EE mobile vs O2 mobile: Which network is best?
Dan Howdle • September 26th, 2024
EE and O2 are two of the UK’s main four mobile operators, alongside Three and Vodafone. EE was formed in 2012 by the merger of Orange and T-Mobile, while O2 can trace its roots back to Cellnet and BT Cellnet before it became O2 in 2002. Other providers in the UK piggyback onto one of these networks.
With that history lesson over, it's time to see which of these mobile heavyweights is the right network for you. This will depend on how you will use your mobile phone service. Is it data speed, coverage or reliability that matters most to you? Or perhaps you're more interested in value for money, customer service, consolidating your bills and admin, or maybe you just want the bonuses that might be on offer? Whatever your priority, we've got all the info you need right here.
Price
Winner: O2
Both EE and O2 offer pay-monthly, pay-as-you-go, SIM-only, tablets, laptops, smartwatches and mobile broadband price plans. On a SIM-only basis, the two networks compare favourably on price. When offers are taken out of the equation, O2 tends to offer better value, while EE offers faster data speeds and marginally superior coverage.
If you want a handset, then it’s worth noting that with some handsets, such as the latest iPhone, EE will only let you get one with an unlimited SIM. In general, O2 is more flexible on the choice of tariff and also separates the cost of your handset and your airtime. This means that once your minimum term has expired, you stop paying for the phone and only pay for your allowance. With O2’s custom plans, you can choose how much you want to pay up front and spread the remaining cost of your handset over the length of your contract. Plus, the handset part of the contract isn’t subject to price increases in line with inflation (whereas the airtime part is).
When it comes to pay-as-you-go, both providers offer bundles of calls, texts and data for you to buy with your credit. These packages are relatively similar in terms of cost and allowances, but if you want ‘classic’ pay-as-you-go where you only pay for what you use, then O2 is the clear winner, giving you the option to roll over your unused monthly data allowance.
Data speed and limits
Winner: EE
The speed of EE’s 4G and 5G networks remains among the best in the UK. EE was the first UK operator to launch 4G in 2012 and 5G in 2019, providing a significant head start over competitors. EE’s 5G is now available in most towns, cities, and has expanded to some suburban areas, and it operates in addition to the existing 4G network for enhanced reliability and connectivity.
EE's 5G speeds continue to improve with recent reports showing an average download speed of around 200Mbps, with peak speeds reaching up to 753 Mbps. For 4G, the average download speed is about 33Mbps. EE’s network upgrades, including the introduction of 5G Standalone, promise even faster speeds and better coverage as the rollout progresses, although full network capabilities reaching up to 1Gbps will develop as the infrastructure expands.
O2 also provides 5G without speed restrictions, but it generally lags behind EE in speed performance. However, since the fastest speeds from EE are not available everywhere, it's crucial to check the coverage and performance of each network in your specific area before choosing.
Network coverage
Winner: EE
EE continues to offer the best 4G and 5G network coverage of any UK mobile operator. Its 4G service covers over 99% of the UK population, and EE’s 5G is available in more locations than any other network, including all major cities and many rural areas. The 5G rollout is expanding further, with recent additions along key road and rail routes to maintain connectivity for travellers.
EE’s focus on ‘geographic coverage’ means its network now reaches around 88% of the UK landmass, with ambitions to push this to 95% in the coming years. This widespread availability gives EE a significant advantage, particularly in rural and remote areas compared to its competitors.
O2 has also made notable improvements, with its 4G network covering over 99% of the UK population and its 5G network now available in around 750 towns and cities. As part of the Shared Rural Network initiative, O2 aims to boost 4G landmass coverage from 64% to 88%, and it continues to expand its 5G network aggressively across the UK.
For those looking to use either network’s coverage without subscribing directly, several virtual operators rely on the same infrastructure. Sky Mobile and giffgaff operate on O2’s network for example, offering more flexible options without sacrificing coverage quality.
Customer service
Winner: O2
O2 continues to perform well in customer service according to the latest Ofcom report on service quality. The report shows that 53% of O2 customers are satisfied with how their complaints are handled, and 85% are happy with the operator overall—both figures above the average for UK mobile operators.
EE also performs competitively, with 55% of customers satisfied with complaint handling and 87% satisfied with overall service, aligning with the industry average. However, call waiting times for EE average around 3 minutes 41 seconds, whereas O2 has improved to an average of 2 minutes 33 seconds.
Regarding complaints, Ofcom data indicates that EE receives two complaints per 100,000 customers, while O2 receives eight complaints per 100,000 customers.
Benefits and features
Winner: Draw
EE and O2 are closely matched when it comes to added extras, and it comes down to whether you value premium content, exclusive services, or unique experiences. EE offers a selection of Smart Benefits depending on the plan chosen. These include access to Apple Music, Apple TV+, Netflix, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Microsoft 365 Personal, and Roam Abroad Pass. Some plans also offer exclusive perks like Apple One, which bundles Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and iCloud+ with 50GB of storage for iPhone users on selected plans.
O2 provides access to Priority, the UK’s largest digital loyalty programme, offering perks like early access to gig tickets, free coffee, and various discounts. Additionally, on selected O2 Refresh phone, tablet, and SIM-only contracts, customers can choose a free extra for up to 12 months, such as Disney+, Amazon Music Unlimited, Prime Video, Audible, and more. O2’s unique combination of content and experiential rewards sets it apart for those who value entertainment and exclusive access.
Both EE and O2 options are excellent, offering various benefits that cater to different preferences. The choice ultimately depends on whether you prefer the streaming and connectivity options of EE or the loyalty rewards and content bundles of O2. It is therefore a draw.
Going overseas
Winner: O2
When the UK was in the European Union, mobile phone service providers were banned from charging customers extra fees to use their UK allowance of minutes, texts, and data (subject to 'fair use' limits) in any EU country. Post-Brexit, these rules no longer apply, and most major mobile operators have reintroduced roaming charges of some kind.
EE charges a £2.47 daily fee for customers using their data, minutes, and texts in its European roaming zone. However, customers on 'All Rounder' or 'Full Works' plans can use their allowances at no extra cost if they have a Roam Abroad Pass, which is available as an add-on for £25 per month. Outside Europe, the charges increase significantly, and users need to purchase specific data passes depending on their destination and plan type.
O2 still offers free roaming within its Europe Zone, allowing customers to use their UK allowances of minutes, texts, and data in over 45 countries at no extra cost, which sets it apart from many competitors. For destinations outside Europe, O2 offers the O2 Travel Bolt On, which costs £6 per day and provides unlimited minutes, texts, and data in 75 countries. For Pay As You Go customers, a similar service is available for £1.99 per day.
Overall, when it comes to roaming, O2 has a clear advantage within Europe due to its free roaming options, while EE's offerings are more suited to those on premium plans who need coverage beyond Europe but are willing to pay for added convenience and speed.
Conclusion
As you can see, both operators have their pros and cons, but the choice is actually quite simple. If you want the best network and don’t care how much you spend, then EE is the one for you. It has the fastest speeds and best coverage, while there are some nice extras for you to use your data on. But if you want more for your money and don’t mind going a little sslower, if still perfectly good speeds, then it’s worth checking out O2.
