Best mobile networks in London: coverage & speeds in 2025
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Which networks have the best signal London and the fastest 4G and 5G? We check maps and speed test results to find out. Last updated: 7th January 2025.
Finding the best mobile networks in London
We've studied network maps and data speed tests
✔ Good 5G is crucial to avoid congestionSkip to best in London
There’s a lot of things to keep in mind when considering which mobile networks are best for users in London,. In particular, networks have to deal with lots of users in busy areas which can cause massive slowdowns.
So the best networks in our eyes will be the ones with the best 5G/4G data coverage and call signal (3G/2G) in London. We’ll also look at which networks are best at getting signal into buildings as this is also crucial.
On top of that, we’ll also look at the sorts of 5G and 4G data speeds you can expect on each network in London. This will show how good each are at dealing with the large number of phone users in the city.
Finally, some networks offer extra features like access to free WiFi hotspots on the London Underground or around the city. Things like this will bump up our opinion of each network in our rankings below.
Useful links: Read our guide to the best 5G networks
Best networks for users in London
1st: Vodafone have the best mix of speeds and coverage in London
What we like:
What we don't like:
Vodafone are our number one pick for London users. The main reason for this is simply that they have the best overall mix of coverage. They have by far the best 5G coverage in London, providing it in the most areas.
Their 4G signal is also excellent, so you’ve got the best chance of staying connected with quality data. And their call signal is also very widespread and broadcast on good frequencies for getting into buildings.
Data speeds are also a strength on Vodafone. Opensignal’s report shows typical 4G data speeds of a very healthy 53.8 Mbps. And typical 5G data speeds sit between 126.3 Mbps - 151.33 Mbps Opensignal and Speedtest.
The only real downside we can pick out is that they don’t have any free WiFi hotspots on the Underground while some others do. But for us that’s not enough to shift them from their place at the top of our list.
Useful link: Check coverage on Vodafone’s network using their map
Get Vodafone’s brilliant signal at lower costs on these
✔ These providers share Vodafone’s signal
Talkmobile are one of our favourite alternatives to being on Vodafone. They offer full access to Vodafone’s network on much better value 12-month and more flexible 1-month contracts:
VOXI are actually a sub-brand of Vodafone and offer great value on their flexible 1-month SIM only plans. And they include free social media data on all plans and even better data saving benefits on their higher-end ones:
Lebara offer low-cost 12-month contracts and more flexible, but still great value 1-month SIM only plans. They also include some international mins on their plans, so they’re a great choice for calling abroad:
Finally, ASDA Mobile are similar to Talkmobile in that they’re a low-frills, low-cost option. They offer good value on flexible 1-month SIM only deals and even better value on longer 12-month and 24-month contracts:
Useful link: Our guide to the best providers on Vodafone’s network
2nd: EE offer the best 4G experience in London
What we like:
What we don't like:
EE sit in second place for mobile users in London in our eyes, mostly due to them offering the best 4G experience in London, with the fastest speeds and best coverage. But they are let down somewhat by their 5G.
Data speeds are a strength on EE. Opensignal put typical 4G data speeds at 54.5 Mbps on EE, the fastest of all networks. And Opensignal and Speedtest show typical 5G speeds between 110.28 - 123.2 Mbps.
There are a couple weaknesses that keep them out of first place for us, the first being that they lag behind the other networks for 5G coverage in London. So you’re more reliant on 4G than on the other networks.
That’s not necessarily a deal breaker as their 4G is excellent. But indoor call signal tends to be a bit weaker on EE than the other providers, but this at least can be made up for by their excellent WiFi calling scheme.
Useful link: Check EE’s signal using their map here
These providers offer access to EE’s network at lower costs
1pMobile are our favourite alternative to EE. They offer full access to EE’s network at much lower costs on flexible 1-month SIM only plans. They’re also excellent for traditional PAYG if that’s what you want:
Lyca Mobile also offer good value 1-month and 12-month contracts with some international mins included. But they don’t get access to EE’s band 20 transmitters which might make 4G signal worse than being on EE.
spusu are another excellent option, with similarly low-cost 1-month SIM only deals. They’ve frozen their prices, meaning you’ll get the same great value all through 2025. They’re a very convenient option overall:
Talk Home Mobile are a good option with 1-month and 12-month plans, but also don’t get access to EE’s band 20 4G transmitters. This can affect signal capacity, making their network experience worse than the others:
Finally, Co-op Mobile aren’t quite as good value as the other smaller providers, but can be a decent option for a 1-month SIM only contract. And they get full access to EE’s 4G, unlike the two providers above:
Useful link: Our guide to the smaller providers on EE’s network
3rd: O2 are great for London coverage but are a bit slow
What we like:
What we don't like:
O2 come in third place for the best networks for London users primarily due to their underwhelming speeds. It’s a bit of a shame as everything else they offer should be very appealing to users in London.
Typical 5G data speeds on O2 sit at an underwhelming 80.50 - 81 Mbps in London according to Opensignal and Speedtest. That average is actually below most networks’ peak 4G speeds.
Again it’s a shame as O2 otherwise have the second best 5G coverage in London and the joint best 4G coverage. That’s backed up with the best overall call signal and an excellent WiFi hotspot scheme.
As for typical 4G data speeds in London, O2’s sit at 35.5 Mbps according to Opensignal. That’s actually quite a bit better than their typical speeds nationwide, but still a good bit slower than the other networks.
But if you’re in the capital, you’ll want the best speeds possible. And O2’s low speed results suggest they’re not as good at dealing with signal congestion as the others. That’s why we can’t put them higher.
Useful link: Read O2’s guide to their WiFi hotspot scheme
These providers use O2’s network and offer unique benefits
There are some smaller providers that offer full access to O2’s network at generally lower costs. A couple of these also offer unique benefits that O2 don’t and can be a better option than joining O2 directly.
Sky Mobile offer good value on 12 and 24-month SIM only contracts with unlimited data streaming for their TV apps on all plans. And they also include an excellent “Piggybank” data rollover benefit on all plans:
Tesco Mobile also offer better value 12-month and 24-month contracts than O2. And if you’re a Clubcard holder, you’ll get access to even better value plans and use Clubcard points to get money off your monthly bill:
giffgaff have the lowest costs of the three, with great value 18-month SIM only contracts and more flexible 1-month SIM only plans. They are more of a low-frills option, so your choice will depend on what you need:
Useful link: Our guide to the best providers on O2’s network
4th: Three are impressively fast but signal isn’t the best
What we like:
What we don't like:
Three are in last place for London users because they aren’t as good as the rest at covering the whole city. Their superfast speeds can still make them an excellent option if you’re not planning to move around much.
According to independent testers Opensignal and Speedtest, Three have by far the fastest typical 5G speeds in London of 210.28 Mbps - 235 Mbps. Opensignal also measured great typical 4G speeds of 46.2 Mbps.
Those excellent speeds suggest that their 5G is excellent at resisting the slowdown caused by lots of phone users. But while 5G coverage is good, there are holes on the outskirts of the city, so check near you here.
But they have worse 3G coverage than the other networks both indoors and outdoors and it is being gradually phased out. This can be made up for if you’re on a phone that supports WiFi/4G calling (check yours here).
Their great 4G signal and their access to free WiFi on the Underground are big upsides as well. They’re only really in last because their main strength, their 5G speeds, are hampered by their weaker coverage.
Useful link: Read Three’s guide to their WiFi hotspot scheme
These cheaper providers offer a similar experience to Three
If you like the coverage and speeds that Three offer but are looking for different options, SMARTY, iD Mobile and Honest Mobile are all worth looking at. They all provide identical coverage to Three.
SMARTY are our favourite of the three due to them offering some of the best value 1-month SIM only deals around. They also give you access to all of the same Underground WiFi hotspots that you would on Three:
iD Mobile offer excellent deals on their longer 24-month SIM only contracts. They don’t offer TfL WiFi access, but do have a range of decently priced phone contracts and include data rollover on their plans:
Honest Mobile are similar in price to Three but don’t offer WiFi hotspots access. Instead they’re more of an environmental choice, being the only carbon negative UK network. And they reduce your bill over time:
Useful link: Our guide to the best providers on Three’s network
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