Mobile Coverage Explorer is a representation of areas covered by mobile networks around the world. The data are compiled and generated by Collins Bartholomew from submissions by mobile network operators who are members of GSMA, the trade body for GSM, the Global System for Mobile Communications.
Mobile Coverage Explorer data are provided as polygon vector data shapefiles, that may be processed and viewed using ArcGIS, QGIS, or other geographic information systems software.
GSMA provides current-year web visualization tools for national mobile network coverages through two websites:
These Mobile Coverage Explorer shapefile datasets are licensed for the University of Pennsylvania through the Penn Libraries. It is important to understand appropriate use for these datasets.
Each annual Mobile Coverge Explorer ZIP archive contains:
The Mobile Coverage Legacy ZIP archive contains:
Mobile Coverage Explorer data are provided in WGS84 datum (EPSG:4326), with a nominal resolution of approximately 260m on the ground at the equator.
For additional information, consult the most recent Mobile Coverage Explorer User Guide.
Year | File | Coverage |
---|---|---|
1999-2004, 2006-2009 | MobileCoverageLegacyWGS84.zip | GSM (2G) : 1999-2004, 2006-2009 3G : 2006-2009 |
2011 | MobileCoverageExplorerWGS84v201112.zip | GSM (2G), 3G, 4G |
2012 | MobileCoverageExplorerWGS84v201212.zip | GSM (2G), 3G, 4G |
2013 | MobileCoverageExplorerWGS84v201312.zip | GSM (2G), 3G, 4G. Inclusions |
2014 | MobileCoverageExplorerWGS84v201412.zip | GSM (2G), 3G, 4G. Inclusions |
2015 | MobileCoverageExplorerWGS84v201512.zip | GSM (2G), 3G, 4G. Inclusions |
2016 | MobileCoverageExplorerWGS84v201612.zip | GSM (2G), 3G, 4G. Inclusions |
2017 | MobileCoverageExplorerWGS84v201712.zip | GSM (2G), 3G, 4G. Inclusions |