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Ofcom releases broadband and mobile network coverage report

by Steven Williamson on 2 November 2011, 09:47

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British telecoms operator Ofcom has revealed the state of broadband and mobile network coverage across the UK, revealing some very interesting stats about data usage and connection speeds.

Released in the form of an interactive map and series of downloadable pdf files, the report includes mobile network coverage and detailed information, split by local authority, on the availability of broadband across the country and shows average broadband speeds, the availability of super-fast broadband connections and areas where connections are operating at less than 2Mbit/s

“Broadband is now available on nearly every copper telephone line in the UK, however 14% of residential broadband connections are currently operating below the 2Mbit/s speed that government wishes to make available to virtually all homes by 2015,” reads the Ofcom report.

Pink areas indicate where 3G has availability of less than 25%


The report reveals that British residential broadband users download 17 gigabytes of data a month and 58 percent of connections are operating at high speeds of 24Mbit/s.

“These figures suggest that our broadband lines are fast replacing the airwaves as the primary way we receive TV and radio,’ said Ernest Doku, technology expert at uSwitch.com.

ThinkBroadband has pulled some interesting stats from the report:

• Highest average sync speed - City of Edinburgh - 10.1Mbps
• Lowest average sync speed - Fermanagh - 4.3Mbps
• Highest percentage receiving less than 2Mbit/s - Cookstown - 35.9%
• Lowest percentage receiving less than 2Mbit/s - City of Edinburgh, City of Bristol - 4.5%
• Highest super-fast broadband availability - Luton, Newtownabbey - 100%
• Highest broadband take-up - City of Brighton and Hove - 80%
• Lowest broadband take-up - Na H-Eileanan an Iar (Western Isles) - 46%

Ofcom’s findings also detail mobile network coverage, revealing that only 13 percent of Britain is covered by 3G. Coverage in rural areas tends to be worse than in urban areas, but Ofcom reports that “analysis indicates that operators are often deploying more infrastructure per capita to serve rural users –highlighting the challenges of extending network coverage.”

For the full report, which also includes digital TV reception and digital radio reception coverage, check out the official Ofcom website.


HEXUS Forums :: 7 Comments

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so there's better mobile coverage and broadband speed in major cities and towns and poor coverage in the middle of empty fields and wilderness (aka scotland and wales), that's a shocking result
andyb123
so there's better mobile coverage and broadband speed in major cities and towns and poor coverage in the middle of empty fields and wilderness (aka scotland and wales), that's a shocking result
If you meant "empty fields and wilderness in Scotland and Wales" then I'll agree, otherwise not.

Interesting to see Edinburgh seems to be the best place to get good service - wonder if that's anything to do with a combination of notable BT and VirginMedia presences, along with a thriving financial sector.

I'll have to do some digging on that site - because I'm interested to see who in the mobile operators has the best coverage. From experience Three get the best data rates when you can get a signal.
Its all well and good Ofcom releasing these reports, thing is though nothing is being done to make things better really. Said it before, there is no cable in my area and no sign of it showing up either. Lucky if our Broadband hits 3Mb and be stable at the same time. Mobile coverage we have to be on the top floor of the house to get 3G, anywhere else it is a flaky GPRS signal, tried the different networks and its the same with all of them.

The area I live is outside a town, semi rural. Trouble is, as the crow flies its a mile to the exchange, but due to BT's old infrasrtucture we are 10 miles of cable before it comes to our house, go figure.
crossy
Interesting to see Edinburgh seems to be the best place to get good service - wonder if that's anything to do with a combination of notable BT and VirginMedia presences, along with a thriving financial sector.

Edinburgh is interesting, and I think you are right. I would hazard a guess that it has to do with the proliferation of Virgin cable and now BT infinity, combined with the fact that large areas are unable to get sky TV because of the large areas of listed buildings/buildings unable to get a standard Sky dish install. This would push even more people to Virgin TV and BT vision and their BB services.
re Edinburgh area:

Try moving over the bridge, then see your speed fall!