The Mobile Survey
James Wild MP has released the findings of his survey examining mobile phone services across Hunstanton, Holme, Ringstead, Thornham, and other coastal villages. This initiative follows a significant number of concerns raised by residents regarding the quality and reliability of their digital connectivity.
In response, James conducted the survey to gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by constituents. Over 500 responses were collected provided detailed insight into the current state of mobile services locally.
These findings will inform his ongoing efforts to hold both telecommunications providers and government to account and push for the improvement of digital services locally.
The survey revealed persistent challenges, especially with mobile coverage and reliability.
Coverage
Over half (51%) of respondents reported a lack of usable signal within their main living space.
Just under half (47%) rated call reliability 4 out of 10 or lower.
Many reported having to go to ‘the end of their road’ or the ‘back of their garden’ for reception.
Value for money
Over a third of people (37%) rated their reliability a 4 or less out of ten on value for money.
Mobile data speeds
60% rated speeds a 6/10 or below, echoing the recurring view that residents felt stuck in a digital “black hole” despite ‘living in a developed town’.
Top performers:
Tesco Mobile scored highest with 67% reporting a reliable indoor signal, 65% rated it an 8/10 or higher, and 57% rated their reliability an 8 or higher.
Vodafone ranked second, 53% of Vodafone customers said they had usable indoor phone signal. It also had the most positive distribution across ratings with only 22% rating it a 2/10 or less on speed, and recieved the second least negative rating for reliability with 31% rating it a 2 or less.
Lowest performers:
Three performed worst, with only 21% reporting usable indoor coverage, 47% rating its mobile speeds 2 or lower, and 42% rating its reliability a 2 or less.
O2 also scored poorly, with only 41% reporting usable indoor signal, 34% rating its reliability a 2/10 or less, and it had the highest relative distribution across lower scores.
In light of his findings, James Wild MP said:
“Fast and reliable mobile connectivity is essential for work, education, and everyday life. Yet, too many people in the Hunstanton area are not receiving the service they rightly expect and pay for.
“This survey provides an evidence-based picture of the challenges locally. It will underpin my ongoing efforts to press both providers and government to deliver improvements through their commercial rollout and the Shared Rural Network scheme to improve coverage.
I am grateful to all who contributed and remain committed to ensuring the voices of our community are heard and their concerns acted upon.”
James’ findings come as the Shared Rural Network (SRN) is set to extend its coverage and commercial rollout across the country. Initially instigated by the previous Conservative government in collaboration with the UK’s main mobile operators (EE, Three, VMO2 and Vodafone), it is designed to tackle the very connectivity issues highlighted in the survey by expanding 4G coverage to 95% of the UK by the end of 2025.
With a focus on rural and hard to reach communities, the SRN will form a key part of the long-term solution to these issues exposed by James’ survey.
For more information on the SRN, use the following link: Shared Rural Network (SRN) progress update - September 2024 - GOV.UK
James will now use these findings to engage directly with government officials and service providers to ensure that the concerns of local residents are formally recognised and addressed. He remains committed to advocating for improved digital infrastructure and service quality in the constituency.
The Broadband Survey
James Wild MP has released the findings of his survey examining broadband services across Hunstanton, Holme, Ringstead, Thornham, and other coastal villages. This initiative follows a significant number of concerns raised by residents regarding the quality and reliability of their digital connectivity.
In response, James conducted the survey to gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by constituents. Over 500 responses were collected provided detailed insight into the current state of broadband services locally.
These findings will inform his ongoing efforts to hold both telecommunications providers and government to account and push for the improvement of digital services locally.
Across the survey, persistent challenges with broadband quality in the Hunstanton area were identified as follows:
Speeds
- Just over a half of respondents (51 %) rated their broadband speed a 6/10 or less.
- This appeared particularly disruptive for businesses and those working from home when streaming or working with large files.
- Scores appeared to be noticeably higher for broadband service reliability, with 53% of respondents rating theirs an 8 out of 10 or higher.
Reliability
- Scores appeared to be noticeably higher for broadband service reliability, with 53% of respondents rating theirs an 8 out of 10 or higher.
Value for money
- Nearly two-thirds (64%) rated their broadband’s value for money a 6 or below.
- 63% said they would consider switching.
- A key theme that arose was that many residents pointed to a lack of better alternative providers to choose from as a key obstacle, leaving them feeling “stuck”.
A smaller number of respondents also revealed they use Starlink, the satellite broadband service launched in 2019 by SpaceX and overseen by Elon Musk. Designed to deliver high-speed internet to rural and remote areas, Starlink has been adopted in Norfolk by both individuals and local pilot projects tackling digital exclusion, and survey responses showed strikingly higher satisfaction levels: 100% rated speed and value for money 10/10, 66% gave reliability a 10/10, and 66% said they wouldn’t switch provider.
Top Performers:
- EE received the highest satisfaction for speed, with 33% rating it 10/10, and also performed strongly on reliability, with 24% giving the top score.
- Vodafone stood out for value, with 20% rating it 10/10, and had the highest satisfaction for speed, with 51% rating it an 8/10 or above.
Lowest Performers:
- Sky had the lowest score for value for money, with 63% of respondents rating their broadband a 6/10, and 70% of its customers said they would switch provider.
- TalkTalk performed worst on reliability, with 42% rating it 8/10 or below, and had the highest churn risk, with 82% of users saying they would switch.
In light of his findings, James Wild MP said:
“Fast and reliable broadband connectivity is essential for work, education, and everyday life. Yet, too many people in the Hunstanton area are not receiving the service they rightly expect.
“This survey provides a clear and evidence-based picture of the challenges faced locally. It will underpin my ongoing efforts to press both providers and government to deliver improvements through their commercial rollout and Project Gigabit to extend access to fastest broadband speeds.
I am grateful to all who contributed and remain committed to ensuring the voices of our community are heard and their concerns acted upon.”
Project Gigabit is the government’s programme to deliver access to faster speeds in areas which will not be covered commercially. James is lobbying the government to extend coverage to rural parts of North West Norfolk.
James will now use these findings to engage directly with government officials and service providers to ensure that the concerns of local residents are formally recognised and addressed. He remains committed to advocating for improved digital infrastructure and service quality in the constituency.