Mobile BroadbandCoverage & speed
Mobile Broadband - The facts
When people talk about broadband coverage and network speeds it all gets a bit confusing.
So these are the facts you need to understand what you’re getting with us.
So these are the facts you need to understand what you’re getting with us.
How fast is it?
The speed of Mobile Broadband access is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). When other mobile operators talk about the speed of their Mobile Broadband they talk about theoretical maximum speeds, not the speeds you actually experience. At 3 we talk about actual speeds. So even though our network has a maximum speed of 3.6Mbps, we say ‘up to 2.8 Mbps’.
As a guide, an average speed of 1Mbps or 1.5Mbps lets you download a 3-4 minute music track in 30 seconds or less. In techie terms, our Mobile Broadband network uses HSDPA (High Speed Download Packet Access) to get you onto the internet really fast.
What is coverage?
Coverage basically refers to whether or not there’s a Mobile Broadband signal in the area you want it. We’ve got Britain’s Best Mobile Broadband Coverage as voted by four independent sources. This means more places in the UK have our high-speed Mobile Broadband network than any other mobile operator.
The speed of Mobile Broadband access is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). When other mobile operators talk about the speed of their Mobile Broadband they talk about theoretical maximum speeds, not the speeds you actually experience. At 3 we talk about actual speeds. So even though our network has a maximum speed of 3.6Mbps, we say ‘up to 2.8 Mbps’.
As a guide, an average speed of 1Mbps or 1.5Mbps lets you download a 3-4 minute music track in 30 seconds or less. In techie terms, our Mobile Broadband network uses HSDPA (High Speed Download Packet Access) to get you onto the internet really fast.
What is coverage?
Coverage basically refers to whether or not there’s a Mobile Broadband signal in the area you want it. We’ve got Britain’s Best Mobile Broadband Coverage as voted by four independent sources. This means more places in the UK have our high-speed Mobile Broadband network than any other mobile operator.
What influences speed and coverage?
Mobile Broadband uses a radio signal. The strength of the signal will vary depending on where you are, weather conditions and the construction of the building. The stronger the signal, the faster and smoother your internet access will be.
Mobile Broadband uses a radio signal. The strength of the signal will vary depending on where you are, weather conditions and the construction of the building. The stronger the signal, the faster and smoother your internet access will be.
The 3 network
We’ve already built the UK’s biggest 3G network. And we’re investing millions of pounds so that by the end of 2010, our customers will have an even bigger, better, faster network. This means better coverage when it comes to making calls or using the internet on your mobile. It’ll also mean a quicker service for our ever-growing number of Mobile Broadband customers.
The future of our Mobile Broadband
We're also rolling out a network with theoretical speeds of 7.2Mbps. With this you'll actually experience speeds of 5.6Mbps. We'll show you how to check whether it's available in your area soon.
We’ve already built the UK’s biggest 3G network. And we’re investing millions of pounds so that by the end of 2010, our customers will have an even bigger, better, faster network. This means better coverage when it comes to making calls or using the internet on your mobile. It’ll also mean a quicker service for our ever-growing number of Mobile Broadband customers.
The future of our Mobile Broadband
We're also rolling out a network with theoretical speeds of 7.2Mbps. With this you'll actually experience speeds of 5.6Mbps. We'll show you how to check whether it's available in your area soon.
Mobile Broadband - Check your coverage
Check our coverage in your area