Recent analysis has uncovered that the United Kingdom has the poorest phone signal quality among major economies.
According to industry data, the UK ranks at the bottom compared to other G7 nations, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the US, in terms of mobile network performance. Additionally, in a comparison conducted by Opensignal’s Global Network Excellence Index, the UK lags behind all 23 EU countries included.
On a global scale, the UK ranks 57th for overall network performance, 70th for download speeds, and 55th for the consistent quality required for activities like video calls and gaming.
The issue of poor performance was underscored by consumer advocacy group Which? as it disclosed findings from a customer satisfaction survey.
Among over 5,000 mobile customers surveyed, inadequate signal strength and unreliable mobile data connections emerged as major sources of frustration for consumers.
While price remains a significant factor in selecting a mobile provider, a substantial portion of respondents cited poor signal quality as a common issue, with 38% reporting service problems in the past year.
Of those facing issues, nearly 39% experienced frequent coverage dropouts, 37% encountered slow or inadequate data speeds, 32% faced disruptions while traveling, and 10% endured extended network outages exceeding a day.
Which? pointed out that the main concern lies in the emphasis on coverage rather than ensuring a reliable service for consumers.
The organization highlighted challenges faced by industry leader VodafoneThree, noting that a significant portion of network upgrades face regulatory hurdles, affecting service reliability. Recommendations have been submitted to the government for enhanced investment in mobile infrastructure and the establishment of 5G targets to ensure universal access to high-quality services.
Natalie Hitchins, head of home products and services at Which?, emphasized the need for improved mobile services aligned with consumer expectations and urged collaboration between government, regulators, and the industry to address existing challenges.
For individuals dissatisfied with their current signal quality, Which? recommends using their mobile network coverage map to explore better options that offer both value and reliable connections.
