UK’s largest independent study of real-world mobile connectivity begins
The River Severn Advanced Wireless Innovation Region has commissioned research to assess the strength of 4 and 5G signals in 33 West Midlands and Welsh councils.
To conduct the study, which was spearheaded by Shropshire Council Council with £3.75million in funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, refuse vehicles with four off-the-shelf smartphones will be installed running specialist software from network analytics firm Streetwave.
Continuous network tests – one every 20 metres in rural areas, and ever 5 metres in urban areas – will be conducted to build an accurate picture of real-world mobile connectivity. This process is far more detailed than standard approaches used by mobile service providers and Ofcom as bin lorries have to drive down almost every street in a given area.
A number of portable data points will also be made available, which residents can use to test coverage alongside ‘off-road locations including farms and walking paths’. Long Range Wide Area Networks [LoRaWAN] will also be surveyed, which use a smaller portion of the lower frequency radio spectrum for slow and low power data connections. For example, Internet of Things sensors. Very few studies have been conducted into their actual reach.
The research aims to help businesses identify the best connectivity solutions for their needs, helping them make informed decisions on investments. Meanwhile, it will provide the River Severn Partnership with evidence to lobby mobile operators more effectively with, in the interest of improving provision for residents and commercial mobile data users.
The 33 councils involved are: Shropshire Council, Telford & Wrekin Council, Herefordshire Council, Monmouthshire County Council, Worcester County Council (including all districts and boroughs), Warwickshire County Council (including all districts and boroughs), Gloucestershire County Council (including all districts and boroughs), and Staffordshire County Council (including all districts and boroughs).
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Image: Priscilla Du Preez
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