Android users can help map mobile coverage in the UK: iPhone owners need not apply

Looking to paint a more accurate picture of what mobile coverage is like across the country, UK communications regulator Ofcom has released an app that can pull in data from millions of Android users.

The app, called Ofcom Mobile Research, is only available for Android and has been designed to measure not only mobile broadband performance, but also voice call quality. While building up a mass of data from participating Android users, iPhone owners are locked out of contributing because of the way iOS works.

Android apps can run in the background -- important when you are gathering data but still want to be able to use your phone for other things -- but this is not possible to the same extent on iPhone. So while this does mean missing out on a big chunk of data, Ofcom should still be able to gather a great deal of information from Android smartphones.

The crowdsourcing of coverage data in this way is part of a drive to better understand not only where there are poor signal areas in the UK, but also to get a better idea of what people are using their smartphones for, and where. Ofcom says that the app won't drain batteries and assures people that data is anonymized: "The Ofcom app does not collect any information which can be used to directly identify you, but it does collect information about the apps you use, such as time spent on a particular app, but not what you use them for. For instance, it would log that the YouTube app was used, but not what was watched".

There's also an introductory video that explains how the data gathering process works:

In the app's description, Ofcom says:

The app automatically measures the performance of mobile and Wi-Fi networks; you don’t need to manually run any tests. The highlights of its findings will be displayed on the app’s home screen. From time-to-time, you will be asked to briefly rate how well you feel your service is performing.

The research app collects information about the performance of your mobile network at different times of the day, including the location of your phone. Information is also collected about the apps you use, such as time spent on a particular app, but not what you use them for. This information will be stored securely, will only be shared or published in an anonymous format and may be used by P3 for commercial purposes.

If you want to take part, you can download a copy of Ofcom Mobile Research from Google Play.