Gloucestershire at centre of UK’s largest mobile connectivity survey

The River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region (RSPAWIR) has commissioned the UK's most extensive independent study of real-world mobile connectivity, and Gloucestershire is included.

Expert surveyors Streetwave have been appointed to study on-street mobile connectivity. To enable the collection of comprehensive data across the county, Ubico is supporting the project by allowing mobile signal recording equipment to be installed on their refuse collection vehicles in Gloucestershire.

Cllr David Gray, cabinet member for environment, economy and planning, said: "This is an excellent initiative and it will provide extra insight into existing mobile connectivity. Gaining an even better understanding of areas affected by poor connectivity will allow Gloucestershire County Council to target resources and provide information based on community need when considering planning applications for new mobile mast sites.”

George Gibson, partnerships director at Streetwave, said: "Streetwave's partnership with the River Severn Partnership marks a significant milestone in the UK telecoms industry.

"This initiative represents the largest mobile coverage survey ever undertaken across the UK, with data collected across 31,780km of roads. This information will be used to identify digitally excluded communities so that mobile connectivity improvements can be made, ultimately benefiting the 3.5 million residents in the region."

Rob Heath, Operations Director at Ubico, which provides waste and recycling services to residents in Gloucestershire, added: "We are delighted to be able to support this on-street survey. Our vehicles were the obvious choice because we cover almost every street in Gloucestershire while maintaining waste collections."

If landowners across the county are interested in understanding the extent of off-street mobile coverage, survey equipment is also available to borrow upon request and as the survey rolls out, the public will be able to see the detailed coverage picture for their areas.

Mark Barrow, chair of the River Severn Partnership, said: "It is exciting to see the RSPAWIR rolling out the UK's largest independent mobile connectivity survey. Once completed, it will extend across the River Severn catchment area and provide results for Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. The data will be vital for developing and enhancing connectivity."

The RSPAWIR has been awarded £3.75m of funding from the Government to support the growth of wireless innovation and technology in some of its key economic sectors.