EE is the market leader in mobile network performance across the UK, winning all six mobile performance categories tested, according to a report by RootMetrics, by IHS Markit.
EE, a part of BT, is leading in categories such as Overall Performance, Network Reliability, Network Speed, Data Performance, Call Performance and Text Performance.
The carrier has won the last 10 half-yearly reports produced by RootMetrics, claiming five consecutive years as the UK’s leading network in terms of overall performance.
Three, a previous joint winner of call performance in the prior half-year testing period, lost its top spot. Three has also dropped to third behind Vodafone for data performance. Three is in second position for overall performance. Vodafone ranked third in overall performance.
EE has shined at the UK-wide level, earning all six UK RootScore Awards for the second consecutive test period.
O2 improved rank in call category. The operator’s rankings in our other categories remained generally similar to those from our last round of testing.
Three registers strong results, but its rankings decline in two categories. Three’s rankings in the data and call performance categories declined slightly in the first half of 2018.
Vodafone delivered good performance in network testing, with second-place finishes in three categories and an improved rank in the data performance category.
Highlights
EE improves and dominates UK-wide testing
O2 improves rank in call category
Three registers strong results, but its rankings decline in two categories
Vodafone improves rank for data performance
Telefonica’s O2 remains in last place out of the four mobile operators in UK. O2 has made improvements in call performance, which tests how reliably each network is able to place and maintain calls. O2, which has deployed three-carrier aggregation in some UK cities, may achieve faster speeds in future testing.
“EE’s reputation for delivering fast speeds and strong performance is maintained in our testing, while Three’s consistent reliability places it as another leading carrier across the UK,” Kevin Hasley, head of product at RootMetrics, said.
Kevin Hasley said EE’s high performance in 4G testing can lead to a seamless service transition to 5G. 5G will give networks an opportunity to be a leader in performance and service provision.
RootMetrics scouters drove 21,000 miles, visited 654 indoor locations, and conducted over 590,000 tests to cover all four UK nations. All tests were conducted using unmodified, off-the-shelf phones purchased from carrier stores.
