No single network wins for everyone. The tests measure different things, and the result on your street can differ from the national average. This guide sets out what the 2026 tests found, what Ofcom’s figures show, and how to choose.
Four networks own the masts in the UK: EE, O2, Vodafone and Three. Vodafone and Three are now joined as VodafoneThree, and most smaller brands use one of the four.
What the 2026 tests found
| Test | When | Result |
|---|---|---|
| RootMetrics (Ookla), about 609,000 tests | First half of 2026 | EE won or shared every UK wide award, and its 26th overall win in a row. |
| Opensignal | January 2026 report, using data from October to December 2025 | EE won 11 of 15 awards, including reliability and consistent quality. O2 won coverage experience. Three had the fastest 5G speeds. Vodafone won none. |
| umlaut connect | Published December 2025 | EE first and rated very good. Vodafone, Three and O2 followed, all rated good. Three and O2 improved significantly on the year before. |
Speeds in the RootMetrics results
| Network | Median download, all connections | Median 5G download |
|---|---|---|
| EE | 130.3Mbps | 230.8Mbps |
| O2 | 54.7Mbps | 117.3Mbps |
| Vodafone | 54.0Mbps | 174.4Mbps |
| Three | 48.1Mbps | 158.9Mbps |
O2’s overall median rose sharply from 36.2Mbps a year earlier, which makes it the most improved network in this test.
How far each network reaches
Ofcom’s Connected Nations report for 2025 shows that each network’s 4G reaches around 90% of the UK landmass. 5G is much less even.
| Network | Share of the UK landmass with 5G |
|---|---|
| EE | 42% to 49% |
| O2 | 29% to 40% |
| Three | 10% to 23% |
| Vodafone | 9% to 17% |
Outdoor 5G from at least one network now reaches 97% of the UK, but that can mean different networks in different places. The ranges depend on how confident Ofcom is in the signal predictions.
What changed with VodafoneThree
VodafoneThree says its shared network now spans 10,000 sites. At those sites, customers of Vodafone and Three automatically connect to whichever network has the better signal. The company says this has removed 16,500 square kilometres of not spots, and that the two brands now share C band spectrum.
It plans to bring the next generation of 5G, called 5G standalone, to 90% of people by the end of year three. The goal is 99% by 2030 and 99.96% by 2034. That is a plan, not a guarantee.
The Vodafone, Three, Smarty, VOXI and Talkmobile brands are still separate. The tests above still count Vodafone and Three as two networks. RootMetrics also saw more blocked and dropped calls on Three during integration, so results may be uneven while the work continues.
Pick by what matters to you
| What matters most | Check first | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability and speed overall | EE | It leads the main tests |
| A signal in the widest range of places | EE and O2 | O2 won Opensignal’s coverage award, and EE leads on 5G landmass |
| 5G speed where you can get it | EE or Three | Three leads Opensignal’s 5G speed. EE leads RootMetrics. |
| A network that is improving | O2 | Its speeds and scores rose in 2026 |
| Fewer customer complaints | EE, Vodafone, Three | Ofcom named EE, giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, Three and Vodafone as the least complained about for pay monthly mobile in January to March 2026 |
Ofcom’s earlier quarter was different. O2 had the most complaints in October to December 2025, mainly about contract issues after its mid contract price rise. See price rises by network for how rises now work. In January to March 2026, Sky Mobile had the most, mainly from people trying to leave.
Test results are not your street
Every test above measures averages. Indoors, on a train or in a village, a network that wins nationally can be weaker than a rival. So check testing coverage at your postcode, ask neighbours which network works at home, and think about a trial on pay as you go before you commit to a long contract.
Smaller brands use the same masts as their host network. Our guide to which brands share each network lists them. Plans differ in price and perks, though. Networks that include roaming are worth checking if you travel, and whether you need a 5G plan matters if you are not near 5G coverage.
Where to go next
Browse deals on each network and filter by the one you have chosen. If you already have a phone, see a SIM only plan on your chosen network. When you move, switching without losing your number shows how.
FAQs
Which network is best in the countryside?
It depends on where you are. England has 4G from all four networks across about 90% of its land. In Wales, all four reach 76%, and Scotland has the lowest 4G landmass coverage in the UK. Check your own postcode on Ofcom’s checker.
Do brands on the same network get the same signal?
Largely yes, because they use the host network’s masts. Plans can still differ. Some limit download speed, and perks vary.
Should I wait for the VodafoneThree upgrade to finish?
If your area is already served well, there is no need. The target dates are years away. Choose using signal where you live now, and rely on a short or rolling plan if you want the option to move.