The internet performance of the top mobile broadband providers has been tested and analysed by an independent company with only one receiving the crown.
Although one major mobile internet provider was hailed as number one in the country, another beat it on 5G performance – see if yours came out on top.
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a mobile internet provider. Cost is obviously a major concern for many and there are always deals to be had for those willing to do the research. However, the cheapest option may not always meet your individual needs depending on how you plan to use your phone. It’s also important to consider the performance of the various providers on the market and for the area you live in.
Independent company nPerf has been analysing internet connectivity around the world for over a decade. It has just published the results of its latest study into the UK’s mobile 4G and 5G performance. The study is based on just under 100,000 tests carried out between January and December 2024 by end-customers of the various mobile network operators. nPerf’s testing apps for Android and iOS and tools on its website were used to achieve the results which it says reflects “users in real conditions”.
Major providers EE, O2, Three and Vodafone were all included in the research and overall EE came top for best mobile internet performance. It had upload speeds of 16.03Mbps compared to 15.85Mbps of the next best provider Three. O2 had the lowest with 8.54Mbps. Three performed best when it came to download speeds but was beaten by EE and Vodafone, which outstripped the others on video streaming. O2’s performance was the poorest overall, although the company’s dedication to “improving user satisfaction through enhanced connectivity” was noted.
nPerf commented: “EE distinguishes itself as the market leader for the period with a strong overall performance. The operator achieves a remarkable Score nPerf, leading in Latency and Video streaming, and showcasing significant strengths in the mobile internet sector. As the leader in these categories, EE’s contributions to the mobile market are noteworthy, ensuring high-quality connectivity and user experience.”
However when it came to 5G performance, Three was the outright winner. It outperformed its rivals in three out of five categories – download speeds, upload speeds and web browsing. EE beat it on latency – how long it takes for data to travel between your mobile device and the network provider – and YouTube streaming. Again, O2 was the lowest overall scoring provider, heavily let down by its upload and download speeds.
What do you make of the results? Let us know in the comments below.
