Network coverage
The BBC has begun a survey of the UK's mobile data networks, which asks users to record their mobile Internet performance and relay the results to the BBC.
Data is being gathered via an application for Android, which enables users to record the performance of their mobile data connection, and report those details back to the BBC. The data is being collated to enable the BBC to map real-world performance of the UK's mobile data networks, across the country.
Currently, the BBC says, the data available about signal strength on various networks is either hard to find or simply inaccurate and hopes that its reach will make it possible to collect sufficient data to deliver a comprehensive and accurate survey of the actual state of mobile-data performance in the UK - independent of the claims of the operators.
The Android-only limit is a result of the BBC partnering with Epitrio to create the app. Although the BBC acknowledges that this is likely to limit participation, it also points out that Android has a rapidly growing market share, and expects many Android users to take part in its survey. It's certainly arguable that Android handset owners are more likely to be the kind of tech-savvy mobile users likely to care about the quality of the UK's mobile infrastructure.
The usefulness of the results will obviously depend on participation. However, as the BBC says: "if enough of you right across the UK do decide to take part, we could end up with something rather useful - the most detailed survey ever produced of the state of our mobile networks."
