Coverage, signal strength and mobile broadband

[Ryedalesman]

Despite all mobile providers’ indicating coverage, only some providers have signal in our village and then only of limited strength. How can one determine the real best provider/signal (without stopping everyone using a mobile phone in the high street) ?? Can a provider be held accountable for blind spots when claiming coverage ?? Is signal strength critical for mobile broadband speeds ??

[Admin]

First of all check whether each of the providers' coverage checkers indicate strong coverage. Depending on the provider, the checker might split out 2G, 3G and UMTS. For mobile broadband speeds, you'll want to have 'UMTS' coverage rather than just 3G. Coverage checkers also tend to indicate expected coverage when outside in an open space, not what you can get when inside a building, so the stronger the indicated coverage the better.

Actual performance of mobile broadband also depends on how many people are using the same cell at the same time. This means performance can drop and peak times if a supplier is popular in your area.

Low signal for UMTS may mean you fall back to basic 3G or GPRS (or possibly EGPRS depending on the network) for data, so in general stronger coverage is better.

As there are so many unpredictable factors involved, we generally recommend trying whichever provider looks best on paper and cancelling within the first 14 days if you're not satisfied. O2 have a 50 day satisfaction guarantee, while other providers should only charge you for the data you use as long as you cancel within 14 days (Three mention this specifically). If you're in doubt check with the provider before signing up.

I hope this helps.

I am surfing on my laptop through T Mobile (FREE internet on my mobile). I am getting 612Mbps. Its okay because its FREE. And i am getting the same 'speed' i was getting before BUT having to pay BT line rental, and AOL to. I have saved £50 a month.

....Mobile broadband is the way forward. I love it. I dont care if its slow.... ITS FREE!! And joy of joy, NO BT, NO TalkTalk, NO god damn awful providers who give rubbish service and charge me for it.