EE has been confirmed as the UK’s leading mobile network operator based on reliability, speed, data, and call and text performance, according to RootMetrics, IHS Markit’s mobile network performance measurement firm.

The BT-owned network has now rated as the best network for 11 consecutive rounds of RootMetrics testing, since it began UK-wide network testing in the second half of 2013. This latest round consisted of 600,476 tests, 20,294 miles driven, 652 indoor locations tested, and covered 100 per cent of the UK population.

Vodafone scored strongly across categories also, leapfrogging Three into second place for overall performance thanks to strong results in network speed, data performance, and text performance. Three improved in call performance testing and solidified its position in term of reliability, falling just short of EE in the category for the third consecutive period.

On the other hand, O2 ranked last in four of the six categories tested – identical to the prior round of testing conducted earlier in 2018.

“EE’s strong performance in testing is testament to the consistent investment into improving its 4G network,” said Kevin Hasley, head of product at RootMetrics and executive director of performance benchmarking at IHS Markit “Vodafone and Three are also making improvements as they vie for market position. Although O2 ranks fourth in our testing, it is well placed to improve, having secured key parts of the 5G spectrum in 2018.

“The latest data suggests that download speeds are highly influenced by variables such as network capacity, demand, time of day and location. Our latest approach to testing in highly congested areas enables consumers and businesses to be better informed before making key buying decisions, such as where to visit, shop, eat and work. This type of analysis will be key to providing accurate data on 5G experience when it rolls out in earnest.”