.

Meanwhile three quarters of the UK's motorways are now covered by a 4G signal.

The report showed that EE, which launched 4G services in October 2012, currently has the highest coverage of the four national 4G networks (70 per centof premises). O2 and Vodafone launched their 4G services after Ofcom completed its spectrum auction in February 2013, and both now cover 51 per cent of premises.

Ed Richards, Ofcom Chief Executive, said: "Improving mobile quality of service is an important area of Ofcom's work. Our research both incentivises mobile providers to offer a higher quality of service, while helping consumers choose a mobile package that best suits their needs."

Ofcom said it is making progress on its plan to support improved mobile coverage in the UK and provide consumers with reliable information on mobile quality of service.

The body is also supporting the Government's £150 million mobile infrastructure project, which is funding mobile phone masts in uncovered areas.

Ofcom is also providing technical support to the Department for Transport and Network Rail on improving mobile services on railways.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

VIEW PICTURE GALLERIES www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/pictures

Revealed: EE, Vodafone, Three and O2 mobile hot spots and 'not spots' in North East Lincolnshire


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 9372

Trending Articles