3G Coverage

The UK maps of 3G coverage were publish by Ofcom, the government's telecom watchdog. Third generation mobile broadband has been seen as one way of bringing faster internet access to rural areas. Millions have signed up for mobile broadband deals, with over 2m new connections between February 2008 and February 2009.

But the maps reveal that map rural areas have poor or non-existent 3G coverage, effectively making them mobile broadband "not-spots".

The 3G coverage maps were published alongside Ofcom's second phase of its mobile sector assessment. It reveals that consumers are increasingly giving up landlines in favour of their mobile phones. All communications from and for rural based audiences will need to take this into account.