EE v Three v Vodafone v O2 – Is your mobile network a winner in these recent speed tests?

Smartphone users can check how their network is performing as the latest results from RootMetrics have been revealed.

According to the firm, these tests are conducted from the consumer’s point of view using a Galaxy S8 and S9 purchased off the shelf from operator stores.

The RootMetrics team then put these devices through a rigorous set of tests at different times of the day and night in a bid to replicate when consumers most often use their smartphones.

Data, call, and text usage are all checked with a winner then crowned for each category.

So how did each network perform?

The results show that EE is still in the lead with the network outperforming the rest when it comes to reliability, data and speed.

Vodafone has also shown a big improvement with its performance generally strong across categories.

In fact, Vodafone surpassed Three to take second place for overall performance, aided by strong results in network speed, data performance and text performance.

Three scored joint first for call quality and also did well when it comes to overall reliability.

O2 was the worst performing network in the RootMetrics tests although its investment in 5G could mean this changes in the year ahead.

Speaking about the poor results an O2 spokesperson said: “Different network surveys produce different results.

“In December GWS published its 2018 mobile connectivity study where O2 retained the top spot as the most reliable network in the highest number of locations.

“O2 also won uSwitch’s 2018 award for best network coverage as voted by the public. We continue to invest £2m every day to improve the network experience for all of our customers.”

Here’s some the results from the latest RootMetrics test.

Reliability score – EE 96.1 • Three 95.6 • Vodafone 94.9 • O2 94

Speed score – EE 91.3 • Vodafone 89.3 • There 77.6 • O2 75.8

Data score – EE 95.5 • Vodafone 94.3 • Three 89.7 • O2 88.1

• Call Score – EE 92.6 • Three 92.6 • Vodafone 90.4 • O2 90.4

• Overall score – EE 94.5 • Vodafone • 92.9 • Three 91.1 • O2 89.5

Speaking about the latest tests Kevin Hasley, Head of Product at RootMetrics, said: “EE’s strong performance in testing is testament to the consistent investment into improving its 4G network. Vodafone and Three are also making improvements as they vie for market position. Although O2 ranks fourth in our testing, it is well placed to improve, having secured key parts of the 5G spectrum in 2018.”

“The latest data suggests that download speeds are highly influenced by variables such as network capacity, demand, time of day and location.

“Our latest approach to testing in highly congested areas enables consumers and businesses to be better informed before making key buying decisions, such as where to visit, shop, eat and work.

“This type of analysis will be key to providing accurate data on 5G experience when it rolls out in earnest.”

There’s a very big year ahead for all the main networks with the 5G rollout expected to start over the next 12-months.

5G will not only make things a lot faster for consumers but also improve reliability with more people able access better speeds at the same time.

Vodafone and O2 announced last week that they plan to extend the existing network sharing partnership term and include new 5G technology at joint radio network sites.

This they say will enable them to deploy 5G faster and to offer 5G services to more customers over a wider geographic area, and to do so at a lower cost.

It’s currently unclear when the 5G rollout will happen but one network has already committed to releasing this technology in 2019.

EE says that it is switching on 5G sites in 16 UK cities in 2019.

The first launch cities will be the UK’s four capital cities – London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast – plus Birmingham and Manchester.

As well as the six launch areas, through 2019 EE will also be introducing 5G across the busiest parts of ten more UK cities: Glasgow, Newcastle, Liverpool, Leeds, Hull, Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester, Coventry and Bristol.

source: express.co.uk