{"id":9172,"date":"2018-07-05T21:48:08","date_gmt":"2018-07-06T01:48:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gwsolutions.com\/random-thoughts-on-the-uks-pursuit-of-total-coverage\/"},"modified":"2024-04-15T01:46:37","modified_gmt":"2024-04-15T05:46:37","slug":"random-thoughts-on-the-uks-pursuit-of-total-coverage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gwsolutions.com\/2018\/07\/05\/random-thoughts-on-the-uks-pursuit-of-total-coverage\/","title":{"rendered":"Random thoughts on the UK\u2019s pursuit of total coverage"},"content":{"rendered":"

In order for the UK to stay competitive in today\u2019s digital economy, ubiquitous coverage and reliable mobile network performance have become a necessity. Last year, Mayor Sadiq Khan pledged<\/a>\u00a0to provide Londoners with 4G access on the Underground by 2019; a clear sign that the government is serious about eliminating mobile \u2018not-spots.\u2019 For operators, the higher-than-expected amount raised for spectrum at the recent 5G network auction (\u00a31.35bn<\/a>) demonstrates that they too are fully engaged and pushing for improved, expanded connectivity.<\/p>\n

What do the consumers want?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Today, consumers are looking for uncompromised network coverage everywhere. Operators respond to these demands by filling in the not-spots and expanding their networks as well as improving data throughputs and voice call quality. There is a lot of attention currently on providing ultrafast mobile network speeds, even though a majority of consumers are more interested in robust signal with as little downtime as possible<\/a>. It\u2019s no surprise then to see media stories frequently highlighting consumer frustrations with inconsistent coverage in rural areas, urban dark-spots, and on public transport.<\/p>\n

Suffolk, for example, has regularly been reported<\/a> as an area where locals are enraged by dismal network coverage, finding it nearly impossible to contact their loved ones. While the situation may be better in major urban areas, consumers are still frustrated by mobile not-spots found in heavily populated areas where they live, work, and play. \u00a0Londoners, for example, still have no connectivity in the Underground, while evidence suggests that high streets (shopping areas) in both Richmond and Peckham continue to suffer from spotty signal.<\/p>\n

Technological challenges \u2013 it\u2019s not as easy as it looks<\/strong><\/p>\n

GWS is working hard to bring these common frustrations to the forefront of the UK wireless industry; take, for example, our TV appearances on London Live<\/a> and the BBC\u2019s One Show<\/a> where we demonstrated how to test network performance and coverage as experienced by customers. \u00a0Conducting controlled, scientific testing that captures key data is important because operators have several factors and choices to consider when making improvements to mobile coverage and the customer\u2019s ability to access the network.\u00a0 For example:<\/p>\n