A new BBC crowd-sourcing survey designed to map out where leading mobile phone service providers provide their best and worst data speeds has resulted in an interactive map.

Collecting the Data

To facilitate the survey, an application was downloaded to over 44,000 mobiles and their signals were continuously measured over the course of a month.  The data was then compiled and a map was created to let people determine the quality of the reception in specific postcode areas.

The Interactive Map

The map can be linked to from the BBC website.  The information provided on the map is that which was collected by those who chose to participate by downloading the application.  What is provided is, in essence, a snapshot of the experience the participants had in various postcodes using one of the major UK mobile phone service providers over the month of data collection.  The BBC did not balance the participation geographically or by service provider.

Because of the way the information was gathered and translated, aspects such as lower or no signal when entering a building are not taken into account.  The results are merely an indicator of average reception in each area defined.

While the map is not intended to replace a service provider’s coverage map, it may prove useful when selecting which service provider to go with, especially when put with other information such as individual handset reviews and other coverage-related surveys and studies.