Ofcom Launch Improved UK 4G and 5G Mobile Speed and Coverage Checker

The UK communications and media regulator, Ofcom, has today launched an overhauled mobile network coverage checker, which includes enhancements that are intended to better match people’s real-world experiences, particularly of modern 4G and 5G (mobile broadband) service performance and signal strength.

Firstly, it’s important to recognise that Ofcom cannot work miracles, which is to say that mobile network coverage and performance remains a difficult thing to study because end-users are always moving through different areas (indoor, outdoor and underground), using different devices with different capabilities and the surrounding environment is ever changeable (weather, trees, buildings etc.).

All of the above can impact signal quality, and that’s before we even consider any differences in local network (backhaul) capacity or spectrum usage between mast locations (cell sites). Suffice to say that any improvements the regulator can make in this area are welcome, but there are still limitations to consider in their ability to accurately model such things.

Having said all that, the regulator’s previous Mobile Coverage Checker was based on predictions from the mobile network operators themselves (EE, Vodafone / Three UK and O2), which were generated using computer programs that simulate the way mobile signals travel from mobile masts and are blocked by obstructions such as hills, trees, and buildings. But as we all know, this isn’t particularly reliable.

What’s changed

The new Map Your Mobile Postcode Checker (URL may not be live until later) is promoted as being the “most comprehensive tool for comparing mobile coverage and performance to be made available in the UK” and allows users to enter their postcode and obtain a “local map of which networks are available, together with data showing which operator’s network gives the best performance for their postal district.”

Crucially, the new checker doesn’t only rely on data from mobile operators. Firstly, it will now assess predicted signal strength information at a more granular level (down to 50 square metres, instead of the current 100 square metres), which should help to reduce the local level uncertainty to some extent. But take note that this currently only shows for 3 of the 4 primary mobile operators (they’ll do it for all of them shortly).

The checker also includes crowdsourced data from Opensignal that is based on people’s real-world experiences, as well as the usual predictive data from the UK’s mobile operators. It also adds a new threshold for what constitutes a good mobile signal strength, to reflect mobile users’ changing habits and expectations. For example, Ofcom will consider a test via Opensignal as being successful if it delivers a 5Mbps download speed, 1.5Mbps upload and 50ms of latency.

Just to be clear. The regulator uses this crowdsource data in two ways. First, to give a performance score – a percentage – for each mobile operator at the postcode district level (or wider postcode area level for the small proportion for which they don’t have sufficient data). This is the proportion of crowdsource tests that were successful.

The second uses this data to inform the thresholds Ofcom uses for predicted signal strength (i.e. to portray where there is good or variable coverage). There is typically no straightforward relationship between signal strength and whether the connection will successfully deliver the aforementioned 5Mbps. A stronger signal is more likely to be successful, but factors such as interference from other users and masts or network congestion can prevent the connection being successful. Ofcom have therefore used their judgement to set the thresholds to portray where a successful connection is more likely (i.e. good coverage).  

All of this means the new checker will give different results than the previous tool, but should more accurately reflects users’ modern needs.

Natalie Black, Ofcom’s Group Director for Networks and Communications, said:

“Map Your Mobile shows detailed coverage and performance based on what smartphones need today. Put in your postcode and find out which mobile network is right for you.”

Telecoms Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, said:

“Access to fast and reliable mobile coverage is essential for delivering the change our country needs to thrive and boost economic growth. For too long there has been a frustrating gap between coverage reports and the real signal people experience in their daily lives.

This new tool provides consumers with accurate, postcode-level information so they have the power to choose the network that works where they need it most – whether at home, work or on their commute. It is fantastic to see this practical step being implemented to improve connectivity for everybody across the nation.”

At the time of writing, we haven’t yet been able to give the new mobile coverage and performance checker a try ourselves, although we will do later this morning. But at the very least this may make Ofcom’s checker more useful than the checkers operated by the major mobile network operators (EE, Three UK, O2 and Vodafone).

Today’s launch is expressed as being “just the first step“, with Ofcom planning future updates to the checker with fresh data and useful information. The regulator has previously also indicated that it may conduct a targeted or larger scale measurement programme to help in this effort, although they’ve not yet made a firm decision about whether to proceed with that.

Finally, it’s important to point out that there is still a firm distinction between the new mobile checker (which has a coverage map and performance stats), and the aggregate coverage stats they publish in their Connected Nations reports. The latter will continue to report based on their current metrics, although Ofcom may optionally also include some new metrics alongside these from the extra data they now collect.

UPDATE 8am

Having managed to test the new checker this morning, we can see that the inability to split 4G and 5G signals in the results might well end up being a point of frustration. We can understand why the regulator has opted for a more simplified approach, but there remains wide interest in the technology splits involved, as they can and often do deliver big differences in performance. This could become particularly tedious once 6G arrives.

As a result, Ofcom’s checker doesn’t yet provide a truly one-stop-shop solution for examining such things, which seems like a missed opportunity. This is especially true when you consider how much marketing investment and hype mobile operators put behind promoting the latest generations of a new mobile technology.