INVERCLYDE is leading the way in Scotland's largest study of mobile phone connectivity.

The study, part of the Glasgow City Region Smart and Connected Social Places programme, is being carried out across council areas within the Glasgow City Region.

Bin lorries are being used to drive the study by hosting equipment that will gather data about the strength of signal from the UK’s four mobile operators, street by street, while people’s bins are being emptied.

The information will then be made available on an interactive ‘coverage checker’ map for people to see which mobile networks offer the fastest speeds outside of the home, workplace, or other locations of interest.

The initiative will be used in various other areas in the coming months (Image: Glasgow City Region) The project launched in Inverclyde on Friday, November 29, and will be rolled out to North Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, South Lanarkshire, Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire, and East Renfrewshire on a rotational basis in the coming weeks and months.

Kevin Rush, director of regional economic growth, said: "This is the biggest network mapping project of its kind in Scotland - so it goes without saying that it’s a hugely exciting one to be part of.

"The data collected will serve a dual purpose.

"Firstly, it will help businesses identify the most effective connectivity solutions for their operations, empowering them to make informed decisions that enhance their productivity and competitiveness.

Bin lorries will be aiding the study by hosting equipment (Image: Glasgow City Region) "Secondly, it will enable the partnership to lobby mobile operators more effectively, advocating for necessary improvements in digitally excluded communities to benefit residents and businesses alike."

Councillor Paul Cassidy, Inverclyde Council’s vice-convener of environment and regeneration, said: "Mobile phones and the internet are vital tools in everyday life whether at home, at work, or out and about.

"With technology constantly evolving, we must ensure we have the level of connectivity required to cope with demand to support existing employees, residents, and businesses and encourage more people to live, work, visit, and do business in Inverclyde and across the Glasgow City Region.

"It’s exciting for Inverclyde to be leading the way with this initiative by becoming the first Glasgow City Region council to install the data gathering equipment in our bin lorries and we look forward to seeing the results and feeding into the wider project."

The study will help to identify areas that have little or no mobile coverage and data will be used to lobby providers to make wireless technology improvements to allow individuals and organisations to make informed decisions about which providers to choose.