5G is growing fast – but there’s still room to improve
- 28.3% of mobile connections in the UK were on 5G in early 2025 – up from 19.5% the year before.
- 5G Standalone (SA), the newest and fastest version, made up just 2% of all 5G connections.
- 70% of 5G SA downloads were over 100 Mbps, compared to 46% for 5G NSA and just 4% for 4G.
That means 5G SA is significantly faster – but still not widely adopted, we expect this to change as more networks roll it out.
Urban vs rural: The connectivity divide
- 29.5% of connections in urban areas were on 5G, compared to just 18.8% in rural areas.
Urban users also enjoyed faster downloads and better video streaming success rates. If you’re in a rural location, this gap could affect your team’s productivity – but improvements are on the way.
Network performance: Who’s winning?
- EE had the highest share of 5G connections (31.9%) and the fastest 4G downloads.
- Three led in 5G download speeds and had the lowest (best) latency.
- Vodafone had the highest 4G connection success rate.
- O2 had the highest share of 3G connections and the slowest upload speeds.
Streaming & speed: What you can expect
- 98.2% of 5G video streams played without interruption.
- 65% of 5G connections delivered speeds over 50 Mbps – ideal for high-intensity tasks like video conferencing and large file transfers.
- EE had the highest proportion of uploads at 20 Mbps or higher on both 5G (38%) and 4G (19%).
Connection success & latency
- 5G connection success rate: 97.6%
- 4G connection success rate: 95.7%
- Average latency: 15 – 21 ms on 5G, 18 – 23 ms on 4G – great for real-time activities like video calls and gaming.
Tips for choosing the right mobile provider for your business
Choosing the right provider isn’t just about price – it’s about performance, reliability and future-readiness. Here are some smart tips:
Check local coverage
Use tools like Ofcom’s Map Your Mobile to see which networks perform best in your area – especially if you’re in a rural or semi-rural location.
Prioritise 5G availability
If your business relies on fast data and video conferencing, look for providers with strong 5G coverage and performance.
Consider upload speeds
If your team regularly uploads large files or uses cloud-based tools, upload speed matters.
Think about device compatibility
Make sure your devices are 5G-ready and your tariff includes 5G access – some older plans don’t.
Use a comparison service
Let experts like Connection Technologies do the legwork. We compare the whole market to find the best deals tailored to your business needs.
Get in touch with our team today – we’ll help you find the best fit for your business.
Read Ofcom’s latest Mobile Matters report here in full.