The communications regulator, Ofcom UK, has today published updated research into mobile not-spots and discovered that related 2G and 3G mobile phone and Mobile Broadband operators generally manage to provide "reasonably accurate" coverage data for outdoor predictions.

Furthermore 9 out of 10 consumers found mobile coverage checkers both easy to use and relevant, while 8 in 10 felt that they were useful in making supplier comparisons. Sadly only a small portion of consumers actually knew that such checkers existed (3 in 10).


Ofcom notes its belief that there is "no single 'right' way of estimating coverage" and wasn't surprised to find a degree of difference in modelling between operators. All operators were in fact deemed to have provided "broadly accurate" information.

As a result the regulator has concluded that "further work to harmonise modelling processes may not be proportionate". However Ofcom did come up with a number of recommendations and has already begun work to facilitate their implementation.

Ofcom's Mobile Coverage Recommendations

* Operators should provide coverage checkers at the point of sale (some already do this, others do not).

* Operators should work with third parties, such as comparison websites, to make their coverage information more comparable and widely available to consumers.

* Operators should ensure that consumers affected by changes in coverage levels, when they already have a service, are given prior notice.

Ofcom's related research into the country's national Mobile Broadband speeds (full details) recently discovered that the average mobile internet download speed is just 1.5Mbps (Megabits per second); rising to 2.1Mbps in areas of "good 3G coverage". By contrast the national average speed for a fixed line broadband ISP connection is 6.8Mbps. Further studies are being conducted.

ISPreview.co.uk's own Top Tips for Improving Mobile-Broadband Performance article covers this same subject and offers some useful advice. Ofcom has also updated its own highly simplified guide - Maximising your mobile coverage.

Ofcoms Mobile Coverage for Consumers Report
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/market-data-research/telecoms-research/mobile-not-spots/mobile-coverage-for-consumers/