Are mobile broadband speeds fast enough for your home internet connection? The (very) short answer is - yes! Average mobile broadband speeds across the UK now sit comfortably inside Ofcom’s superfast band, top-end connections reach ultrafast speeds, and the technology is only improving.
For a more in-depth answer, here’s everything you need to know about average mobile broadband speeds in the UK.
What are average mobile broadband speeds in the UK?
In 5G-connected areas, the average mobile broadband speed for a 5G connection in the UK is 114 - 205Mbps, with a potential maximum speed of around 1.2Gbps through a dedicated router.
For a 4G connection, the average speed is 40 - 60Mbps, with specialist routers able to reach around 150Mbps.
For context, Ofcom classes anything above 30Mbps as superfast broadband and anything above 300Mbps as ultrafast. That puts a typical 5G mobile broadband connection firmly in superfast territory, with the fastest routers and locations reaching into the ultrafast band.
Which network has the fastest mobile broadband speeds?
Average UK mobile broadband speeds vary between providers. Three currently leads the UK networks on 5G download speed, although EE takes the top spot on most other measures of overall network experience - so the fastest network on paper isn’t automatically the best one for you.
According to Opensignal, whose figures below were measured between 1 October and 29 December 2025, this is how the UK’s carrier networks performed for 5G speed.
EE | O2 | Three | Vodafone | |
Average 5G download speed | 92.2Mbps | 89.9Mbps | 187Mbps | 130.9Mbps |
Average 5G upload speed | 16Mbps | 11Mbps | 20.2Mbps | 14.1Mbps |
Note: Vodafone and Three completed their merger in May 2025 and now operate as VodafoneThree. Opensignal measured them separately for this period, and their networks have since been integrated - so speeds on both have shifted as the combined network has come together. Read more about the UK’s mobile networks here.
How can I boost my mobile broadband speed?
If you want to get the best possible mobile broadband speed, there are several things you can do to ensure peak performance from your mobile broadband router.
Use the best network for your area
The table above might suggest that opting for Three is your best bet for fast 5G mobile broadband. However, it’s actually much more important to choose the best provider for your area than the fastest provider on average.
Check the mobile broadband coverage for your home (or wherever you plan to use your 5G router), and then choose the provider that offers the best signal in your area. Plan to move around, or worried about the best provider changing? That’s where multi-network mobile broadband comes in, giving you the option to switch to the best available network for you, whenever you want.
Position your router for the best possible signal
How you set up your router can also have a big impact on the mobile broadband download speeds you can achieve. Mobile broadband relies on receiving a signal from outside your property, so position your router with a clear, unobstructed view of the outside, ideally near a window.
Position it high up in the room to help the WiFi signal travel further (on top of a bookcase is perfect) and away from large electrical appliances like fridges as these can interfere with the signal.
Switch to a wired connection
If you want the best possible connection then, just like with traditional broadband, your best option is to connect the device you’re using directly to your router via an Ethernet cable. This will ensure you don’t lose any speed or signal strength in converting your connection to wireless, and it’s the perfect option for working from home.
