When you decide to go for a mobile broadband package and want to get the best mobile broadband deals possible, then you need to consider mobile broadband coverage. It's just as important as the speed of mobile broadband and the overall cost.

The main factors of mobile broadband coverage are your location in the UK and your mobile broadband provider. Often we see mobile broadband providers advertising broadband speeds of up to 3.6Mbps as well as ultra fast mobile broadband, but it is unlikely you will achieve these mobile broadband speeds in reality.

The quality and speed of your mobile broadband service heavily depends on your location in the UK. If you live in a major city like London or Liverpool you could expect to see faster mobile broadband speeds than if you lived in a rural area such as Cornwall. Even if your mobile broadband dongle says it's the fastest dongle in the UK it won't get you high speed mobile broadband in a rural area.

Mobile broadband coverage is dependant on what is effectively a radio signal. And being a radio signal it can deteriorate if it has to travel through trees, mountains and tall buildings. Weather conditions can also play havoc with the signals. The better the quality of the mobile broadband signal, the better the mobile broadband internet service will be. With this in mind it really is important to check mobile broadband coverage before you part with your hard earned cash and sign up to a mobile broadband provider.

Current mobile broadband providers in the UK include Orange, Vodafone, O2, Virgin Media, T-Mobile and 3.

Three (3) mobile broadband coverage

3 have the UK's biggest 3G mobile broadband network. The 3 mobile broadband service currently covers 90 per cent of the UK and that coverage is set to rise by in 2010.

3 is currently investing millions of pounds into their service to improve mobile broadband coverage. It hopes by the end of 2010 they will have a much faster mobile broadband network for their customers and they are currently rolling out theoretical speeds of 7.2Mbps. According to 3, this will mean you will experience actual speeds of 5.6Mbps depending on whether you are in a good mobile broadband coverage area.

Virgin Media's mobile broadband coverage

Virgin Media's mobile broadband covers over 85 per cent of the UK.
Along with good UK mobile broadband coverage, Virgin Media offers surprisingly cheap mobile broadband deals. It offers a high-speed 3G network and its flexible mobile broadband packages will suit all surfing needs.

Orange mobile broadband coverage

Orange mobile broadband covers around 80% of the UK. Better mobile broadband coverage exists in urban areas which can provide possible speeds of up to 7.2Mbs.
As with all mobile broadband providers, Orange provide a mobile broadband coverage checker on their website. You can enter a postcode and check coverage in areas that you intend to use Orange mobile broadband.

O2 mobile broadband coverage

O2 mobile broadband currently covers 80 per cent of the UK.
The O2 mobile broadband network gives its customers access to over 7,500 hotspots in the UK. O2 hotspots are areas such as The Cloud and BT Openzone where you can browse the web in major airports, train stations and even in McDonalds. These Wi-Fi-hotspots give you access to the O2 mobile broadband network, your O2 dongle will choose the best service available in the area you are in. The O2 mobile broadband dongle will make use of either GPRS, 3G or HSDPA technology to get the best possible mobile broadband coverage.

T-Mobile mobile broadband coverage

T-mobile mobile broadband has joined with 3 to operate its 3G mobile broadband network. They share the same masts, meaning T-Mobile enjoys the same coverage as 3 at just over 90 per cent of the UK population.

Vodafone mobile broadband coverage

Vodafone mobile broadband covers 80 per cent of the UK.
Vodafone offers the fastest mobile broadband service in the UK and if you're in a major city like London you could get ultra-fast mobile broadband speeds of up to 14.4Mbps, other areas could get equally as ultra fast mobile broadband speeds of up to 7.2Mbps. Although this will depend on your location and the quality of the mobile broadband signal.