Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Accepted
Ofcom is set to publish improved local coverage data, but public reporting is needed.
Recommendation
As part of the wireless infrastructure strategy, the Department asked Ofcom to improve its understanding of local coverage gaps. In 2023, Ofcom started using crowdsourced data to better measure the speed of connection that people experience at a local level. The Department explained that it would like similarly detailed data for areas with no mobile coverage, but that the crowdsourced data cannot yet provide this. Nonetheless, the Department told us that it expects big improvements in the level of detail of the coverage data that Ofcom will be publishing later in 2024.40 Such improvements should benefit consumers as better information about gaps in coverage should incentivise mobile 33 Qq 24, 44; C&AG’s Report, paras 1.8, 3.21 34 Qq 16, 24 35 Local Government Association (SMC0001) 36 Q 24 37 Qq 23–24, 27 38 Qq 41–42; C&AG’s Report, para 5 39 Qq 42, 46 40 Qq 24, 44 Supporting mobile connectivity 15 network operators to improve their coverage. We asked the Department whether there was any way for members of the public to feed in when and where they are not getting a good signal. The Department responded that, while no such site currently exists, it would speak to Ofcom about developing a central repository for people to report coverage gaps.41 Measuring improvements to road and premises coverage
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and commits to working with Ofcom by January 2025 to explore methods for consumers to report coverage gaps and to incorporate third-party data to improve mobile coverage reporting.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: January 2025 4.2 Ofcom has an ongoing programme of work to improve mobile coverage reporting, which includes: • Obtaining further information from MNOs about signal strength at a more granular level and about signal quality; • Experimenting with crowd sourced data; • Considering whether the signal strength thresholds they use remain appropriate as consumer demands and technologies evolve. 4.3 The department is working with Ofcom to explore options for providing more accurate reporting, including exploring ways in which data from third parties can be incorporated into Ofcom’s data. As well as considering the use of crowd sourced data and measurement data provided by local authorities and other third parties, the department will work with Ofcom to consider other ways that consumers can report gaps in coverage. 4.4 Ofcom has set out its expectations for how the Mobile Network Operators should implement the switch- off of 2G and 3G networks to ensure that customers are treated fairly and can continue to access the services they need. The department will ask that Ofcom examines any cases where areas have lost all mobile connectivity following 3G switch off. 4.5 The department has asked Ofcom to report on the extent of standalone 5G coverage as it starts to be deployed and to keep under review its definitions of good 4G and 5G coverage to ensure that they remain fit for purpose. The department will continue to engage with Ofcom as it refines its reporting mechanisms for 5G standalone and its review of the definitions of good 4G and 5G coverage.