Millions of UK mobile users could be missing out on better service, according to Ofcom, which has launched a new postcode-level tool to help consumers identify the best-performing mobile network in their area.

The tool, Map Your Mobile, offers a comprehensive coverage and performance comparison service. Users can enter a postcode to view a detailed local map showing the availability and quality of each major network.

Natalie Black, group director for Networks and Communications at Ofcom, said: “Map Your Mobile shows detailed coverage and performance based on what smartphones need today. Put in your postcode and find out which mobile network is right for you.”

The tool goes live as the UK enters its peak home-moving season, with over half a million moves expected this summer. Buyers and renters can now check mobile service quality before settling in — not just at home, but also in nearby areas, workplaces, and along commuting routes.

Using a combination of real-world user data from Opensignal and predictive data from mobile operators, the checker offers results down to 50-metre squares — twice the resolution of Ofcom’s previous tool. It also introduces a higher threshold for what counts as a “good” signal to reflect the demands of modern smartphone use, including gaming, video streaming, and remote work.

The new data-driven approach recognises how user habits have changed. “People increasingly need a highly reliable service,” said Ofcom, which will continue updating the checker with fresh insights to support network switching decisions.

The Government welcomed the launch as a step toward closing the gap between official network coverage claims and everyday user experience.

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Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “This new tool provides consumers with accurate, postcode-level information so they have the power to choose the network that works where they need it most — whether at home, work or on their commute.”

The launch comes as UK mobile infrastructure readies for further upgrades. Ofcom plans to auction millimetre-wave spectrum later this year, enabling high-capacity connections in busy public areas like stadiums and train stations. The regulator is also exploring satellite-based mobile signals to cover remote areas with no mast coverage.

Mobile UK, the trade body for operators, said the industry was committed to improving coverage and capacity to support increasingly data-heavy usage. Opensignal’s Tom Luke said the tool shifts the focus to “real-world experience” via more than 20 million signal tests across the UK.