Mobile broadband coverage refers to the areas serviced by a mobile network signal. The term is often also used to describe the quality of the signal in a given area or the technologies available to a specific area (such as 2G, 3G, etc.). As you might imagine, this is vital for a mobile broadband connection - without coverage for your area, you won't get any service, and you wouldn't want to end up paying for a service that you can't actually use!
Fortunately, the vast majority of the UK has coverage of some kind or another, so even if you have to put up with painfully slow data rates, you'll rarely find yourself in a spot where your completely unable to access your broadband connection.
Before you rush off and sign up for any old mobile broadband deal, you need to know that not all coverage is equal. If you're hoping to get true broadband speeds, which will enable you to stream video, quickly download music tracks, and send large email attachments, you're going to need 3G or HSDPA coverage (depending on the network you go with). Make sure that you check the coverage maps for a provider before you sign up for a contract deal with them.
If you're not too confident about coverage in your area, you could always try a pay-as-you-go plan, for which you will buy the USB modem, and simply top-up with credit whenever you need to - if you find the service doesn't live up to your expectations, you've only spent the price of the modem and one top-up.
Even better is to try a package from one of the providers who offer a trial period. Many of the major providers have realised that one of the big stumbling blocks for those of us who are thinking about using this new technology, is doubt about their network's mobile broadband coverage and performance. In an attempt to allay these fears, several of them are now offering money back guarantees. This is great, as it basically gives you the opportunity to try before you buy.
One of the problems with mobile broadband coverage, is that it can be affected by external geographical and structural objects, such as trees, hills and buildings. As with any mobile network, the weather can also temporarily affect coverage and performance. Because of this, it's always a good idea - if possible - to ask friends, family and colleagues about their experiences with different mobile broadband providers before making a decision.
All of the networks are currently pouring lots of resources into improving their mobile broadband coverage. This is great news for the future of mobile broadband and many predict that it will become the predominant way to connect to the world wide web in the future - even those who are more sceptical agree that mobile broadband use is going to increase massively in the next few years.
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To test the coverage offered by the major providers, use their online coverage checking tools. You can find links to each of them, as well as more detailed info at UK mobile broadband coverage. To compare mobile broadband offers from the major providers, try Mobile Broadband Supermarket.