Best mobile broadband coverage - the comprehensive UK guide

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Quick links: mobile broadband coverage checker

One of the most common questions we're asked is, 'what is the best mobile broadband coverage in my area?'

Unfortunately the individual networks won't let us put all their coverage data together into one handy tool (believe me, we've asked). 

So, to see who has the best  mobile broadband       coverage in your area, here's the next best thing: links to the coverage checker tools provided by each network:

Guide to mobile broadband coverage

It's important to remember that you are not guaranteed to be able to pick up mobile broadband coverage from anywhere around the country. Before you sign up to a mobile broadband package, it is absolutely vital you check the service provider's coverage information to make sure you will be able pick up a strong signal where you live. If you regularly travel to a different location to visit family, friends or for work, you'll also need to make sure that area is covered by your preferred provider too.

Because mobile broadband has become such an integral part of our lives, it's amazing to think most mobile broadband services have only been up and running for a relatively short time compared to fixed-line broadband. Because of this, the providers are rushing to improve the amount of the UK that has coverage, with more locations being added all the time.

For example, if you checked the Three mobile broadband coverage in your area six months ago, you may now be able to get a fantastic signal. There are lots of reasons for this, from popularity (if lots of people are trying to use mobile broadband in the same area, capacity can become an issue) to adding new towers or upgrading technology in your area.

What's the difference between 2G, 3G, 4G and HSDPA?

2G networks (also described as GSM) were designed primarily for voice and text, and are what your mobile phone conversations and text messages use to get from A to B. 2G networks are capable of transferring data, but only very slowly and unreliably. The addition of GPRS (sometimes called 2.5G) and EDGE technology have increased the quality of service. The maximum mobile broadband speed a 2G network is capable of is 473Kb. 

3G networks are a progression from 2G and are primarily designed for data transfer. Standard 3G (sometimes called UMTS) is capable of speeds up to 2Mb. HSDPA improves 3G technology and is now used on all UK networks, with a theoretical limit of 10Mb. There is also a newer standard called DC-HSDPA which is gradually being rolled out and allows real-world speeds of 10Mb+. This is currently widely available on Three and also deployed on T-Mobile.

4G is the latest generation of mobile broadband and allows for speeds in excess of 20Mb. All the UK networks will eventually offer 4G, however presently it is only available on EE. If you wish to use 4G you will almost certainly need a new phone or dongle as it is not supported by most devices.

The mobile broadband coverage map 

Every mobile broadband provider has a coverage map which details which areas of the UK it covers for 2G and 3G services, as well as 4G where available: you can also check by postcode. There are links to all of the providers' coverage maps above.

The following map of 3G mobile coverage 'notspots' (the white areas, not covered by 3G) was published by telecoms regulator Ofcom in July 2009 and is a useful starting point to get a general idea of coverage but it is likely that services have improved even more in the time since, due to progressive network upgrades.

 

 

It's a very general map showing 3G coverage from all of the masts in the UK (4G is not currently depicted on this map). You can check the coverage of each supplier via their own mobile broadband coverage checkers - click on the ISP's logo below to go to its own national coverage page:

 

 

Which network has the best coverage?

Three's 3G network covers more than 97 per cent of the UK population, all of which is HSDPA. It aims for 98 per cent by the end of 2010.

O2's 3G network covers around 80 per cent of the UK population, which is entirely HSDPA.

Orange Broadband's 3G network covers approximately 94 per cent of the UK population, with more than 75 per cent of this now HSDPA (and rising throughout 2009). Orange users can also jump on T-Mobile signals.

T-Mobile's 3G network covers around 85 per cent of the UK population, which is all HSDPA, however you can also use the Orange signal, giving much increased coverage.

EE is a joint effort from T-Mobile and Orange, which means it benefits from access to both networks signal, covering a huge swathe of the UK. EE offers standard 2G and HSDPA 3G, but also provides a 4G signal. However 4G coverage is currently limited to a relatively small area - it is projected to offer 98% coverage by 2015.

Virgin Media uses the T-Mobile network - see above.

Vodafone's 3G network covers just over 80 per cent of the UK population and is all HSDPA.

All of the UK mobile broadband networks offer 2G coverage of more than 99 per cent of the UK population, so if you can't get 3G coverage you should at least get some sort of mobile broadband signal. However, this could be very slow and unreliable.