Nottinghamshire County Council is considering commissioning a countywide assessment of mobile phone coverage to identify areas where residents and businesses experience poor signal.
A report submitted to the Director of Economy, Environment and Assets proposes awarding a contract to telecommunications consultancy FarrPoint Ltd to carry out a Mobile Mapping and Coverage Assessment across the county. The work would provide an updated evidence base on 4G and 5G coverage and is intended to help the authority identify so-called “not-spots” where mobile connectivity is weak or unavailable.
The proposed project would cost £45,360 excluding VAT and would be funded from the council’s Digital Connectivity Reserve, meaning it would not place additional pressure on existing departmental budgets.
According to the report, the mapping exercise would support the ambitions set out in Nottinghamshire County Council’s Digital Connectivity Framework and the Council Plan for 2025–2029. These strategies include aims to improve digital inclusion, reduce inequalities, support economic growth and ensure residents can access employment, education and public services online.
Officers say reliable mobile and internet connectivity has become increasingly important for everyday activities such as working, learning and accessing services, and that better information about coverage across the county is needed to guide future investment and discussions with telecommunications providers. The assessment would provide independent measurements of mobile coverage rather than relying solely on data supplied by network operators.
The council says existing datasets, including those used in Ofcom’s Connected Nations reports, are largely based on modelled data provided by operators rather than real-world measurements experienced by users. Previous pilot work carried out through the council’s Digital Pathfinders programme has suggested these datasets may not fully reflect the quality of service on the ground.
If approved, the project would be commissioned through the Government’s G-Cloud 14 procurement framework. Officers have identified FarrPoint Ltd as a suitable supplier based on market knowledge and the technical requirements of the work.
The resulting data would be used to help the council target digital connectivity improvements, support communities with poor mobile coverage and strengthen the authority’s position when working with central government and mobile network operators on infrastructure investment. It may also help planners and developers consider connectivity when bringing forward new housing or infrastructure projects, reducing the risk that development places additional strain on already weak networks.
The report also notes that improved digital connectivity can support wider environmental and social objectives, for example by enabling more services to be accessed online and reducing the need for travel.
The Director of Economy, Environment and Assets will decide whether to approve the contract award using delegated powers. If approval is granted, the council will proceed to commission the assessment and agree a contract with the supplier.
