Mobile broadband provider 3 has announced the completion of its £400 million, three-year network upgrade project.

The internet service provider (ISP) has connected it 12,400th 3G site, meaning 97 per cent of the UK population can now use the firm's dongle services.

3 says it has not only added crucial capacity to cities across the UK, but introduced mobile broadband services in rural areas.

The ISP added that an area more than twice the size of Wales has been added to what was already Britain's biggest 3G network.

Kevin Russell, Chief Executive Officer of 3, said thousands of people across the country have put in "a phenomenal amount of work" to extend the firm's reach.

He commented: "Smartphone and mobile broadband use is exploding and we have built a 3G network that reaches further than ever before, as well as bringing more capacity into urban areas where our customers need it most."

3 offers a range of dongle-based broadband deals, ranging from one month in duration to 24 months.