4G: all four MNOs report 99%
All four UK MNOs claim approximately 99% outdoor population 4G. Practical differences exist in rural areas, building interiors and transport corridors. The Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme — funded jointly by all four MNOs and the UK Government — is extending 4G to previously unserved remote areas.
| Network | 5G Pop. Coverage | 5G Speed Rank | Avg DL (Jan 2026) | Key Advantage |
|---|
| EE | 87%+ (widest) | 1st combined avg | 53.2Mbps | Widest 5G + 5G+ SA (Sept 2024) |
| O2 | ~70% | 3rd | 32.8Mbps | 5G SA + Starlink satellite (2026) |
| Three | ~62% | 1st 5G peak | 187Mbps 5G median | 140MHz spectrum — most in UK |
| Vodafone | Growing | 4th | 37.5Mbps | VodafoneThree £11bn investment |
Source: Opensignal UK Mobile Network Experience Report, January 2026
MVNO coverage mapping
- Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile, Giffgaff: O2 network — 99% 4G, ~70% 5G
- iD Mobile: Three network — 99% 4G, ~62% 5G (fastest speeds)
- Lebara: Vodafone network — 99% 4G, 5G free on all plans
Coverage checkers
- All networks (Ofcom): checker.ofcom.org.uk
- O2, Tesco, Sky Mobile, Giffgaff: o2.co.uk/coveragechecker
- Three, iD Mobile: three.co.uk
- EE: ee.co.uk
- Vodafone, Lebara: vodafone.co.uk/network/coverage-checker
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