EE is consistently rated as the UK's best performing mobile network for speed and reliability. As the country's largest network by coverage, it reaches more postcodes including rural areas than its competitors, and its 5G rollout is among the most advanced in the country.
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EE's main strength is performance. Independent testing by RootMetrics and Opensignal consistently places it at or near the top for 4G and 5G speeds, network reliability, and overall mobile experience. Coverage is strong not just in cities but across rural areas and transport routes where other networks become patchy. If signal quality and data speed matter most to you, EE is a safe choice though its plans tend to be priced at a premium compared to some MVNOs running on the same infrastructure.
EE is a full mobile network operator, owning and running its own infrastructure. It is part of BT Group. Several MVNOs use EE's network, including BT Mobile, 1p Mobile, Plusnet Mobile (closed to new customers), spusu, Honest Mobile, and others so it is possible to get EE coverage at a lower price through one of those providers if the extras EE direct offers aren't important to you.
EE customers can access EE Rewards through the EE app, offering discounts, prize draws, and credits against their bill. The range and value of rewards varies, and the programme has evolved over time check the current offer in the app rather than assuming what is available.
Before choosing EE, check both your home and workplace postcodes using EE's own coverage checker and Ofcom's Map Your Mobile tool. EE leads most coverage comparisons, but 5G availability in particular varies by area and is still expanding.
EE works with a wide range of third party retailers and holds them to strict sales targets. This creates real competition between resellers, which can work in your favour particularly towards the end of a month or quarter when retailers often cut margins significantly to hit targets. It is worth keeping an eye on EE deals at those times as prices can drop noticeably.
EE switched off its 3G network in early 2024. If you have an older handset that only supports 3G, it will no longer work on EE. Most smartphones from the last several years support 4G, but it is worth checking if you are buying a budget or older device. EE requires 4G Calling (VoLTE) support for voice calls on its network.
EE consistently ranks at or near the top of independent UK network assessments for speed, reliability, and overall mobile experience. If network performance is your primary criterion, it is hard to argue against EE though the premium it charges over some MVNOs using the same infrastructure is worth factoring in.
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