Mr. Jeremy Godfrey:

ComReg has been a participant in the Government's mobile phone coverage task force. To answer the Senator's question about the level of detail, I will give a little information on how we are producing the map. We have obtained from all of the operators information on where their masts are, the technology and antennas used on the masts and the level of power. We are using this raw information and standard engineering rules to predict signal strength. I think our model is based on a 10 m square which provides a fine level of detail of signal strength. The map will, therefore, be of that resolution to allow people to see what the level of coverage is. These are engineering predictions and the actual experience may differ because of the leaves growing on trees - it can be affected by all sorts of things - but the prediction will be very finely grained. The prediction model is also calibrated by on-the-ground drive tests. I think in putting the model together there have been 96 drives in different circumstances to ensure we finetune the prediction in order that it will match the reality. It will be a very good piece of information for people to have.

I think the Senator talked about local authority infrastructure. One of the things that has certainly proved difficult for mobile broadband operators in improving coverage for various reasons has been finding sites on which to place masts. It has been a very good initiative to have mobile broadband offices in the local authorities to help tjo address that issue.