Mobile broadband Mobile broadband coverage
An all-singing all-dancing mobile broadband deal is no use at all if you can’t get a 3G mobile broadband signal. So the first thing to think about when buying a mobile broadband deal is which operators provide the best mobile broadband coverage in your area – if, indeed, you can get a 3G signal at all.
Telecoms regulator Ofcom estimates that 87% of the UK’s population currently has mobile broadband coverage. Most of this is inevitably concentrated in high-population city areas, while rural and less-populated areas will suffer from a high extent of mobile ‘not-spots’.
The 3G mobile broadband signal is also less effective than traditional mobile phone signals (that you use to make calls and send texts) at penetrating walls and buildings. This means the signal quality can vary greatly depending on whether you’re indoors or outdoors.
Try to check what the 3G coverage is like in your area before buying a mobile broadband deal.
How can I check mobile broadband coverage in my area?
There are two main ways you can check the level of mobile broadband coverage where you want to use mobile broadband.
Use the network operators’ coverage maps
All the network operators have 3G coverage maps or postcode-checkers on their websites. Head over to our mobile broadband network reviews section for links to all coverage checkers.
Coverage maps and postcode checkers are a good way to find out if you live in an area with no 3G signal at all (a ‘not spot’). But they often only give a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer, so may not be much good for checking areas where a 3G signal exists but isn’t very reliable.
For instance, a coverage map may indicate that your area has 3G signal, but it may be particularly weak inside your house, which won’t be good if that’s the location where you’ll be doing most of your web-browsing.
Postcode checkers – which require you to enter a specific postcode to find out whether you’ll get a signal – can also be a time-consuming way to check on signal if you plan to access the mobile internet in lots of different places.
Use a 3G mobile phone to check signal
If you already have a phone that is able to access a 3G network, or if you know someone who uses a 3G phone, then this is by far the best way to check the quality of 3G coverage.
If you don’t know if your phone is 3G-compatible, use our ‘phone finder’ on Which? Mobile’s homepage to search for your model and check the specs.
The quality of signal can vary even depending on where you are in your house, so when checking make sure you think about exactly where you’ll do most of your web-browsing.
Mobile broadband networks
If you’re checking your mobile broadband coverage on a 3G device, remember that network operators don’t all have the same coverage – just like with regular 2G voice reception.
But it’s worth noting that 3 and T-Mobile both share the same 3G network, so their coverage should be the same across both operators.
T-Mobile and Orange have merged to form Everything Everywhere (though both brands are continuing to be run separately). Orange and T-Mobile customers can already roam between each operator’s 2G network and in 2011 they will be able to roam across each other’s 3G network.
What should I do if I’ve bought a mobile broadband deal and I don’t have coverage?
Make sure you check your retailer’s refund policy before you buy any mobile broadband deal. Different retailers have different policies regarding refunds for lack of coverage.
If you have brought your mobile broadband deal online or over the phone then you will be protected by distance selling regulations, which allows you to obtain a refund within seven days following receipt of your equipment for any reason.
If you are unsure about the coverage in your area then it’s a good idea to get a pay-as-you-go deal. That way you won’t be tied into a lengthy contract and can switch to a different provider at any time.
Wi-fi access with mobile broadband
Some mobile broadband providers, including T-Mobile and O2, throw in access to their wi-fi hotspots across the UK as part of your deal. Wi-fi hotspots let you access the internet at places such as cafés, airports and railway stations via a wireless broadband network, or 'hotspot', set up at that location.
The advantage of this is that you can access the internet free of charge at these locations without eating into your mobile broadband usage limits – and wi-fi broadband is usually faster than the 3G network. You'll only be able to use hotspots that are registered to your provider.
