The latest tests from Ookla have revealed that Three Mobile has claimed the top spot among the UK’s major mobile providers for fast download speeds, surpassing its competitors. Three secured its position by delivering an average download speed of 214Mbps, outpacing its closest rival by over 80Mbps and doubling the UK fixed-line broadband average speed.
In the Ookla rankings, Vodafone secured the second position, followed by EE in third place, while O2 lagged behind, offering the slowest speeds across all categories. Ookla confirmed Three as the fastest 5G network in the United Kingdom for Q3-Q4 2025, based on Speed Score metrics that evaluate a network’s throughput and responsiveness through download and upload speeds as well as latency measurements.
Key Ookla results include Three leading with an Overall Speed Score of 53.46, followed by Vodafone with 43.05, EE with 36.73, and O2 with 30.70. In terms of median download speeds, Three recorded 214Mbps, Vodafone at 129.78Mbps, EE at 97Mbps, and O2 at 78.92Mbps. For median upload speeds, Three achieved 13.8Mbps, Vodafone 10.78Mbps, EE 10.96Mbps, and O2 8.28Mbps.
However, it is important to note that mobile network testing can be challenging due to users’ constant movement between indoor and outdoor environments and varying network conditions throughout the day, potentially impacting speed measurements. Despite these challenges, Three’s performance stands out, with expectations of further enhancement post its merger with Vodafone to form VodafoneThree, aiming to develop the UK’s premier mobile network through a substantial £11 billion investment.
Following the merger in May, VodafoneThree has initiated network integration using “Multi-Operator Core Network” technology, enabling seamless connectivity between Vodafone and Three networks at no additional cost. This integration could result in expanded coverage and improved performance nationwide for customers of both networks.