Vodafone extends speedy broadband areas

Vodafone is extending its fast mobile broadband coverage to a further three million people this summer as part of a multi-million pound investment.

The extension will cover Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester and Reading and is due to be completed by the autumn.

Vodafone's high speed mobile broadband network has been in place in London and British airports since 2007.

Vodafone's fast mobile broadband uses HSDPA (high speed downlink packet access) technology -- sometimes referred to as 3.5G -- to offer a theoretical maximum download speed of 7.2Mbps.

The upgraded network will also use HSUPA (high speed uplink packet access) to increase upload speeds to a theoretical maximum of 1.8Mbps compared to 300Kbps previously.

Vodafone is also simplifying the way it markets its mobile broadband to help customers understand how they can use the service, rather than focusing on speeds.