RootMetrics: EE maintains performance lead, but rivals are catching up

The latest Mobile Performance Review report from RootMetrics shows that EE remains the UK operator to beat, but rivals are catching up.

EE swept six RootScore awards for overall performance, reliability, speed, and data, call, and text performance. The operator delivered the fastest median download speeds – across all network technologies – in every city.

Marc Allera, CEO of BT’s Consumer Division, said:

“Delivering the best mobile experience for...

22 July 2021 | LTE

UK completes 5G spectrum auction following two-month delay

British telecoms regulator Ofcom has completed its 5G spectrum auction following a two-month delay.

The spectrum auction was initially scheduled to take place in January but was pushed back amid another wave of COVID-19.

“The auction and subsequent release of spectrum remain central to the future rollout of mobile networks and 5G. The economy’s recovery from COVID-19 is dependent on resilient digital infrastructure and we urge Ofcom to resist any further requests for...

17 March 2021 | Legislation & Government

British mobile operators will be banned from selling locked phones

Telecoms regulator Ofcom has banned mobile operators from selling locked phones after December 2021.

Locking mobiles to specific networks often causes confusion for consumers and prevents them from switching at the end of their contracts.

Selina Chadha, Connectivity Director at Ofcom, said:

“We know that lots of people can be put off from switching because their handset is locked.

So we’re banning mobile companies from selling locked phones, which...

27 October 2020 | Legislation & Government

Three UK awards multi-million backhaul contract to CityFibre

Three UK has awarded a multi-million backhaul contract to CityFibre, the UK's largest alternative provider of fibre infrastructure.

CityFibre has gone from strength-to-strength since it was established in 2012, with network projects ongoing in over 60 cities and plans to reach eight million homes.

The deal with Three will see CityFibre connect an additional 1,300 key mobile masts across 59 towns and cities.

Greg Mesch, CEO at CityFibre, said:

“We...

4 September 2020 | Networks

RootMetrics: EE continues its lead in the UK, but Three’s 5G is fastest

RootMetrics by IHS Markit's latest UK report shows no sign of EE losing its overall lead, but Three's 5G potential is beginning to emerge.

EE either took first place, or tied, in all seven of RootMetrics' categories: Overall, reliability, speed, data, accessibility, calls, and text.

The UK's largest mobile operator by subscribers managed to achieve a median download speed of 42.6Mbps across 16 major cities tested. In half of the cities, EE achieved 50Mbps. In Manchester,...

30 July 2020 | Networks