The latest tests by Ookla have revealed that Three Mobile is leading the pack in the UK when it comes to fast download speeds for on-the-go streaming. Three outperformed its major competitors with an impressive average download speed of 214Mbps, which is 80Mbps faster than the closest rival. This speed is twice as fast as the UK’s fixed-line broadband average.
In Ookla’s rankings, Three claimed the top spot, followed by Vodafone in second place and EE in third. O2 lagged behind with the slowest speeds overall. Ookla confirmed Three as the Fastest 5G Network in the United Kingdom for Q3–Q4 2025, based on Speed Score metrics that consider throughput, responsiveness, download and upload speeds, and latency.
Here is a summary of the Ookla results:
Overall Speed Score:
– Three: 53.46
– Vodafone: 43.05
– EE: 36.73
– O2: 30.70
Median download speeds:
– Three: 214Mbps
– Vodafone: 129.78Mbps
– EE: 97Mbps
– O2: 78.92Mbps
Median upload speeds:
– Three: 13.8Mbps
– Vodafone: 10.78Mbps
– EE: 10.96Mbps
– O2: 8.28Mbps
While the results are indicative of network performance, it’s important to note that mobile network testing can be challenging due to users’ mobility, varying network conditions, and location changes throughout the day. Despite these challenges, Three’s performance stands out, and its merger with Vodafone could lead to further enhancements in network capabilities.
Following the merger in May, VodafoneThree aims to revolutionize the UK’s mobile network with an £11 billion investment. The integration of the two networks using Multi-Operator Core Network technology allows Vodafone and Three customers to seamlessly connect to each other’s networks at no extra cost, potentially offering improved coverage and performance nationwide.