EE vs O2: Which UK Network Is Better in 2026?

By UK APN Hub Editorial Team · Last updated 17 May 2026

Quick Overview

EE and O2 are two of the UK's four main mobile network operators, both operating their own infrastructure nationwide. EE is owned by BT and is historically the UK's largest network by coverage; O2 is operated by Virgin Media O2, a joint venture between Liberty Global and Telefónica.

Coverage & 5G Rollout

EE claims 5G availability in over 150 UK locations, including extensive coverage across London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow and most major commuter towns. Its 4G network reaches approximately 99% of the UK population outdoors. EE's rural 4G footprint is among the best in the country, particularly in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

O2's 4G coverage also reaches 99% of the UK population but its 5G rollout is more concentrated in major cities and transport corridors. O2 has invested heavily in urban 5G but is less advanced than EE outside city centres. If you regularly travel between cities on the rail network, O2's partnership with Network Rail improves signal on train routes.

Coverage tool tip

Always check your specific home postcode and work address on each carrier's official coverage checker before switching. Headline national figures do not reflect individual street-level experience.

Data Speeds

On 4G, both networks deliver comparable average download speeds across the UK — typically 25–45 Mbps in good conditions. EE tends to edge ahead in independent tests due to its larger spectrum holdings, including the 2.6 GHz and 3.4 GHz bands used for faster LTE-Advanced aggregation.

On 5G, EE frequently tops independent UK speed rankings. In urban 5G zones, EE users regularly achieve 100–400 Mbps download speeds; O2's 5G is slightly slower on average but still a major step up from 4G. Upload speeds on both networks average 10–20 Mbps on 4G and 30–80 Mbps on 5G.

Plans & Pricing

EE offers SIM-only, pay-monthly handset, and pay-as-you-go plans. SIM-only plans start at around £10–£12/month for 10–15 GB and scale to unlimited data plans at £25–£35/month. EE bundles Apple TV+, BritBox, or Amazon Prime Video access with premium unlimited plans — useful if you already subscribe to those services.

O2 SIM-only plans start from around £8–£10/month for lower data tiers and similarly reach unlimited options around £20–£30/month. O2 also offers the Priority Moments loyalty programme, giving customers access to exclusive ticket presales, discounts and freebies. For budget shoppers, O2 is often slightly cheaper on equivalent data allowances.

APN Settings Compared

The APN (Access Point Name) is the gateway configuration your phone uses to connect to mobile data and MMS. EE and O2 use completely different APNs — using the wrong one will prevent data from working.

Full step-by-step guides: EE APN settings · O2 APN settings

Roaming

EE includes EU roaming on most pay-monthly plans as part of its Smart Benefits package, allowing you to use your UK data allowance in EU countries at no extra cost. Roaming in non-EU destinations (USA, Australia, etc.) requires an add-on.

O2 similarly includes EU roaming on most plans. Its Travel package covers 75+ destinations worldwide. Both networks support the same APN for roaming as for domestic data — no separate roaming APN is needed.

MVNOs Running on Each Network

EE hosts BT Mobile as its primary consumer MVNO. Other MVNOs historically hosted on EE include certain Asda Mobile configurations. O2 has a much larger MVNO ecosystem, including giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile, Lycamobile and Virgin Media O2.

Frequently Asked Questions