Who has the widest, who has the fastest, and how to check signal at your postcode.
Ask Our Team →All four UK MNOs claim approximately 99% outdoor population 4G coverage. The practical difference for urban and suburban users is minimal. Rural areas, building interiors, and transport corridors see more variation.
| Network | 5G Pop. Coverage | 5G Speed Rank | Avg Download (Jan 2026) | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EE | 87%+ (widest) | 1st (combined avg) | 53.2Mbps | Widest 5G + 5G+ Standalone |
| O2 | ~70% | 3rd | 32.8Mbps | 5G SA + satellite rural |
| Three | ~62% | 1st (5G peak) | 187Mbps (5G median) | Most spectrum, fastest 5G |
| Vodafone | Growing | 4th | 37.5Mbps | VodafoneThree £11bn |
Source: Opensignal UK Mobile Network Experience Report, January 2026
Both Tesco Mobile and Sky Mobile run on O2's infrastructure — 99% 4G and approximately 70% 5G. Use O2's postcode checker for accurate results. In practice, coverage experience is identical to direct O2 customers.
All six networks support Wi-Fi Calling — calls routed over broadband when mobile signal is weak indoors. Enable in iPhone Settings → Mobile Data, or Android Settings → Calls. EE's 5G+ Standalone also significantly improves building penetration in 5G areas.
Our independent team compares all six major UK networks in a 2-minute call — free, no sales pressure, no affiliation.