Less than 1% of city has full 3G coverage

LESS than 1 per cent of Londonderry has 3rd generation mobile phone coverage from all operators whilst 42 per cent of the local geographical area receives no reliable signal.

Furthermore, the proportion of premises in the city with no reliable 3G coverage is 34 per cent, according to a new Ofcom report. The figures refer to mobile broadband data for March 2011.

In Strabane coverage is even worse with 34 per cent of premises and 81 per cent of the geographical area receiving no reliable signal. Less than 1 per cent of premises and the geographical area have coverage from all operators.

But in Limavady although geographical coverage is also poor with no reliable signal in 4 per cent of the borough, 19 per cent of the area has coverage from all operators, and 69 per cent of premises have coverage from all operators.

Ofcom have launched new digital communications coverage maps, including outdoor mobile coverage and mobile broadband availability, using data supplied by communications providers.

The maps, available at http://maps.ofcom.org.uk, are part of Ofcom’s first report on the UK’s communications infrastructure which it is now required to submit to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport every three years. Ofcom’s report also refers to the coverage and capacity of the UK’s landline network, digital radio and TV.

The maps show that for 3G, 73 per cent of premises and 13 per cent of the UK’s landmass can receive a signal outdoors from all five 3G networks, with Londonderry, Strabane and Limavady lagging below average. Approximately 7.7million UK premises do not have a choice of all five 3G mobile networks.

Figures for Northern Ireland generally show the region is less well served. The maps show that 93 per cent of premises and 73 per cent of the landmass can receive a 2G signal outdoors from all four 2G networks. For 3G, 52 per cent of premises and 6 per cent of the landmass can received a signal outdoors from all five 3G networks. The highlands of Scotland and mid-Wales also have poor 3G coverage.

Ofcom is currently working closely with the Government to consider how the £150million that it has allocated to help address mobile not-spots, can deliver the greatest benefits for UK consumers. Working to address mobile not-spots is one of Ofcom’s priorities as set out in its 2011/12 annual plan.

Ofcom’s Chief Technology Officer, Steve Unger, said: “This is our first report to the Government on the UK’s communications infrastructure. We hope it will be a useful reference point for interested parties, particularly in the light of the recent Government funding package of £150million to help address mobile not-spots.”