Britain has been identified as having the poorest phone signal among major economies, according to recent analysis. Data from the industry indicates that the UK ranks at the bottom among G7 countries for mobile network performance, lagging behind countries like Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the US. Additionally, the UK falls behind all 23 other EU nations included in Opensignal’s Global Network Excellence Index comparison.
On a global scale, the UK ranks 57th overall for network performance, 70th for download speeds, and 55th for consistent quality required for activities such as video calls and gaming. These findings were underscored by consumer group Which?, which revealed results from a survey showing that poor signal and unreliable mobile data connections are major consumer concerns.
The survey of over 5,000 mobile customers highlighted that price is the primary consideration when choosing a mobile provider, with half of respondents citing value for money as the main factor. Nonetheless, poor signal quality emerged as a common complaint, with over a third of customers reporting issues with their service in the past year.
Among the reported problems, almost two in five customers experienced coverage dropouts, 37% faced slow data speeds, and a third encountered disruptions while traveling. One in ten customers endured significant network outages lasting more than a day. Which? emphasized the need for a shift towards ensuring reliable services rather than just focusing on coverage.
Which? raised concerns about the challenges faced by industry players like VodafoneThree, who encounter obstacles in upgrading network infrastructure due to planning permission requirements. The consumer group submitted recommendations to the government’s Mobile Market Review, calling for increased investment in mobile infrastructure, 5G targets to ensure high-quality services for all customers, and performance standards that reflect real-world experiences.
Natalie Hitchins, Head of Home Products and Services at Which?, emphasized the importance of reliable mobile services alongside affordability. She urged collaboration between the government, regulatory bodies, and the industry to enhance investment, align coverage targets with actual performance, and address barriers hindering network upgrades.
Consumers dissatisfied with poor signal quality are encouraged to explore alternatives by utilizing Which?’s mobile network coverage and quality map to assess performance in their area and consider switching to a provider offering better value and reliability.