Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
If you are looking for a new mobile phone contract or SIM-only deal, you might be wondering what is the best mobile network in the UK. After all, there are so many factors to consider, such as coverage, speed, customer service, value for money, and features. How do you know which one will suit your needs and preferences?
In this post, we will help you answer this question by comparing the UK’s top mobile networks based on various criteria, such as performance, reliability, satisfaction, and incentives. We will also provide you with some tips on how to choose the best mobile network for you, and answer some frequently asked questions about mobile networks in the UK.
By the end of this post, you will have a clear idea of what is the best mobile network in the UK for your specific situation, and how to get the most out of your mobile service.
One of the most important aspects of a mobile network is its performance, which includes factors such as signal strength, connection speed, and data allowance. You want a mobile network that can provide you with fast and reliable service, especially if you use your phone for streaming, gaming, or browsing the web.
To measure the performance of mobile networks in the UK, we can use the data from RootMetrics, a company that tests the network quality across the country. According to their latest report, the best mobile network in the UK for performance is EE, followed by Vodafone, Three, and O2.
EE scored the highest in all six categories of performance: overall, reliability, speed, data, call, and text. It also had the best 5G coverage and speed, which is the latest and fastest generation of mobile technology. EE claims to cover 99% of the UK population with 4G, and 90% with 5G.
Vodafone came second in overall performance and was particularly strong in speed and data. It also had the second-best 5G coverage and speed and claims to cover 99% of the UK population with 4G, and 44% with 5G.
Three ranked third in overall performance and was the best in call performance. It also had the third-best 5G coverage and speed and claims to cover 99.8% of the UK population with 4G, and 43% with 5G.
O2 ranked fourth in overall performance and was the best in text performance. It also had the fourth-best 5G coverage and speed and claims to cover 99% of the UK population with 4G, and 40% with 5G.
Another important aspect of a mobile network is its customer satisfaction, which includes factors such as customer service, value for money, and complaints handling. You want a mobile network that can provide you with a positive and hassle-free experience, and that can resolve any issues you might have.
To measure the customer satisfaction of mobile networks in the UK, we can use the data from Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, which conducts an annual survey of mobile customers. According to their latest report, the best mobile network in the UK for customer satisfaction is Tesco Mobile, followed by giffgaff, O2, Vodafone, and EE.
Tesco Mobile had an overall customer satisfaction score of 96%, which was higher than the industry average of 92%. It also had the lowest proportion of customers with a reason to complain (1%), and the highest proportion of customers who were satisfied with how their complaint was handled (72%).
giffgaff had an overall customer satisfaction score of 95%, which was also higher than the industry average. It also had a low proportion of customers with a reason to complain (2%), and a high proportion of customers who were satisfied with how their complaint was handled (68%).
O2, Vodafone, and EE all had an overall customer satisfaction score of 92%, which was equal to the industry average. They also had similar proportions of customers with a reason to complain (3% for O2 and Vodafone, 4% for EE), and similar proportions of customers who were satisfied with how their complaint was handled (58% for O2, 57% for Vodafone, 56% for EE).
A third aspect of a mobile network is its incentives, which include factors such as deals, offers, rewards, and features. You want a mobile network that can provide you with some extra benefits, such as discounts, freebies, loyalty points, or exclusive access to content or services.
To compare the incentives of mobile networks in the UK, we can look at some of the examples of what they offer to their customers, either as part of their contracts or SIM-only plans, or as optional add-ons or perks. Here are some of the incentives that the four major mobile networks in the UK, and some of their piggybackers, offer:
As you can see, there are a lot of incentives to choose from, depending on what you value most. Some of them might be more appealing to you than others, depending on your usage, preferences, and budget.
Now that you have an overview of what is the best mobile network in the UK based on performance, satisfaction, and incentives, you might be wondering how to choose the best one for you. Here are some tips to help you make the right decision:
Here are some frequently asked questions about mobile networks in the UK, and their answers:
In this post, we have answered the question of what is the best mobile network in the UK, by comparing the four major mobile networks (EE, Vodafone, Three, and O2) and some of their piggybackers (Tesco Mobile, giffgaff, Sky Mobile, and Voxi) based on various criteria, such as performance, satisfaction, and incentives.
We have seen that there is no definitive answer to this question, as different mobile networks might suit different customers, depending on their needs, preferences, and budget. However, we have provided you with some tips on how to choose the best mobile network for you, and some frequently asked questions to help you understand more about mobile networks in the UK.