4G really needs to get its skates on -- for the sake of our national reputation. Mobile Internet is four times faster in nippy New York than it is in lagging London, according to a new report from pro tester RootMetrics.
Mobile data averaged 2.3Mbps download speed across a hefty 11,413 tests in our capital, and 8.5Mbps over 5,294 tests in the Big Apple. Uploads had the same dismal result, with an average of 4Mbps in NY and a measly 1Mbps in London.
It wasn't all bad news for Blighty. The fastest spot in our fair capital is apparently Blackwood Avenue in Chingford, north London, which managed a frankly astonishing 12.9Mbps in a single test on the O2 network. Outside of the M25, the amusingly named Snodland in Kent hit an eyebrow-raising 7.3Mbps on Three.
That shows the enormous variance in service that we all find so infuriating. I would certainly trade a few meg in top speed for a much more uniform service, and in fact 4G is supposed to provide that reliability -- as well as a trouser-browning boost in speed.
Different networks seem to serve specific places better than others, with Chelmsford on average much slower than Slough, but Vodafone much faster than its rivals in the Essex town, for example. Even with a pretty wide data sample, however, these results might not mean much compared to prolonged periods of use.
RootMetrics ranked the UK's networks on their current London service. Three took the top spot -- it was "a clear winner", the company said -- with O2, Vodafone, Orange and T-Mobile following behind, in that order.
Orange and T-Mobile are doing something about their last-placed ranking though. They're part of one company now, called Everything Everywhere. This umbrella organisation is launching the UK's first 4G network -- dubbed EE -- this month.
When we tested a bunch of 4G-powered blowers on its network, we were pleasantly surprised, if not blown away, by the results. Check out our 4G speed test in this video:
The Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE's 10.4Mbps download would be thoroughly respectable in the US, so I'm hopeful that once all the networks have rolled out 4G across the UK, our moribund mobile data speeds won't be such a source of trans-Atlantic embarrassment. That should happen sometime next year, with Vodafone, O2 and Three due to start 4G service in the spring and rural areas connecting up over the following year.
How's data in your area? Have you found a big difference if you've switched network? What about if you travel outside your usual stamping ground? Is Chingford really the data capital of the UK? Widen the sample in the comments below, or over on our superfast Facebook page.
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Comments 13
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anonymous 15 October, 2012 13:46
Hi - I got a download speed of 11.64mbps in my flat in Shepherd's Bush last week (and I have the screen shot to prove it!). I'm on t-mobile, using an S3 (not the LTE version).
Leszcz 15 October, 2012 15:07
I'm with three and I'm really happy. I get H+ in 90% of the cases and it's faster than Vodafone, O2 and orange with which I've been before. The issue with them also is that sometimes I used to get 2g and not 3g, I'd rather have no Internet than that. THREE coverage is also great. And it's a real alternative for a WiFi at home. I recommend them!
A Non Mouse 15 October, 2012 16:00
I'd have to agree on 3 being the fastest in my experience. A friend of mine got a Wildfire S on 3 when they had not long launched and asked me to install a few apps for him, as i did this i was astounded at just how fast i was able to download on his phone i had a GS on Orange and was comfortably slower downloading the same apps.
Three's customer service though needs to pull up it's socks.
Meleagru 15 October, 2012 16:34
I've had no problems with customer service, apart from long waiting times and some accent troubles, but the latter is hardly relevant. Their coverage however has me between a rock and a hard place. I just moved and I have no reception in the house, I have to get out into the street or the garden to be able to make a proper call.
CaptainPicard 15 October, 2012 18:21
All companies from mobile networks to energy companies have crap customer service. That is why in 2 years when my contract with Orange ends I will definitely get a phone on the 3 network, because their contract deals are clearly the best and offer unlimited data.
This is kinda embarrassing, I just did a speed test on my PC and I reached 8 mbps using home broadband!
anonymous 15 October, 2012 18:44
I'm with 3 in & their service used to be good until their Engineers played around with the mast in April. 6 months of 0.01 download & 0.00 upload. They log the fault, apologise, then send a text every 6 weeks or so claiming the mast is fixed. Then give a number to call to follow up that in August cost me £21 as I waited & waited & waited on hold to speak to an Engineer. They have no clue or intention? to fix the mast local to my house.
anonymous 15 October, 2012 20:49
Are they serious? Three is shocking in both service and network access. It's about time they were bought out by a proper mobile company that can run a network. Agree it's about time the UK came up to par with other countries like the US for data speeds.
anonymous 16 October, 2012 10:43
Speedtest on my S3 on Vodafone hit 10mbits outside my flat, and 8.5 inside... better than a lot of peoples broadband connections
Uploads were 3-4mbits in both scenarios
Lee Martin Watson 16 October, 2012 13:13
I've used 3 for about 10 years. For internet on the mobile they have always been the fastest. Yes, their customer service is abhorent, and the fact that 3 only has one mast actually in Clitheroe is frustrating, compared with the other networks having multiple masts dotted around here. Never the less, I get speeds in excess of 10Mb on it, and using their Mi-fi unit which is ultra reliable, it out performs any landline service locally. Data with no download limit whatsoever (It is actually stated as 1000GB monthly) on it's All-in-one service for around £30 a month makes it more than worth it, and cheaper than landline services, especially when you take into account you have to pay £15 per month for the line rental with landlines!
CaptainPicard 16 October, 2012 23:07
^ Just curious, where does it say that about 1000GB Monthly?
anonymous 9 November, 2012 08:52
Hahahahah
I Live in austria and i have the austrian THREE (hutchison 3G)
I have unlimited and unthrottheled data for 15 € per month
my average speed is 19Mbp/s, with my HTC OneX with HSPA+
anonymous 24 January, 2013 20:32
Just my two cents: the test procedure doesn't do justice to all phones, since their antennae nearly touch each other. They should've been placed on a large glass table, in open space (a penthouse terrace, for example, for a more uniform signal) with sufficient space between any two of them to minimize mutual interference. Also, if possible, they should be set up on the same network, the path to the test server should be practically identical.
anonymous 29 January, 2013 06:55
Get 18Mbps on my HTC 8X in Rayleigh, Essex, but only 3Mbps in Central London, on 'Three'.