How do I check mobile coverage in my area?

Enter your postcode in our coverage checker tool to get links to all four major UK networks' coverage maps. You can also select your area type (city, town, rural, remote) to see which networks typically perform best in similar locations.

Which UK network has the best rural coverage?

EE generally has the best rural coverage in the UK, followed by O2. Both networks have invested heavily in rural infrastructure. Three and Vodafone can struggle in remote areas, so always check specific coverage before switching.

Why is my mobile signal weak indoors?

Indoor signal can be affected by building materials, distance from masts, and network congestion. Solutions include enabling Wi-Fi calling, using a signal booster, or switching to a network with better indoor coverage in your area. EE and O2 typically have better building penetration.

Which network is best for 5G coverage in the UK?

EE has the widest 5G coverage with 500+ towns and cities, followed by O2 (450+), Vodafone (400+), and Three (350+). However, 5G is mainly available in urban areas - check specific coverage at your location using our postcode checker.

Coverage Guide 12 min read Updated: January 2026

UK Mobile Coverage: Check Signal in Your Area

Complete guide to 4G and 5G mobile coverage across the UK. Learn how to check coverage, compare networks, and find the best signal in your area.

Interactive Tool

Check Coverage in Your Area

Enter your postcode to get links to all network coverage checkers at once.

Coverage by Area Type

Select your area type to see which networks typically perform best.

Official Coverage Checkers

We've compiled this guide from official sources and real user experiences to help you find the best network for your area.

Before choosing a mobile network, always check coverage in the areas where you spend most time - home, work, and your commute. Each network provides an online coverage checker.

O2 Coverage Checker

Check O2's 4G and 5G coverage by entering your postcode or address on the O2 website.

Check O2 Coverage

EE Coverage Checker

EE has the widest 5G coverage. Check their coverage map for your area.

Check EE Coverage

Vodafone Coverage Checker

View Vodafone's network coverage including indoor and outdoor signal strength.

Check Vodafone Coverage

Three Coverage Checker

Check Three's coverage, which is especially strong in urban areas.

Check Three Coverage

4G vs 5G: What's the Difference?

4G LTE

Average speeds: 20-50 Mbps
Available to 99% of UK population
Works with any modern smartphone
Good for streaming, browsing, video calls
Better indoor penetration than 5G
Mature, reliable technology

5G

Average speeds: 100-300 Mbps
Available in 500+ UK towns and cities
Requires a 5G-compatible phone
Ideal for gaming, 4K streaming, large downloads
Lower latency for real-time apps
Expanding coverage throughout 2026

Do I Need 5G?

For most users, 4G is perfectly adequate for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and streaming. 5G is beneficial if you frequently download large files, play online games, or need the fastest possible speeds. If you're in a 5G area with a 5G phone, you'll automatically connect to 5G when available - your phone will fall back to 4G in other areas.

Coverage by Network (2026)

O2 Coverage

O2 covers 99% of the UK population with 4G and is rapidly expanding 5G. As part of Virgin Media O2, they share infrastructure investments for network improvements.

4G: 99% UK population coverage
5G: 450+ towns and cities
Strength: Good balance of urban and rural coverage
Indoor coverage: Generally reliable with Wi-Fi calling option

EE Coverage

EE consistently ranks as the UK's best network for coverage and speed. They have the widest 5G network and fastest average speeds.

4G: 99% UK population coverage
5G: 500+ towns and cities (largest UK 5G network)
Strength: Fastest speeds and widest 5G coverage
Indoor coverage: Excellent with VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling

Vodafone Coverage

Vodafone offers solid nationwide coverage with competitive 5G expansion. Their network sharing agreement with Three in some areas helps extend coverage.

4G: 99% UK population coverage
5G: 400+ towns and cities
Strength: Strong business and enterprise network
Indoor coverage: Good with Sure Signal boosters available

Three Coverage

Three is known for good value but historically has weaker coverage than competitors, particularly in rural areas and indoors.

4G: 99% UK population coverage (outdoor)
5G: 350+ towns and cities
Strength: Strong in urban centres
Indoor coverage: Can be patchy - check your specific location

Rural vs Urban Coverage

Urban Areas

All four major UK networks offer excellent coverage in cities and towns. 5G is widely available in urban centres, with EE and O2 leading in city coverage.

Best for urban: Any network works well - choose based on price and perks rather than coverage.

Rural Areas

Rural coverage varies significantly by network. EE generally has the best rural coverage, followed by O2 and Vodafone. Three can struggle in remote areas.

Best for rural: EE or O2 typically offer the most reliable rural coverage. Always check specific coverage in your area before committing.

Tips for Poor Coverage Areas

Wi-Fi Calling: Enable Wi-Fi calling to make calls over your broadband connection
Signal Boosters: Some networks offer femtocells or signal boosters for poor indoor coverage
Dual SIM: Consider a dual SIM phone with two networks for backup coverage
Network Trial: Some networks offer 30-day money-back guarantees - test coverage before committing

Compare UK Networks

See our full comparison of O2, EE, Vodafone, and Three including pricing and features.

Compare Networks More Help Guides

Sources & References

AT

Written by the AtlasMobile Team

Independent UK Mobile & Broadband Experts

Our editorial team combines over 25 years of experience in UK telecommunications. We research, test, and verify all information to provide accurate, unbiased guidance for consumers.

Last reviewed: January 2026