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    HomeInsightsOfcom maps UK 3G coverage - spectrum required

    Ofcom maps UK 3G coverage – spectrum required

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    Ofcom to address spectrum issues as maps show rural areas missing out on 3G

    As well as publishing the second stage of its consumer assessment of the UK mobile market, Ofcom has produced some handy PDFs showing 3G coverage of the UK – by operator.

    The maps seem to show that 3 UK has the most coverage by geography, with Orange next. O2 and Vodafone look to have the least, with T-Mobile marginally ahead of these two. You can view the maps here.

    They also show that the UK has a long way to go before rural areas are hooked up to mobile broadband. The maps will strengthen operator calls for more spectrum at lower frequencies to enable them to provide wider coverage more economically.

    The maps are intended as a start of the process to assess how operators are meeting their license requirements. They show that rural areas are still poorly served. Ofcom says it will assist the Government on its proposals to make more spectrum available for mobile broadband as well as the work to improve 3G coverage on key transport routes.

    As well as this, Ofcom said it undertake new research to explore for the first time the technical quality of service – such as mobile broadband speeds – that consumers receive from mobile devices; and investigate the causes of some persistent mobile coverage "not-spots" – areas of poor or no reception – and work with public bodies to consider how to resolve these issues. This may include providing guidance on ways to overcome coverage issues. 

    As for its mobile market assessment, Ofcom said it will not undertake a wider formal review of the mobile market. Its consultation on termination rates is continuing and will close on 29 July 2009.

    How the maps were made 

    A few caveats – the mapping was done as at the end of December 2008, and show areas where users are likely to be able to make a call over a 3G network – not areas where customers may access 'higher data rate services". Maps were made based on theoretical predictions, and coverage was assumed where the received signal strength exceeded -110dBm. Indicated coverage is for areas where that threshold is exceeded for 50% of locations, 50% of the time. Outdoor rather than indoor coverage is calculated, and Ofcom used a propogation model different to that used by operators to assess their own coverage.