The latest Mobile Performance Review from RootMetrics confirms that EE remains the UK’s top mobile operator, but competitors are rapidly closing the gap.
EE won six RootScore awards for overall performance, reliability, speed, and for data, call, and text performance. The operator posted the fastest median download speeds across all network technologies in every city tested.
Marc Allera, CEO of BT’s Consumer Division, said:
“Delivering the best mobile experience for our customers has never been more important.
Being recognised as the UK’s best network for the eighth year running reflects our continued investment in keeping our customers connected to the things that matter most.”
Vodafone shared three awards with EE for network reliability and for call and text performance. That represents a notable improvement for Vodafone, which secured only one award in the second half of 2020.
O2, following its merger with Virgin Media, claimed the remaining RootScore award for network accessibility. Since the merger, the operator has shown measurable gains, improving its rankings for overall performance, reliability, and call quality.
Three, the UK operator with the fewest subscribers, did not win any RootScore awards but demonstrated substantial improvement from the previous test period. In the first half of 2021, Three recorded median download speeds above 30 Mbps in three cities—up from zero in 2H 2020. Its lower-end speeds also improved: speeds below 20 Mbps were observed in only four of 16 tested cities, compared with 13 cities in the prior period.
Patrick Linder, CMO at RootMetrics by IHS Markit, commented:
“In the first half of 2021, we saw an already dynamic mobile landscape in the UK continue to evolve and improve. End users will be pleased to see all four main operators improving their performance, particularly when it comes to 5G availability and speed.
With 5G availability growing and all four major operators delivering Everyday 5G median download speeds above 100 Mbps in nearly every city we tested, providers are making clear progress in delivering the critical combination of broad availability and fast speeds.”
This week the Advertising Standards Authority again warned Three about marketing that claims it offers “real 5G.” Three holds 100 MHz of contiguous 5G spectrum—the most of any UK operator—compared with 40 MHz and 50 MHz holdings for its nearest competitors. Global 5G standards bodies often reference 100 MHz as a benchmark for certain 5G capabilities, so Three’s assertions have a technical basis. However, after consulting with Ofcom, the ASA concluded that the claim could mislead consumers because the significant performance gains tied to that spectrum are achievable only in optimal conditions and would not normally be experienced everywhere in a mature 5G network.
At present, Three’s median 5G speeds remain the slowest among the four major operators.
All four major operators made noteworthy improvements over a challenging year when reliable connectivity proved essential. Looking ahead, observers will watch whether EE can maintain its lead against an increasingly competitive Vodafone, whether O2’s integration with Virgin Media will produce further performance gains, and whether Three can substantiate its 5G performance claims over time.
The full 1H 2021 Mobile Performance in Review report can be found in the official RootMetrics report.
(Photo by Brands&People on Unsplash)
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