A recent analysis has uncovered that Britain ranks at the bottom among G7 countries in terms of mobile network performance. The UK also lags behind all 23 additional EU countries included in a comparison by Opensignal’s Global Network Excellence Index. Globally, the UK ranks 57th for overall network performance, 70th for download speeds, and 55th for consistent quality required for activities like video calls and gaming.
Consumer group Which? highlighted the subpar performance, revealing that poor signal and unreliable mobile data connections are major frustrations for consumers. Price remains a key factor in selecting a mobile provider, with half of customers citing value for money as their main reason for choosing a network.
Complaints about poor signal are prevalent, with over a third of customers reporting issues with their service in the past year. Problems include coverage dropouts, slow data speeds, and interruptions while traveling. Which? emphasizes the need for a focus on providing a reliable service rather than just coverage.
The organization pointed out challenges faced by industry giants like VodafoneThree regarding network upgrades due to planning permission requirements. Which? has submitted recommendations to the government for greater investment in mobile infrastructure, 5G targets ensuring high-quality services for all customers, and coverage standards based on real-world performance metrics.
Natalie Hitchins, Head of Home Products and Services at Which?, emphasized the importance of reliable mobile services alongside value for money. She called for collaborative efforts between the government, Ofcom, and the industry to enhance investment, set realistic coverage targets, and remove barriers hindering network upgrades. Customers dissatisfied with poor signal are encouraged to use Which?’s mobile network coverage map to consider switching to a more reliable provider offering better value.