The latest tests from Ookla have revealed that Three Mobile has taken the lead as the fastest network provider in the UK, surpassing its competitors in download speeds for on-the-go streaming. Ookla’s data shows that Three achieved an impressive average download speed of 214Mbps, outperforming other major networks by more than 80Mbps. This speed is double the UK’s fixed-line broadband average, showcasing Three’s strong performance.
In the rankings, Vodafone secured the second position, with EE following in third place. O2 was at the bottom of the list, recording the slowest speeds across all categories. Ookla confirmed these results by awarding Three as the Fastest 5G Network in the United Kingdom for Q3-Q4 2025 based on its Speed Score, which evaluates network throughput and responsiveness through download and upload speeds along with latency metrics.
Here is a summary of the Ookla results:
– Overall Speed Score:
– Three: 53.46
– Vodafone: 43.05
– EE: 36.73
– O2: 30.70
– Median download speeds:
– Three: 214Mbps
– Vodafone: 129.78Mbps
– EE: 97Mbps
– O2: 78.92Mbps
– Median upload speeds:
– Three: 13.8Mbps
– Vodafone: 10.78Mbps
– EE: 10.96Mbps
– O2: 8.28Mbps
While acknowledging the challenges of testing mobile networks due to varying user locations and network conditions, the results position Three as the top performer. With the recent merger of Three and Vodafone, the newly formed VodafoneThree aims to enhance mobile network services with an £11 billion investment, potentially leading to improved performance nationwide.
Following the merger, VodafoneThree has commenced network integration using Multi-Operator Core Network technology, enabling seamless connectivity between Vodafone and Three networks at no extra cost. This integration could result in broader coverage and enhanced performance for customers across the country.
