BBC Updates 3G Coverage Map App Following Concerns About Battery

BBC just announced plans to map the nation's 2G and 3G coverage but already the broadcaster is having problems with the Android app it released to help with the task.

Earlier this week, the BBC announced that it would be creating an independent map of the UK's 2G and 3G network coverage. The idea was to give mobile users something other than the maps provided by individual networks to judge the coverage in their area. However, the Beeb can't carry out the task alone -- it needs the help of generous Android users to get it done. With the announcement, the company released a free app, developed by network analysis firm Epitiro, which records street level coverage across Britain and relays the information back to the BBC. Unfortunately, it seems this app has a problem.

CNet reports that Espitiro has updated the application following complaints that it was sapping too much battery. It seems the application was constantly running and testing, which meant users were seeing their batteries fall faster than usual. The new version of the app, which has already racked up 33,000 downloads, only tests continuously when the phone is charging and never tests when the battery falls below 30 percent.

"We have a new version of the app which doesn't test continually but for four hours at key points in the day. It stops testing if battery life drops below 30 percent but can test continually when a phone is being charged," Iain Wood, a spokesman for Epitiro, told the BBC.

The BBC also said that while many have applauded the idea, others have complained that the Android-only aspect will skew the results. Earlier this week, the Beeb explained the reasoning behind the lack of iOS support.

"There is no iPhone app at present, because of the difficulty in making Apple devices collect such information in the background while other programmes are running," the broadcaster said.

Have you downloaded the app? Let us know in the comments below!