nPerf Rank EE Top in 2022 Benchmark of UK Mobile Networks
Benchmarking firm nPerf has today published the results from their latest annual crowdsourced study into UK mobile broadband (4G, 5G) performance for the first half of 2022, which once again crowns EE as the best network operator for internet connectivity. But Three UK is starting to threaten and delivered the fastest download speeds.
The results are based off 126,479 connection tests conducted between 1st July 2021 and 30th June 2022 (including speed, web browsing and streaming tests), which were made via their dedicated mobile app (iOS, Android). The data was then aggregated to establish a performance benchmark.
The nPerf score aims to reflect the customer experience and is based on the several Key Performance Indicators – download speed, upload speed, latency, streaming and browsing. As usual, there are caveats to this sort of data, such as the fact that it could be impacted by any limitations of the devices being used, and it hampers the ability to adopt a common type of hardware in order to establish a solid baseline of performance.
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Back in 2020 it was Vodafone that secured the highest score, although they were pushed into second place in 2021, when EE took the top spot – they’ve retained that position in 2022. However, it’s clear from the results that Three UK has been boosted by the performance of their new 5G network, which shows them starting to threaten the front-runner and securing the fastest average download speed (85.61Mbps)
By comparison, Vodafone now finds itself in third place, while O2 continues its familiar trend of delivering the lowest score of all the major UK mobile networks. A visual summary of the key results can be found below.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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I’m surprised anyone is still using O2
“Oh-Poo” for data however for phone calls and SMS, O2 is pretty solid as an option for places where data is poor.
I’m in an area of the midlands that is a naturally valley / hilly location. Some operators are smart and stick their mast on top of hills and get pretty solid (albeit slow) coverage (o2). Some stick lots of small masts all over and hope for the best. (EE/3)
Like most things, I’m sure it depends on where you are, and what you’re doing. I’d imagine its one of the reasons O2 was picked for things like the SMETS2 smart meter data operator.
(Good coverage, speed isn’t really an issue)
Well, these benchmarks are worth shit. It all depends on where do you actually live. I’ve been with Three which was the worst one in the Cambs area and all crowded places like funfairs or airports. Vodafone which degraded awfully when they introduced nolimits plans. Now I am with O2 and I agree that they are not great if it comes to Internet speeds but still much faster than Vodafone or Three in my area and they still offer roaming in the EU.
Another thing to consider is the deceptive marketing of 3.
EE with their 98% coverage and then 3 advertising 98% population coverage.
3 is 99% and they’re not wrong…
@william any network can claim a high population coverage when so many people live in cities. Actual landmass coverage is better
@William … Three is 99% and they’re not wrong? I beg to differ! Three have the worst signal in the UK! I’m a HGV driver and the satnavs in our trucks used to get live updates, receive calls from HQ etc via the Three network. I swear it was disconnected more that it was connected! I used to end up using Google Maps on my phone, the EE network never struggled!
I have to agree I’m afraid. Three is simply unusable when you need it most. Whether you’re in busy central London or on a train or long distance car journey the signal is ok but throughput is zero.
It is interesting to see that Three are improving as they overhaul their network.
In the last few years pretty much the consensus has been they are overloaded/woeful etc.
EE have generally been top of the more reputable test reports for around 9-10yrs now but even they have accepted they need to sustain their network improvements. This is a good thing for consumers.
In my opinion, 3 is the best network for value for money. Like with every provider, some will say it’s rubbish because they’re in a small part of the country where 3 doesn’t provide, but to 99% of the population, they do.
There customer service is still crap and hasn’t improved much if any over the last few years
In my opinion, 3 is the best network for value for money. Like with every provider, some will say it’s rubbish because they’re in a small part of the country where 3 doesn’t provide, but to 99% of the population, they do.
From will
Nah they crap why do you think I left three network limitations in my aera and switched to ee which is brilliant in my aera
Try using some 3 mobile data to access your corporate VPN next time you take a summer holiday.