UK Mobile Internet Coverage Ranks Behind All EU and G7 Nations, Report Finds

LONDON: The United Kingdom has the weakest mobile internet coverage among all European Union member states and G7 countries, according to a new analysis by consumer group Which?, highlighting growing concerns over the country’s digital infrastructure despite relatively low mobile service costs.

The report, based on data from network analytics firm Opensignal, found the UK ranks 57th globally for overall mobile network performance, 70th for download speeds, and 55th for the consistency needed for activities such as video streaming, online gaming and video calls. More than one-third of mobile users reported experiencing problems such as dropped connections and slow data speeds over the past year.

According to the analysis, nationwide 4G coverage has improved to 84%, while 5G coverage stands at 64%, leaving large rural areas without access to faster mobile services. Consumer advocates said outdated planning regulations, disputes over land for telecommunications infrastructure and insufficient investment have slowed network expansion.

Natalie Hitchins, head of home products and services at Which?, said consumers deserve reliable mobile services alongside competitive prices, urging the government, regulator Ofcom and the telecommunications industry to work together to accelerate investment and remove barriers to network upgrades.

The report also highlighted poor mobile connectivity on Britain’s railways, noting that countries such as Germany have introduced minimum mobile data speed standards along major rail routes, while the UK continues to lag behind in providing reliable coverage for passengers.