County of Herford to Publish Online Interactive Map for Mobile Phone Service Coverage

In the district of Herford, officials have taken a significant step towards improving digital connectivity by publishing a map detailing mobile network coverage in the area. District Administrator Jürgen Müller, who considers mobile communication as essential infrastructure, has emphasised the importance of stable network coverage for various aspects of modern life, including digital education, safe work, and reducing unnecessary travel.

The map, available in the district's Geoportal (https://geoportal.unser-website) under the "Life & Living" tab, offers a transparent overview of the current supply situation in Herford. Citizens can enter their address to see how the reception and signal strength are in their specific area. The interactive map is colour-coded according to the strength of the signal and breaks down the data by providers Telekom, Vodafone, and Telefónica.

The data collection method is simple yet highly effective. Measurements were performed at regular intervals using measurement boxes installed in waste collection vehicles, which determined the signal strength of mobile reception in September 2024. The resulting measurement data has few gaps, as it covers every street that waste collection vehicles drive through in the district.

Birgit Rehberg, head of the responsible department for district development and climate protection, has highlighted the benefits of this initiative for both people and the environment. By ensuring stable mobile network coverage, unnecessary travel can be reduced, contributing to a more sustainable future.

The district of Herford cooperated with the three active waste management companies in the district, Pre Zero, Berg, and the SWK of the city of Herford, to collect this data. The data on mobile network coverage in the district of Herford is not up-to-date and does not claim to be complete, as it was collected several months ago. However, data collection will be performed regularly in the future to provide a more current picture.

District Administrator Jürgen Müller has expressed his support for network operators to repair the supply gaps shown in the data. He believes that this service is a great benefit for the district's citizens and the district is committed to supporting efforts to improve mobile network coverage.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, more than 98% of the land area is covered by at least one network provider with 4G or 5G, but there are still "gray spots" (11%) and "white spots" (1.4%) where coverage is incomplete. Despite these challenges, the district of Herford is taking proactive steps towards addressing these issues and improving digital connectivity for its citizens.