Best mobile network coverage in the UK
Which network has the best mobile coverage?
As mobile networks continue to improve and 5G reaches more of the country, the scope and quality of mobile phone coverage in the UK are constantly improving.
Even so, there are some areas where coverage is still patchy.
By analysing various mobile phone stats, we have compared each major carrier and outlined the sort of coverage and connection speeds you'll receive, as well as any perks and sweeteners you can expect for choosing that network, whether you're on a pay-monthly or SIM only deal.
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How to check for the best mobile coverage in the UK
EE mobile phone coverage
EE offers fantastic UK 4G coverage. At the time of writing, its standard 4G network covered 99% of the UK population. EE offers faster 4G services in select locations, but these are mainly limited to cities and larger towns.
The connection speed you'll get depends on your phone and the EE plan you're signed up for. But even the cheapest EE plans can theoretically give you a connection speed of up to 60Mbps.
At the other end of the scale, in parts of central London, the maximum speed can reach up to 150Mbps.
EE also offers customers a 5G network connection in 50 UK towns and cities, including London, Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, Northampton, and more. In certain areas, 5G connections can reach speeds of over 500Mbps.
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Three mobile phone coverage
Three's 4G network covers 99% of the UK population as of August 2025, making it one of the country's widest-ranging networks.
Its combined 3G and 4G mobile phone coverage covers 99.8% of the population, which again compares very favourably with rivals.
Three 5G is also available in parts of over 588 towns and cities across the UK, covering over 60% of the country's outdoors at the time of writing.
So, if you live in an urban location, you will likely be able to benefit from its ultrafast 5G speeds.
And in another win for Three customers after the Vodafone merger, your phone can now switch between both networks, automatically connecting to whichever signal is strongest.
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O2 mobile phone coverage
O2 offers nearly 99% combined 3G and 4G outdoor population coverage across the UK and won Best Mobile Network Coverage at the Uswitch Mobile Awards 2025.
O2’s 5G service has launched in dozens of towns and cities in the UK, including Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, Slough and more. Its 5G network covers over 77% of the UK population.
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Vodafone mobile phone coverage
Vodafone is one of the 'big four' mobile networks, and its 4G service reflects that, reliably covering over 97% of the UK population.
Its 5G coverage is already accessible in hundreds of UK towns and cities, and following its merger with Three, it has a goal of 99.95% 5G UK population coverage by 2034.
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Tesco Mobile phone coverage
Tesco Mobile's service is based on O2's network. That means that if you choose Tesco Mobile, you'll get a network with combined 4G and 5G coverage of 99% of the UK population.
Get an idea of Tesco Mobile coverage in your area with the Tesco Mobile postcode checker.
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iD Mobile phone coverage
iD Mobile uses Three's network, so you get the same nationwide coverage as you would if you were signed up with Three.
Three delivers 99% 4G coverage and expands 5G service in over 400 locations. For the latest updates on coverage in your area, visit the iD Mobile coverage checker on their website.
In addition to the 4G service, which was rated the UK's most reliable in 2015, iD Mobile customers also get fast 3G coverage. The latter covers 99.8% of the population.
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GiffGaff mobile phone coverage
GiffGaff offers speedy connections at a good price. Like Tesco Mobile, it's based on O2's network and offers 3G and 4G mobile phone coverage and speeds in line with O2.
That means you'll get 99% combined 4G and 3G UK coverage.
Get an idea of coverage quality in your area with GiffGaff's postcode checker.
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Talkmobile mobile phone coverage
Talkmobile is another value network, but it is based on Vodafone's mobile phone network. Check our Vodafone mobile phone coverage section for the kind of coverage and speeds you can expect.
Talkmobile is a no-frills network. But with good speeds and great price points, it has much to offer. And that goes double if you're on a tight budget.
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Sky Mobile phone coverage
Sky Mobile uses O2’s mobile phone network. So wherever O2 has a signal, Sky Mobile does too. At the time of writing, this will get you 4G coverage in over 98% of the UK population outdoors.
Get the measure of coverage in your area with Sky Mobile's coverage checker.
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SMARTY mobile phone coverage
Smarty uses Three's 4G network, which offers 99.5% UK outdoor population coverage.
Take a look at Smarty's mobile phone coverage in your area with its postcode checker.
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So which network offers the best mobile phone coverage overall?
If the quality of mobile phone coverage is your main criterion when choosing a network, Three seems to be currently the best.
Data from Opensignal underscores that in September 2024, it identified EE as the winner (or co-winner) for its three coverage markers - Overall Experience, 5G Experience and Coverage.
Three was second as co-winners with EE for 5G Experience, and Vodafone was fourth out of the big networks.
In the 2025 Uswitch Telecoms Awards, O2 was awarded 'Best Mobile Network Coverage' for 'keeping you connected with a strong, reliable network that reaches more places across the UK'.
If you're considering a different carrier, take a look at our network-by-network guide. You can see which of the big four networks provides the bedrock of their service. For example, pick SMARTY, and you'll get exactly the same level of mobile phone coverage as Three.
Ultimately, the most important thing is that coverage is good in your area since that's where you'll spend the most time.
So, the smartest thing to do is use the network coverage checkers we've included in our snapshot of each major network's mobile phone coverage in the section above. Just enter your postcode, and you'll see a map of the signal strength in your area.
Coverage may be good on a range of networks in your area. Lucky you. If that's the case, you can pick your carriers, and you may want to look more closely at perks to help make your mind up.
If you travel abroad a lot, or even if you're planning a holiday or two, it also makes sense to consider the scale and quality of networks' roaming schemes.
About mobile phone coverage in the UK
All mobile phones rely on signals from a mobile phone network. Despite what various networks or handset guidebooks may tell you, you cannot even make an emergency call without a network signal.
The strength or quality of the mobile coverage is largely determined by proximity to a mobile phone network tower. However, there are other factors that could affect your ability to get the best mobile coverage.
Want to check mobile phone coverage across various networks? We recommend Ofcom's Mobile Checker app for Android and iPhone.
Your mobile phone should tell you how good the network coverage is using a set of bars on the display screen; the signal strength will change as you move around with your mobile phone.
The best mobile phone coverage is generally in urban areas, although even really busy cities have 'dead zones' without network coverage.
Signal 'dead zones' normally occur where the signal between the mobile handset and the phone network cell antenna is blocked.
Tunnels, hills, or dense, tall buildings can block mobile phone signals.
Rural areas with a smaller population have less physical interference, but are often too far away from a mast for a good signal.
This is constantly improving as more and more antennas are put up around the country to improve UK coverage.
Decided on a network? Now you just need to pick a phone. Check out our pick of the top-selling smartphones.
If you need more help, our mobile phone guides have all the information you need.