Cellumap - People Power - Lets create our own coverage maps

[Hands0n]

Time for a revolution methinks.

We have all been led, and misled, by the UK mobile network operator's coverage maps. There is some truth to them, but I'm sure we've all been sitting in a radio black hole wondering why our fave network operator thinks that we should be neck deep in glowing 3G. Frustrating as hell, isn't it?

So what can we ordinary people do about it? Well, not a lot really, except that perhaps we can establish our own coverage maps with some factual data. That is, data that comes direct from consumer's own devices and that are probably much more representative than the maps that any operator can put out.

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce to you Cellumap. A public initiative that has the potential to "name and shame". Or at the very least, it could give a completely arbitrary non-partisan view of the various signal quality around the country.

Currently available for Symbian, BlackBerry and Android devices the app works by taking a reading and then uploading it to a central website where the results can be viewed against a Google map of the area.

Here is what the chaps at Cellumap have to say about their service in their About section.

Cellumap is a revolution in cellular coverage maps, in that the coverage maps here are not created by the network operators, but rather by the users of the network (ie: you!). The coverage maps that are given publicly by the network operators are usually very high-level (ie: not very detailed, no signal strength info) and become quickly out-of-date as the network changes almost daily. Cellumap allows people to plot accurate points (using GPS) and with actual recorded signal strength (and other information) in real-time! Your privacy is also guaranteed, as there is no phone number or account info ever recorded or displayed.

The Cellumap phone app can be used on Android, BlackBerry and Symbian phones that are GPS enabled.
The application and maps are all FREE. Just download it and start. No registration required.

I have it loaded on my Dell Streak on the Three network. At home I'm currently getting -55dBm sitting in the front room

[Ben]

Must put this on the Nexus One and take a look!

I like the idea. Whether it really could be useful I'm not so sure, but something needs to be done about the networks' complete inability to provide accurate coverage information.

[miffed]

Brilliant idea !
I remember musing about the potential of such an app a while back on this very site !! ( great minds must think alike ? )

I'd love this to take off , and it would be really great if enough data could be collected to created something that could be waved under OFCOM's nose , but I imagine getting enough people to use it would be a major stumbling block

I am it will draw enough results to be interesting though if nothing else !

[Hands0n]

I have it installed on my Dell Streak right now - measuring the Three network coverage. I'll be adding Cellumap on my Nexus One to cover Vodafone also.

It is interesting to note what is out there already on the web page maps for the various networks. T-Mobile and Three are getting good results so far. O2 is entirely predictable both for UMTS and GSM even at the few measurements that are there.

This all seems to be a fairly recent venture and so it is reasonable to expect it to be very low-key right now. I have Tweeted about it and will do so occasionally to keep it current in people's minds. Hopefully more will pick it up as time goes on. I've Facebook'd it also.

I do love the notion of "people power" - OFCOM and the mobile network operators cannot hide away from this, particularly where the evidence of users belies what is on their official coverage maps.

[miffed]

Imagine this takes off ?

Who'd be the first Network with the balls to refer customers to an INDEPENDENT coverage map ?

They needn't have flawless coverage , but making such a move and being able to point out that their competitors use "their own" coverage maps would be a pretty hefty tool to work with (assuming it doesn't backfire in your face !)

[getti]

Just installed on a Nexus One. Checked the map and I have popped up on there already (77 score)

[Hands0n]

The key seems to be to "seed" the map with as many readings as we can make as we move around - both good and bad signal areas.

There is a feature for the device to auto-update to the website. I'm not sure how it works yet. Maybe it sends an update each time you register into a new cell. And there is a drive-along setting but that does not seem to function at this time.

[DBMandrake]

I have it loaded on my Dell Streak on the Three network. At home I'm currently getting -55dBm sitting in the front room

-55dBm is an exceptionally strong signal, especially for indoors - is the Three mast literally just outside your property ?

(no I'm not being facetious - you would normally have to be within about 50 metres of a mast to get that signal level - unless the phone is reporting it incorrectly....)

[Hands0n]

-55dBm is an exceptionally strong signal, especially for indoors - is the Three mast literally just outside your property ?

(no I'm not being facetious - you would normally have to be within about 50 metres of a mast to get that signal level - unless the phone is reporting it incorrectly....)

LOL - yes, the mast is across the road from my house, it is about 120m from where I was standing, line of sight about 45 degrees to the house.

[Ben]

Hm, I don't think mine's working. I've submitted loads for Pean Hill but nothing comes up on the map for me.

[Hands0n]

Thats very odd Ben. You have to allow the GPS to stabilise before trying to upload. If it doesn't have your location it won't do that. Then once it locks on just press the "Send Data 1x" button to upload.

I just tried it on my Nexus One, Vodafone, Gravesend, UMTS and it appeared on the map in seconds.

[a_ukboy]

When is the app going to available on the Iphone? i'd love to update it, specially in London.. Signal here on Voadfone is shocking now!! I feel like im back on o2 when they first launched the iphone 3G