Gloucestershire's bin lorries enlisted for new purpose and it's nothing to do with rubbish

Summary

Sensors will be put on the back of bin lorries to get an accurate reading of mobile phone signal strength across Gloucestershire. This innovative approach is among a series of measures Gloucestershire County Council is taking as part of its strategy for digital infrastructure, inclusion and innovation.

Details

That particular research will then be used to lobby telecommunications companies to improve their signal coverage as well as providing residents with accurate information on those firms with the best offer. Shire Hall chiefs say significant progress has been made on improving digital infrastructure across the county in recent years.

But residents in rural parts of the county such as the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean still report problems with mobile phone signal . Council leaders say improving the county’s online connectivity and digital capability will also create opportunities for innovation, productivity and economic growth.

And they also believe their digital inclusion programme will provide residents and businesses with the skills, confidence, devices and the support needed to make the most of digital services. The council is looking to invest £8.1m over the next four years in the strategy and around £3m of this will be invested in the initial delivery phase of the plan spanning the current and next financial year.

Liberal Democrat councillor Julian Tooke, who is the cabinet member responsible for business and economic development , presented the report at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday (October 21). He said the three elements of the strategy are digital infrastructure, inclusion and innovation.

He highlighted how important the internet is for the county’s economy and said between 13 and 26 per cent of the area’s overall gross domestic product is now online with 28 per cent of retail sales done over the internet. He said the council are working really hard on digital inclusion and recognise the digital economy is so much a part of the 21st century that no-one should be excluded from it.

He also made it very clear that the private sector is responsible for delivering digital infrastructure but the council can “lobby like mad” to get improvements for residents. And they will fund research to get a better picture of the mobile signal coverage in Gloucestershire. “Previously the data was coming from Ofcom on mobile phone receptions.

It was modelled data and we found out it was actually quite unreliable,” he said. “Via this we will be funding some research and we will have sensors that will go on the back of bin lorries that pick up a real signal so we really know what the strength of the signal is in the given areas.

Report source: Gloucestershire Live