Mobile broadband coverage

3 Mobile Broadband (www.Three.co.uk) offers a theoretical top speed of 3.6Mb, covering more than 90 per cent of the UK’s population, and set to rise to 98.5 per cent by the end of 2010.

According to 3, “most people on our HSDPA network can expect a download speed ranging from 0.6Mb to 1.6Mb, allowing you to download a 3-4 minute music track in 30 seconds or less”.

3 is also working with T-Mobile - with whom it shares 3G coverage - to build speeds up to a theoretical maximum of 7.2Mb.

To get an idea of 3 coverage in your area, check our 3 mobile broadband coverage map or run a postcode search directly on www.Three.co.uk.

O2 Mobile Broadband (www.O2.co.uk) covers 80 per cent of the UK population and offers a top speed of up to 3.6Mb.

All O2 mobile broadband customers get free, unlimited access to 7,500 wireless hotspots throughout the UK so that you can surf the net at high speeds without using up your monthly 3GB or 10GB allowance. Your USB modem stick will automatically choose the fastest available network - GPRS, 3G or HSDPA - or one of The Cloud hotspots.

More details of O2’s mobile broadband coverage can be found on our O2 mobile broadband coverage map. You could also visit www.O2.co.uk/Postcode-Checker to run a search on your own postcode.

Orange Mobile Broadband (www.Orange.co.uk) currently covers more than 80 per cent of the UK with its 3G mobile broadband network, with a top speed of up to 7.2Mb in some areas, though most locations can reach a maximum of 3.6Mb.

It offers a range of packages, with pay as you go mobile broadband, rolling one-month mobile broadband contracts as well as longer contracts and even a choice of plans with free overnight downloads.

Check Orange mobile broadband availability for your postcode on www.Orange.co.uk/Coverage, or compare Orange mobile broadband packages and speeds with our guide to Orange 3G network coverage

T-Mobile mobile broadband (www.T-Mobile.co.uk) shares its 3G network with 3, so it too currently covers more than 90 per cent of the UK - set to increase to 98.5 per cent by the end of 2010.

However, T-Mobile advertises its top speed at a maximum of 7.2Mb - with superfast broadband uploads at up to 2Mb. Though again, you will be unlikely to reach this top speed.

More details of T-Mobile’s mobile broadband coverage can be found on our T-Mobile mobile broadband coverage map. Or visit T-Mobile now to check mobile broadband availability in your street: www.T-Mobile.co.uk/Street-Check.

Vodafone Broadband (www.Vodafone.co.uk) offers the UK’s fastest mobile broadband speeds, with a maximum of 14.4Mb in some large city centres. However, it does acknowledge that customers are only likely to get between 1Mb and 4Mb. Areas not yet upgraded to its fastest speeds are on a maximum of up to 7.2Mb.

Vodafone was awarded the Best Consumer Mobile Broadband 2009 at the ISPA. Judges looked at the speed and reliability of Vodafone's network, as well as value for money.

Check our Vodafone mobile broadband coverage map for more information, or visit www.Vodafone.co.uk/Coverage to check Vodafone coverage in your street.