Best 5G networks in 2025: the UK’s fastest & best coverage

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’s latest reports put typical 5G speeds of either 208.9 Mbps or 276.17 Mbps, with blistering peaks of 681.24 Mbps and upload speeds of 18.32 Mbps. That keeps Three in a clear first place.

Last time we checked, Three had 5G live in these 580+ 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's best 5G SIM only plans

Providers that use Three’s 5G

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).

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

It’s a close run thing for second place between EE and Vodafone. While Vodafone still beat them on speeds, EE’s advantages in coverage win them this second place spot.

They claim to have 5G in these 1000+ locations. And EE only declare a location as covered once 5G is available in 50% of its geographic area, so you can get 5G in even more locations just with worse coverage.

Opensignal and Speedtest reported typical 5G speeds of either 96.8 Mbps or 119.21 Mbps, with massively improved peak speeds of 316.68 Mbps and upload speeds of 14.11 Mbps. That puts them in third place for speeds.

Best 5G SIM deals on EE’s network

Providers that use EE's 5G

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:

spusu - They 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 network, having been on O2 before. For 5G this is definitely an upgrade for them and you get full 5G access on all their plans.

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):

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).

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.

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

Vodafone have stayed in third place in our rankings despite them still having the smallest number of live locations of 310+ UK towns and cities. This is mostly due to their very healthy 5G data speeds.

Opensignal and Speedtest reported typical 5G speeds of either 138.7 Mbps or 162.63 Mbps with peak speeds of 354.83 Mbps and upload speeds of 14.54 Mbps. They’re the second fastest network for 5G speeds.

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 slightly healthier speeds on Vodafone than EE where you do get it.

Best 5G SIM plans on Vodafone's network

Providers that use Vodafone's 5G

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.

You get 5G on every pay monthly SIM only and phone deals and PAYG monthly bundles, but not on their Basics plans. Their speeds and coverage have improved a bit, but they still have some catching up to do.

Useful link: Vodafone's latest 5G news

O2 still sit at the bottom of our rankings due to their sluggish 5G speeds. Opensignal and Speedtest measured typical speeds of either 80.1 Mbps or 85.08 Mbps peaking at 229.54 Mbps and upload speeds of 10.29 Mbps.

Their speed results have improved a bit since the testers’ last reports, but they’re still far behind the rest of the networks in terms of speeds. Their 5G speeds are still slower than other networks’ top 4G speeds.

But O2 do provide 5G in a really impressive 3200+ 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.

Best 5G SIM plans on O2's network

Providers that use O2's 5G

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).

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