Best 5G networks in the UK: we rank the fastest and biggest
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We look at the latest 5G speed testing data and coverage information to find the overall best mobile network for 5G data. Last updated: 11th June 2024.
5G mobile networks in the UK
The main UK networks are all rapidly expanding their 5G
✔ Loads of 5G locations on each network
Each of the four main UK mobile networks (Three, O2, Vodafone and EE) have been providing 5G signal for a number of years now but are still working on expanding it to more areas around the country.
As 5G is being rolled out to more towns and cities, coverage within those locations has also improved (but it’s still often on a street by street basis). Independent testers now have more data than ever for results.
We covered each provider’s 5G networks and ranked them on coverage and speeds. In our eyes, coverage is more important (fast speeds aren’t impressive if you can’t get them) but speeds also factor into our ranking.
Here’s how we rank the main UK networks (and providers that use them) based on their 5G.
Useful link: Skip to the best networks for 5G
How each network compares for 5G
Joint 1st: Three have the fastest 5G and excellent coverage
What we like:
What we don't like:
Three are by far the fastest UK network for 5G, which they’ve achieved by using more neighbouring frequency spectrum than the other networks. Speedtest have named Three as the fastest UK network for 5G speeds.
Opensignal and Speedtest measured typical 5G speeds between 205.5 Mbps - 286.27 Mbps on Three, with peaks of a mind-boggling 696.73 Mbps and the best upload speeds of all networks at 16.52 Mbps.
Last time we checked, Three had 5G live in these 560+ UK towns and cities. While they can’t cover the entirety of these locations with 5G, we found signal in these locations tended to be widespread.
Three offer 5G on every one of their plans. Here are their best current deals
Of course, the speeds and coverage you get on Three will vary depending on where you live (check coverage here). But you’ve got the best chance of being covered for superfast 5G signal on Three.
Useful link: Latest 5G news on Three
Joint 1st: Providers that piggyback on Three’s signal
There are a good few smaller providers that piggyback off Three’s network to provide signal. All of these offer access to Three’s brilliant 5G.
SMARTY - They’re owned directly by Three and use their network. They now get you full access to Three’s 5G on all of their great value plans.
iD Mobile - They offer the same network experience as being on Three, but often at cheaper prices (check coverage here).
Honest Mobile - They sell themselves on being a “carbon-negative” network that have full access to Three’s 5G (check coverage here).
Useful link: iD Mobile’s guide to their 5G
Joint 2nd: EE offer great coverage but underwhelming speeds
What we like:
What we don't like:
There is a lot more competition for second place now. EE’s 5G speeds have only gone down while third place Vodafone’s have gone up. But EE’s excellent 5G coverage wins it for them.
They claim to have 5G in these 330+ locations. But EE only declare a location as covered once 5G is available in 50% of its geographic area, so you can actually get 5G in even more locations just with worse coverage.
Opensignal and Speedtest measured typical 5G speeds between 99.5 Mbps - 108.91 Mbps, with peaks of 272.77 Mbps and upload speeds of 14.54 Mbps, putting EE in third place for 5G download and upload speeds.
The speed caps they put on some of their plans doesn’t really help them out either (these providers give you full speed 5G on EE’s network at no added cost). But their coverage saves them from going any lower.
Useful link: EE's full guide to their 5G rollout
Joint 2nd: These smaller providers on EE’s network
There are a handful of smaller, generally cheaper providers that use EE’s network to provide signal. All of these give you access to EE’s 5G signal with no speed caps:
1pMobile - While they market themselves on being a cheap provider, 1pMobile offer access to EE’s 5G on pay as you go and 1-month plans (check coverage here):
And they offer the cheapest Pay As You Go rates of all networks if you’d prefer to pay that way:
Talk Home Mobile - They’re similar to 1pMobile in that they offer cheap PAYG rates and 1-month SIM only deals, both of which give you full access to EE’s 5G (read their guide).
spusu - They also offer great value on flexible 1-month deals and include 5G access on all of them at no added cost (check signal here).
Lyca Mobile - They’ve moved over to using EE’s network fairly recently, having been on O2 before. For 5G this is definitely an upgrade for them and you get full 5G access on all their plans.
Co-op Mobile - They’re a smaller provider on EE with full access to their 5G network. As yet, we’ve not managed to test them for real.
Useful link: Check EE’s network coverage
Joint 3rd: Vodafone have very fast 5G speeds and good coverage
What we like:
What we don't like:
Vodafone used to be in last place in our rankings, but they’ve massively improved their 5G network over time. While they still have the lowest amount of live locations (just 160+) their 5G network is still strong.
Coverage in their declared locations has improved massively over time, with lots of these places having 5G in most areas. However, this does depend per location so check your area here before you buy.
According to Opensignal and Speedtest, typical 5G speeds sit 114.3 Mbps - 146.19 Mbps that peak at 315.35 Mbps. Their upload speeds sit at 15.66 Mbps, putting them in second place for upload and download 5G speeds.
That’s why we say it’s competitive between Vodafone and EE. You’re more likely to stay connected to 5G on EE than on Vodafone, but you’ll get much healthier speeds on Vodafone than EE where you do get it.
You get 5G on every pay monthly SIM only and phone deals and PAYG monthly bundles, but not on their Basics plans. They’re a great choice, but we’d like to see them improve their coverage before putting them higher.
Useful link: Vodafone's latest 5G news
Joint 3rd: These small providers use Vodafone’s 5G signal
There are a good number of smaller providers that piggyback off Vodafone’s network. All of these provide full 5G access on typically lower cost plans than joining Vodafone directly:
VOXI - They’re a sub-brand of Vodafone and get full access to their network, including full access to Vodafone’s 5G with no speed caps or signal differences (check coverage here).
Talkmobile - Another smaller, low-cost provider. We didn’t expect them to introduce 5G, however they have surprised us by offering full access to Vodafone’s 5G on all their great value plans (check signal map here).
Lebara - They’re a super cheap network, but just because they have low prices doesn’t mean you get an inferior network experience to being on Vodafone directly (check coverage here).
ASDA - They include 5G on most deals, but they have built in speed limits on their unlimited data plans depending on cost. Their most expensive one caps you at 150 Mbps, so you don’t get peak 5G speeds on these.
With that in mind, you’ll get 5G in the same areas you would get it being on Vodafone directly (check coverage here).
Only VOXI and ASDA explicitly say you can get 5G abroad. We think Lebara also offer this, but we can’t say for certain.
Useful link: Vodafone’s coverage checker
Joint 4th: O2 offer excellent 5G coverage but slow speeds
What we like:
What we don't like:
O2 sit at the bottom of our rankings due to their sluggish 5G speeds. Opensignal and Speedtest measured typical speeds between 77.0 Mbps - 78.88 Mbps peaking at 208.14 Mbps and upload speeds of 10.14 Mbps.
That’s still fast, and a lot faster than O2’s 4G. But their speed results have got worse over time as more users have joined their network to being even slower than other network’s highest 4G speeds.
But O2 do provide 5G in a really impressive 2000+ UK towns and cities and coverage in these locations is generally excellent. But you have to ask yourself if it’s worth it to get massively inferior 5G speeds.
If you’re set on joining O2, you’ll get 5G included on all of their pay monthly contracts, just make sure to say you have a 5G phone in the checkout. You can see their 5G-phone range here.
Useful link: Latest O2 5G rollout news
Joint 4th: Other providers on O2’s network
There’s a fair few providers that operate on the O2 network and get you access to their 5G:
Sky Mobile - They’re the largest network to piggyback off O2’s network and get you full access to their 5G on all of their plans (see their coverage here).
Tesco Mobile - They offer decently low monthly costs on their contracts with access to O2’s 5G network at no extra cost with no speed limits (check signal here).
giffgaff - They’re a low-cost, low-frills provider on O2’s network. However, they still offer you full access to O2’s 5G network, with no difference in speed or signal (check coverage here).
Useful link: O2’s coverage checker
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