A new report from Opensignal has handed out a string of awards to EE, with Vodafone also figuring highly in the reckoning.
The Mobile Network Experience Report from Opensignal, a leading independent mobile analytics company, aims to provide “the definitive guide to understanding the true experience consumers receive on wireless networks”.
The latest report analysed the UK’s four major mobile networks (EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three) over a period of 90 days beginning June 1, 2020. Two of those networks will be particularly happy with the outcome.
The October 2020 report was perhaps most notable for the inclusion of a new Games Experience category, which analyses how mobile users experience real-time multiplayer mobile gaming based on factors like latency, packet loss and jitter. EE took home the win here with an overall score of 72.3 out of 100 - 1.3 points ahead of its nearest rival, Vodafone.
It’s worth noting that none of the UK’s main operators scored Excellent or Good for their gaming experience, which suggests that there’s ample room for improvement across the board.
In a dominant performance from EE, the UK network also grabbed the award for best Video Experience, with O2 overtaking Vodafone to come in second. EE also won for Download Speed Experience, and managed to widen the gap to Vodafone in second place into the bargain.
Vodafone scored another second place finish behind EE in the Upload Speed Experience category, which EE has now won four times in a row. However, Vodafone did manage to close the gap to EE by a considerable 30% in the ratings.
Vodafone hit back even harder by winning the Voice App Experience award, which was the third time in a row it had done so. It’s the only category EE didn’t win in Opensignal’s latest report, and a difference of just 0.3 points in the scoring suggests that it’s gunning for a clean sweep.
Not that EE can expect to have things all its own way in future reports. It will be interesting to see how the 5G spectrum auction planned for January 2021 will shift the standings.
With 80 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band and 120 MHz in the 3.6–3.8 GHz band up for grabs, there could be a considerable evening out of mobile performance over the coming months and years.
Jon has nine years experience of writing and editing copy for leading publications, as well as attending technology shows and events and conducting interviews. Currently working with 5G.co.uk, TechRadar, Trusted Reviews, T3, Digital Spy, What Mobile, Pocket Gamer, and The Gadget Show.
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