'A call from a loved one boosts health and happiness' - Tesco Mobile encourages people in Manchester to stay connected amid upgrades

Staying connected has never been easier.

Whether you're in more WhatsApp group chats than you can count, you're a serial Snap-per or your love language is sharing reels on Instagram, keeping in touch with friends and family, near and far, is a breeze.

But despite the ever-growing number of messaging and social media apps, new research conmducted by Tesco Mobile has revealed that the humble phone call remains the "most meaningful" way for Brits to stay connected with their loved ones - regardless of age or generation.

A survey of 2,000 UK adults, conducted by Onepoll, revealed that whilst messaging apps are used by almost nine in 10 people for day-to-day communication, it's the spoken word that people turn to when they want to feel closer to loved ones, with 82% of people living in the North West region reporting that voice or video calling truly shows somebody you care.

Almost half of North West respondents (48%) admitted that more voice or video calls from loved ones would "improve their mental health" and that their "mood lifts after speaking to friends and family". 37% reported feeling happier and more connected, and 29% reported feeling more loved following this type of catch up with a loved one.

In the North West, 28% of residents "wished they talked on the phone to the people they care about more often" whilst 84% of respondents said that hearing someone's voice "is important to deepening their bond with that person", suggesting that in a world of likes, clicks, views and emojis, the power of hearing a loved one's voice is as strong as ever.

This research comes as major upgrades are being made across UK mobile networks, with 3G being phased out by the end of the year to make way for 4G and 5G. People across the UK