News
Voda makes biggest improvement on last year, taking top spot in terms of voice-call quality.
EE and Vodafone rank joint first in U.K. mobile network tests carried out by P3, with the latter showing the biggest improvement over the last 12 months.
The two telcos both scored 803 points out of a possible 1,000 in P3’s Connect Mobile Benchmark, conducted in September (see chart). Vodafone came out on top in terms of voice quality, while EE’s network performed best when it came to data transmission.
3UK came third overall with a score of 778, while O2 came fourth with 747. The top three operators all earned a "good" rating from P3; O2’s network was deemed "satisfactory".
"Our tests are good news for the U.K.’s mobile customers, because for the first time three networks are in our ‘good’ category, even though this year’s tests were the toughest yet," said Hakan Ekmen, CEO of P3, in a statement on Monday.
The tests measure voice and data performance on 3G and 4G networks, using LTE-capable smartphones. Measurements are taken of call-quality, call success rate, uplink speed, downlink speed, Website access, and mobile video performance. Tests are carried out while driving, walking, and indoors, and take place in major metropolitan areas, smaller towns, their connecting roads, and major highways. P3 claims its benchmarks enable operators to compare an ordinary user’s experience of their networks.
Vodafone’s network showed the biggest improvement: its total score last year came in at 673, putting it in third place behind 3UK with 687, and EE with 760. O2 scored 638 last year, making it the second most improved network in this year’s test.
"High-quality connectivity is going to be essential to the U.K.’s future quality of life and competitiveness and our tests mark the country’s progress towards embracing the many opportunities that will unfold," Ekmen said.
