MP report shows extent of digital exclusion in Wrexham
Andrew Ranger MP has shared the findings of his mobile signal survey which over 1000 people contributed to across Wrexham County Borough.
The survey found overall low ratings for mobile network quality across providers. All networks scored below 5.3 out of 10, indicating a systemic coverage and performance issue in parts of Wrexham including areas of the city centre and in rural areas. O2 and Three were the providers with the highest negative dissatisfaction scores.
Quality of service in terms of mobile internet and consistency does not reach above 5.5 out of 10 with buffering, frequency drops and variable speeds meaning internet is unreliable and unusable and pervading a sense of digital exclusion.
Over 40% of respondents said they relied on mobile internet as their primary connection, emphasising its importance to businesses, children’s learning and connecting people with family and friends. This digital exclusion is widening educational and economic disadvantage.
In the survey, different experiences of the impact of poor signal are clearly apparent. One person explained, “I attended the Hospital last week we could not get a signal from by the main doors and even thought we moved from that spot by some 30 yards still no reception.”
It also highlights the vulnerabilities that poor signal creates, particularly in more rural areas, “The service in Bangor on Dee is non existent and if the WiFi goes down (it’s very poor anyway as no fibre) it leaves us very vulnerable as we are in our 70’s.”
Mr Ranger said “Ultimately these are private companies who are providing an essential service and not delivering. I have already met with Wrexham County Borough Council and am engaging with UK Government ministers about the survey results and its implications. Now I will be presenting these findings to representatives from the mobile networks to understand why our signal is so problematic in certain areas and why we are paying for the same service as others despite poorer connectivity. Mobile connectivity should be considered as an essential utility, and I will be ensuring this is emphasised in my ongoing meetings and representations to mobile providers.”
The full report can be viewed here: https://www.andrewforlabourwrexham.org.uk/mobile-signal-in-wrexham/
