Crowdsourced Mobile Data

Ofcom currently licenses a crowdsourced dataset containing data from over 250k Android devices across the UK. This has formed the base for our research into mobile quality of experience for the past two years.

Looking at how we would like to use crowdsourced data in the future, we have noted the following limitations to developing our approach: i) limitations on the scale and availability of active testing mean it is difficult to analyse network performance and capability independent of differences in consumer behaviour; ii) it is difficult to get crowdsourced data from iOS devices. This restricts the size of the user base; iii) there is no visibility of what people are using their phone for, so it is difficult to assess whether their connection was adequate to perform the task at the time (i.e. the recorded download speed could have been very low, but that's not a problem if you're sending a WhatsApp message).

The purpose of this exercise is to articulate Ofcom's specific requirements with respect to crowdsourcing and mobile reporting. Please note that undertaking this Market Engagement exercise does not commit Ofcom to any particular course of action, including undertaking a subsequent procurement process. This is an information gathering exercise only.