Research and analysis

Estimating the value of mobile telephony in mobile network not-spots

Report on the costs and benefits of providing mobile coverage to rural communities in England

From:
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, and The Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP
Published
12 March 2015

Documents

Summary - Estimating the value of mobile telephony in mobile network not-spots

PDF, 207 KB, 7 pages

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Estimating the value of mobile telephony in mobile network not-spots

PDF, 13.4 MB, 48 pages

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Details

The report looks at the impact of no network coverage on different rural population segments. The findings from this report aim to increase the government’s understanding of not-spot areas in rural locations in England. Not-spots are areas where there is no coverage by any Mobile Network Operator (MNO).

Key findings from the report show:

  • a lack of mobile phone signal impacts rural businesses. Almost half of those asked said it had a negative impact on profit, turnover and productivity

  • local residents and visitors are willing to pay for better mobile coverage. The further people have to travel for 2G signal, the greater they are willing to pay for local services

  • In not-spot areas, over 97 per cent of residents and local visitors own a mobile phone for personal use

  • availability of mobile services may affect the long term sustainability of rural communities. Mobile coverage could be an important factor in ensuring the diversity of rural economies.

This is an independent report published by RAND Europe. It has been commissioned by The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

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Published 12 March 2015