- According to recent Ookla Speedtest intelligence, Three had the fastest 5G network in the UK in the second half of 2025, outperforming rivals on combined speed metrics.
- Despite the accolade, ongoing network integration with Vodafone and mixed user experiences highlight questions about consistency and future performance.
What happened: Ookla data puts Three at the top of UK 5G rankings
Mobile operator Three secured the top position for 5G performance in the UK for the second half of 2025 based on Speedtest results published by Ookla, the organisation behind one of the world’s most widely used broadband and mobile network testing tools.
In the report, Three achieved a Speed Score of 53.46, a composite metric derived from median download and upload speeds combined with latency figures, ranking it ahead of Vodafone, EE and O2. The ranking covered tests carried out nationwide over the period, with Three posting a median download speed of just over 214 Mbps and an upload speed of about 13.08 Mbps.
Vodafone came second with a noticeably lower download performance, while EE and O2 trailed further behind. O2, in particular, recorded a median download speed below 79 Mbps during the same period. In terms of latency — the time it takes for data to travel between devices and networks — Three also led the group, although it did not top every individual metric; on loaded upload latency, Vodafone posted a stronger figure.
Three’s customer rating in the Ookla evaluation, based on user-submitted scores, was also highest among the major operators. However, interpretation of such ratings should be cautious because customer experiences can vary widely by location and device.
Notably, Three and Vodafone are in the midst of merging their UK operations under the VodafoneThree banner, a process intended to combine spectrum and infrastructure to improve coverage and performance. The current ranking treats the networks as separate entities, but this is expected to change as integration progresses.
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Why it’s important
Being named the fastest 5G network in the UK carries reputational value for Three, especially in a competitive market where operators vie for customers on the basis of speed and reliability. 5G speeds are increasingly relevant not only for smartphone users but also for fixed wireless access and emerging applications like augmented reality and industrial internet of things services.
However, these rankings do not fully capture network consistency or coverage breadth, which are equally crucial to user experience. Independent studies show that while Three often leads on peak and median speeds, performance can vary significantly across regions, with some areas reporting much lower throughput. User-generated feedback also suggests mixed results, with some reporting excellent 5G in urban centres and others noting coverage or consistency issues in their locales.
Furthermore, the ongoing merger with Vodafone raises questions about how user experience will change as the two networks become more tightly integrated. While the combination of assets could improve capacity and reach over time, it could also introduce transitional challenges in operations and performance measurement.
Finally, although speed rankings can sway consumer perception, regulators and industry analysts stress the importance of coverage, affordability and service quality alongside raw speed metrics when assessing the health of a national mobile market.
