The latest tests from Ookla have revealed that Three Mobile has emerged as the top performer among the UK’s major mobile providers in terms of fast download speeds for on-the-go streaming. Three secured the top position with an impressive average download speed of 214Mbps, surpassing its competitors by over 80Mbps. This speed is double the UK fixed-line broadband average, showcasing Three’s strong overall speeds. Following Three, Vodafone claimed the second spot, with EE ranking third, while O2 lagged behind with the slowest speeds across all categories.
Ookla confirmed these results by awarding Three as the Fastest 5G Network in the United Kingdom for Q3–Q4 2025. The Speedtest Award for Fastest Network is determined by the Speed Score, which evaluates a network’s throughput and responsiveness based on download and upload speeds along with latency metrics.
Here’s a quick overview of Ookla’s findings:
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
While these results showcase Three’s dominance, it’s important to note that testing mobile networks can be challenging due to users’ constant movement between different locations and changing network conditions. Despite these challenges, Three’s performance is commendable and is expected to further improve following its merger with Vodafone, forming VodafoneThree with plans to invest £11 billion in building the UK’s premier mobile network.
Post-merger, VodafoneThree has initiated the integration of the two networks using “Multi-Operator Core Network” technology, enabling Vodafone and Three customers to seamlessly connect to each other’s networks at no extra cost. This integration aims to enhance coverage and deliver superior performance nationwide.
