A new map measuring mobile data strength in Norfolk has revealed 'not spots' in every major town.

Eastern Daily Press: New phone masts may be built on council buildings to improve coverage. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLYNew phone masts may be built on council buildings to improve coverage. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2013)

The survey, commissioned by Norfolk County Council, covered 5,000km of roads and 30 places on foot.

It looked at the quality of coverage from the four main mobile network operators; EE, Telefonica/O2, Three and Vodafone across 2G, 3G and 4G.

Carried out between February and March this year, it found:

-Only 82 per cent of phone calls were successful;

-Mobile data (3G and/or 4G) was available in 91 per cent of places surveyed;

-4G data download speeds were good compared to the national average, particularly on EE, but 4G coverage issues were widespread.

The map will be used to identify where buildings and land owned by the council could be used for new phone masts.

The survey will be repeated in 12 months to show how much progress has been made on improving phone signal across the county.

Tom Garrod, chairman of the council's digital innovation and efficiency committee, said: 'We regularly hear from residents and businesses who are plagued by poor mobile phone signals in Norfolk, but it was important that we got a accurate, impartial assessment of the situation.

'Now that we know where the problem areas are we can start to do something about it.'

He added 200 council owned structures could potentially be used to house mobile masts.

•View the coverage maps here