We don’t need to tell you that phone signal here in the UK isn’t what it was. You’ve got eyes, and an level of patience ever wearing thin for ‘superspeed’ 5G that takes 10 minutes to load one TikTok. If you’re not on wi-fi there’s a good chance that this very article is taking its time to load, bit by bit by bit.
But why exactly is the UK’s phone signal so bad? Let’s recap. Back in August, an investigation from the i newspaper revealed that no, it’s not in your head, signal is getting worse everywhere, and a recent study from the think tank the Social Market Foundation found that 5G users can only actually access the network 10 percent of the time. It’s especially rubbish indoors, in the countryside, and in very urban spaces like central London. And it turns out it’s because we just aren’t upgrading our infrastructure fast enough.
Five months on, nothing has changed, so when are our phones going to work properly in public again?
Brace yourself, cause it’s not going to be soon. According to the i, which seems to be unofficial experts, it could be 2032 before we see proper, functioning service return to the UK, but, on the bright side, it is definitely on its way. Three and Vodafone have recently merged, creating what will be the biggest mobile phone provider in the country, and the two have agreed to build new infrastructure which will benefit the entire network, not just their customers. This was part of the terms of their being allowed to combine by the Competition and Markets Authority, a government department which regulates the private sector and that monopolies aren't forming.
According to the founder of a tech analysis company, Paolo Pescatore: ‘It should mean a better signal not only for the merger entity, but others will also have to step up.’
There has been some trouble trying to build new phone towers, both from locals who think they are ugly, and because industry leaders Huawei are banned from the UK, but hopefully, more providers will begin to invest as it becomes easier to make 5G more widespread.
So, whilst we are now on the road to getting improved service and internet access, it’s a long one, so in the meantime make sure you’ve got the best wifi money can buy. That’s as good as it’s going to get for a while yet.
In other news...
If you’ve got enough connection to load a different story, why not discover the most popular baby names across England and Wales’ biggest cities? Or have a look at our suggestions for what to watch this Christmas? If that’s not your thing, check out when the Coca-Cola truck is going to be visiting your city and spreading good old-fashioned cola joy.
Did you see that the UK’s 10 most beautiful scenic areas have been named by Which?
Plus: These are the most popular baby names in the UK’s top 10 biggest cities.
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