Mobile broadband coverage refers to the areas serviced by a mobile network signal. The term is often also used to describe the quality of the signal in a given area or the technologies available to a specific area (such as 2G, 3G, etc.). As you might imagine, this is vital for a mobile broadband connection - without coverage for your area, you won't get any service, and you wouldn't want to end up paying for a service that you can't actually use!
Over 99% of the UK is now covered by the mobile networks, which makes it pretty unlikely that you'll find yourself somewhere with absolutely no signal whatsoever. This is one of the advantages of living on a small, well populated island!
However, to get true broadband speeds, you're going to need to have 3G or HSDPA coverage - areas without either of these will usually use the old 2G networks, which can be painfully slow for mobile broadband. Because of this, it's always worth checking the coverage offered by a provider before you sign up for their service.
Pay-as-you-go mobile broadband plans are a good way to reduce the risk of signing up with a poorly performing network. You can now pick up a USB modem at a fairly low price, buy a top-up and see how well it works without committing to a pay-monthly contract.
That said, there is now an even better way to try before you buy. The major providers know that a big drawback for many of us, is the doubt over performance, and to encourage us to give it whirl, they've started to offer a money back trail period, so that you can try their service out risk free. You'll still have to pay for it initially, but if you find it's not working for you, simply send your hardware back for a full refund. This is a good time to try mobile broadband out.
One of the problems with mobile broadband coverage, is that it can be affected by external geographical and structural objects, such as trees, hills and buildings. As with any mobile network, the weather can also temporarily affect coverage and performance. Because of this, it's always a good idea - if possible - to ask friends, family and colleagues about their experiences with different mobile broadband providers before making a decision.
Due to the predicted growth in the mobile broadband market and the huge amounts of money that the major providers have already invested in new technologies to improve and expand their current services, we can expect mobile broadband coverage to continue improving rapidly over the coming months and years - great news for those considering switching to mobile broadband as their main access to the internet.
Over 99% of the UK is now covered by the mobile networks, which makes it pretty unlikely that you'll find yourself somewhere with absolutely no signal whatsoever. This is one of the advantages of living on a small, well populated island!
However, to get true broadband speeds, you're going to need to have 3G or HSDPA coverage - areas without either of these will usually use the old 2G networks, which can be painfully slow for mobile broadband. Because of this, it's always worth checking the coverage offered by a provider before you sign up for their service.
Pay-as-you-go mobile broadband plans are a good way to reduce the risk of signing up with a poorly performing network. You can now pick up a USB modem at a fairly low price, buy a top-up and see how well it works without committing to a pay-monthly contract.
That said, there is now an even better way to try before you buy. The major providers know that a big drawback for many of us, is the doubt over performance, and to encourage us to give it whirl, they've started to offer a money back trail period, so that you can try their service out risk free. You'll still have to pay for it initially, but if you find it's not working for you, simply send your hardware back for a full refund. This is a good time to try mobile broadband out.
One of the problems with mobile broadband coverage, is that it can be affected by external geographical and structural objects, such as trees, hills and buildings. As with any mobile network, the weather can also temporarily affect coverage and performance. Because of this, it's always a good idea - if possible - to ask friends, family and colleagues about their experiences with different mobile broadband providers before making a decision.
Due to the predicted growth in the mobile broadband market and the huge amounts of money that the major providers have already invested in new technologies to improve and expand their current services, we can expect mobile broadband coverage to continue improving rapidly over the coming months and years - great news for those considering switching to mobile broadband as their main access to the internet.
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To test the coverage offered by the major providers, use their online coverage checking tools. You can find links to each of them, as well as more detailed info at UK mobile broadband coverage. To compare mobile broadband offers from the major providers, try Mobile Broadband Supermarket.
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