Mobile records ‘could be better than census data’

Mobile phone records could provide more accurate and up-to-date information than traditional census methods for keeping track of populations around the world, according to new research.

They could even be used to help tackle crisis situations such as the spread of ebola, a report said.

A study by an international team, has found that maps made using mobile records are detailed, reliable and flexible enough to help inform infrastructure and emergency planners particularly in low-income countries, where recent population density information is often scarce.