UK communication regulator Ofcom has announced that all the UK’s major mobile phone networks are now covering 90% of UK homes with 3G service.
All were required to cover 90% of the UK population with 3G service by 30th June 2013. However, calculations published by Ofcom in November showed that Vodafone had only reached 88.66% coverage although EE, O2 and Three had complied.
As a result, Vodafone agreed a remedy with Ofcom and has upgraded 129 transmitter sites to address the shortfall.
Ofcom says it won’t be taking any further action due to Vodafone’s response and the margin by which the target was missed.
It also notes that its 4G licence agreement requires O2 to provide indoor 4G coverage to 98% of the UK population by 2017, which will offer coverage of more than 99% of the UK population when outdoors.
[Ofcom consumer guide to maximising mobile coverage (pdf)]