Mobile Coverage

Ofcom’s Broadband and Mobile Coverage Checker is a free online tool that helps you find out what broadband speeds and mobile signal strength are available at your address. By entering your postcode, you can see which providers offer services in your area, compare mobile network coverage and check how reliable your connection is likely to be.

Check your postcode here 

The next generation of mobile devices are normally 5G enabled as default, but for residents and businesses to benefit from these technological advance’s providers may need to install some new equipment and masts across the county.

Benefits of improved connectivity

• Faster download speeds – The most obvious benefit of 5G is faster speeds (download and upload) on the go. Potentially up to 100 times faster than 4G. This means quicker and higher amounts of data transfer and smoother streaming.
• Better back-up connectivity – Ideal for those working without a stable or fast enough broadband connection or streaming multiple devices at once (multiscreen household)
• Supports exciting new technologies – 5G will be a key enabler for emerging Technologies such as AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality) and development of smart cities and towns. Firefighters could one day use AR glasses to deal with smoke filled/zero visibility incidents. Drones could collect real time data avoiding collection, download and processing times as well as human error.
• More responsive internet connection (Lower Latency) – The lower the latency, the more responsive the internet on your device is. 4G is typically 30-40 milliseconds (ms) while 5G is under 10ms sometimes as low as 1ms. This is crucial for applications like real time online gaming and self-driving/autonomous vehicles.
• Better connectivity in crowded areas – 5G networks can support a much large number of devices and connections simultaneously without significant drop in performance. This will allow for you to stand in a crowded place like a festival and still be able to send and receive information almost instantly.
• IoT (the Internet of Things) – 5G will play an important role in enabling IoT across a range of developing areas including automated vehicles, air quality monitoring and traffic management and a whole plethora of new and developing tech.
• Improved reliability – With a 5G network being readily available and very unlikely to experience service drop out or lag, it could be relied on for robotic surgeries and industrial automation.
• Economic growth – 5G is expected to drive economic growth by enabling new industries, creating jobs and fostering innovation. This will allow more industries to move out of London and other big cities and into the home counties.

There will be many other benefits, and these will continue to evolve as the technology matures and expands. Use the 5G Coverage Checker to search for 5G in your area.

Non-ionising radiation

Radio frequencies needed for common household items to work, from television to microwave ovens (usually between 3kHz and 300kHz) produce radiation which is classed as ‘non-ionising’. This means that it does not have sufficient energy to break chemical bonds ore remove electrons, as opposed to ‘ionising radiation’, which occurs at much higher frequencies and is generally considered to be hazardous to humans (source: ICNIRP).

The diagram [below] illustrates low frequency waves from devices such as a hairdryer to mobile phone and 5G airwaves (non-ionising) through to ultraviolet, x-rays and gamma rays (ionising radiation).

Mobile services in the UK currently use 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G technologies. Providers have begun switching off 3G networks, which may impact users with older devices. This will make way for faster, more reliable 4G and 5G networks.

Each provider has its own timeline:

• Vodafone and EE completed their 3G switch-off in early 2024.
• Three has switched off 3G across most of the UK.
• O2 plans to switch off 3G in 2025.

Your provider will contact you if changes affect your service, and you can check their website for updates.