Vodafone DEAD LAST for network reliablity and data in UK

Vodafone has once again been rated the UK’s worst mobile phone network, lagging way behind EE, Three and O2 on performance and reliability. The latest numbers also show that all four companies have improved their networks in the past year.

The data, compiled by research firm Rootmetrics, looked at the speed and reliability of voice, text and data services during the first half of 2014. Each operator was rated out of 100 for overall performance, reliability, speed, data, call quality and text performance.

EE, which includes T-Mobile and Orange, came top in each and every category, scoring 88.1 out of 100 overall. Three was a close second on 84.3, with O2 on 78.6 and Vodafone on 77.8. The research was based on 92,000 samples of network performance both indoors and outdoors.

Rootmetrics pointed out that EE’s good performance in some areas was down to the network’s early investment in new infrastructure. Speed tests of data connections gave EE a score of 79.5 out of 100, with nearest rival three in second on 67.9. EE was the first company to launch a 4G network in the UK, with Vodafone and O2 forced to play catch-up.

Three shared top spot with EE in terms of overall network reliability. Taking into account data, calls and texts EE and Three received scores of 90.5 and 89.9 respectively. O2 was next on 80 with Vodafone in last on 79.5.

Vodafone’s performance has improved compared to last year, where it came dead last in every single category. It is now the joint second best network for overall call performance and joint third with O2 for text performance.

Rootmetrics said that improvements made by Three, O2 and Vodafone all investing heavily to narrow the gap on EE.

“The network performance race has already tightened and could be getting even more competitive in the second half of 2014—which should translate to better network performance for mobile users across the UK,” the research firm explained.

This is the second time Vodafone has scored poorly in mobile phone network tests in a matter of weeks, with regulator Ofcom also ranking it the worst for people in rural areas. Ofcom’s research used Rootmetrics data from the second half of 2013.

At the time Vodafone dismissed the tests as “outdated”, adding that the research was not accurate. Responding to the latest figures Vodafone pointed out that its network was improving “every day”.

“We are spending £1 billion on our network and services this year alone to improve mobile coverage and network quality across the UK. This investment has already delivered an improved service for customers across the country and we expect their experience to get significantly better,” a Vodafone spokesperson said.