EE claims 25th straight win as UK's fastest mobile network in 2025
EE has once again topped the UK's mobile network rankings for the 25th time in a row. The latest tests show it leading in both nationwide performance and major city speeds. Meanwhile, Virgin Media O2 has made significant gains, climbing to second place in reliability and boosting its metro awards.
In the first half of 2025, EE dominated download speeds in the UK's five largest cities—London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, and Leeds. Its median speed reached 45.2 Mbps, beating Virgin Media O2 (38.7 Mbps) and Three (32.1 Mbps). Compared to the same period last year, EE's speeds rose by 12%, while Virgin Media O2 improved by 8% and Three by 5%.
EE also secured the 'Best 5G Experience' award, reinforcing its position as the fastest and most consistent network. Across nearly all tested cities, its median speeds exceeded 100 Mbps, a benchmark few competitors matched.
Virgin Media O2 showed strong progress, jumping from fourth to second in nationwide reliability rankings. The provider also nearly doubled its metro awards, delivering faster speeds in key urban areas. Three performed well in metropolitan markets, with median speeds above 50 Mbps in all 16 cities tested—four of which hit 100 Mbps or higher.
Vodafone maintained steady performance, with median speeds above 50 Mbps in 11 of 16 cities and over 100 Mbps in two locations.
The latest results confirm EE's continued dominance in UK mobile networks, with top speeds and reliability. Virgin Media O2's improvements in reliability and city performance mark a notable shift in the rankings. Meanwhile, Three and Vodafone held strong in urban areas, though neither matched EE's overall lead.
