Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department takes with local authorities to gather evidence on differences between the experience of mobile coverage and the data provided by operators.

Ofcom is responsible for measuring and reporting on network coverage through its Connected Nations reports. Ofcom tests the actual coverage provided in various locations around the UK to validate the accuracy of the predictive data provided by mobile network operators.

The government recognises the value for everyone, including local authorities, of having access to accurate data. In the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, published in April 2023, the government asked Ofcom to improve the accuracy of their reporting on mobile coverage and to keep under review what they consider to be “good” network performance.

Working alongside Ofcom, we are exploring a number of different options for improving the accuracy of mobile coverage reporting.