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EE is by far the fastest UK network for downloading data, according to new tests carried out across London. The double-vowelled operator achieved on average more than twice the speed of its nearest rival, despite Vodafone and O2 having doubled their speeds by rolling out their own 4G networks.
The tests were carried out by RootMetrics, which took off-the-shelf Android phones like the Sony Xperia Z out and about around the capital, downloading email, browsing and using apps.
It also tested network reliability, measuring how often calls dropped out and texts failed to arrive. It takes all the data collated by the testers and pumps it through an algorithm, coming up with comparable scores to hopefully give a reasonable idea of where each network stands.
EE, with a huge head start on rolling out 4G and with the combined might of the old Orange and T-Mobile networks, came out ahead on RootMetrics’ metrics. Its average upload and download speeds were more than double that of Vodafone and it downloaded 10 emails on average in just 3.1 seconds, although O2 wasn’t far behind on 3.9 seconds.
In general reliability, however, O2 pushed EE close, with fewer call and text failures. Vodafone came out the worst for reliability, below even Three.
Ilford in East London managed the fastest single download speed, with a whopping 90.5Mbps on EE. Speeds saw a marked downturn outside of the M25, however, with towns like St Albans and Basildon seeing downloads at half the rate of central London.
London is one of few places in the UK to have 4G available from more than just EE, which is now in 131 towns and cities. O2 and Vodafone are also in Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester, Nottingham and Sheffield. Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester, Nottingham and Sheffield, with O2 also in Leeds and Bradford. Three launches later this year, but only in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Reading.
How are speeds where you live? Has moving to 4G made a massive difference? Or is it still too expensive? Rate your rate down in the comments, or on our rapid Facebook page.
