Mobile coverage in the UK continues to improve but it can still differ in reliability from region to region and depending on which mobile network you are with and handset you are using. 

As the 5G rollout continues to expand across the UK, mobile phone retailer Fonehouse reveals which areas in the UK have the best and worst mobile coverage, with North Ayrshire emerging as the area with the second-worst mobile coverage.

The study used data from Ofcom's Connected Nations 2021 report and coverage checker tools on Three, Vodafone, EE and O2’s websites to create a total coverage score using five factors: 3G services, 4G services, 5G services, voice services and data services. These were then ranked highest to lowest to reveal the best and worst areas.

 

North Ayrshire has emerged as the second-worst area in the UK for mobile coverage, with weak coverage across 4G and 5G services. With a possible score of 2500 to be gained, North Ayrshire scored 1875 – 13.77% below average!

 

The Areas In The UK With The Worst Mobile Coverage Are:

1 Derry City and Strabane

2 North Ayrshire

3 Shetland Islands

4 Isles of Scilly

5 Wrexham

6 East Devon

7 East Lindsey

8 Dover

9 Dumfries and Galloway

10 Mid Ulster

 

The UK areas which have some of the worst mobile coverage had weak services for at least one factor, with a lack of rollout of 5G services. Derry City and Strabane emerged as the area in the UK with the worst mobile coverage, with the Shetland Islands coming third.

 

The Areas In The UK With The Best Mobile Coverage Are:

1 Camden

2 Brent

3 Watford

4 Redbridge

5 Luton

6 Newham

7 Kingston upon Hull, City of

8 Lewisham

9 Lambeth

10 Hounslow

The areas which came out on top all have great coverage across the five factors, so there shouldn’t be any issues when it comes to using your phone in those areas. Camden emerged as the area in the UK with the best mobile coverage, followed by Brent and Watford.

Ben Branson, CEO of Fonehouse commented:

“Mobile networks are constantly evolving and improving as years go by, as more networks put up masts around the country, improving the scope and quality of mobile coverage. Even so, there are still areas where coverage is weaker than others as the roll-out has been hampered by technology availability.

"5G has come a huge way since it was first released, with a much wider range of compatible handsets, available areas and networks offering it. The latest devices that feature newer 5G chipsets, such as the iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy S22 will benefit from the fast network roll-out for 5G across the UK.”