A new report from mobile analytics firm Opensignal has spotlighted the UK’s leading broadband providers, with EE, Vodafone, and Plusnet standing out for delivering top-tier performance. The study evaluated both superfast (30-300Mbps) and ultrafast (300Mbps and above) broadband services, using criteria such as Consistent Quality, Reliability Experience, and Video Experience.
Opensignal’s methodology involved categorizing each household’s internet connection based on the highest download and upload speeds recorded over a 30-day period. To ensure accuracy, the company excluded data from homes showing signs of poor router configuration.
Among superfast broadband users, EE and Vodafone achieved unmatched results across all three performance categories. Plusnet also earned top marks for Consistent Quality. When it came to Reliability Experience, the competition tightened, as EE, Vodafone, Plusnet, and Virgin Media all shared the top spot. The same level of parity was seen in the Video Experience category, where Virgin Media, Sky, Vodafone, and EE all tied for first place.
The ultrafast broadband rankings told a similar story, with EE, Vodafone, and Plusnet again leading across all evaluated metrics. In the Reliability category, TalkTalk joined the trio at the top, while BT and Virgin Media matched their Consistent Quality scores. Interestingly, for Video Experience, Opensignal found no significant difference among seven providers, noting a statistical tie.
The report also emphasized that ultrafast broadband tends to offer a noticeably superior experience compared to superfast connections, particularly when it comes to reliability. Opensignal’s data shows ultrafast households scored an average of 853 points out of 1000 on Reliability Experience, comfortably surpassing their superfast counterparts.
Although some homes still rely on older copper-based connections, the study suggests these are becoming less common, making performance at the higher end of the market increasingly relevant. The overall takeaway is that while certain providers edge ahead, the differences among the UK’s top ISPs are relatively slim.
