When Ofcom (or Oftel as it was known back in 2000) auctioned off the 3G spectrum for a sum that could probably buy you Belgium – Norway, at a stretch – those expensively acquired licences came with strings attached.

One of those strings was that each of the winning bidders had to cover 80% of the country – by population, not land mass – by the end of 2007. Four out of the five networks met that target, with O2 earning itself a fine for finishing the job late.

So, given that each of the five networks has at least 80% of the country covered by themselves, the figures released by Ofcom yesterday showing that only 73.1% of premises in the UK has 3G coverage from all five networks seems, at first, to be contradictory. Until you realise, of course, that those five lots of 80% coverage don’t overlap precisely, creating many “3G areas” where only one or two networks provide a signal.

Areas (or, indeed, entire countries) such as Wales, where only a fraction under half of premises are getting 3G from all five providers. Or Northern Ireland, where only 51.7% of premises have a choice of all five.

Ofcom didn’t earn its reputation as the chocolate fireguard of regulators by forcing companies to do things they don’t want to do

Consequently, the good citizens of Wales, Northern Ireland or indeed any part of the UK will most likely find that there are plenty of times when their chosen network doesn’t offer a 3G signal as they travel around the country, thus rendering their smartphones or 3G dongles effectively useless.

The networks don’t really care: they’ve already got your monthly subscription fee nestled in their coffers and the more data you download, the more it costs them. Once they’ve met their minimum 80% obligation, there’s little or no incentive for them to invest in expanding their coverage, especially in those awkward rural areas. And Ofcom didn’t earn its reputation as the chocolate fireguard of regulators by forcing companies to do things they don’t want to do. Perish the thought.

The solution

So how best to improve this patchwork quilt of UK 3G coverage? A quite brilliant answer comes from none other than a PC Pro reader, commenting on yesterday’s news story.

Step forward Mr John A Hind:

“Ofcom could make a massive improvement for everyone simply by mandating network fallback, so if a handset cannot get a signal on its home network it can transparently use any of the others with appropriate inter-network financial transfers. Also there should be something that can be done with public Wi-Fi provision to offload some of the data traffic, again with automatic fallback.”

That solution is so simple and inspired, that if Ofcom chief Ed Richards were to tragically fall under the wheels of a bus, I would camp outside Ofcom HQ until they made John A Hind the new head honcho.

It gives networks two financial incentives to improve 3G coverage: the first in the penalty payments they’d have to make to rivals for customers ‘roaming’ on their 3G network; the second being the potential money they could make by erecting a 3G mast in areas not covered by the others, and reaping those roaming fees.

There’s no technical reason why it couldn’t work, either. Take your phone abroad, and you’ll often find it will hop from one network to the next, with your home network taking care of all the billing and associated roaming fees with its foreign partner network. These systems are already in place.

In fact, the only real stumbling block is the aforementioned chocolate fireguard. “Your suggestion will be roundly ignored by Ofcom as it is far too sensible,” reader tirons1 said of Mr Hind’s masterplan.

That’s two readers who are – unfortunately, in the case of the latter – absolutely spot on.

Should it? We tend to review the Wi-Fi-only models of tablets, because that’s what we’re usually sent. We’ll mention the 3G options in the review, but it’s up to manufacturers to decide whether to offer them or not, and up to consumers to buy them.

It started a debate, one which began in the office and spilled over to the PC Pro podcast as well. Then I posed the question – to 3G or not to 3G? – on Twitter, and it generated an unexpected level of response.

Obviously, it does all depend on what you’ll use it for, and plenty of you said you’d buy with or without 3G depending on that. But just as many came out firmly on one side or the other, with no clear winner.

In the 3G corner…

Led by @bazzacollins.

Senior staff writer @mikejjennings: “A supposedly “mobile” device without constant (network-dependent) net access? No thanks.”

Contributing editor @PaulOckenden: “Huge yes from me. What if you’re out of Wi-Fi range?”

Contributing editor @JonHoneyball: “I wouldn’t buy a tablet unless it had a 3G socket/modem built in. I might not buy a sim immediately, but…”

Plenty of readers agreed with those sentiments.

@allpointsnorth: “3G for me, but only cos I’m on the go a lot - replaces dongle. Cloud/Openzone not always that reliable either.”

@MarkTechArc72: “3G is a must – for a mainly information consumption device, what’s the point if you have no internet when you’re out?”

@the_pc_doc: “Manufacturers not offering 3G as an option will go the same way as the dinosaur or the dodo…”

And a few picked up the travel theme too:

@mikehamer: “iPad 3G was very useful on our holiday in Italy (with Italian SIM). Google Maps on its big screen was fab.”

@smithsocksimon: “3G is handy if you travel, cause you can buy a local SIM for each country.”

It was left to Mr Honeyball to offer some sensible advice: “Buy it with 3G but without SIM. Buy a monthly contract SIM like 3 for 15 quid. Try it both ways. You’ll hate Wi-Fi-only mode.”

In the Wi-Fi corner…

Led by @Bayonnaise:

@tomaszrykala: “3G isn’t a must, as the research confirms, majority of tablets don’t ever leave the house.”

If you do leave the house, a huge number of people suggested different ways to get data…

@chatanm: “I’d recommend a Mi-Fi and Wi-Fi tablet instead of 3G tablet. More flexible and the battery life would be better on your tablet without 3G.”

@MerseyMal: “For the rare occasions away from Wi-Fi would use phone. Don’t want two 3G contracts.”

@alanjrobertson: “It’s a no from me – seems to add about £100 + extra contract to cost. Happy with Android Wi-Fi hotspot function instead.”

@jim_herd: “Big issue for me is only paying for one data contract. Makes Mi-Fi or mobile tethering the way to go.”

And several people came up with the same response regarding their experiences with 3G tablets.

@johnny_winter: “I bought 3G iPad last year. It wasn’t necessary so cancelled 3G SIM. Can use personal hotspot on iPhone if required now.”

@itf: “Got a 3G iPad, never used the 3G.”

The judges’ decision

Those are just a few of the tweets we got, but the result is hardly surprising: some people want 3G in a tablet, some people don’t, and it’s entirely dependent on where you are and how you use it.

We even got a response from @MattJEgan, editor of (boo hiss) rival PC Advisor, supporting both sides: “Yes [to 3G]! Commuter, etc. That said, the PC Advisor Reviews Ed has a Wi-Fi iPad and carries a 3G MiFi dongle for all his toys.”

All of which I suppose vindicates Barry on his original argument: it is a bit short-sighted of Asus not to give the option.

As Chris points out the cheapest 3G iPad you can buy is the 16GB version at £529. Then you’re looking at a minimum of £7.50 a month for the data plan via 3 (unless you go for one of the daily plans, which is likely to be more expensive in the long run unless you’re a very light user). That means for the first 18 months you’re looking at a minimum outlay of £664.

Alternatively, you could opt for the Wi-Fi only version of the iPad, starting at £429, and use a MiFi device to get the 3G internet connection. The MiFi units are essentially portable 3G hotspots that accept a SIM card and beam the signal out via Wi-Fi, allowing your iPad to connect to the internet on the move without an internal SIM. 3 will provide one for free if you sign up for a £9.50 a month contract for 18 months, again offering 1GB of data. That means you can effectively get a 3G iPad for only £600 over those first 18 months.

What’s more, as Chris rightly points out, “If you opt for the latter, you’ll also own a personal Wi-Fi hotspot, which can be used with your iPad, mobile phone and laptop, so you’ll never need data plans on any of these devices either.”

Read our iPad review here

With the launch of the Centrino 2 platform, we’re expecting to see a flurry of activity from all the major manufacturers as they refresh their current ranges – or launch entirely new ones, as we saw from Sony yesterday – that are able to proudly bear the Centrino 2 sticker.

Accordingly, Acer has launched an updated range of TravelMate notebooks that fully embrace the new platform. Five laptops run the size gamut from 12.1in to 17in screens, but all promise plenty of power thanks to the inclusion of new processors. The 17in TravelMate 7730G includes the Intel Core 2 Duo T9600, T9400, P9500, P8400 or P8600 – with clock speeds ranging from 2.26GHz to 2.8GHz.

The rest of the specification promises more than enough performance for business users, too: there’s 2GB of RAM, the chance to include GeForce 9000M-series discrete graphics and one or two hard disk drives, with sizes ranging from 120 to 320GB. The entire range supports draft-n wireless, and the 6593G, 6493G and 6293G can all be equipped with optional HSDPA connections.

It’s worth bearing in mind that not every model can be fitted with every part available in the new range of TravelMates. The larger 7730 and 5730 models have discrete graphics, more storage and an HDMI output, for instance, whereas the smaller notebooks – the 6593, 6493 and 6294 – include more connectivity. They can all be equipped with GRM, GPRS, EDGE and 3G connections, although they do rely on integrated graphics rather than a discrete chip.

Just as intriguing as the specification are the various new features that Acer has included. Security has been tightened: as well as TPM, there’s now pre-boot authentication, so you have to log in using the fingerprint reader before you can even get near the OS. The hard disk can also be set with a password, so even if it’s swapped into another laptop, people can’t access it without permission.

Acer FingerLaunch, despite sounding unutterably rude, sounds interesting: each finger can be linked to a different application, music file, picture, movie or game – so, swipe your index finger to open Outlook, or use your little finger when the boss isn’t looking to boot up a quick game of TrackMania over lunch. While the image of us playing our laptops like a piano is endearing, we’re worried that it will be difficult actually remembering what each finger does unless we’ve tattooed each application onto our fingernails.

On the outside, little has changed since the last generation of TravelMate laptops. The magnesium alloy chassis returns and feels suitably robust, but won’t set the world alight with stunning design. We’re still not sure about the slightly curved keyboard – it certainly takes a while to get used to, and we’re hard pressed to find the genuine ergonomic benefits that Acer keeps banging on about.

A couple of models also include TrackPoints – usually seen on older ThinkPad models – for those who don’t like to use the touchpad. If you’re keen, then the 6593 and 6493 both feature these. These two models also both feature a second set of mouse buttons directly above the trackpad.

There’s no denying that Centrino 2 brings plenty of extra power and connectivity to the TravelMate series, although whether this will be enough to topple the Dell Latitude and Vostro machines from the A List is something that we’ll have to hold judgement about. Keep checking the site for a full review – Acer assure us that the new laptops will be arriving on these shores within a month, and we’ll be first in line to deliver the definitive verdict on the new notebooks.

The specs:

Acer TravelMate 7730

Intel Core 2 Duo T9400/P9500/T9600/P8400/P8600 (2.26GHz – 2.8GHz)

2GB 667MHz DDR2 RAM

17in 1440 x 900 TFT LCD display

Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT/9300M GS graphics

One or two 120 – 320GB hard disk

Intel Wireless Wifi Link 5100 or 5300 with 802.11a/b/g/draft-n support

Bluetooth 2.0

Gigabit Ethernet

One year RTB warranty

Windows Vista Business/Home Premium/Home Basic with XP recovery disc included

396 x 286 x 44mm (W x D x H)

3.6kg

Acer TravelMate 5730

Intel Core 2 Duo T9400/P9500/T9600/P8400/P8600 (2.26GHz – 2.8GHz)

2GB 667MHz DDR2 RAM

15.4in 1280 x 800 TFT LCD display

ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470/Nvidia GeForce 9300M GS graphics

120 – 320 GB hard disk

Intel Wireless Wifi Link 5100 or 5300 with 802.11a/b/g/draft-n support

Bluetooth 2.0

Gigabit Ethernet

One year RTB warranty

Windows Vista Business/Home Premium/Home Basic with XP recovery disc included

360 x 267 x 43mm (W x D x H)

3kg

Acer TravelMate 6593

Intel Core 2 Duo T9400/P9500/T9600/P8400/P8600 (2.26GHz – 2.8GHz)

2GB 1066MHz DDR3 RAM

15.4in 1280 x 800 TFT LCD

ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 graphics

120 – 320GB hard disk

Intel Wireless Wifi Link 5100 or 5300 with 802.11a/b/g/draft-n support

Bluetooth 2.0

Gigabit Ethernet

UMTS/HSDPA 3G and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity optional

One year RTB warranty

Windows Vista Business/Home Basic/Business 64-bit/Home Basic 64-bit/Windows XP Professional

360 x 267 x 44mm (W x D x H)

3.1kg

Acer TravelMate 6493

Intel Core 2 Duo T9400/P9500/T9600/P8400/P8600 (2.26GHz – 2.8GHz)

2GB 1066MHz DDR3 RAM

14.1in 1280 x 800 TFT LCD

Intel GM45 express chipset with Intel GMAX4500HD integrated graphics

120 – 320GB hard disk

Intel Wireless Wifi Link 5100 or 5300 with 802.11a/b/g/draft-n support

Bluetooth 2.0

Gigabit Ethernet

UMTS/HSDPA 3G and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity optional

One year RTB warranty

Windows Vista Business/Home Basic/Business 64-bit/Home Basic 64-bit/Windows XP Professional

338 x 245 x 44mm (W x D x H)

2.63kg

Acer TravelMate 6293

Intel Core 2 Duo T9400/P9500/T9600/P8400/P8600 (2.26GHz – 2.8GHz)

2GB 1066MHz DDR3 RAM

12.1in 1280 x 800 TFT LCD

Intel GM45 express chipset with Intel GMAX4500HD integrated graphics

120 – 320GB hard disk

Intel Wireless Wifi Link 5100 or 5300 with 802.11a/b/g/draft-n support

Bluetooth 2.0

Gigabit Ethernet

UMTS/HSDPA 3G and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity optional

One year RTB warranty

Windows Vista Business/Home Basic/Business 64-bit/Home Basic 64-bit/Windows XP Professional

306 x 227 x 36mm (W x D x H)

2.1kg

The UK launch of Apple’s iPhone is here at last. With 3G speeds and a price cut, it’s no wonder that queues built up at 5AM today outside the Regent Street store. However, it seems that there are plenty to go around.

We popped down this morning to check out the availability of the new phone and were told by Apple employees outside the store that “if you wanted to come back in two days you’d still get one…”

Try telling that to the man who started queuing on Regent Steet Wednesday evening, though.

Apple seems to have kept the lion’s share of the handsets for itself. Just around the corner at Carphone Warehouse the 16GB iPhone had already sold out, and there were similar rumours about O2 stores.

By Andy McAlpin

Just hours after the launch of the 3G iPhone, iFixit has already bought and destroyed one. I say destroyed, because I doubt they will be able to put it back together without at least a couple of parts being left over – it’s like flat-pack furniture.

The company sells accessories and replacement parts for Apple products, so the move makes sense, but it still fills me with jealousy.