Mobile and smartphones

We commissioned consumer research among mobile users covering knowledge of contract status, awareness of what happened/would happen to monthly price paid at the end of the minimum contract period, awareness of SIM-only deals and reasons for staying out of contract.

Mobile handsets study – omnibus data tables (PDF, 2.5 MB)

This report provides feedback on qualitative research carried out in June 2017 across all four nations of the UK, which explored the experiences and impact of poor mobile phone network coverage among residential consumers and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) consumers of mobile phones.

Our 2018 report summarises initial findings from our research into the consumer experience of mobile services.

In 2016 we released two reports on mobile broadband and voice performance.

Prior to 2016, our Smartphone Cities research was released as 'Measuring mobile broadband performance in the UK'.

• Measuring mobile broadband performance in the UK - 2015
• Measuring mobile broadband performance in the UK - 2014

Our 2016 qualitative research report focused on those who conduct the vast majority of their online activities through their smartphone - either through choice or due to external factors limiting their access to alternative devices.

Our 2014 study outlined options for improving mobile coverage in buildings.

A 2014 report conducted by RootMetrics presented data on the percentage of mobile calls that are successfully completed on each of the mobile operators’ networks.

In 2013 we commissioned Good Intelligence to carry out a report on the security of smartphone operating systems.

In 2012 we commissioned CSMG to explore the potential wider use of reprogrammable SIMs in mobile handsets.

In 2011 we commissioned quantitative research into mobile coverage to understand consumers' information needs and what they think about coverage checkers.

Our 2010 report made recommendations for enhancing the accuracy and reliability of location information.

Ofcom was approached by the avionic and telecommunications sectors suggesting that we should make moves towards the provision and use of mobile services on aircraft. This 2006 paper opened the discussion.