Norfolk County Council is taking innovative steps to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing rural communities: poor mobile phone reception. As reported by the BBC, the county has faced persistent blackspots in mobile connectivity, impacting both daily life and businesses. In a bid to monitor and improve the mobile phone signal, the council has devised an unconventional yet effective strategy – using bin lorries to track signal quality.

This initiative, which started last year, involves equipping refuse collection vehicles with technology that measures mobile phone signal strength and download speeds across different areas. The idea is simple yet crucial: as the lorries carry out their regular routes, they will simultaneously gather data about mobile coverage, highlighting areas that suffer from weak or no signals.  This initiative is in partnership with Streetwave, another member organisation of the RSN.

Jane James, the Councillor responsible for innovation, expressed the urgency of improving mobile connectivity for Norfolk’s residents. She stated that the county’s current network quality is not acceptable, particularly in rural areas where good mobile coverage is essential for both communication and economic activity. By adding more trucks to the initiative, the council hopes to gather more comprehensive data, which can then be used to advocate for better service from network providers.

The data collected by the bin lorries will be used to lobby mobile providers for improvements in infrastructure. Ms. James also noted that residents could access an interactive map displaying the areas with the poorest coverage, empowering them with information about local mobile services. This data-driven approach gives both the council and the public the ability to better understand where improvements are needed most.

The importance of this project becomes clear when considering the experiences of local residents and businesses. Silvi Donges, who opened a dog grooming parlour in Horning, a village in the Norfolk Broads, has faced significant challenges due to the unreliable signal. "It’s been quite stressful... we’re trying to run a business and need to stay in constant contact with customers," she said. The lack of reliable communication has been a constant hurdle, demonstrating how poor signal coverage can disrupt business operations in rural areas.

Jason Masser, another Norfolk resident, echoed similar frustrations. He pointed out that while the mobile signal was sometimes available at the front of his house, it would disappear as soon as he moved to the back. "You completely lose the phone conversation," he said, reflecting the common issue many rural communities face with inconsistent service.

The problems faced by these residents are not isolated. Several other areas in Norfolk, including Happisburgh, Tunstead, and Neatishead, have been identified as having poor or non-existent mobile signals. This lack of reliable coverage continues to persist, despite reports from Ofcom stating that 99% of properties in the UK should have access to 4G, and with 5G services steadily growing.

In response to these ongoing issues, experts like Andy Aitken from Honest mobile network have pointed out the need for faster deployment of 5G infrastructure. While older 3G networks are being phased out, Aitken believes the transition to 5G is lagging, partly due to delays in obtaining planning permission for new transmitters. The challenge of balancing technological advancements with local opposition to new masts – often due to aesthetic concerns – remains a significant barrier.

Rural Coverage

At a broader level, Mobile UK, the trade association for the UK’s mobile network operators, has acknowledged the problem, with its members investing £2 billion annually to improve network performance. However, they have also called for streamlined planning regulations to allow for the rapid installation of new infrastructure. Without these changes, efforts to enhance 5G coverage may be hindered.

The Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology has also weighed in, reaffirming its commitment to improving mobile coverage across the UK. A spokeswoman emphasised that the government is focused on providing better 5G coverage to all populated areas by 2030, while also removing obstacles in the planning process, ensuring that communities are consulted throughout the rollout.

While network providers continue to work on improving coverage, the efforts by local authorities like Norfolk County Council are a vital part of ensuring that rural communities are not left behind. By taking proactive steps to map out coverage and lobby for better service, Norfolk is setting an example for other regions facing similar challenges.

In the coming years, as mobile networks continue to evolve and new technologies are introduced, initiatives like the one in Norfolk could play a key role in ensuring that rural areas no longer suffer from inadequate mobile connectivity. With the right investments and infrastructure improvements, rural communities can look forward to a more connected future.