Argyll and Bute Council has become the first local authority in Scotland to launch an area-wide mobile coverage survey.
The survey is part of a partnership project with Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) and will see network analysts Streetwave surveying mobile connectivity across more than 2,500 kilometres of road network in Argyll and Bute, encompassing mainland and island areas.
The council’s Digital Exclusion Fund is supporting the initiative, match funded by SFT. The council established the fund to assist communities that are outside any commercial or government programme to secure a Superfast Broadband (SFB) connection.
The mapping exercise will be carried out using the council’s fleet of bin lorries to ensure thorough coverage of every address. Volunteers will also use portable data collection units to measure connectivity in more remote areas, including islands, farms, and walking routes. This unique approach will provide unparalleled insight into mobile network performance. It will deliver a much more technologically advanced picture than that currently available including signal strength, upload and download speeds and which frequency (2,3,4 or 5G) an area is using.
The collected data will include signal strength, network speed, and coverage details for all four major UK mobile operators: EE, O2, Three, and Vodafone. The results will help identify areas with limited coverage and guide improvements, especially in remote communities where digital exclusion is a significant issue. All data will be made available to residents and businesses through Streetwave’s free coverage checker, helping them make informed choices about the best mobile networks in their area.
The council’s Policy Lead for Business, Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess, said: “This is a ground-breaking initiative that will be of huge benefit to our communities. A reliable mobile phone signal is vital, especially in some of our more remote locations. By gathering precise data on mobile network performance, we can better address digital exclusion and push for essential coverage improvements, ensuring connectivity for all our residents and businesses, no matter their location."
Dr Robert Gardner, Associate Director for Digital Connectivity at the Scottish Futures Trust, said: “Working with the Scottish Government, we are taking forward several initiatives across Scotland to enhance digital connectivity in rural areas by collaborating with mobile operators, local communities, academia, and others. Gaining an accurate understanding of mobile coverage and true user experience is crucial to shaping our efforts, and we are excited to collaborate with Streetwave and Argyll and Bute Council on this important project.”