Worcestershire County Council unveils alarming findings on Mobile Connectivity

Groundbreaking research, conducted using the UK’s largest street-level mobile data collection survey, shows that mobile coverage in Worcestershire is over 1,000 times worse than Ofcom and mobile operator data suggests.
 

The research, supported by the River Severn Partnership’s Advanced Wireless Innovation Regional Funding, involved measuring signal strength and performance across all major networks (EE, O2, Vodafone, and Three) and all generations of mobile connectivity (2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G). 

Data was collected by Streetwave, mobile network performance mapping specialists, using the County’s waste collection lorries fitted with advanced signal tracking technology, providing an unprecedented level of accuracy.

Official Ofcom data claims that only 0.01% of Worcestershire postcodes lack access to a usable mobile signal. However, real-world measurements from the survey found that 10.03% of postcodes have no usable signal - a striking discrepancy. 
 

The switch-off of 3G networks has worsened the situation, particularly in rural areas where 3G provided better coverage over long distances. Many older mobile devices have also become obsolete, forcing users to upgrade, but poor 4G and 5G signal strength means even new devices struggle to connect reliably.
 

Poor mobile coverage is having a major economic impact, with the county losing an estimated £226 million per year due to lost productivity and communication failures. 

Residents and businesses regularly report dropped calls, poor signal strength, and unreliable data connections, particularly in rural areas where broadband alternatives are also limited.

Councillor Adam Kent, Worcestershire County Council's Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said,
"The data speaks for itself.  Worcestershire residents and businesses are facing unacceptable levels of mobile signal failure. Ofcom and the operator’s modelled data paints an overly optimistic picture that simply does not reflect the reality on the ground. This real-world data and evidence can now help drive meaningful change, and this research is a crucial first step toward holding providers and regulators to account."

George Gibson, Co-founder of Streetwave, emphasised the importance of this research: "Our findings highlight the significant gap between modelled data and actual user experience. People deserve to know the truth about their mobile coverage, and this research gives us the evidence to push for real improvements. Accurate data is key to driving change and ensuring that everyone, especially those in rural areas, has reliable mobile connectivity."
 

The Council is determined to address these issues. 

They have opened access to the real time data from the survey, allowing residents and businesses to check their local results. The Council is also encouraging residents to report connectivity problems through a dedicated survey to build a stronger evidence base. In addition, Worcestershire is lobbying Ofcom, Mobile Network Operators, and the Government to improve data accuracy and accelerate network improvements. The wider River Severn Partnership plans to organise an MP meeting later this year to push for national action on mobile connectivity.

For more information, to check your coverage or to complete the mobile connectivity survey visit the Mobile Connectivity data for Worcestershire pages of our website.