How fast is 5G?

27 June 2023

Contents list

  1. How fast is 5G?
  2. 5G network speeds
    1. Maximum 5G speeds
    2. EE 5G speeds
    3. Three 5G speeds
    4. Vodafone 5G speeds
    5. O2 5G speeds
    6. MVNO 5G speeds
  3. How to check 5G download speeds
  4. 5G latency
  5. Future 5G download speeds
  6. Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

5G is rolling out across the UK on every major network, and brings with it far higher speeds than 4G with a theoretical maximum speed of between 10 and 50Gbps, according to the regulatory body Ofcom.

We’re not at that level yet, but reported peak download speeds have already reached 753Mbps (based on a Point Topic / Thinkbroadband report from late 2020) and some networks claim that speeds of upwards of 1Gbps are already being experienced.

Average download speeds are currently up to six times faster than 4G and twenty five times faster than 3G, and 5G is already faster than fibre broadband in many areas around the UK. 

1) How fast is 5G?

Network type

Average download speeds

Peak download speeds

Theoretical maximum download speeds

3G

7.4Mbps

~20Mbps

42Mbps

4G

36.4Mbps

90+Mbps

300Mbps

5G

75Mbps-238Mbps

753Mbps+

10-50Gbps

Based on the currently available data from RootMetrics, Point Topic, Opensignal and other validated tests, across the UK’s networks you can expect average 5G download speeds of between roughly 75Mbps – 238Mbps. The exact figures will vary from network to network and place to place, but the averages recorded will normally to be in that range.

You can see both extremes of that in the April 2023 Mobile Network Experience report from Opensignal, which put Three’s average 5G download speeds at 237.7Mbps, and O2’s at 75Mbps, with EE and Vodafone filling out the middle.

Point Topic for its part claims that as of September 2020, the average 5G download speed across the UK’s networks is 148Mbps, with the median being 128Mbps.

The peak meanwhile was recorded at 753Mbps – that’s the highest figure we’ve seen from independent tests (carried out by Point Topic / Thinkbroadband).

For the 4G and 3G average download speeds in the chart above we’ve used the highest average speeds on Opensignal’s Mobile Network Experience Report from October 2020. We’ve used this older report because newer ones don’t include separate 3G and 4G data.

Currently, you can expect 5G to be between around 3 and 6 times faster than 4G on average, but in some cases that difference is much greater. For example, Vodafone’s median 5G speed in London as recorded by RootMetrics in the second half of 2020 was 216.6Mbps, which is over 11 times faster than the 18.7Mbps median speed it recorded on 4G.

And 5G is set to get faster as time goes on, with theoretical speeds that could be hundreds of times faster than 4G, based on the 10-50Gbps estimate from Ofcom.

2) 5G network speeds

2.1 Maximum 5G speeds in the UK

While 5G is fast, exactly how fast will depend in part on where you are and what network you’re on, but we’re now getting a good picture of the general speeds you can expect. Below you can see details of actual maximum speeds that tests by Point Topic/ Thinkbroadband and RootMetrics have achieved with each network.

Network

Maximum download speeds (via Point Topic)

Maximum download speeds (via RootMetrics)

EE

753Mbps

388.4Mbps in London

Three

473Mbps

739.4Mbps*

Vodafone

415Mbps

545.6Mbps in London

O2

247Mbps

302.1Mbps in London

*95th percentile speed

At the time of writing, the results in the chart above are the highest 5G download speeds we’ve seen reported for each network.

That doesn’t mean they’re necessarily the fastest each is capable of – for most of the RootMetrics results the speeds here were only tested in London for one thing, while Three’s result is its 95th percentile speed rather than the very top one (which wasn’t disclosed).

Still, the speeds in the chart above should be towards the very top end of what you can expect from these networks at the time of writing.

Note that the RootMetrics results above aren’t all from the same study, as we’ve simply used the highest numbers. Those for Vodafone and O2 were recorded in the ‘UK Mobile Performance in Review 2H 2020’ report, while those for EE were taken from an earlier report covering the first half of 2020, and the speed for Three was taken from RootMetrics 2H 2022 Mobile Performance Review.

2.2.) EE 5G download speeds

EE 5G

Average UK-wide 5G download speeds of 122.3/ 149.9Mbps – Opensignal/Point Topic

Median 5G download speed of 141.6 / 130 / 151Mbps – RootMetrics/Point Topic/Ookla

Maximum 5G download speed of 753Mbps – Point Topic

EE 5G coverage checker

When it comes to EE’s 5G speeds, Point Topic and Thinkbroadband have provided average, median, and maximum 5G download speeds for EE based on its tests. As of September 2020 then EE’s average UK-wide 5G speed was reportedly 149.9Mbps, its median was 130Mbps, and its maximum was 753Mbps (which it achieved in Paisley). The report also found that EE delivered a maximum 5G download speed in Greater London of 397Mbps.

Data from Ookla (which runs Speedtest) covering the first half of 2021 meanwhile states that EE has a UK-wide median download speed of 151Mbps, which is very similar to the above, while RootMetrics in tests covering the second half of 2022 found that its median 5G download speed was 141.6Mbps.

Opensignal found in an April 2023 report that EE’s average 5G download speed across the UK was 122.3Mbps (which is not far off the Point Topic data). For reference, its average 4G download speed during an earlier test was found to be 33.1Mbps, making 5G around four times faster in this instance.

These average and median speeds are broadly in line with – or even slightly faster than - what EE has said to expect. Originally it had said to expect average speeds that are 100-150Mbps faster than 4G, with peak speeds of potentially over 1Gbps. More recently though in its ‘5G speeds explained’ article it’s made the more modest claim of roughly 100Mbps maximum speeds currently, and said that 1Gbps won’t likely be achieved until all EE’s 5G infrastructure is up and running.

So based on all the available data, we’d say that EE’s average 5G download speeds are in the region of 122Mbps – 150Mbps, while its peak speeds are at least around 753Mbps.

2.3) Three 5G download speeds

Three 5G

Average UK-wide 5G download speed of 237.7 / 158.7Mbps – Opensignal/Point Topic

Median 5G download speed of 202.8 / 122 / 231Mbps – RootMetrics/Point Topic/Ookla

Maximum overall 5G download speed of 739.4Mbps - RootMetrics

Three 5G coverage checker

Some of the latest data we have on Three’s 5G speeds comes from Opensignal, which in April 2023 recorded its average 5G download speeds as being 237.7Mbps, which is higher than any rival.

We also have 2H 2022 data from RootMetrics, which found Three’s median 5G download speed was 202.8Mbps, and its 95th percentile 5G download speed (which will be close to the highest) was 739.4Mbps. Those results are all higher than rivals achieved in the same tests too.

Similarly, according to Ookla/Speedtest data from the first half of 2021, Three has a UK-wide median download speed of 231Mbps, which is also higher than any rival managed in the same tests.

Three was also included in the same major Point Topic report as EE, which found that Three’s maximum UK-wide 5G download speed was 473Mbps (recorded in Walsall), its average was 158.7Mbps, and its median was 122Mbps.The report also found that Three’s maximum 5G download speed in Greater London was 410Mbps.

Three itself hasn’t been very specific about what speeds you can expect on its network, but it has said that at the top end they could be up to twice as fast as rivals, due to it having both more 5G spectrum in total and more contiguous 5G spectrum. The above results in some cases live up to that claim.

Based on the data that we have then, Three’s recent average 5G speeds seem to be around 238Mbps, while its peak 5G download speeds are at least around 739Mbps, but likely higher.

2.4) Vodafone 5G download speeds

Vodafone 5G

Average UK-wide 5G download speed of 100.6 / 143.6Mbps – Opensignal/Point Topic

Median 5G download speed of 107.4 / 129 / 159Mbps – RootMetrics/Point Topic/Ookla

Maximum London 5G download speed of 545.6Mbps – RootMetrics

Vodafone 5G coverage checker

For Vodafone, Opensignal found in April 2023 that the network had an average 5G download speed of 100.6Mbps, while RootMetrics found in the second half of 2022 that its median 5G download speed was similar at 107.4Mbps.

Moving on to older data, a report from Point Topic with data from September 2020 states that Vodafone’s UK-wide average 5G download speed is 143.6Mbps, its median is 129Mbps, and its maximum (recorded in Brent) is 415Mbps.

According to Ookla/Speedtest data from H1 2021 meanwhile, Vodafone has a UK-wide median download speed of 159Mbps, which is a bit better than the figures above.

There’s also an older RootMetrics report, which found that Vodafone’s top 5G download speed in London was 545.6Mbps, beating every other network, and also beating other peak Vodafone speeds we’ve seen in other reports.

Vodafone itself has said to expect average 5G speeds of 150-200Mbps, with peak speeds exceeding 1Gbps. While its peak speeds in tests don’t seem to reach that level, its average speeds do seem to be broadly in that range, albeit towards the bottom end of that.

Based on the data we have it seems Vodafone’s average 5G download speeds are in the ballpark of 100-150Mbps, with peak speeds of at least around 545Mbps, and possibly higher.

2.5) O2 5G download speeds

O2 5G

Average UK-wide 5G download speed of 75 / 115.7Mbps – Opensignal/Point Topic

Median 5G download speed of 71 / 103 / 155Mbps – RootMetrics/Point Topic/Ookla

Maximum London 5G download speed of 302.1Mbps – RootMetrics

O2 5G coverage checker

For O2, an April 2023 Opensignal report recorded an average 5G download speed of 75Mbps, while a RootMetrics report covering the second half of 2022 similarly put its median at 71Mbps.

O2 is also included in a 2H 2020 RootMetrics report, which found that its fastest 5G download speed in London was 302.1Mbps, which is one of the highest 5G speeds we’ve seen recorded for O2 in any tests.

According to Point Topic data from September 2020, O2 has an average UK-wide 5G download speed of 115.7Mbps, a median of 103Mbps, and a maximum (recorded outside Glasgow) of 247Mbps.

Ookla/Speedtest meanwhile found in Q1-Q2 2021 that O2’s median 5G download speed across the UK was 155Mbps, which is a lot better than the above, though notably it’s down on an earlier report from the same company, which found a median of 176.9Mbps.

O2 itself hasn’t yet said much about its 5G speeds, but based on this data it seems that you can potentially expect average download speeds of between around 75Mbps and 116Mbps, with peak speeds potentially being around 302Mbps.

2.6) MVNO 5G download speeds

MVNO Network

Core Network

Expected Average 5G download speed

Expected maximum 5G download speeds

Asda Mobile

Vodafone

100-150Mbps

545Mbps+

BT

EE

122-150Mbps

753Mbps+

CMLink

EE

122-150Mbps

753Mbps+

Giffgaff

O2

75-116Mbps

302Mbps+

iD Mobile

Three

238Mbps

739Mbps+

Lebara

Vodafone

100-150Mbps

545Mbps+

Lyca Mobile

O2

75-116Mbps

302Mbps+

Sky Mobile

O2

75-116Mbps

302Mbps+

Smarty

Three

238Mbps

739Mbps+

Talkmobile

Vodafone

100-150Mbps

545Mbps+

Tesco Mobile

O2

75-116Mbps

302Mbps+

Virgin Mobile

Vodafone

75-116Mbps

302Mbps+

VOXI

Vodafone

100-150Mbps

545Mbps+

As well as the main four UK networks, a number of MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) have also launched 5G services. At the time of writing those include BT MobileSky MobileGiffgaffTesco MobileVirgin Mobile, Asda Mobile, iD Mobile, Lebara, Lyca Mobile, Smarty, CMLink, TalkMobile and VOXI.

Starting with BT Mobile, while we don’t have much data on it, we can expect its performance to be similar to EE’s, since BT owns EE and they share infrastructure. As such you can read EE’s section above for full details, but in short, BT Mobile’s average 5G download speeds are likely to be around 122-150Mbps, with peak speeds potentially hitting around 753Mbps. CMLink also shares EE’s infrastructure, so again is likely to be similar.

Sky Mobile, Giffgaff, Lyca Mobile, Virgin Mobile, and Tesco Mobile all use O2’s infrastructure, so check out O2’s section above for a picture of what you might be able to expect. Average 5G download speeds could be in the region of 75-116Mbps based on the data that we have, with peak speeds of at least around 302Mbps. Tesco for its part has said to expect average download speeds of around 200Mbps.

Then there’s iD Mobile and Smarty, which use Three’s infrastructure, and based on the various data we have so far these networks could have average 5G speeds of around 238Mbps, with peak speeds upwards of 739Mbps.

Finally, VOXI and Talkmobile are owned by Vodafone and therefore use that network’s infrastructure, as do Asda Mobile and Lebara. Based on the data we have for Vodafone then, you might be able to expect average 5G download speeds in the region of 100-150Mbps, with peak speeds of likely at least around 545Mbps.

Speeds in some cases could be higher though, as VOXI has mirrored Vodafone in claiming that its 5G download speeds average 150-200Mbps and top out at roughly 1Gbps.

We’d also take all these numbers with a pinch of salt, because – as the detailed main network sections above show – they’re extremely variable, even on a single network in a single city.

3) How to check 5G download speeds

Testing what 5G speed you’re really getting is easy, as a number of sites and apps will do the job. Before opting for any of them though make sure you’re actually connected to 5G rather than a Wi-Fi network or 4G. To do this, turn Wi-Fi off on your phone, and check for an icon saying ‘5G’ on your phone’s status bar.

Then, one of the simplest options to test your speed is simply to enter the address fast.com into your mobile browser. It will then instantly start a speed test. The main speed displayed is your download speed, but if you hit the ‘show more info’ button you can also see your upload speed.

If you’d rather use an app then one of the best options is Speedtest by Ookla, a popular app available on both iOS and Android. Once it’s up and running hit ‘Go’ and it will first test your download and then your upload speed.

4) 5G latency

Network Type

Milliseconds (ms)

3G Network

58.2ms (actual)*

4G Network

36ms (actual)*

5G Network

29ms (actual)** / 1ms (theoretical)

* Figures show the lowest average latency of any network according to April 2020 Opensignal data.
** Figure shows the lowest average latency of any network according to H1 2021 Ookla data.

Latency is how long it takes the network to respond to a request, which could be you trying to play a song or video or load a website for example. The network has to respond before it even starts loading, which can lead to minor but perceptible lag and is especially problematic for online games, as each input has a new response time.

Over 3G those response times are typically around 60 milliseconds (ms) and on 4G they’re around half that at roughly 35ms. The theory is that on 5G response times will ultimately drop to just 1ms, which will be completely imperceptible.

That will help with all the things we use data for now, but more than that it’s necessary for new mobile data uses, such as self-driving cars, which need to respond to inputs and changes in situation immediately.

As with speeds though, super low latency won’t be achieved on day one, with a 2021 report from Ookla showing a median 5G latency of between 29ms and 33ms. Specifically, Vodafone and EE had a median of 29ms, O2’s was 31ms, and Three’s was 33ms. Notably these figures are actually higher (and therefore worse) than in an earlier report from late 2019, showing latency of between 21ms and 26ms.

We also have late 2020 data for central London, where according to RootMetrics, Three has a 5G latency of a mere 17ms, with Vodafone being second lowest at 34ms, and EE's only achieving 45ms. O2 meanwhile didn’t have a 5G presence in London at the time of the tests.

Interestingly then Three’s latency is best in that report but worst in the Ookla one above, though that might just mean that it has good latency in London and poorer latency elsewhere.

5) Future 5G download speeds

As 5G evolves and becomes less dependent on 4G infrastructure, and more spectrum becomes available, estimates put download speeds at up to 1000 times faster than 4G, potentially exceeding 10Gbps, which would enable you to download an entire HD film in less than a second. Some estimates are more conservative, but even the most conservative put it at several dozen times faster than 4G.

Some incredible speeds well beyond today’s 5G speeds have already been seen. The UK’s 5G Innovation Centre achieved around 1 terabit per second (1Tbps) in a test environment. That’s roughly 65,000 times faster than typical 4G speeds and would enable you to download a file around 100 times larger than a full movie in just 3 seconds. However, such speeds are unlikely to be replicated in the real world.

Ofcom for its part sees 5G as achieving real world speeds of between 10 and 50Gbps, which is insanely fast whichever end of the scale it ends up at. These numbers are all very impressive, but what do they actually mean?

According to AT&T, at 1Gbps you can download 25 songs in under a second, a TV show in under three seconds, and an HD movie in less than 36 seconds. These rates are currently available over its fixed GigaPower ultra-fast internet service and it has indicated the same will be possible over 5G at 1Gbps. Qualcomm, on announcing its X50 5G modem in October 2016, said it would be able to download a 1.5GB film in two to three seconds, compared with 10 to 15 seconds at 1Gbps.

As speeds approach 10Gbps, film downloads will become near instantaneous, and with all this extra speed whole new use cases become far more viable, such as streamed console-quality games, 8K video, and even holographic content.

Even at the speeds people are getting now, 5G can rival fibre broadband, which is why we’re starting to see 5G home broadband services. Most conventional fibre broadband services only provide speeds of under 100Mbps, and even at the top end it’s rare to get more than 5G is theoretically already capable of, so based on the 5G speeds above, it’s a clear alternative.

6) Frequently asked questions

How fast is 5G in the UK?

Based on the available data, 5G in the UK seems to offer average speeds of 75-238Mbps – though that figure varies based on network and location.

How fast is 5G home broadband?

5G home broadband speeds are variable, and affected by your network, your coverage, your 5G router, and other things. That said, its speeds should generally be in line with 5G mobile (meaning an average of likely between 75-238Mbps). But peak speeds could be far higher than that. Three for example has said that its 5G broadband speeds top out at 1Gbps.

Can I do my own 5G speed test?

Yes, and there are many websites and apps that allow for this. One of the simplest ways is just to head to fast.com while connected to a 5G network. This will then automatically start carrying out a speed test.

Is 5G faster than Wi-Fi?

5G can be faster than Wi-Fi. It depends on what Wi-Fi is available to you and what your 5G signal is like, but it’s certainly a strong alternative.

Is 5G faster than fibre broadband?

5G can rival the speediest fibre broadband connections. Whether or not it’s faster depends on a number of factors, but in most cases unless you have access to the very speediest fibre broadband packages it probably will be.

How fast is 5G versus 4G?

5G is much, much faster than 4G. Average 5G speeds seem to be between 3 and 6 times faster than average 4G speeds based on the available data, with peak 5G speeds being far faster still.

Is 5G gaining importance?

Very much so. Demands for fast and reliable mobile connectivity continue to grow, and with them so too does the need for 5G. RootMetrics even found in an extensive survey that 85% of respondents believed 5G would help them or their company make more money, 84% believe 5G will allow them to share more content on social media, 83% believe it will allow them to work more flexibly from different locations, and 80% believe it will significantly reduce travel time and free up time for productivity. So there’s clearly a great appetite for 5G.

What is 4G LTE?

4G LTE is the generation of mobile technology that came before 5G. So it’s a lot slower but it’s also far more widely available. Even if you have a 5G phone and plan, you’ll often find yourself on 4G when you leave 5G coverage areas.

What is Mbps?

Mbps stands for ‘Megabits per second’ and it’s used as a measure of internet connection speeds. So the more megabits per second, the faster a network is. Note that it shouldn’t be confused with MBps (megabytes per second).

James Rogerson
About James Rogerson

Editorial Manager

James has been writing for us for over 10 years. Currently, he is Editorial Manager for our group of companies ( 3G.co.uk, 4G.co.uk and 5G.co.uk) and sub-editor at TechRadar. He specialises in smartphones, mobile networks/ technology, tablets, and wearables.

In the past, James has also written for T3, Digital Camera World, Clarity Media, Smart TV Radar, and others, with work on the web, in print and on TV. He has a film studies degree from the University of Kent, Canterbury, and has over a decade’s worth of professional writing experience.

View more posts by James Rogerson >
Kevin Thomas
About Kevin Thomas

Company director for our 4 websites as follows: 

  • 3G.co.uk 
  • 4G.co.uk
  • 5G.co.uk 
  • SIMOnly.co.uk

Kevin Thomas has worked for companies AT&T and BT with 15 years practical experience in the world of telecoms. He has a HND in telecommunications.

Kevin has also  worked in the world of Telecom reporting for 18 years. He has joint responsibility for 3G.co.uk and SIMOnly.co.uk and is lead Director for 5G.co.uk.

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