Ofcom published its 2026 Mobile Matters report on 16 October, benchmarking UK mobile network performance using crowdsourced Opensignal data collected between August 2025 and July 2026. Across the UK, networks provided a good-quality connection 81% of the time, which Ofcom said "falls short" of its 90% target. EE scored highest at 85%, followed by Three (82%), Vodafone (81%) and O2 (77%).
What the report found
Ofcom measured how often a connection met its "good quality" threshold. Most shortfalls came from failing speed thresholds rather than high latency.
The UK average fell to 75% in rural areas, against 82% in urban areas. No local authority in the UK met the 90% benchmark. West Devon scored lowest at 68%, and Watford scored highest at 88%.
The type of connection made a large difference. 4G averaged 78%, while both 5G Standalone and 5G Non-Standalone averaged 92%. 4G still handled most data connection attempts: 75% in England and Northern Ireland, 78% in Scotland and 82% in Wales. Ofcom linked much of the variation between areas and nations to differences in 5G access.
How the networks compare
The table below shows each network's performance score by nation, taken from Ofcom's report.
Source: Ofcom analysis of Opensignal crowdsourced data, good performance score, 2025/26.
EE came top overall and in England, Scotland and Wales. Vodafone led in Northern Ireland at 83%, one point ahead of EE.
The widest gap is in Wales, where O2 scored 65%, 17 points behind EE. That is the lowest network score in the report. O2 also had the greatest variation between nations, from 65% in Wales to 80% in Northern Ireland.
Scores are based on crowdsourced data, so they reflect where and how people used their phones. A network with a lower overall score can still perform well in the places you use it most.
What this means for customers
Network quality is one of the main reasons people choose a SIM-only deal, and this report gives you independent data to use. If you live in Wales, or in a rural area, the nation and rural figures matter more than the UK average. O2 customers in Wales in particular may want to check local coverage before taking a new plan.
Many cheaper SIM-only brands use the big networks. Giffgaff and Sky Mobile run on O2, for example, and a brand typically shares its host network's coverage. Check which network a provider uses before you buy. You can compare current O2 SIM-only deals on SIM Only Finder. To use the EE network, see which networks use EE.
If you are unsure, a 30-day SIM-only deal lets you test a network at home and at work without a long commitment. If you decide to move, you can keep your number using a PAC code.
Check coverage at your postcode with each network's own checker, and ask neighbours which network works for them, before relying on a national score.
Reviewed by Phil Brown, founder of SIM Only Finder. Phil previously worked in UK mobile retail at Three UK, advising customers on SIM plans, contracts, and network choices. He has spent over a decade running consumer comparison platforms and reviews networks and SIM-only deals based on that hands-on industry background. About the author
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