The latest speed tests by Ookla reveal that Three Mobile has emerged as the top performer among the major mobile providers in the UK. Three excelled in delivering fast download speeds, recording an average of 214Mbps, which is significantly higher than its closest competitor. This speed is double the average fixed-line broadband speed in the UK, showcasing Three’s strong performance. Vodafone secured the second position, followed by EE in third place, while O2 lagged behind with the slowest speeds overall.
Ookla affirmed these results by naming Three as the Fastest 5G Network in the United Kingdom for Q3-Q4 2025. The Speedtest Award for Fastest Network considers Speed Score, which encompasses download and upload speeds along with latency metrics to evaluate overall speed performance.
Key Results from Ookla:
– 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
Although mobile network testing presents challenges due to users’ mobility and varying network conditions, Three’s top ranking remains evident. With the recent merger with Vodafone, performance enhancements are expected. The combined entity, VodafoneThree, aims to revolutionize the UK’s mobile network with a substantial £11 billion investment.
Following the merger in May, VodafoneThree has initiated the integration of networks using “Multi-Operator Core Network” technology. This integration allows seamless connectivity between Vodafone and Three networks at no extra cost, potentially enhancing coverage and performance nationwide.