Network Coverage

Being able to use your mobile phone depends on it receiving signal from your network. It is not possible to use a different home network, even to make an emergency call.

Indoor or outdoor?

The estimated coverage supplied by networks is based on the fact that you will be outdoors when you use your mobile. However many people need to use their phones indoors, and so in-building coverage matters. The two frequencies used by GSM mobile networks each have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is not true to say that one frequency is better than the other for in-building signal. Some buildings let 900 in better than 1800, while others are the opposite.

Sitefinder:

www.sitefinder.radio.gov.uk is a government website that allows you to search by location, see where there are mobile base stations, and get details of the signals from each. However, the maps can be very difficult to use.

The base stations are not colour-coded to show which networks they serve and you have to zoom in closely to identify where bases are located. Although a handy tool, it lacks precision - some of the Sitefinder marks are several hundred metres away from where they should be.

Despite these limitations, which could easily be addressed, it remains a very useful resource.

Phone Manufacturers:

The mobile phone production market is one that is dominated by the usual big companies – Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Samsung and LG.

However there are several other companies that have smaller shares of the market, including a few big names in other fields, but others you may never have heard of.

	Mobile phone networks		Choosing the right mobile
	Network coverage		Mobile phone customisations
	Number Portability & Migration		Mobile phone alternatives
	Cost summary		Pitfalls of mobile phones
	Special needs