EE Dominates UK Mobile Network Rankings for a Twelfth Consecutive Year
EE Secures Its Spot as the UK’s Leading Mobile Network for 12 Years Straight
In a remarkable achievement, EE has been crowned the UK’s best overall mobile network for the twelfth consecutive year. The accolade comes from RootMetrics’ latest ‘State of the Mobile Union’ report, which analyzed data from the first half of 2025. This report highlights EE’s unparalleled performance across the UK’s mobile connectivity landscape, based on over 625,000 real-world tests conducted across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
The results were nothing short of phenomenal, with EE sweeping the board by winning or sharing every single UK-wide RootScore Award. Furthermore, the network proved its dominance by securing ‘Best 5G Experience,’ showcasing strong 5G availability and download speeds. Claire Gillies, Chief Executive Officer at EE, expressed pride in the accomplishment, stating, “While others are busy making promises, we are focused on delivering the best network to connect the lives of millions of people across the UK every single day.”
EE’s Speed Advantage: Leading the Pack
EE’s standout feature has been its unmatched speed, boasting a UK-wide aggregate median download speed of 110.8 Mbps—a figure more than double that of its nearest competitor, Vodafone, which achieved 48.4 Mbps. This speed ensures seamless streaming, gaming, and video calling experiences for users, whether they are in Southampton, Glasgow, or Cardiff. On a localized level, EE further extended its dominance by winning the Overall RootScore Award in all 16 major cities tested, underscoring its unrivaled urban network performance.
EE’s leadership reflects years of investment in cutting-edge network infrastructure and the rollout of advanced 5G connectivity. As the 5G rollout continues across the UK, EE’s strong and reliable performance places it in a league of its own, maintaining its position as a favorite among UK mobile consumers.
How Competitors Stack Up
While EE remains a class apart, the competition among other UK mobile operators has shown notable dynamics. Vodafone, for instance, demonstrated strength in regional areas, even sharing the top Overall RootScore Award with EE in Northern Ireland. In major cities, Vodafone maintained its consistency with median download speeds surpassing 50 Mbps in 12 of the 16 markets tested.
Three, known for its steady reliability, managed to secure 30 RootScore Awards in major cities, highlighting its consistent performance. The operator also improved its urban median download speeds, exceeding 50 Mbps in 14 cities—an increase from its previous performance. Meanwhile, Virgin Media O2 made significant strides in enhancing city-level network speed, doubling the number of locations with median speeds above 50 Mbps and reducing low-speed areas dramatically. Its UK-wide median speed also climbed to 36.2 Mbps from 29.0 Mbps in late 2024, indicating the effectiveness of its ongoing improvements post-merger.
The Road Ahead for UK Mobile Connectivity
As rival networks make strides, EE faces growing competition to hold onto its crown. Notably, the impending merger between Vodafone and Three is poised to disrupt the market significantly. The combined entity is expected to present a formidable challenge to Virgin Media O2 while potentially vying for EE’s top spot.
The race for mobile network supremacy in the UK is far from over, particularly with the rapid pace of the 5G rollout. Whether through higher speeds, wider coverage, or innovative solutions, each operator is striving to meet the country’s insatiable demand for fast and reliable connectivity. In this climate of innovation and competition, consumers are the ultimate winners, enjoying better network services than ever before.
