In terms of overall performance, EE scored 96 out of 100, Three (in second place) was rated 93, Vodafone scored 90.1 and O2 came in at 86.6. However, Vodafone scores higher than EE in Northern Ireland and Three is competing with EE in Wales.
Returning to the UK-wide results – Three, a previous joint winner for call performance in 2H17 has lost its top spot and has fallen into third place for data performance.
IHS Markit says that given ever improving mobile performance and the fact that all operators have enhanced their scores, there’s a high incentive to make the most of 5G-related spectrum and that the ability to deploy 5G infrastructure successfully is the new battleground for differentiation.
Kevin Hasley, head of product at RootMetrics and executive director of Performance Benchmark at IHS Markit, said: “The first movers in 5G are going to have an advantage as consumers will see a big step change in performance of their devices across critical functions like live streaming video. EE’s high performance in 4G testing can lead to a seamless service transition to 5G; however it will be a brand new playing field once the technology is live. 5G will give all networks an opportunity to be a leader in performance and service provision.”
“However, 5G is most likely to impact urban area performance as it will be deployed in centres of high population density. Operators will still need to prove and maintain 4G and even 3G performance across wider geographies as that’s how we use our phones. We accept that when on the move and in more rural locations that performance will be lower, but we still have expectations about minimum performance.”
