EE on top in tests for 5G coverage in capital city

EE, part of BT Group, has come top of the first independent test looking at 5G coverage in Cardiff.

The report by RootMetrics, looking at the initial availability and mobile data performance of 5G in Cardiff, shows EE delivering the fastest median download speeds and strongest coverage.

It follows a similar report from RootMetrics last week looking at initial 5G performance in Birmingham which showed EE also leading in that city.

In late September and early October this year, RootMetrics walked and drove around Cardiff and carried out more than 10,000 tests.

They found that EE’s 5G service in Cardiff was much more widespread than that of Vodafone.

EE 5G availability in Cardiff was 43.4% and Vodafone’s was 14%.

The average speed on 5G on EE in Cardiff was 163.1 Mbps compared to 113.6 Mbps on Vodafone.

EE became the first network to launch 5G when it switched on coverage in six UK cities, including Cardiff, in May 2019.

While neither O2 nor Three had launched 5G when RootMetrics visited Cardiff (or Birmingham), the results show how well both the 4G and 5G networks are performing.

Marc Allera, CEO of BT’s Consumer division, said: “Our 5G network in Birmingham took the lead in last week’s early look at performance, and it’s excellent to see the same result in Cardiff.

“Our network is the number one for 5G coverage, helping us deliver the best mobile experience and keep our customers connected to the things that matter most.”