Mobile Broadband

Mobile broadband coverage

Updated: Thursday 17 May, 2012

By Anthony Hill

I When you're choosing a mobile broadband provider, it's essential you check the network coverage in your area. Read our guide to find out how you can check availability online...

Check coverage and speeds for your postcode:

Three mobile broadband
T-Mobile mobile broadband
Vodafone mobile broadband
Orange mobile broadband
O2 mobile broadband

Mobile broadband coverage

The strength of your mobile broadband connection will usually depend on two things:

1. Which network you're on
2. Where you live

But even if you're using a the latest dongle and live within a "turbo charged" area, you still won't normally get the top advertised speed.

This is because distance and "obstacles" - like trees and tall buildings - between you and the nearest mobile mast, as well as the number of users on the local network, have an impact on the actual speeds you get.

To give you a rough idea of what you can expect, each provider lets you check coverage in your postcode area online or in their retail stores.

If you sign up to a mobile broadband deal only to find that your coverage is poor - and your connection weak as a result - providers will usually give you a full money back guarantee, ranging from 14 days to a month.

But it's still best to check your coverage before signing up.

Video: How to check mobile broadband coverage

Three mobile broadband coverage

The 3G network Three (www.Three.co.uk) has more than 97% coverage for calls, texts and mobile internet across the UK.

To make sure Three has sufficient coverage in your area, run a postcode search on the provider's website.

Orange mobile broadband coverage

Orange (www.Orange.co.uk) operates phone masts in practically every corner of Britain, and has more than 17 million customers in the UK.

In July 2010, Orange UK and T-Mobile UK merged to become the country's largest communications company, Everything Everywhere.

Check your mobile broadband availability on the Orange website before signing up.

T-Mobile mobile broadband coverage

Now part of Everything Everywhere, the company formed through a merger with Orange UK, the T-Mobile (www.T-Mobile.co.uk) 3G network covers the vast majority of places in Britain.

For more details and a dedicated postcode tool, visit T-Mobile.co.uk .

Vodafone mobile broadband coverage

Vodafone (www.Vodafone.co.uk) offers one of the fastest and most reliable mobile data services in the UK.

It's the network of choice for many of Britain's emergency service teams. Ambulance, police and fire crews depend on communications, so they need a network they know they can trust.

Visit Vodafone.co.uk/Coverage to check Vodafone's level of coverage in your street.

O2 mobile broadband coverage

Over the last few years, O2 (www.O2.co.uk) has ploughed more than £1billion into building its 3G mobile network.

In fact, the company claims to invest the equivalent of £1million a day in continually improving its service. To find out what coverage is like in your area, run a postcode search on the O2 website.

Mobile broadband coverage checkers

Available from all major UK networks, mobile broadband coverage checkers give you a decent idea of signal strength and speeds in your postcode.

But remember, the results will usually be for outdoor coverage alone - though some ISPs, like Vodafone and O2 do claim to offer very detailed results that will show you what your coverage is likely to be inside your home.

The coverage you are likely to receive indoors will depend on your distance from the mast, the thickness and density of your property's outer walls and the number of people online in your area.

Use the Broadbandchoices.co.uk price calculator to compare mobile broadband deals for your laptop, iPad or tablet.