Ofcom have created a 3G coverage map of the UK to show where there is a minimum threshold of coverage for anyone trying to connect to the Internet via a mobile phone or a mobile broadband dongle.
The maps are done for each of the 5 mobile operators in the UK and show their coverage, with Three and then Orange as those with the greatest coverage followed by T-Mobile, Vodafone and then O2 with the least 3G coverage.
The maps show indicated coverage representing areas where the threshold is exceeded for 50% of locations and 50% of time and for outdoor use. These are areas where there is a good chance that a customer will be able to make or receive a call over a 3G network.
Each of the mobile operators have their own 3G coverage maps on their websites that will be able to drill down to specific locations more accurately for customers wanting to know what coverage is like for a specific location, but this independent set of maps are a good platform to view what each of the mobile broadband operators are able to offer in terms of coverage throughout the UK.
It is reported that the owners of the German based Deusch Telecom, the owners of T-Mobile UK have instructed JP Morgan to approach Vodafone to see if they would like to bid for the mobile phone operator.