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UK Mobile Signal Falls Behind Europe
6 Jul
Summary
- UK mobile coverage ranks worse than all EU countries.
- The UK is 57th for network performance globally.
- Rural 5G coverage in the UK is only 64%.
British mobile users face a frustrating reality: while deals are cheaper, the network performance is among the worst. Analysis shows the UK's mobile coverage trails behind all 27 EU member states and other G7 economies. It ranks a low 57th globally for overall network performance and 70th for download speeds, with consistent quality for activities like streaming also suffering.
This underperformance is partly due to limited infrastructure, with 5G coverage reaching only 64% of the country, particularly affecting rural areas. The situation is compounded by issues on railways, where mobile signals are poor compared to countries like Germany. Consumer group Which? highlights that over a third of customers reported problems like dropped connections and slow speeds in the past year.
Industry experts emphasize the need for collaborative efforts between the government, Ofcom, and mobile operators. They point to inflexible planning rules and landowner disputes as barriers to necessary investment and network upgrades. Improving the UK's mobile infrastructure is deemed crucial for both the economy and citizens' ability to stay connected.
