T-Mobile's new coverage map shows real coverage in (almost) real time

No matter where you go in this world, you'll undoubtedly be curious about your coverage. Visit the carrier website, and buried deep in the sitemap lies a coverage map. An often out-of-date map that probably stretches the truth a bit about their coverage. Even in 2015, your coverage is a bit of a 'guesstimate'. T-Mobile is changing that, today unveiling a more accurate map of their coverage that depends on real-time feedback from actual customers, not assumed cell tower saturation.

The customer data also comes courtesy of third-party sources like Speedtest.net, as well as T-Mobile customers who opt-in to performance monitoring data collection. No spin from the Uncarrier, though. T-Mobile Chief Technology Officer Neville Ray says it's all "pure, unfiltered customer data."

The map can currently be found rolling out on T-Mobile's site, and updates every two weeks or so with new data from T-Mobile's sources. You can discover coverage in 100 square meters.

T-Mobile's aim here seems to be accuracy in reporting, nothing more. With a coverage map closer to real-time user feedback than a static one, you'll know if coverage in your area is as good as you need it to be. It may also shake you of your assumptions T-Mobile is a lesser-than carrier with a slower network.

You may also realize all that cool marketing and hype leads to nothing in your immediate zone. T-Mobile doesn't seem to care, with Ray saying "We want the rest of the competition to do this. In the future, customers will demand greater visibility on all aspects of their service."

Source: T-Mobile

Via: CNET