New mobile coverage map goes live across South Yorkshire

Funding for the project was approved by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) earlier this year, which put data collection devices into waste collection vehicles to gather street level data as the vehicles travelled on their daily routes. Bin lorries are ideal for the project because they already drive to every residential and commercial property in the city.

The 12-month project allows residents and businesses to check their coverage at home, on the commute and at work enabling informed network choices, reducing unnecessary spending and lost productivity.

SYMCA’s Digital Infrastructure Team (SYDIT) are working with mobile analytics specialists Streetwave, to gather real-time data on mobile signal strength, upload and download speeds and network frequency across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.

So, how exactly does a bin lorry check your mobile signal? It’s simpler than it sounds. Special measuring equipment has been attached to recycling trucks and street sweepers across the region.

The data collected is then used to create a free and publicly available interactive map and postcode checker, allowing people to see which one of the UK’s four main mobile network operators – EE, 02, Three and Vodafone, offer the best coverage in their area. Virtual Mobile Network Operators such as giffgaff, Tesco Mobile and VOXI use one of these main networks, and you can check which network your provider uses here 

The map will also identify areas which may require help to improve local mobile coverage and network capacity: Mobile Coverage Checker

Councillor Glyn Jones, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Housing and Safer Communities said: "Reliable mobile coverage is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity for residents, businesses, and public services across the city. This new mapping tool gives us a clear picture of where improvements are needed most, helping us to target investment and work with providers to close the digital divide."

"By identifying areas with poor coverage, we can ensure that no community is left behind as we build a more connected, inclusive, and digitally confident Doncaster. This is a great example of how innovation and collaboration across South Yorkshire can deliver real benefits for local people."

Furthermore, it will help local authority planning teams. When an application comes in for a new phone mast, they can use this data to see if it’s being proposed for an area that genuinely needs better signal. It helps ensure that new infrastructure is built in the right places to improve the overall network.

The postcode checker and interactive map are live on the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority website