Residents and businesses across Staffordshire can now access independent information about mobile network performance in their area through an online coverage checker supported by the county council.
It provides a detailed street-by-street picture of mobile connectivity across the county, helping people compare network performance and make more informed decisions when choosing a mobile provider. The data covers the four main UK mobile networks: EE, O2, Three and Vodafone.
People can visit the mobile coverage checker page on the Gigafast Staffordshire website.
The information has been gathered using independent mobile testing technology from Streetwave, which measures signal strength and mobile data performance rather than relying solely on providers’ coverage prediction. Testing equipment installed in waste collection vehicles collected data while travelling normal routes across Staffordshire, creating a detailed picture of outdoor mobile coverage across communities and road networks.
Good mobile connectivity plays an increasingly important role in everyday life, enabling people to work remotely, access online services, stay connected with friends and family, access health information and remain safe during emergencies.
For Staffordshire businesses, reliable mobile connectivity is increasingly important for day-to-day operations, customer service, remote and hybrid working, logistics and digital growth. The checker can help in choices over relocation, expanding premises or selecting mobile services for staff.
The data will also help the county council identify areas where poor connectivity could be affecting economic growth and make a stronger case for future investment from mobile operators, government programmes and private sector partners. It will also help identify council assets that could potentially support future mobile infrastructure.
The county council is asking people not to contact it directly regarding individual coverage issues identified through the checker. Residents can provide feedback via the 'Report a Signal Problem' feature in the coverage checker.
Andrew Mynors, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Connectivity, said:
Reliable mobile connectivity is essential for residents, businesses and public services. By working with Streetwave, we now have access to independent data that provides a much clearer picture of mobile coverage across Staffordshire. Residents and businesses can use the checker to compare network performance in their area and make more informed choices about the provider that best meets their needs.
The evidence will help us work with network operators, government and other partners to encourage investment and target improvements where they are needed most. This will mean that together we can improve Staffordshire's digital infrastructure, ensuring communities and businesses are not left behind."
