UK falls behind G7 peers in 5G download speeds, shows research

Despite the UK government's emphasis on the economic benefits of 5G technology, British mobile users experienced the slowest average 5G download speeds among G7 countries in 2023, according to Opensignal research.

The data revealed an average 5G download speed of 118.2 megabits per second, down 13% from the previous year. This places the UK as the worst-performing member of the G7, with France leading at 221.1 mbps. Factors contributing to the slowdown include disruptions caused by the ban on Huawei equipment and challenges in 5G infrastructure deployment.

While the UK government achieved its goal of delivering a basic 5G signal to the majority of the population by 2027, the study indicates a slower pace in comparison to other nations. The UK also ranked second to last in average 5G upload speeds, remaining unchanged from 2022.

Industry experts note that slow 5G adoption in the UK results from factors such as the Huawei ban, planning permission rules for 5G towers, and a lack of incentives for users to actively seek out the technology.

Opensignal's analysis further revealed declines in average 5G download speeds across 11 out of 12 UK regions between August and October 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Increased network traffic contributed to congestion during peak hours, impacting performance. The government claims it has taken steps to facilitate 5G deployment by updating planning regulations and supporting infrastructure upgrades.