Ref: 78/01
Date: 20 November 2001

A survey enabling consumers to compare the regional performance of mobile phone networks has been published today by Oftel.

The latest mobile network performance survey sets out call success rates for over 21,000 test calls made by each operator in seventy cities and towns and on major A roads and motorways around the UK between April and September 2001.

The survey shows that over 95 per cent of calls made to and from mobiles were completed successfully on a national level.

Consumers are also able to compare how different networks perform on a regional basis in East Anglia, London, Midlands, Northern England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South East England, South West England and Wales.

This issue of the survey includes data from BT Cellnet, One2One and Vodafone. Orange has been unable to submit comparable data due to a technical fault in the testing system which is outside their control. Orange is fully committed to being included in the next survey to be published in six months time.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said today:

"With over 40 million mobile phone users around the UK, comparable quality of service information is extremely important.

"It is very positive news for consumers that over 95 per cent of calls are completed successfully at a national level but if consumers are to get the best from their mobile phone they must be able to make regional comparisons too.

"The survey published today allows consumers to make direct comparisons on how companies perform on a regional basis.

"Reliability as well as price is an important consideration when buying a mobile phone. For example, what might be the best network for somebody living in Wales might not be the best network for someone living in the South West.

"This type of comparable information on call success rates helps consumers to shop around for the best deal in their particular area."

Notes to editors:

1. The full results and details of the survey can be found on Oftel’s website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/research/2001/call_survey/index.htm.

2. The operators carry out their own drive-round surveys making test calls on the basis of a common survey specification. The survey methodology used and the results have been independently audited.

3. Customers should note that the survey results are limited by a number of factors, including the nature and location of the tests employed. Consumers’ own experience may differ from the reported level of service depending on factors such as the handset and equipment being used, geographic location and time of day.

4. When making a purchase decision, consumers should also take into account other factors including price of handset, connection charge, call tariffs, claimed coverage, service features, terms and conditions and indeed any other factors which individuals consider relevant to their needs.

5. Orange has decided not to publish the results of its drive survey, as they do not accurately reflect the performance of the Orange network.

The fixed-line-to-mobile results were affected by localised faults on the fixed network where the test calls were originated, resulting in the failure of a number of test calls to the Orange network. Consequently, the data obtained does not reflect the actual network performance of Orange.

Orange is currently working with the fixed operator to resolve this issue. For the avoidance of doubt the scope of the fault was limited to test calls. The quality of service of customer calls made to and from the Orange network was not impacted by this issue.