Sitefinder was set up as a result of recommendations of the Stewart Report to the Government in 2000. It is a voluntary scheme under which mobile network operators make information available on the location and operating characteristics of individual base stations, so that people who wish to inform themselves about this can do so.

Ofcom hosts the Sitefinder database on behalf of the Government, which is responsible for planning and health issues relating to mobile phone base stations and masts, and for policy on the scope of the Sitefinder scheme. For details of the appropriate contacts within Government and for general enquiries relating to these issues go to the related sites area.

The data within Sitefinder is owned by the mobile network operators, who supply it on a voluntary basis. Ofcom has not, therefore, supplied the underlying dataset to any enquirers. Following a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and a decision by the Information Commissioner, upheld by the Information Tribunal, that Ofcom must disclose the nationwide information contained within Sitefinder to parties who request it, operators ceased to supply updates of their information for the site. Ofcom has decided to appeal that decision and subsequently, most operators (excluding T-Mobile) have agreed to resume voluntary updates. As a result, some information contained within Sitefinder is out of date.

Ofcom cannot accept liability for any inaccuracies or omissions in the data provided within Sitefinder, or its currency.

To use the Sitefinder database for Great Britain (GB) or Northern Ireland (NI) click on that area of the map.