Mobile phone coverage

The major mobile phone networks cover 99% of the UK, but how can you be sure you’ll get good mobile reception where you are?

The quality of your mobile signal is dependent on where you are and which network you’re with. The six network suppliers offer postcode checkers for mobile phone coverage, so you can find out how good their service is in your area.

Coverage check for each network

Check Vodafone coverage	Check O2 coverage	Check T-Mobile coverage
Check Orange coverage	Check Three coverage	Check Virgin coverage

Despite that, it’s possible that elsewhere in the UK you won’t be able to get a signal on your phone – this is most likely deep in the countryside or if there is something blocking the signal such as large trees, buildings, or if you’re in a basement.

Read our guide to boosting mobile phone coverage.

Types of mobile coverage

There are two main types of mobile coverage 2G – suitable for calls and texts – and 3G, which is suitable for internet services, such as emailing, web browsing and maps.

If you have a 3G-enabled phone, such as the iPhone 4, you can often see the type of signal its receiving changing from GPRS to 3G on the display, depending on your location.

Mobile phones connect to their network via masts and not all masts will be 3G-enabled in all areas, so the phone will just lock onto the 2G signal instead.

The mobile networks are keen to point out that while the postcode checkers give an indication of where a signal will be possible, they can’t control all the other physical factors. That’s particularly true of the weather.

Is your mobile coverage good enough?

An October 2009 study by an official panel found that the public counts coverage as more important than cost, customer service or the network provider itself. And overall people are happy with their coverage – giving it an average score of 7.7 points out of 10 points.

The study also found:

• Over half (56%) of customers have problems with mobile reception
• Reception at home is their most important issue, followed by reception while walking
• The most common problem people have is “notspots” where there’s no reception - 36% of users have come across this

How to complain about your mobile coverage

You must use check coverage with a mobile phone company before you commit to that network, in most cases this will mean your service will be suitable. It’s important that as soon as you begin a contract with a mobile phone network, you test the quality of the phone signal at home and other places where you’ll frequently use it.

If you’ve found that the signal is consistently failing, then in most cases in the first two weeks, you should be able to reach a resolution with the company, but you may need to be persistent.

Contact your mobile network customer services department and explain that you performed the postcode check which indicated the signal would be good in that area. Outline the problems you’re having and ask them to take the phone back and cancel the contract.

Given the problems that customers are reporting with mobile phone signals, telecoms regulator Ofcom’s consumer advisory panel has called for mobile devices to come with a “try before you buy” period for mobile phones and mobile broadband.

Compare smartphone packages deals