Big variation in mobile coverage in the SW

Which? has teamed up with independent mobile coverage experts OpenSignal to reveal the best and worst mobile phone networks for across the UK, and found that the South West was the second worst region we looked at for coverage and some providers were much better than others.

The analysis of the different networks in the South West found a variation of 40% between the top and bottom 3G provider:

• Highest average time on 2G, 3G or 4G: Vodafone (94.4%)
• Lowest average time on 2G, 3G or 4G: Three (91.8%)
• Highest average 3G time on: Three (89.8%)
• Lowest average 3G time on: Vodafone (49.8%)
• Highest average 4G time on: EE (30.6%)
• Lowest average 4G time on: Three (10.6%)

As part of the research, Which? also rated each of the 12 regions in the UK and gave the South West a ranking against the others. With an average time on 2G, 3G or 4G percentage of 92.8%, the South West was the 2nd worst region in the UK for mobile coverage. The region also recorded an average time on 3G or 4G of 67.7%.

OpenSignal’s “State of the Market” report, produced in association with Which?, looked at the 3G and 4G mobile signals of 39,294 phone users of the EE, O2, Three and Vodafone networks and found big differences in coverage and speeds across the country.

Which? executive director Richard Lloyd, said: "We’ve looked at consumers' real-life experiences in the South West and found big differences in service between mobile phone providers.  We want providers to publish the reliability and speeds their networks actually achieve so people can make an informed choice before signing on the dotted line.

“We also support the Government's action on mobile roaming to rid the country of unnecessary 'not spots', so that a lost mobile phone signal becomes a thing of the past.”

Head of marketing at OpenSignal, Samuel Johnston, said: “We hope this report can draw better attention to the current state of mobile network coverage in the UK, and help consumers better understand how the networks differ in terms of speed and real-world coverage. We encourage everyone to download the free OpenSignal app to help contribute to our impartial coverage maps; so that no one will have to rely on guesswork when it comes to getting the best signal in their area.”

To read more on this region, and to see a detailed breakdown of coverate click here. For the free interactive coverage map click here.