TeleWare looks to address UK mobile signal woes

MSP launches multi-network SIM solution for businesses

Managed services provider TeleWare has launched a mobile solution which it says will aid the woes of businesses struggling with so-called 'notspots' in the UK.

TeleWare's Business Anywhere solution comes at a time when the UK's mobile coverage has come under intense scrutiny, with a lobby group of MPs slamming the government and network providers for not doing enough to address areas with no mobile signal.

In a report, one of the British Infrastructure Group's (BIG) recommendations was for British mobile users to be given access to network roaming functions which would allow them to jump between networks depending on network strength.

The new TeleWare solution, aimed at businesses, is based around a multi-network SIM that will automatically select the network with the strongest signal in any given area.

"We are extremely pleased that the seriousness of the mobile notspot issue is being recognised by Parliament and we're very supportive of the work being done by the British Infrastructure Group, led by the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP," said TeleWare CEO Steve Harworth.

"There would be a national outcry if businesses had to choose their offices based on where they could gain access to critical IT systems and it shouldn't be the case that being unable to connect via mobile affects agile working habits either.

"It's also amazing that people visiting the UK may be able to work more efficiently than the businesses that form the backbone of our economy."

While the idea of network roaming was pushed by the BIG's report, the notion was rejected by Mobile UK, the trade association for the UK's network providers, which said roaming would discourage networks from improving their own infrastructures.

Mobile UK said in a statement: "Consumers get a very good deal from our competitive market but it remains essential that the UK has the right incentives in place to promote continuing investment in network coverage, as we move towards 5G and the mobile Internet of Things.

"For this reason, Mobile UK does not support the use of 'national roaming'.
It is not only technically difficult to do in a localised way, can deliver a poor customer experience and increases operational costs, but also is a significant disincentive to competitive network investment."