Telecoms regulator Ofcom has produced a series of maps showing coverage of digital communications services, including outdoor mobile coverage and mobile broadband availability. The maps have been created from data supplied by communications providers.
Administrative authority areas (e.g. counties) are shown on the map with a colour code that indicates five levels of coverage, from ‘less than 60%’ to ‘95% or more’. The maps form part of Ofcom’s first report on the UK’s communications infrastructure, which will be produced every three years.
Overall, Ofcom’s maps show that 97% of premises should have a strong enough mobile signal from all four 2G network operators to make a call when outside, although this equates to just 66% geographical coverage. Similarly, 3G coverage from all four networks covers 73% of the UK population but just 13% of the land area. Around 30% of the UK’s surface has no 3G coverage at all.
[Ofcom mobile maps; Infrastructure report]