PEOPLE can now check their operator’s mobile phone coverage using an online tool launched by Ofcom.

And the results across Cheshire have highlighted a big difference between major phone operators Vodafone, O2, EE and Three.

While there was good coverage outdoors for all four operators, things looked a lot different when we checked indoor coverage for voice calls.

1. Vodafone was mostly good coverage

Northwich Guardian:

2. Same for O2

Northwich Guardian:

3. There were some isolated red and yellow areas for EE which means poor coverage in most buildings or some buildings

Northwich Guardian:

4. But for Three, red patches of poor coverage spread across a number of areas

Northwich Guardian:

A spokesman added the new map is designed to 'support consumers in choosing a service that best suits their needs while promoting competition between mobile operators'.

Steve Unger, Ofcom’s chief technology officer, said: “Access to reliable mobile phone coverage used to be a ‘nice to have’. Now it’s essential to many people’s lives.

“We believe our map is the most comprehensive tool available to consumers and businesses to check mobile coverage.

"We’re encouraging people to feed back after using the map, so we can continue to improve its accuracy.”

Readers can check their mobile coverage in their postcode and broadband speeds by entering their postcode in the coverage checker website. 

Click here to search for your postcode.